Meet Collette Weber | Entrepreneur & Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Collette Weber and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Collette, what role has risk played in your life or career?
The thing that keeps most people from taking risks is a fear of the unknown. We tend to be more comfortable with what is familiar. In my own life, risk taking has brought about many adventures – from moving to Alaska as a young adult to traveling across Europe and hiking the Camino trail. When an opportunity presents itself in life or work, I pay attention to how it makes me feel as well as how events align themselves. When conditions flow or fall into place along the way, then I know I’m on the right path. If I run into too many obstacles, I redefine my strategy or change directions. There is also a matter of calculated risks. One must weigh the options and research any new venture, but if we are not willing to take the first step into the unknown we will never know what possibilities or new discoveries may have presented themselves.

What should our readers know about your business?
If there was a contest for having the most eclectic work and life experience, I would definitely have a chance of winning. From the time I was a young teenager, I began working in any area that seemed interesting – raking leaves, telephone soliciting, working in restaurants, and singing in bands. These various jobs enabled me to develop different skills and the confidence needed to keep trying new things. I suppose I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and first took the leap of owning my own business while in Anchorage, AK when I ran a floatation tank center. This came with many challenges, such as educating people on the benefits of sensory deprivation and just running the day to day business operations. Fast forward to today, and now I run Rocky Mountain Vinegar Shrubs. When my mother-in-law and now business partner approached me to see if I was interested in buying the business, I did not know much about Shrubs. However, this delicious mixer and its versatile uses in salad dressings and marinades became my obsession. I would not say it has been easy, but when you love what you are doing the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. Some of the lessons I have learned along the way are to ask for help when you need it and to stay the course. The RMV Shrubs brand is all about helping people discover the fun side of vinegar and to enjoy life. During the last year most of us have had to make changes in our personal and work lives – if we even have work. What this pandemic has made more apparent to me is that we need one another, and we need to be aware that people are going through their own challenges. I would like the world to know that even though we may not have the same life experiences, I care deeply about what people are going through and hope we can all try to make the best out of every situation.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Just about any time of year, Colorado has a vast number of outdoor activities and great places to eat and drink or to just hang out. When friends visit, I like to take them to the mountains for hiking or to soak in the hot springs. Steamboat Springs in the summer has a ton of hiking trails as well as natural hot springs. Taking a float down the Yampa river is always fun, and Steamboat has a variety of excellent restaurants to choose from. Since I live in Arvada, I would also bring friends to the Olde Town area to enjoy restaurants like School House Kitchen, or drive to Golden and check out the Golden City Brewery and take a walk along Clear Creek. There are so many interesting things to do in Colorado, it’s hard to choose!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank my husband, Brad Barkey for all of his support, as well as Margaret Barkey for sharing this opportunity and trusting me to run with it.

Website: www.RockyMountainVinegar.com