Hobbies
Who is Colleen Atwood?
Hello! I am Colleen Atwood, the owner of Atwood LLC. Thank you for getting to know me and learning about the company’s history and vision.
I live in beautiful West Seattle, near Harbor Island, and I have always been captivated by the city’s stunning waterways and majestic mountains. However, my husband and I are excited to announce that we will move to the other side of the state within the next year and a half. Our destination is the charming golf town of Chewelah, located approximately an hour north of Spokane. Once the owner of his company retires, we plan to follow our parents to the east side of Washington.
Trouble, Runa & Shadow
An important fact about me is my deep love for cats. Over the past twenty-five (25) years, my husband and I have welcomed seven furry companions into our home: Tiger, Missy, Princess, Jazz, Trouble, Runa, and Shadow. Jazzy lived the longest, reaching the impressive age of twenty-one (21) before he passed away in November 2022.
We visited the Colville Animal Sanctuary (located forty-five minutes north of Chewelah) a few days before Thanksgiving. When we decided to adopt, my mother-in-law joined us. Although she initially had no intention of adopting another kitten, she became excited on our behalf, especially after adopting two kittens the year before. We found two kittens at the Sanctuary, a brother and sister, and instantly fell in love with them. To our surprise, we learned that these two kittens had two more siblings at the Sanctuary, which the director told us about that night during a party. As a result, we returned to my mother-in-law’s place with two more kittens – one for us and one for her, taking the remaining brother.
On our way home, we had quite an eventful drive. Trouble earned his name by unzipping the carrier from the inside and releasing all three tiny kittens to roam freely in the vehicle as it was getting dark. Jazzy was also with us, but he was not feeling well. Trouble stumbled onto Jazzy while the old guy was sleeping, so Jazzy put him in his place by pinning him on his back for ten minutes.
Sadly, Jazzy passed away two days later. We later discovered that the kittens had kennel cough, as did their remaining brother in Chewelah. It took two complete rounds of antibiotics to nurse them back to health and a lot of patience to help them reach a proper weight. They are perfectly healthy, full of personality, and bring so much joy to our lives.
I wanted to share this story because my cats are a massive part of my life. Having had older felines in the house for so long and becoming used to their quirks, we were amazed at how quickly we relearned how to connect with and, most importantly, teach skittish kittens that humans are kind and loving.
Whenever we visit Chewelah, we take our cats with us, and their first interaction with their brother was adorable as he instantly recognized them. Picture seven cats (my mother-in-law adopted a foster about a year ago) tearing through the house, four of which are siblings. It’s a beautiful sight, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Why Did I Start Atwood LLC?
After gaining experience as an administrative assistant in several industries, such as maritime, higher education, manufacturing, fire equipment, and emergency services, I decided to set up my own business in 2018. My vision has always been straightforward: to help small business owners reach their business goals and build the lives they aspire to.
I have dedicated much effort to understanding the complexities of owning and managing an online business. Through thorough research, trial and error, and a deep understanding of the marketing industry, I fully grasp small business owners’ challenges as they become inundated with daily tasks. I aspire to make a positive impact in this area.
The most challenging aspect of running my own business has been getting clients. My limited experience as a virtual assistant has made potential clients hesitant to hire me. However, I have previous office experience as an administrative assistant, which can be helpful in my projects.
For instance, I helped prospective students get their Coast Guard license for program entry at a local maritime college. After admitting them, I handled their college records and liaised with central college staff as needed. I also helped prepare the paperwork for students to submit to the Coast Guard for license upgrades.
After working part-time for years, hoping to transition to a full-time position, and experiencing miscommunications and unrealistic expectations in other roles, I decided to venture out independently. Nine months later, with the support of my husband, I set up Atwood LLC.
I have always enjoyed helping others with office work because it offers endless educational value to apply to various aspects of my life and business. Even failures, which I am not exempt from, are valuable learning opportunities. This concept embodies the most crucial aspect of owning a business: continuous learning of the latest information, processes, and technology is essential for progress in an ever-evolving future.
Being a Writer
I have been working on a series of interconnected novels since I was a teenager. I turned to writing to help cope after I was adopted at the tender age of ten and found myself in unfamiliar surroundings. As time went on, I realized I had a lot to share. I was an avid reader then, and even now, I tell my story through multiple characters. I was only twelve when I started writing. My new parents were incredibly supportive and encouraged my writing if it helped me.
