About Us
Go Big Small Biz Network is protecting and promoting the interests of small businesses and fighting against state government overreach. Through our advocacy efforts, we are uniting, mobilizing, and giving a big voice to small businesses. We believe that every business should have the freedom to thrive and not have the government dictating their survival through burdensome regulations.
Hi, we are Jeff and Tracey. We are lifelong entrepreneurs and small business owners. We owned multiple organizations, including a female fitness center, pre-pandemic. As a result of the arbitrary COVID-19 lockdowns and implementation of other burdensome government regulations, we were forced to shut our doors. Our business, like many others, was never able to recover.
The truth is we did not have to lose this business and we decided to take action! We started the Go Big Small Biz Network to protect and promote the interests of other small businesses throughout Pennsylvania. We are working to expose the reality of what is truly happening in government and legislation with much of it designed to choke and eliminate small businesses.
When we launched in August 2022, we had little more than a vision and passion to fight for the survival of our other companies as well as to see small businesses united in a way that allows their voices to be heard. Our network mobilizes business owners and concerned citizens to change the trajectory of legislation through advocacy, education, and communication.
This work is important and we need your voice to make it happen.
Our Leadership
Tracey Wakeen has over 30 years of experience as a personal trainer, fitness director, and small business owner. As the long-time owner of a successful female fitness center in Mechanicsburg, she excels at leading teams and motivating them to accomplish goals.
Tracey founded the Go Big Small Biz Network as a response to the challenges and frustrations that were faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being hit with multiple mandated shutdowns from the Governor, Tracey experienced first-hand the struggles that small businesses were up against throughout the pandemic. She kept her club doors open, instituting creative ways to provide a safe space for the members, but ultimately closed the doors in October of 2021.
She plans to use Go Big to influence government policies and regulations in favor of small business, hold Pennsylvania’s administration accountable, and work to create a positive environment for small businesses within the Commonwealth.
In her private time, she is passionate about exercise, the outdoors and especially skiing. She has been married to Jeff for 33 years and has three children and a grandson.
Jeff’s career in advertising, media and marketing spans more than 30 years and has resulted in his mastery of intentional communication, storytelling and entrepreneurship.
He is the Co-Founder and Vice President of the Go Big Small Biz Network. Jeff believes in the power of storytelling and sees Go Big Small Biz Network as a marketing company selling the idea of uniting business leaders through coordinated communication efforts.
His resume includes broadcast media sales and management and ownership of several full-service advertising agencies. He is the CEO of Wakeen & Company’s family of brands, a Vistage-certified Executive Coach and founder of Connection Mission.
Beyond business, Jeff and his wife Tracey are outdoor enthusiasts who have passed this love of adventure on to their three children. Married over 33 years, their family continues to grow with grandchildren.
Jeff has the unique ability to open a dialogue, explore strengths, expose vulnerabilities, and lead clients to rediscover purpose in their life and business. His lifetime of experience in marketing will act as a force to unite business leaders and entrepreneurs so that PA businesses can thrive. To find out more, he warmly invites you to start a conversation
Advocates
As a Small Business Advocate, Sherri brings a culmination of experience in leadership, government/business/nonprofit management, research, program evaluation, and project management. Spanning a variety of leadership roles, her career is built on her experience in a variety of unique service sectors, showcasing her versatility and ability to thrive in different environments. Graduating from Penn State’s ROTC program, Sherri served four years honing her leadership skills as a Marine Corps Officer. From there she transitioned to state government where she rose quickly over 17 years to serve as Bureau Director for the for PennDOT’s Bureau of Municipal Services.
Landing a unique faculty opportunity, Sherri expanded her skill set while earning her PhD as a Professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. There she managed the research program for the Administration & Leadership Studies doctoral program, including oversight of projects to support, evaluate, train, and equip government organizations, small and veteran-owned businesses, non-profit organizations, disadvantaged business enterprises, and victim service providers.
Beyond her professional commitments, Sherri serves her community as Vice President of the Hampden Township Board of Commissioners along with several community-based, non-profit boards and veteran organizations. Dr. Chippo’s academic achievements include a BA in Pre-Law from Penn State University, a Master of Science in Business from Boston University, and a Ph.D. in Administration & Leadership Studies from IUP.
Legacy Founding Members
