2018 Winner
Wise 50 Over 50 Award™
Deborah Gallant – ColourKeen
www.colourkeen.com
ColourKeen, an architectural colour design business located in St. John’s, NL, offers colour consultations and redesign-transitional design services. Prior to opening my business, I worked within the public and community service sectors, with combined experiences as adult educator, career practitioner and program consultant. When I retired from a 30 year career (with people skills in tow), I began to pursue a dream that persisted since my high school years.
At age 63, I started a home-based business stemming from a lifelong love of colour and design. I thought I knew colour, until I studied architectural colour and realized how complicated it is. I was ready for a new challenge and a new career.
As a solopreneur, I handled all aspects of ColourKeen’s establishment, and now operate the business one day at a time. I feel fortunate to have progressed to the ready-for-business stage, and truly appreciate local business support services and encouragement from family and friends. With social media marketing and perfectionism being constant challenges, how many times have I asked myself, “what am I doing?” I may be a late bloomer, however, I am not a quitter and continue to march to the beat of my own drum.
ColourKeen has offered complimentary services to a nonprofit agency that serves individuals with mental health issues, and is interested in helping optimize school environments. Additionally, ColourKeen has provided public presentations to inform on the value (to one’s well-being) of colour and environmental design-decoration.