I divided the original character and family into multiple individuals and families, with both male and female protagonists. It might sound impossible, but I created an entire world with over two hundred (200) primary protagonists, divided into twenty-four (24) families, each consisting of eight (8) characters and one to three (1–3) guardians.
What happens in one family often affects other families, especially when considering the friendships and love interests that develop and where each character ends up. Furthermore, each family holds six (6) significant secrets that affect specific individuals but could potentially create serious problems beyond those individuals.
When I was sixteen, I had already completed three books. However, I never attempted to have them published because I knew the writing could have been better, and the stories were far from ready for publication. This was about more than just editing, which I will discuss soon. I knew there was still plenty of writing inside that needed out.
I have spent the last 28 years refining the plots, background information, settings, how each protagonist and antagonist interact, and every other aspect of worldbuilding a writer can address. I have begun writing again and intend to eventually self-publish my books. It has been and will continue to be an arduous process, but it is worth my time and energy.
Becoming an Editor
Although I have always loved to write, I did not concentrate on editing until late in my high school career. Occasionally, my father (who has been working on a biography about a general in the Civil War for longer than I have been alive) would have me complete writing or editing assignments whenever the latest information appeared. I have been helping him over the years, and fortunately, he is now on his final rewrite. Hopefully, his book will be published soon.
Over the years, I have edited various documents for people, including business documents. Although not all suggestions were accepted, most of them were. People often seek my help with spelling or when they need the right word.
I recently finished critiquing the first six chapters of a novel for a friend of my mother-in-law who lives in Chewelah. She was satisfied with my feedback and questions, and we plan to collaborate on other editing projects in the future. For more information on manuscript critiques, check out my blog post, What Is a Manuscript Critique?
Even though I am new to the editing world and am working hard to land my first virtual assistant client, I have an advantage – I am a determined woman. I push myself even more when someone tells me I can’t do something. I am fully committed to providing the best service to my clients and adhering to the highest standards in the industry.
I founded Atwood LLC to help small businesses achieve their full potential, and this mission has remained unchanged throughout the years.
I look forward to collaborating with you and your company!
Our Mission
Atwood LLC offers efficient virtual assistance, manuscript editing, and novel planning services focusing on collaboration, creativity, and adaptability. Our commitment to excellence and lifelong learning ensures that we deliver the best possible outcome for your project.
Our Vision
Atwood LLC strives to inspire clients to reach their highest potential through personalized virtual author assistance, detailed manuscript editing, and novel planning services. With our support, unparalleled success is a dream and a reality waiting to be unlocked.
Our Core Values
At Atwood LLC, our core values guide every endeavor. We tailor our diverse service offerings with a focus on our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and service. Adapting to evolving client needs, we exceed expectations and shape success stories, one solution at a time.
Client Success. At Atwood LLC, our client’s success is our top priority. We listen carefully to their needs, take initiative, solve problems, and provide exceptional service and customized solutions to ensure we exceed their goals.
Collaboration. Collaboration is the key to unlocking innovative and successful outcomes. At Atwood LLC, we firmly believe that bringing together diverse perspectives from all project contributors can achieve remarkable results.
Creativity. Creativity is vital to success in every task and project. With imaginative thinking, innovative solutions, and fresh perspectives, we can unlock the potential to achieve unique and impactful results for our clients.
Flexibility & Adaptability. Flexibility and adaptability are vital in a changing landscape. We adjust strategies and embrace new technologies to meet our clients’ needs and exceed expectations. By being flexible, we stay responsive and effective in dynamic environments.
Lifelong Learning. We strive to evolve and improve ourselves constantly. By dedicating time and effort towards expanding our knowledge and refining our skills, we enhance our abilities and provide exceptional value to those we serve.
Service Excellence. We strive for excellence in every transaction by upholding the highest quality, professionalism, and integrity standards. Our goal is to consistently exceed expectations and leave a lasting impression on our clients.
Stewardship. Our clients’ trust is paramount. We approach every task with diligence, integrity, transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct to safeguard their interests and contribute to their success.
Straightforward Communication. Open, honest communication is vital to solid relationships. We value transparency, clarity, and directness in all interactions. Doing so builds trust, enhances collaboration, and empowers clients to make informed decisions.
