Tracey McLennan

Tracey McLennan is the founder and chief executive officer of BConsult and Rightside Media. She is a passionate advocate for education that transforms both people and organisations. BConsult is an accredited skills development company that provides learnerships and qualifications to employed
and unemployed people. Right Side Media complements this by creating the content for training, specialising in animation, both 2D and 3D, as well as whiteboard animation and digital formats
for inductions and standard operating procedures. “We take traditional training content and make it engaging,” says Tracey. “The idea is to make learning accessible, fun, and effective.”

Tracey’s journey began in sales, an environment that would later shape her understanding of human
motivation and learning. She recalls, “I used to sell consumer products into chain stores, and to get the
products moving, I would spend time training the salespeople. That was my ‘aha’ moment. I realised that
training could be impactful and actually get results.”When Tracey left corporate to start her own training
company, the path was not immediately smooth. “It wasn’t easy at first because companies didn’t really want
to spend on training,” she explains. “But once I found the angle through Black Economic Empowerment and tax concessions, it became cost effective.”

THE POWER OF TRAINING
Tracey speaks passionately about the transformative nature of training. “Training changes lives,” she says. “It
can change a company and can create social impact. There is so much good that comes out of it when it’s
done correctly.” Her initial dream was simple. “At first, my dream was just to survive,” she laughs. “There wasn’t a big vision at the time. But as I saw the impact of what we were doing, my dream evolved. I want to reduce unemployment. We have the tools to do it through training and legislation.

My goal is to make a difference, even if it’s small.” Tracey is inspired by innovation and by people who
build success from humble beginnings. “I’m inspired by visionaries, by people who start in a garage and
grow a business that provides employment,” she says. “Employment impacts far more than one person.
The statistics say one job impacts ten people, but generationally it’s even more significant.”

Her leadership philosophy centres on respect and innovation. “I try to make an impact through how I
conduct myself and how I treat people,” she says. “Respect is at the heart of how we work with learners, clients, and staff. We encourage innovation, always asking, how do we do this differently, how do we make it better, and how do we make a difference?”

THE ROAD AHEAD
For Tracey, her biggest success is her team. “I am so proud of my staff,” she says warmly. “They’ve grown with me. Sometimes they weren’t sure where we were going, but we’ve been through a lot together, including Covid. They’ve developed tremendously. If everything ended tomorrow, I would look at them and know that they are better than when they started. We all are.” Running a training business comes with significant
challenges. “Our industry is very compliance-driven. We have to meet the requirements of the various legislations and then integrate everything for our clients and learners.

We answer to many people, and that can be challenging.” The human side brings its own complexity. “We work with people, each with their own challenges,” Tracey says. “Especially when working with people with
disabilities, everyone has different needs. Getting all the compliance boxes ticked, meeting deadlines, and
making sure the learners achieve their qualifications can be tough, but it is worth it.”

When asked what advice she would give to aspiring entrepreneurs, Tracey draws on experience. “Find your
why,” she says, echoing Simon Sinek. “Once you know your why, you can overcome the challenges. There will be more than you expect, but also many highs. Knowing your purpose keeps you going. It’s a marathon, not a sprint." She has thoughtful advice for women. “We face additional challenges and blessings like maternity
and family responsibilities. They have an impact, both good and difficult. But every woman I know who took
time off for her children came back stronger and more determined. Know why you want to do it, because it will be both more challenging and more rewarding than you expect.”

Her business goals are ambitious yet deeply human. “I would love for learning to become as fun and addictive as social media,” says Tracey. “Imagine people learning because it’s enjoyable and immersive, not because they have to. I want training to be innovative, accessible, and engaging. People should not have to travel far to learn. There is so much information out there, but I want to help people find what is right for them, what truly gives them the skills to move forward.”

BUILDING THE FUTURE
Tracey’s approach to life is grounded in balance and gratitude. She says, “When I started working, balance
wasn’t even part of the vocabulary. We just worked. But now I have learned from the younger generation that it matters. For me, I find balance in nature. It sounds like a cliché, but it works. Whether it’s the sea or a walk outdoors, it clears your mind.”

Her family keeps her grounded. “They balance me, they tell me when I am right and when I am wrong,” she says fondly. “I also love reading and learning from others, journalling, and meditating, even if not as much as I should. Balance looks different for everyone. You have to find what works for you.”

As she reflects on her journey, Tracey’s gratitude is clear. “I love the idea of community over competition,”
she says. “Collaboration is how we will thrive in the future. The world is changing fast, and it can be
daunting with all the talk about AI and the unknowns ahead. But if we collaborate and support each
other, we will adapt. That is how we move forward."