After enjoying retirement for eight years, Collette Howell felt an urge to find a new career. More than three decades in stressful executive positions at At&T and its spinoffs made Howell certain of one thing — she wanted to be her own boss. When she found Computer Explorers, everything fell into place. Howell now owns Computer Explorers of Greater Sacramento, a franchise that consistently ranks in the Top 10 of Computer Explorers franchises worldwide.

Computer Explorers: How long have you been with Computer Explorers?
Collette Howell: Since April 2004.

CE: Why Computer Explorers?
CH: I retired after working a full career in a very large corporation for 31 years. It was a major pressure cooker job. I didn’t do anything for eight years; I was completely burned out. Eventually, I realized that I was ready to look for something to do. I wanted to augment my retirement funds. Of course, I also wanted something challenging and interesting, and I didn’t want to completely start from scratch.

At Computer Explorers I saw a way to use my career experience and add to it with new knowledge. Although I didn’t feel I would be a good teacher, I had 30 years of hiring and firing experience. I have confidence in my ability to manage quality and talent. I knew I could find the right teachers. I always felt teachers were important. I came from a pretty chaotic environment growing up, but there were a couple of teachers that really that really made a big difference in my life. That’s something you never forget. I am doing so much more than working after retirement. I’m in a position to empower great teachers and help children learn critical skills. It’s very satisfying.

CE: How did you hear about us?
CH: I worked with a franchise consultant who narrowed my choices down to about five franchises. Two of them were education franchises.  I became enamored with Computer Explorers for several reasons. They had a good strategic plan, wonderful business-to-business partnerships and a great training program. Delving into the franchise was engrossing — like drinking out of a fire hose.

CE: What’s your background?
CH: I have a business degree from St. Mary’s College of California. I started working at At&T and (what eventually became) Pacific Bell when I was 17. When I retired I was a regional vice president in charge of about $700 million.

(Source: computerexplorers.com)