VBE Spotlight: Collinwood Technology Partners

Veteran’s Business Enterprise®: Collinwood Technology Partners

Headquarters: Chicago

Year Founded: 2014

# of Employees: 15

Website: collinwood .co

Service Overview: Information Technology, Staffing and Recruiting.

Founders/CEOs: Noel Wolf

Service Branch: USMC

Years Served: 1988–1996

Military Occupation: Heavy Vehicle Operator & Primary Marksmanship Instructor

Highest Rank Attained: Corporal (E-4)

Fun Facts:

While I’ve been in Chicago for half my life now (moved here in 1997), I’m a “Clevelander” at heart. Love the Browns, Cavs, Indians and Buckeyes.
Love to travel and plan to be a Global Nomad with my wife when we retire, spending 3–6 months living like a local in different countries around the world.
Although I’m not much of a golfer myself, I am the local committee chair for a Veteran charity golf outing that is going into its 5th Year. We have raised over $50,000 for Veterans in the past few years.

What types of services do you offer?
Information Technology, Staffing and Recruiting.
Who do you primarily serve?
Circana, Nielsen, Morton, Legends and Morningstar.
When and how did you start your business?
After eight years in the Marine Corps, I started a career in IT recruiting. When I got to the 20 year mark in this career, I decided to strike out on my own.
What challenges did you face when starting your business?
The biggest challenges were (and continue to be) cashflow/funding and gaining new clients.
What has been the key to your business's success?
I’d say our success comes from the team we’ve built. No company can be successful without a dedicated and driven team. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the loyal and dedicated people we have with us.
What important lessons have you learned that can help others succeed in business?
Being your own boss is tough. It’s not for everyone, and the payoff might not be what you expect. I made much more money in past companies as an employee than I have as an “owner”, but there are a long list of pros and cons. Knowing yourself and what will fulfill you are key to starting your own business.
What common mistakes should they be aware of and avoid?
One mistake I’ve made that I thought was a good decision at the time is hiring friends. While this can work out, I’ve had the unfortunate experience of having to part ways with a number of friends. Better to hire skilled, but unknown, people.
What else would you like the NaVOBA community to know about you and your business?
I love the Veteran community. It’s such a great “fraternity” where everyone is willing to help, wants to help, and DO help one another. There's no other community like ours!