First of all - hi! I’m Colin Owens. Glad you stopped by. The door is always open, because, you know. It’s the internet.

Anytime anyone has asked me what I want to do next in my career, I’ve always said, “I just want to do something that matters.” I believe the impact we have on others is our legacy, so you might as well make it positive.

My experience with over 25+ years as a leader in business development and marketing for an integrated marketing communications agency, two HR-based professional services firms, a couple financial lenders and the hundreds on hundreds of clients I have helped along the way has taught me some valuable lessons about what it takes to be successful long-term as a business developer, as a marketing strategist and as a leader of teams. My biggest take-aways are:

• Many marketers are great at creating dots, but not great at connecting them. And when that happens, it can be even harder for audiences to affiliate and engage.

• Companies spend way too much time on sales, and not enough on the things that create sales. Focusing on sales is like focusing on winning the World Series while in spring training. You need to create the mindset, habits and behaviors that create compounded success.

• Our experience with a brand, be it as an employee or buyer, can be built or torn down from a single aspect or interaction. The entirety of the experience matters, and sometimes the gap is overlooked.

I found that I started to grow weary of convincing my bosses that consultative business development didn’t involve pushing high-margin services at companies that didn’t need them. I knew clients just wanted my unbiased counsel and help. Starting my own business was the way I could ensure I got to do just that. I want to help companies and leaders grow - and grow in a way that’s sustainable long-term and continually builds lasting trust.

My cousin told me the other day that I never seem to have an unproductive day. I can’t think of a better compliment, whether I am spending time with my two daughters, wrestling with my mutt Enzo, soaking up life with my fiancée, helping a friend with a project, renovating our home near the Chattahoochee River, gardening, woodworking, folding laundry (I actually find it therapeutic!) or cooking - I find purpose in all of it. But I also have the guilty pleasures of fly fishing, riding my 70s-style cafe e-cycle, watching movies, listening to my favorite podcasts and learning about anything and everything. Gosh I love discovering something new. It’s addictive.