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From Lists to Lifelines: The Journey of Traci Johnson and Checklist Concierge Service

Women's Journal Staff on September 19, 2025

By: Matt Emma

There’s a rare strength in transforming hardship into opportunity, in shaping life’s most difficult seasons into something purposeful. That’s exactly what Traci Johnson did. Emerging from a period of personal challenge, she founded Checklist Concierge Service, LLC, a business devoted to helping people reclaim time, reduce stress, and restore balance. What began as a turning point in her own life has become a meaningful resource for others navigating overwhelming responsibilities.

Johnson’s story begins in Center Hill, a rural community near Hanceville, Alabama, where she was raised in a home filled not only with love but also with hard work and compassion for others. From her father, a poultry farmer, she learned persistence and grit; from her mother, the quiet power of showing up for those in need.

That blend of discipline and empathy shaped her path through education, career, and entrepreneurship. “I grew up watching two people who gave everything they had, one through work and one through service,” Johnson says. “That shaped who I am now and how I have approached every part of my life.”

After excelling academically, Johnson pursued advanced studies in international business, focusing on marketing and Spanish. Her educational journey naturally steered her toward the field of human resources, where she developed a strong specialization in employee relations and workplace communication. During this time, she honed her skills in problem-solving and people management.

Entrepreneurship became a natural extension of her drive. Johnson launched small businesses, revitalized a retail store, and led community-focused marketing efforts. Each venture deepened her understanding of customer service, operations, and team leadership. She also spent 14 years as a college instructor, mentoring students while raising her children.

These experiences gave her a broad perspective across business, education, and community service. “Every chapter taught me something different,” she shares. “I didn’t always see how it connected at the time, but now I realize it was preparation for what I’m doing today.”

As her children grew older, Johnson began to reflect on her identity and purpose. That introspection intensified in December 2021, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Facing surgery and recovery, she reassessed how she wanted to spend her time and what kind of work would bring lasting meaning. “That diagnosis forced me to stop and reevaluate everything,” she recalls. “I asked myself what impact I wanted to make.”

From that reflection, Checklist Concierge Service was born in 2022. The team tackles elements that weigh heavily on individuals, families, and small businesses, from errands and event planning to household management and administrative support. Clients rely on Johnson and her team for help with coordinating contractors, preparing meals, providing senior companionship, and managing the endless checklist that can make daily life feel overwhelming.

Essentially, the business is about restoring time and peace of mind. “Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference,” Johnson notes. “When someone feels that weight lift off their shoulders, you can see it instantly. That’s what keeps us going.”

Checklist Concierge Service quickly found its place in the Cullman community. Johnson identified a gap and created a solution that was both flexible and personal. She built the company around values of reliability, empathy, and trust. Every service is customized to the client, whether they’re busy professionals or elderly residents. Her approach is relational, grounded in the belief that small acts of kindness can lead to major improvements in quality of life.

Traci Johnson envisions Checklist Concierge Service not just as a thriving business but as an evolving model for sustainable, community-based support. It reflects a lifetime of lessons about work, service, resilience, and reinvention woven into an enterprise that touches lives in practical, meaningful ways. Ultimately, what began as a personal crossroads has become a lasting legacy of care.

From Hustle to Harmony: Jennifer Tamborski on Building a Marketing Strategy That Actually Works

Women's Journal Staff on September 19, 2025

By: Michael Beas

In an age of ever-changing algorithms, viral trends, and countless marketing tips, it’s no wonder so many women entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of “should-dos” in their business. Jennifer Tamborski, CEO of Virtual Marketing Experts and host of The Marketing Matchmaker Podcast, understands this chaos well — and she has dedicated herself to helping business owners create a more manageable, sustainable path to growth.

“Marketing overwhelm is a very real challenge,” she says. “Entrepreneurs are often pulled in multiple directions. But when you focus on the essentials — visibility, lead generation, and sales — many other aspects of your business tend to fall into place.”

