Get to Know Your 2025 Rural Entrepreneurs in Residence- Colene Milligan (Sweet Colene)

What’s your business?

Sweet Colene Art (professional artistry), Painted Pathways: Guided Art Experiences, Hivve Art Hubb (nonprofit startup 2024-2025), Green Arm Gardening (boyfriends’ business I helped launch)

What led you to start this business?

The need to advance my career as a professional artist and track sales, growth, and legitimacy. I saw a niche in the Paint n Sip market of Southern Oregon, and was directly asked to step up and fill this hole as a reputable artist with teaching experience. I also saw the demand for art mentorship in Southern Oregon and lack of places to exhibit for established and emerging artists. From there, I gave feedback, encouragement, and advice from conception, through launch, to operations management.

What was your first job?

Photo Processing Technician at Eckerd’s pharmacy in Clearwater, FL 2003

How did you end up in the Applegate Valley?

I had a desire to see the PNW and fell in love with mountains, rivers, redwoods, and coastline. Landing in the Applegate Valley strategically placed me near my great loves while introducing me to organic agriculture, long country drives, and a culture that speaks to my own.

Why do you (or don’t you) like about doing business in the Applegate?

I like the potential of the area – key location for sustainable growth, yet retaining the charm of the area and celebrating local success as a community.

Name a significant business challenge you’ve faced, and how you overcame it?

Jealousy in success – specifically volunteers at a nonprofit undermining and outspeaking over my leadership until the mission statement was clearly not being respected and the organization suffered being used to serve the few instead of the community we were formed for. There was a dissonance in the credit I was receiving for all of the meetings and community/event appearances that led to the success of the organization with those who wanted a piece of the spotlight despite staying in the shadows and not giving to the cause.

I overcame this by voicing the contradictions I saw and then submitting a resignation letter as the founding President with clear instructions on how to turn the ship around and why I was leaving. Publicly broke all associations and began focusing on other ways to serve my community that could remain pure of heart and not be misused as a ladder for others to climb in effort to reach individual gains.

Name a significant business fail. What did you learn?

I failed as a broker in the agricultural industry two years ago through directly competing with another broker who had claimed the best territories in OR. I would up spending more in gas and lodging to get to potential pitches than what was possible to make in commissions and learned a hard lesson: some businesses will take on new hires to snuff out new potential leads, not nourish them enough to stay, and keep the portfolio once they are gone. I also learned to draw boundaries in the beginning of what is expected of me, and what is expected of those I am contracting for.

What business accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am proud of the Hivve Art Hubb nonprofit’s existance. With a team of other founding artists, we brainstormed, collaborated, and learned from each other what was needed in a new nonprofit that would/could answer the needs of many artists in the area. By volunteering 40-60hrs a week for over a year, making many connections, representing at community events and gallery receptions, and winning two substantial Grant fundings, I know the work I gave was quality and had great value.

Name a favorite book or movie

Watership Down was always a favorite book growing up, as well as anything by J.R.R. Tolkien.

If you weren’t running your business, what career would you like to pursue?

My business is within the only realm of career I would want to pursue – Fine Art. I suppose if I had to pick another avenue, a celebrated author with multiple publications and success would due just fine.

What is your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Shoot high, but take aim. The wildest ideas can turn into achievable goals with a roadmap laid out by outlining the correct steps to take.

When do you know you have succeeded?

When I am dead and buried and all desires have been laid to rest; where only memories and legacies serve as reminders of jobs well done.