Her Story
About Katelynn
Katelynn Blackshear is the founder of The Concierge Collective Co., a family travel concierge business she launched roughly a year ago in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After experiencing firsthand how stressful traveling could be while managing a baby on her own, she set out to build a business that would ease that same burden for other parents. Today she oversees every aspect of her company, from designing personalized itineraries and coordinating with suppliers to managing client relationships and finances, all with the goal of giving families back their time so they can focus on making memories together rather than juggling logistics. Before turning her attention to travel, Katelynn built a career in hospitality, gaining experience as a restaurant manager, bartender, and eventually Assistant Director of Dining Services with Compass Group. That background in service and operations has translated naturally into her current work, where she prides herself on staying available to clients even after a trip has begun, ready to step in if unexpected issues arise along the way. Beyond her client work, Katelynn is active in her local community, organizing events for groups of mothers in the Colorado Springs area and maintaining an association with Archer Travel Group. She credits much of her growth to a willingness to step outside her comfort zone, build confidence through networking and social media, and continually pick up new skills using whatever resources are available to her. In recognition of her work, she was selected to be featured in Influential Woman as a representative of Colorado Springs for 2026.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Katelynn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to stepping outside my comfort zone and being willing to put myself out there, even though networking didn't come naturally to me at first. Building confidence through social media and consistent practice has made a real difference, and I've also leaned on mentorship along the way to keep growing.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is not to be afraid to put myself out there. I've found that the more you do something, the more confident you become at it. Change your mindset, not the circumstances.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'd tell them not to be shy to try things they haven't done before. There's so much information available now, including AI, so if you don't already know how to do something, you can absolutely learn it. My advice is simply to go out and do it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face is managing last-minute changes, whether that's a supplier issue or a client changing their plans, since these add stress to the process. My focus is always on making sure every detail of a trip is properly aligned, because even one thing going wrong can affect the entire experience.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say my biggest values are integrity, connection, growth, and creating meaningful experiences. I want people to be able to trust me, and I want the people I work with to feel genuinely valued. I’m also someone who believes in constantly growing and challenging myself. And especially with my business, I want what I do to have a real impact on people’s lives—not just financially, but by helping families create memories and spend more quality time together. For me, success means building something meaningful while still staying true to who I am.
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