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Colleen Reed, founder of American College Consulting, shares her journey from high school teacher to successful college consultant specializing in helping Canadian students attend American universities. Her thriving family business now includes her husband, daughter, and several specialized consultants who collectively serve students across Canada.
• Inspired to become a college consultant after her own positive experience with an independent consultant in high school
• Started her business in 2008 when her daughter was in eighth grade
• Built her practice exclusively through word of mouth referrals
• Transformed her business into a family affair with her husband handling athletes and business operations
• Daughter serves as the "secret weapon" for essay writing and activities lists
• Focuses on developing strong personal connections during consultations
• Believes students must participate in consultations and "buy in" to the process
• Uses CollegePlannerPro and FreshBooks to streamline business operations
• Manages a large caseload by outsourcing tasks she finds tedious
• Finds ongoing professional development and college tours essential for staying current
• Maintains a network of fellow consultants through HECA and regional groups
• Advocates for Americans to consider affordable, high-quality Canadian universities
• Currently navigating challenges related to political uncertainty and visa concerns
"The highlight of my life is when a student says 'thank you so much, I never would have heard of this school and it has been amazing.' That, to me, is the best."