The Impact of Simplifying

For Jennifer, marketing isn’t about trying every new tactic or doing more — it’s about doing what works. Her signature framework aims to cut through the noise by grounding business growth in three core areas:

  • Visibility: Ensuring that your ideal clients are aware of your business.
  • Lead Generation: Drawing in potential clients and guiding them toward your business.
  • Sales: Converting that interest into steady, scalable revenue.

This approach, she explains, provides business owners with a valuable filter. “If an activity doesn’t align with one of these three areas, it might not be essential at this moment,” she says. “Simplifying doesn’t mean doing less. It means focusing on what drives results — consistently.”

And for the women who are often balancing business with family, community, and personal growth, this simplicity can be a game-changer.

From Doer to CEO: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

One of the common challenges Jennifer observes in women-led businesses is the transition from technician to strategist — from being caught up in daily tasks to leading from a broader perspective.

“You’re highly skilled at what you do, but scaling your business requires a different mindset,” she explains. “It’s about evolving from being the engine to becoming the architect.”

Jennifer works with clients to cultivate an essential belief: Your time is more valuable when spent on strategy, systems, and scalability. This shift isn’t just about mindset — it’s about rethinking your business model. She encourages clients to focus on:

  • One ideal audience
  • One clear message
  • One strategic funnel
  • One impactful offer

“This level of focus doesn’t limit you,” Jennifer explains. “It allows you the freedom to grow, lead, and breathe again.”

Where Mindset Meets Messaging

While Jennifer is a seasoned marketing strategist, she is also a certified NLP Master Coach — a combination that uniquely positions her to bridge the gap between what entrepreneurs do and how they think.

“Effective marketing isn’t just about what your audience thinks — it’s about understanding how they think,” she says. “When you understand decision-making behavior, you can craft messaging that truly resonates.”

Take her client Walt, for example. Like many service providers, he was caught in the “hope and hustle” loop — relying solely on referrals, avoiding sales conversations, and struggling to stand out. Together, they revamped his messaging to target a more specific audience and reframed his view of sales from pressure-filled pitches to meaningful conversations.

“When strategy aligns with mindset, that’s when real growth occurs,” Jennifer adds.

Marketing Myths That Need to Go

Jennifer is on a mission to challenge a prevalent and potentially harmful belief in modern entrepreneurship: the myth of instant success.

“Many believe that one viral post will transform everything. But that’s not how sustainable marketing works,” she says. “Marketing is a science — it’s about collecting data. Each piece of content provides valuable feedback.”

By shifting from a perfectionist, performance-based mindset to one of curiosity and experimentation, entrepreneurs can find their rhythm. “Instead of asking, ‘Why didn’t this work?’ ask yourself, ‘What can I learn from this?’ That’s how momentum builds.”

Designing a Business That Supports Your Life

Perhaps the significant change Jennifer made in her own journey was stepping away from the traditional agency model she had built over a decade.

“I realized I was burned out. The business I created wasn’t aligned with the life I truly wanted,” she shares. “So, I made a conscious decision to redesign everything.”

Today, she helps clients do the same — not only by building smarter marketing systems but by ensuring those systems align with the freedom, purpose, and ease they seek.

“Success should never come at the expense of your health or happiness,” she says. “I work with women to build businesses that scale — without sacrifice.”

Final Word: You Don’t Need to Do It All. You Need to Do What Works.

In a world where confusion often prevails, Jennifer Tamborski provides much-needed clarity. Her approach isn’t about chasing every new trend — it’s about building sustainable systems, stepping into your CEO mindset, and creating a business that’s aligned with your goals, profitable, and able to grow over time.

For any woman entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed, Jennifer’s advice is straightforward:
 “You don’t need more tactics. You need a system based on visibility, leads, and sales. You need a strategy that fits your unique vision — not someone else’s idea of success.”

And importantly? You need to trust that simplicity is impactful.

