AUTHOR | SPEAKER | ENTREPRENEUR | COMMUNITY LEADER
About Coleen
Author, Entrepreneur, Award-Winning Business Leader, Founder of the Books 4 Kids Program and Public Speaker. Coleen founded her first company in Laramie, Wyoming. From a KOA on the outskirts of town, to nine employees, Tri-Tech Marketing filled a need other marketing companies overlooked.
In 1994, Coleen founded Premier Marketing in Spokane, Washington on $1k and a belief in a better way to do business. By 1996, the company employed 90 people, enjoyed a 7% turnover rate and had a waiting list of applicants. In 1997, Premier Marketing was honored with an Agora Award for Small Business Excellence.
After spending nearly 30 years in the marketing and advertising industry, Coleen made the decision to focus her energies in areas she felt could make the greatest impact to individuals, as well as society.
Her 17 years of experience in a popular cover band taught her the techniques needed to keep a crowd engaged, entertained and above all else, interested in the presentation.
In 2010, Coleen was selected by the mayor to coordinate Arlington's role in the Tour de Kota bicycle ride across the state of South Dakota. Coleen inspired 25% of the community to volunteer or participate in the event that brought over 200 bicyclists to town. The town was named Community of the Ride and Coleen was named Community Coordinator of the ride for 2010.
While the topics may vary, Coleen's speaking style captivates audience members from ages 3 to 93.
In 2016, Coleen founded a 501c3 non-profit called the Books 4 Kids Program where she provides character-building books to children from PK to 8th grade, FOR FREE. So far, the organization has given out over 50,000 books in eleven states and four countries!
Click here to learn more about the B4K Program
Her career highlights include
Management of over 8,000 employees for almost 40 years and
six different states
Coleen’s first published novel,
Choices: Arrival of the 4th Generation
was a finalist in the McGrath Hill Indie Awards.
As a novice publisher, Coleen secured contracts with a Best-Selling novelist, a United Nations writing contest winner, and one of South Dakota’s most influential young women.
Founder of the Books 4 Kids Program, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
In 2021 Coleen was a nominee for the Spirit of Dakota award
Coleen resides in Eastern South Dakota with her husband and their pack of Pomeranians. She has a son who is a Senior in college, along with two adult stepchildren, and grandchildren ranging from 1 to 14 years old.
In her spare time, she enjoys writing, gardening, and traveling. She loves watching her great nieces and nephews grow and always appreciates quality family time.