Two Women and a Consulting Firm: Lois Edwards & Kim Colstad Find Balance On the Coast

October 4, 2020

Happiness is a owning your own coastal consulting business.

On the American shoreline, there are an army or professional consultants that design, evaluate, assess, permit. and build coastal projects --everything from hotels, to houses, to parks and beaches.  Peter Ravella, co-host of the American Shoreline Podcast (his co-host, Tyler Buckingham, is at a Ukrainian wedding and will be back next week) sits down with two women to discuss what it takes to make it in the highly competitive world of coastal consulting.  Lois Edwards and Kim Colstad, two pros who dedicate their time to coastal resource protection and project permitting, left the comfy confines of a big firm to strike out on their own, forming Ardea Environmental Consulting in Ft. Pierce, Florida.  Now co-owners of their own company, find out how these two fierce and dedicated women have found the balance, the work, and happiness as coastal consulting professionals.  It's a great story.  And, as a bonus, they talk about how to make the business work, how to keep clients happy, and the value of relationships and trust in serving their clients while protecting the environment.  One of the best conversations from the FSBPA conference.  Enjoy it.  Only on the American Shoreline Podcast Network!

Show Transcription
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Peter A. Ravella

Founder and Publisher of Coastal News Today and ASPN, experienced business owner in coastal policy, land use, grants, permitting and financing with a demonstrated history of working in the environmental and coastal services industry. Skilled in Government, Community Engagement, Beach & Dune Restoration and Financial Planning, Natural Resource Management, Wetland Mitigation, and Environmental Education. Strong education with a BS in Marine Biology from Texas A&M and a JD with Environmental Law Certificate from Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon.