Colleen Nolan’s entrepreneurial journey began not with a bold leap into business, but with service — and with someone believing in her before she fully believed in herself. 

A member of Garden River and Akwesasne, Colleen has spent nearly twenty years working in employment services, training, economic development, and Indigenous tourism. Long before she registered CN Training Solutions in 2016, she was already doing the work. As a computer technician, part of her role involved facilitating workshops and training sessions. Over time, as her experience grew, so did the requests. Organizations and community members began asking if she could offer additional workshops, expand her training topics, or support new initiatives. She began to recognize something important: there was a need for Indigenous trainers who understood both the technical skills and the community context. 

Registering her business was a natural next step. 

What began with computer and office skills workshops gradually expanded as her confidence and expertise deepened. She responded to what communities were asking for, continuously adapting her offerings to meet emerging needs. In 2020, she added moccasin-making workshops to her portfolio — a meaningful addition that blended cultural practice with hands-on learning. The joy that participants experience when completing their own pair of moccasins is something she speaks about with pride. That feeling of accomplishment, she says, fills your cup. 

At the heart of Colleen’s work is mentorship. She remembers what it felt like to lack certain skills and to encounter teachers and mentors who saw strengths in her that she had not yet recognized herself. That experience shaped her purpose. She is motivated by the desire to pass that support forward — to help others discover their own abilities and step into opportunities with confidence. 

One experience remains especially meaningful to her. Months after delivering a three-week job skills workshop, a participant returned and told her, “If it wasn’t for you…” She had helped guide their path toward employment and later watched them grow within their organization. Moments like that affirm why she does this work. It is not simply about delivering content; it is about helping people build belief in themselves. 

Like many entrepreneurs, Colleen’s journey has included uncertainty. One of her greatest challenges has been deciding whether to step fully into entrepreneurship. After nearly a decade of running workshops and building CN Training Solutions, she continues to balance her business with part-time work. Letting go of a stable position is not an easy decision. For Colleen, growth has meant steady commitment, careful planning, and honouring her own pace rather than rushing toward risk before she feels ready. 

Financial unpredictability has also brought lessons. Cancelled or rescheduled contracts can create setbacks, reinforcing the importance of financial management and long-term planning. These experiences have strengthened her resilience and sharpened her business awareness. 

Throughout her journey, her Indigenous heritage remains her grounding force. She speaks about following the teachings she was raised with — teachings that guide how she builds relationships, supports community, and approaches leadership. Her culture allows her to lead with authenticity, kindness, and respect. Smudging is one practice she returns to during difficult times. In one emotional virtual meeting, her mother quietly brought her smudge to provide comfort and support. That moment reflects how deeply intertwined her business, family, and culture truly are. 

Community plays an essential role in her work. Colleen believes entrepreneurs need both encouragement and accountability — “cheerleaders” and “buttkickers,” as she puts it. Visibility, she emphasizes, is just as important as networking. It is not only about who you know, but who knows you. Showing up consistently at events, participating in circles, and engaging within Indigenous entrepreneurial spaces builds recognition and strengthens collective opportunity. Businesses cannot be supported if they remain unseen. 

Her advice to aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs reflects this practical wisdom. Seek out mentors. Ask questions. Connect with Economic Development departments within your community and engage with hubs like ADAAWE. Attend events even when it feels intimidating. The confidence to network grows with practice. 

Colleen also emphasizes the importance of mindset. Speaking positively and being mindful of one’s words, she believes, influences both personal and professional growth. A positive outlook creates space for opportunity and resilience. 

Looking ahead, she hopes to expand her impact by developing more business workshops within Indigenous communities, with a particular focus on Indigenous women’s empowerment. She also aspires to contribute at a strategic level, helping Indigenous organizations strengthen tourism and entrepreneurial development across the region. She sees significant opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs to continue filling gaps in the broader business landscape, particularly when supported by strong training and mentorship networks. 

Her involvement with ADAAWE reflects the type of environment she values — a safe space grounded in community, where opportunities are shared and connections are fostered. Access to promotion, workspace, and an entrepreneurial network has supported her continued growth. 

At its core, Colleen Nolan’s story is about building confidence — in others and, steadily, in herself. Through CN Training Solutions, she creates spaces where people gain practical skills, reconnect with culture, and experience the satisfaction of accomplishment. Whether guiding someone toward employment or watching them complete their first pair of moccasins, she measures success not only in contracts, but in the joy that follows. 

And when that joy appears — when someone realizes what they are capable of — it fills the cup.