E30. "When I got the taste for Chocolate…" with Colleen Heidecker
Colleen Heidecker, the Master Chocolatier behind Colleens Chocolates has an extraordinary background. With a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Animal Behaviour from the U of A, Colleen trained dolphins and other animals worldwide for nearly two decades. Next, a fascination with the Mojave Desert led her to organize adventure races and trail run events in Las Vegas, where she developed nutrient-dense, superfood-infused snacks for her athletes. She then transitioned to Canmore, AB, creating her own desserts company before becoming the Lead Dessert Chef at Noorish Conscious Eatery in Edmonton, specializing in raw food and vegan cuisine.
For the past 6 years, Colleen has taught hospitality, entrepreneurship, and work ethics to Indigenous students, leveraging her extensive international experience in the hospitality industry. Her goal has been to assist her students by imparting valuable skills and knowledge while being in a comfortable learning environment.
Colleen's entrepreneurial journey has been shaped significantly by her 7-year involvement in BNI. BNI's structured approach, rooted in the "giver's gain" principle, played a pivotal role in her success. By actively combatting the scarcity mindset, BNI emphasizes the belief that the more one contributes, the more they receive in return. And as a lifelong learner and fiercely competitive individual, Colleen deeply appreciated all the relationships she fostered during that time that still continue to be a vital part of her business and success.
Her newest entrepreneurial venture is the creation of a media business, The Food Explorer Podcast. Creating weekly content on YouTube, all audio podcast platforms, and writing articles on Substack. This passion for all things food is growing into a worldwide community and she can’t wait to see where it takes her!
Colleen's commitment to creating a sense of community and cohesion has not only propelled her own entrepreneurial success but has also demonstrated the profound rewards that come from assisting others in achieving their business goals.
Connect with Colleen:
https://thefoodexplorerpodcast.substack.com/
https://www.instagram.com/colleenschocolates/
https://www.instagram.com/thefoodexplorerpodcast/
https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoodExplorerPodcast
Connect with Holly:
Holly’s Website: https://hollypenney.ca/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/holly_penney/
Unlocking Wealth, A Guided Journal to an Abundant Money Mindset
https://hollypenney.ca/pages/unlockingwealth
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