Hidden Legends, Bold Voices: How Megan Linski and Alicia Rades Are Rewriting the Rules of Fantasy Fiction

Women's Journal Staff on September 19, 2025

By: Michael Beas

In a genre often defined by dragons, destinies, and daring quests, authors Megan Linski and Alicia Rades have carved out a realm that is as grounded in human struggle as it is in magic. As the co-creators of the Hidden Legends universe—a sprawling collection of fantasy series steeped in myth, magic, and emotional truth—these two women have redefined what it means to write fantasy for the modern reader.

But their journey into co-authorship wasn’t scripted by fate—it started at a writing convention.

“We were both individual authors who met at a convention for authors,” the duo shared. “Megan did some editing work for Alicia, and we learned that we worked really well together. Alicia encouraged Megan to co-write multiple times before she finally agreed.”

That persistence paid off. Today, their collaborations have become well-regarded, celebrated for their rich worldbuilding and emotionally complex characters. Their writing process—both structured and intuitive—reflects the strength of their creative partnership.

“Our co-written books are dual point-of-view, so we each take one character,” they explained. “That has allowed us to maintain our own voices, while giving us a chance to work together to improve our writing.”

Beyond the mechanics of storytelling, what sets Hidden Legends apart is the emotional and philosophical undercurrent running through every spell and swordfight. The magical systems, while imaginative, often act as metaphors for real-world struggles—from identity crises to societal inequality.

“It doesn’t matter how magical the world is, there will always be real-life problems that our characters go through and have to face,” they said. “The magical systems in our fantasy books act as a metaphor for real-life experiences, and we get to help our readers process their own struggles by identifying with and reading our fiction.”

This philosophy has resonated deeply with readers—especially women navigating their own challenges. Whether it’s disability, mental health, infertility, or the complexities of motherhood, Linski and Rades write stories that bring attention to realities often left unexplored in fantasy.

“One of our talents is exploring women’s issues, especially since Megan is a disabled woman,” they shared. “Her books often focus on how to navigate the world as someone who is disabled, female, and typically feels out of place. She wants her characters who have disabilities to succeed instead of just surviving their circumstances.”

Their work doesn’t shy away from tough topics—but it doesn’t wallow in them either. Instead, it reclaims agency, showing women not just surviving, but thriving, healing, and leading.

“We also work with themes of marriage, motherhood, and infertility among young women,” they continued. “One of our top focuses is to write stories of strong women as they work to change the world.”

Indeed, empowerment is the heartbeat of the Hidden Legends universe. Female characters hold leadership positions, fight the battles, make the hard choices—and enjoy the romance too. But not at the expense of their autonomy.

“Our Hidden Legends Universe focuses on equal-dynamic, healthy romantic relationships where women have power and autonomy within their intimate connections,” the authors noted. “Some of our books have steamy content, and we want women to know you can find empowerment and pleasure in all the circumstances you choose for yourself.”

That nuanced take on romance—sensual yet affirming, magical yet deeply personal—adds another layer to their storytelling. And it’s part of what makes their characters resonate so deeply with readers.

Their collaborative process is remarkably smooth, built on mutual respect and clear communication. They alternate chapters based on their character’s point of view and share responsibilities in brainstorming, outlining, and editing. As for creative disagreements?

“They’re rare,” they said. “We work around them by coming up with solutions we both can agree on. If it’s not working for both of us, it’s not working, period.”
 It’s a sentiment that speaks to the core of their values—not just as writers, but as women: collaboration over competition, compromise without sacrificing vision.

Asked what message they hope to leave with readers—particularly women facing challenges of their own—the answer was both heartfelt and powerful.

“Emotions are what we do best in our writing. We want to inspire people, especially people with challenging backgrounds such as disability and mental health, to pursue their dreams while uplifting their community. Our books feature themes of discovering your power and learning that YOU are the key to changing the world.”

In the end, Linski and Rades are doing more than telling stories. They’re building mythologies that speak to the soul, reminding readers that even in the darkest chapters of life, magic—whether real or metaphorical—is never far away.

“Even if you lose something along the way,” they said, “what you gain will be greater than what you left behind. You can find meaning in anything, even the darkest parts of your life.”
And in their hands, those hidden legends become visible truths.

