Ms Karen Coley

Karen Coley never knew her true leadership ability until she left her job in 2014 in her mid-forties. She soon started her own event planning company, Verde Events, as her only employee. She grew her company to surpass millions in sales with more than 10 employees managing Corporate Events for clients like CVS, Hyundai, CCC, and more. In 2018, she ventured into the Waste Hauling business in Chicago, recognizing a great opportunity as there were no women-owned companies. The WBENC awarded her the certificate, and she started with 1 truck in 2018, now having over 60 in 2023 with another 25 coming in 2024. Her company SBC is becoming a Chicagoland area household name, and she now sponsors the local pro Hockey team, the Chicago Wolves. Karen's passion is helping the homeless and has dedicated resources and time to the Chicago Charity Humble design. Her businesses are not about enriching herself but more about providing high-quality careers, as evidenced by over 70% of her employees making six figures. As she looks to the future, her goal is to build an automated/robotic recycling facility and become the first woman in that space, changing the way the local industry processes its recycling. Splitting time between the two companies is challenging, rewarding, and tiring. She has a true love of leadership and a desire to make life better for all her employees.