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Nicholas Holdinghausenand Jennifer Olson host Small Town Big Business and interview Murphysboro-based entrepreneur Traci McLaughlin, who runs Shine On A Dime cleaning (11 years, residential and commercial) with her husband, manages McLaughlin Properties (eight rentals acquired largely through opportunities that arose during and after COVID), and writes as an author. McLaughlin discusses publishing her first novel, Threads of Grace—inspired by her brother Troy’s death at 28 and shaped by experiences including foster care—plus a companion guided journal, a children’s book The Wise Path, and an upcoming children’s book Elena planned for July/August 2026. She shares lessons about avoiding publishing scams, editing and formatting, ISBN/barcode choices, and selling via Amazon and libraries, along with challenges of hiring, landlord repairs, unreliable tenants, and balancing business with family time.Recorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://www.facebook.com/ShineOnaDimeIL/SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:Watermark Auto Group: https://www.watermark.auto/Fowler Heating & Cooling: https://fowlerheatingandcooling.com/Swinford Media Group: https://swinfordpublications.com/Arcadia Wealth Group: https://www.raymondjames.com/arcadiawealthgroupBanterra Bank: https://www.banterra.bank/Southern Illinois Now: https://southernillinoisnow.org/Produced by Union Street Artshttps://www.unionstreetarts.com/00:00 Welcome to Southern Illinois Now00:46 Meet Tracy McLaughlin01:05 Three Businesses Overview02:36 From Idea to First Book05:21 Publishing Pitfalls and Process11:20 Threads of Grace Story14:25 Entrepreneurial Roots15:37 Building Shine on a Dime18:58 Marketing and Small Business Seasons20:41 Rental Properties Origin Story21:10 Buying First Home22:27 Inheriting Country Mobile Home23:48 COVID Rental Expansion25:08 Eight Properties Now25:59 Landlord Challenges30:13 Local Management Matters31:39 Character And Client Care34:03 Advice To Younger Self38:02 Writing New Books39:13 Where To Find Tracy42:13 Time Over Money43:35 Podcast Wrap Up
