Tracey Biscontini is the founder and driving force behind Northeast Editing, Inc., a premier editorial service company based in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. Established in 1992, Tracey launched the company to balance her professional aspirations with her role as a mother, offering flexibility and fulfilling her passion for language and detail. Under her leadership, Northeast Editing has grown from a solo operation into a reputable firm known for its high standards and innovative editorial solutions.
Tracey’s approach to business is deeply rooted in collaboration and mentorship, fostering a work environment that values team input and continual learning. Her strategic focus on leveraging technology has kept Northeast Editing at the forefront of digital education content, particularly in developing engaging and accessible material for K-12 students. Tracey’s personal work ethic is characterized by a commitment to productivity through structured planning and reflection, principles she instills across her team. Her visionary leadership continues to guide Northeast Editing as it adapts to the evolving demands of the editing and publishing industries.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts with a quick team meeting to align on daily goals and address any urgent client needs. I dedicate specific times for deep-focus editing work and client consultations to maintain productivity. Utilizing a strict schedule and prioritizing tasks ensures that I stay productive and meet deadlines efficiently.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Ideas come to life through collaboration. At Northeast Editing, we hold brainstorming sessions where team members can pitch ideas freely. This collaborative environment allows us to refine and implement new strategies effectively, leveraging each team member’s strengths.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The trend towards digital learning materials excites me. For some projects, we work directly in a digital platform, also called a content management system. It’s fascinating to see how digital platforms can enhance educational accessibility and engagement, and it challenges us to continually adapt and innovate our content to meet changing needs.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Setting daily goals is a habit that significantly boosts my productivity. This helps in managing both my time and priorities, ensuring that essential tasks are completed first.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to worry less about perfection and more about progress. The most important thing is to keep moving forward and learning from each experience, rather than getting everything right the first time.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that multitasking is often more productive than focusing on a single task at a time. In my experience, switching between tasks keeps my mind fresh and can lead to more creative solutions and efficient work.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Reflect on your work at the end of each day. This reflection not only helps in recognizing achievements but also in identifying areas for improvement.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed, I take a short walk or a break for a few minutes. This helps me clear my mind and refocus on what needs to be accomplished.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Networking has been instrumental. Building relationships within the industry has opened many doors for Northeast Editing, from new clients to valuable partnerships.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I took on more work than I could handle, thinking it would accelerate our growth. It led to burnout and mistakes. I learned the hard way the importance of delegating and pacing growth according to our capacity.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
An online platform that connects freelance editors with indie authors could fill a significant gap in the market, providing personalized editing services while helping freelancers find consistent work.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Asana is a project management tool that keeps our team’s tasks and deadlines organized. It’s instrumental for coordinating projects and ensuring everyone stays on track without the need for constant meetings.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
“Deep Work” by Cal Newport is a favorite. It emphasizes the importance of focused work sessions without distractions, a principle that has profoundly impacted my productivity.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently watched “Ted Lasso” on Apple TV+. I was drawn in by its humor and heartwarming storytelling
Key learnings
- Embracing Collaboration
- Importance of Self-Reflection
- Balancing Growth and Capacity