Through a tragedy of her parents losing their home to fire and saving a box of old photos, Tracy Palmer became a consultant for Creative Memories.
By Veronica Stoneall, Living Stones News Writer

For 12 years, Tracy Palmer has been capturing her clients’ memories through her Creative Memories Business.

When Tracy Palmer isn’t helping preserve memories for the clients of her Creative Memories business, she keeps busy making her own memories with her family: Tracy (from left), Madeline, 12, her husband, Stuart, and Gabriel, 13.

But, to Palmer, her business is much more than a avenue to creatively freeze precious moments in time. Her work helps make a
difference in others’ lives — and their spiritual walks.

“The Bible commands us to pass on our stories and testimonies so we don’t forget God’s faithfulness and the process of sorting out our life story,” said Palmer, whose company spans the Twin Cities and beyond. Some clients come from as far away as Texas. “This brings a tremendous sense of belonging, purpose, gratitude, healing and so much more. I believe that every individual needs to be reached with our mission.

“My team of consultants are aptly named ‘Team Impact’ because of the magnitude of what we do and how the mission impacts each family that
we touch.”

Palmer believes that God has molded her business over the years. Her one-word mission statement — “Relationships” — puts people before profits. She said she relies on God to guide her business and uses tithing to her church and an openness to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with her customers and team members as her claim for success.

“In my business that attracts Christians, God sends me ‘seekers’ instead,” Palmer said. “My vocation is a vehicle that He uses to quickly put me in an intimate relationship with those I serve.”

That fact continues to amaze her and increases her conviction each year regarding His purposes for her business.

While working as a nanny and wanting to start her own family, Palmer had several miscarriages before eventually being blessed with two children. Not wanting to miss out on anything with the babies, she considered 15 different home businesses and narrowed it down to three or four possibilities.

At that time, her parents’ home had burned to the ground. The volunteer firemen offered to “go inside” once. Her parents asked for
a large, pink dilapidated box of photos located under the stairs.
Palmer then made photo albums for her family.

“That was the beginning of my love for the Creative Memories mission for preserving the past, enriching the present and inspiring hope for the future,” Palmer said.

Growing up in Anoka, Minn., and being the middle child with a father who left and a stepfather who drank made life difficult for Palmer. She was a runner at heart, but needed to help her mother work. As a teenager, Palmer said she had difficulty with eating disorders, but was led to a Jesus People Church where she found Jesus Christ as a friend she could count on.

Palmer loves her Creative Memories business. She has set goals for herself and enjoys helping people create beautiful memories. It is the creative joy of using unique and different skills, natural and learned talents and passions that makes her Creative Memories business a success.

You can find out more about her business at www.mycmsite.com/tracypalmer.