Alicia Trew’s Memoir: Finding Strength Through Loss and Self-Love

Women's Journal Staff on September 19, 2025

By: Jonathyn Lopez

When Alicia Trew sat down to write Losing Michele, she wasn’t just putting words on a page; she was piecing together the shattered fragments of her heart. Less than a year ago (2024), Alicia lost her wife, Michele, to cancer, a loss that felt unbearable at the time. Through the pain, she discovered something extraordinary: writing became not only her outlet but her path to healing. What started as grief on paper transformed into a story of resilience, self-love, and a reminder that even the darkest chapters can lead us to light.

Her journey is deeply personal, but it is not hers alone. She speaks lovingly of Michele, whose presence continues to shape her steps forward, and of her two stepdaughters, Jonni Gibbs and Jessi Walker-Trew, who walked this painful journey by her side. She gives heartfelt credit to her mother, grandmother, closest friend Amanda, and her boss and colleagues, who proved to be more than just coworkers. For Alicia, these relationships became lifelines, reminding her that healing is not a solitary act but a collective strength. The book’s title, Losing Michele, came naturally as Alicia processed the weight of her journey. “The worst thing that could have happened to me became the best thing for my healing,” she reflects. In sharing her story, she invites others to see that while grief is inevitable, healing is a choice, and choosing it means choosing yourself. She describes her memoir as heart-wrenching yet laced with dark humor, brutally honest but deeply transformative. Above all, it is proof that healing is a form of self-love.

Alicia’s professional life as a project manager at the world-famous Kennedy Space Center may seem far removed from the intimate pages of her memoir. Yet the same skills that make her effective in her career, like organization, perseverance, and problem-solving, have also guided her through the writing process. As a veteran of the United States Air Force with two master’s degrees in Business Administration and International Affairs, Alicia knows discipline. This book, however, demanded more than structure. It required vulnerability, courage, and the ability to embrace imperfection.

Alicia also found an irreplaceable ally in her publisher, Maddox of Maddox Publishing. To her, Maddox is far more than a publisher; she is a friend, mentor, and partner who saw the best in her when Alicia struggled to see it in herself. Their connection, sparked by a shared appreciation of the book Journey of Souls, became a foundation for growth and storytelling. Alicia often says Maddox is on a mission to convince people of the actual value of their stories, and Losing Michele is living proof of that mission in action. Through grief, Alicia has discovered her voice not only as a writer but as a speaker. If allowed to stand before an audience, she would speak about resilience, not as a polished concept but as the effort to emerge stronger from life’s most brutal blows. True to her Leo spirit, she approaches life with a mix of humor and blunt honesty. “Self-love begins with owning your mistakes and weaknesses,” she says. “What you’ve done is what you’ve done, but moving forward, you can process things differently.”

In the upcoming weeks, Alicia is determined to see Losing Michele through to completion, with plans to release it on Michele’s birthday, November 6, 2025, a date that carries immeasurable meaning. She envisions her book reaching book clubs, community groups, and anyone navigating grief who needs to hear that healing is not only possible but powerful. Beyond the launch, Alicia hopes her story will open doors to conversations, events, and opportunities where her words can bring comfort and strength to others.

At her core, Alicia is a stepmother, a friend, an advocate for the underdogs, and a proud veteran who has given eight years of service to the Air Force. What sets her apart in her niche is not simply her credentials but her ability to embrace pain instead of pushing it away, and then transform that pain into something hopeful, motivational, and empowering. Her publisher describes her writing as breathtaking in its quality, raw in its honesty, and even humorous in its treatment of complex topics. That balance makes her work not only relatable but unforgettable.

For readers, Alicia hopes her book becomes more than just a story. She wants it to be a reminder that loss does not end our story; it shapes it. By choosing healing, we choose love again, even if it first comes in the form of self-love. To those reading her words, she extends an invitation: visit maddoxpublishing.com, connect with her journey, and allow her story to be a guide in navigating your own. Because healing, as Alicia Trew has discovered, is not just survival, it is transformation.