Jade Colin made a name for herself as the youngest black woman to own a McDonald杏吧专区檚 franchise at 26. But she says she杏吧专区檚 not stopping there.
Colin, now 28, has been fostering her work ethic since she was 14 years old. But attending the 杏吧专区 as a business management student crystalized Colin杏吧专区檚 understanding and passion for business, specifically entrepreneurship.
杏吧专区淥nce I started business management, it all made sense to me,杏吧专区 Colin said, drawing from her early work experience. 杏吧专区淟eadership, finance, the details that matter 杏吧专区 that杏吧专区檚 what business management taught me.杏吧专区
Throughout her time at UL Lafayette, Colin continued to work, taking positions with McDonald杏吧专区檚, H&R Block, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Academy Sports & Outdoors. All the while, she clarified her vision for her future with the skills she learned.
杏吧专区淜nowing business management, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淏usiness management teaches you the different pieces of the puzzle to make your business run.杏吧专区
By choosing UL Lafayette, Colin was also able to balance school and work while still making it home to New Orleans most weekends, where her parents own multiple McDonald杏吧专区檚 franchise locations.
Once she graduated in May 2012, Colin began working at her parents杏吧专区 McDonald杏吧专区檚 franchise on weekends before going full-time to run a restaurant. During that time, she was named Outstanding Restaurant Manager of the Year for her region and was recognized among the top McDonald杏吧专区檚 managers in the world with the company杏吧专区檚 Ray Kroc Award.
In December 2016, Colin celebrated the grand opening of her first franchise. But publicity didn杏吧专区檛 come until 2018 when her story went from a blog post to national platforms, including .
杏吧专区淚t surprised me, but it杏吧专区檚 inspiring for people to see that you can do anything you put your mind to,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚t doesn杏吧专区檛 have to be as big as McDonald杏吧专区檚, but as long as your mindset is clear, you can do anything you put your mind to.杏吧专区
To maintain her success, the young business owner identified her major challenge early in her role and says she has maintained a steady focus to make it a priority.
杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檓 in a people business 杏吧专区 developing teams, motivating people, pouring into people and lifting them up,杏吧专区 Colin says. 杏吧专区淥nce I figured out how to build a team, how to motivate the team, and how to get results from a team, then my results came.杏吧专区
Colin believes in her company, its brand, and its mission and says she wants to see McDonald杏吧专区檚 grow and grow with it.
杏吧专区淚 want to continue to grow McDonald杏吧专区檚 brand, improving the reputation and serving as a brand ambassador,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淭hat杏吧专区檚 my No. 1 focus because McDonald杏吧专区檚 is a wonderful brand.杏吧专区