Managing an Ace Hardware store in a small community carries a special responsibility. For Traci Barboza, Manager of Rancho Ace Hardware in Ocean View, Hawaii, her community relies on her to be a handyman, a mother, a cook, a leader, and a friend to those in need. And when Traci had a health concern of her own, the community was there for her as well.

Ocean View is a small community in Hawaii that is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from the nearest major city. The residents all know each other by name, and it is a friendly place to live. Many residents must collect their own water, and they may not have electricity. That means residents rely on Rancho Ace for important supplies and other kinds of support.

"Traci is definitely the mother of the store, and in a way, of the community also," said Ed Wirtz, ED Construction Services Owner. "She’s always there to go the extra mile and help the elderly."

Traci feels a special need to help the children in the community, as well as senior citizens who might need help picking up medications or just need some companionship. Whether she is arranging Christmas gifts for children in need or visiting elderly friends who are in the hospital, she takes the time to reach out to them. As a mother of two teenage boys, Traci also takes care of their friends if they need help.

"I have two boys who are young adults. They have friends that came across hard times and needed a place to stay. They’re always welcome if they need someplace for the night, or in the most recent case, for three years," said Traci. "These kids needed a safe place to be, and I was more than happy to accommodate."

On April 1, 2021, Traci suffered a stroke. It was a blow to her Ace employees, who look up to Traci and view her as the backbone of the store. When Traci was finally well enough to visit, the support she saw from her employees warmed her heart and inspired her to work harder to recover. She upped her therapy, and miraculously, she was able to get back to work 6 months before the doctors thought she would even be able to walk again.

"Traci has this personality that makes you believe in yourself. She inspires us to be our best," said Pandalia Lazar, Cashier at Rancho Ace Hardware.

Traci is now back at the store, and she is working as hard as ever to support her community.

"For them to say that they are inspired, it makes me feel great. I love knowing I made a difference for a handful of people, and they’re going to remember my name," said Traci. "And if I help them, and they help somebody else, and it keeps snowballing like that, I think the world will be so much better."