Tracy Matthews is one of those people who seems to effortlessly evolve, no matter what life or business throws her way. When I think about the women who’ve inspired me most on my journey, she’s right up there at the top. Before we ever met, I was already a fan. Her jewelry designs were some of the first that really lit a spark in me when I was dreaming about starting my own business. I remember following her journey, thinking, This is what’s possible. Fast forward a few years, and not only did our paths cross—we became friends.

Over the past decade, I’ve watched Tracy wear so many hats: talented jewelry designer, smart and savvy business coach, founder of Flourish & Thrive Academy—and now, Reinvention Coach for her latest mastermind, The Art of Reinvention. Through it all, she’s stayed true to herself while constantly evolving—and helping others do the same. What I’ve always loved most about her is how real she is. Whenever we talk, it’s like no time has passed. We dive right in—into the heart of things. Our most recent conversation was no different. We talked about what it means to truly reinvent yourself, to build a business that reflects who you are now—not who you were five years ago. Tracy shared so many powerful insights about risk, resilience, and the legacy she’s working toward. It didn’t feel like an interview. It felt like two friends sitting down, being honest about the mess and the magic of the creative journey. And that’s exactly why she’s a perfect fit for our SEEN Interviews. I can’t wait to share this conversation with all of you. It’s full of real talk, hard-earned wisdom, and the kind of inspiration that sticks with you.

Q&A with Tracy Matthews

1. What are you most proud of so far in your life, and how does it make you feel?

Tracy: “Betting on myself. After losing my mom at 21, I realized no one was coming to save me. I saw her begin to step into her power just before she passed, and I knew I didn’t want to live for others or wait to be rescued. That experience shaped everything—it gave me this fierce independence and a belief that I could always figure things out. I am my best asset.”

2. What has been a challenge you’ve faced, and what did you learn from it?

Tracy: “In 2008, I lost nearly everything in my jewelry business when the market crashed. I’d just had my best year and shipped hundreds of thousands of dollars in orders—and overnight, it was gone. But that crash became my pivot point. I learned that failure can be a springboard. That moment led to the creation of Flourish & Thrive Academy and a new way of living and working. Resilience and reinvention became ”my superpowers.

3. What is an important and unexpected change you’ve made in your life?

Tracy: “I met someone and moved to Arizona—something I never saw coming. I was a New York girl, all about the city energy. But I was also burned out. When I met my partner Jason, it was life-changing. Suddenly, I had stepkids, a whole new environment, and a slower pace of life. It was hard at first—I felt a little lost—but I found community, healing, and a new version of myself.”

4. When did you first feel truly seen and understood for who you are?

Tracy: “At a retreat, a friend reflected back to me the version of me that she saw—and it cracked something open. I realized people have always seen me clearly... I just hadn’t fully seen myself. That moment taught me that until we truly embrace and own who we are, we’ll keep feeling invisible. Self-recognition is everything.”

5. In what ways do you feel more authentically yourself now than ever before?

Tracy: “With age comes confidence. At 54, I know myself deeply—what trips me up, where my fears live, and where my power lies. I’ve been on a healing journey for years, and the more I lean into that, the more I show up authentically. I'm no longer afraid to be visible, to speak up, to lead. It's like—why not?”

6. Is your life what you thought it would be? Why or why not?

Tracy: “Not at all—and thank goodness! I thought I’d have the jewelry brand everyone knew, be married to my college sweetheart, and have the white picket fence. But life had other plans. I’ve spent most of my adult life as a single woman in big cities, building and reinventing. And now, I’m with someone who’s a true partner. I feel like anything is possible. I wouldn’t trade my path for anything.”

7. What advice would you give your younger self?

Tracy: “Get an axe—your life is going to be full of challenges, but you're here to do big, meaningful things. It’s in your stars. You didn’t come here to live an easy life—you came to lead, to blaze a trail. Hold that vision. It will be so worth it.

”8. What wisdom have you gained that could only come through living these years?

Tracy: “That our value is innate. We are born worthy. And the more we understand ourselves—our fears, our motivations, our gifts—the more we can lean into what makes us shine. Healing isn’t about waiting to take action; it’s about knowing yourself so deeply that you move through life with clarity and confidence.”

9. What do you want your legacy to be?

Tracy: “I want people to know that what makes them different is what makes them powerful. That their quirks, their uniqueness—that’s the brilliance. I want to be an example of that, and help others see it in themselves. That’s why I’m excited to start speaking in high schools and colleges. We need to change the narrative around creativity and what success looks like.”

10. Which Mini Medallion represents you, and why?

Tracy: “Trailblazer, hands down. That’s who I am and always have been. But I’m drawn to the Free Spirit too, maybe because of my love for hummingbirds. Still, Trailblazer is it—sticks in my hair, axe in hand, leading the way through the woods. That’s me.”

Tracy Matthews is the founder of Flourish & Thrive Academy and a leader in creative entrepreneurship. Follow her journey at tracymatthews.com and stay tuned for her next chapter in The Art of Reinvention.

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