Daily Inspiration: Meet Colleen Harrison

Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Harrison.

Hi Colleen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My story… well, grab a cup of coffee and take a ride with me. I grew up in Florida and moved to Colorado in 2015. I’ve always wanted to live in the mountains since I was young, and when I got the opportunity for a job out here I took it. I have since then switched jobs a few times trying to find what I wanted to do in life.

I’ve done a lot from dealing poker, working in the finance industry, bartending, vet tech, and now a production manager for a manufacturing facility. While doing all of that, I also run a business on the side. One thing I’ve learned from my parents, who are also business owners, is that you use your day job to fund your business until your business can fully fund you. I’ve watched them fail and succeed at businesses, so I know it’s not a walk in the park to be successful.

A few years ago I met a couple that I somehow convinced to mentor me out here. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it was not for them. Not only do I run an online based business, but I also help my boyfriend run a food truck. Luckily I can run my business from anywhere so helping run the food truck does not interfere much. In no way have I “arrived” yet, but success is really in the journey, not the destination, and as any good business owner knows, you are always going to be growing, learning, and expanding.

My story is always growing with new adventures on the horizon. Where I am going is just as important as where I am today though. The reason I do what I do is to be able to give back to society rather than take from it. I have some charities that I like to donate to as well as wanting to create my own to help children and adults with autism through the use of Equine Therapy.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha! Smooth road? I don’t think there is any path to success that is a “smooth road”. While some people think that failure is the opposite of success, that simply is not true. Failure is a step toward success! As long as you keep trying, failing, and learning, you are growing. You learn something at every “fail” you make. I’m still learning to allow myself to “fail” and grow, rather than try to be perfect on the first try at something.

Another one of my biggest struggles was continuing to push forward even when all I wanted to do was give up. Grief is one of the hardest things to deal with, especially when facing it month after month. I lost 6 family members and 18 friends in a span of 22 months, from Nov ’20 – Sept ’22. I barely had time to process one death before having to deal with another.

Trying to help run 2 businesses, and work a full-time job all while still hiding behind a smile was not the easiest thing to do, but I still showed up because someone else was always counting on me too, Sometimes the best way to deal with your problems is to help someone else through theirs.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As far as my professional work goes, it is a means to an end currently, I’m good at managing numbers and the flow of production for customers’ orders. With my current job, the thing I am most proud of is helping them grow from a fairly small business (less than 5 employees) to a multi-million dollar business. While the work is not something I’m particularly passionate about, I am passionate about helping businesses grow and helping others be successful.

This is why my boss also is supportive of me running a business outside of my job since he knows that I will put 100% effort in while I am at work, but also allows me to put in the time outside of work to build something of my own. Plus he is moving the company to Florida and I will be working remotely for a while, but that won’t be forever so I have to have another income when the time comes for me to train my replacement.

What sets me apart from others is that I know that to be successful, and not just money-wise, but successful in life, is to help others be successful too. It’s not lonely “at the top” if you help others get there with you. Whether is creating a connection for someone that I may know that can help them further down the road than I can or giving advice or perspective I will do whatever I can to help others go after what they truly want to do in this life.

What makes you happy?
For such a simple question, there is no simple answer. Happiness is something that comes from within. It is not just a moment in time. It is more about peace of mind than anything. Though for most of the world, they look for external things to make them happy in fleeting moments, rather than inward to their heart. With that in mind, I will say some of the things that bring me joy are: helping others succeed and chase their dreams, photography, and horses.

While I do not do photography for money, it is a great passion of mine. I mostly photograph animals, wildlife, landscape, and occasionally sports cars. Though I have done some modeling in front of the camera I tend to find more joy behind the camera in creating some awesome pictures. Eventually, I would love to have some of it published. Though what brings me peace and happiness is helping other people achieve a dream, no matter how big or small.

Sometimes I’m able to play a vital role in that, and other times I may just be a cheerleader for them, even if everyone else tries to tear them down. I will never understand why so-called “friends” will make fun of, tear down, or discourage people just because someone is trying to do something different than the norm. We are meant to be unique, and being our unique selves is where happiness and peace come from.

Contact Info:

• Email: ColdCupConnections@gmail.com
• Website: ColdCupConnections.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleenashley89/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColleenAshley89

Image Credits
Mellisa King