Giving back to the community and promoting local businesses has always been KC Cole’s driving force. It was important to her that in this article she not only speaks about supporting local businesses but she also wants to support local entrepreneurs by wearing and highlighting their brands. She also accomplishes giving back to the community through years of teaching financial literacy and serving as a member of the Holy Cross Foundation Board, to name just a few of her many pursuits. And in her “spare time” she is busy as an active gym fitness inspirator, motivational speaker, salsa dancer, assistant track coach, international traveler, while finding balance as a wife and mother.
KC attended The State University in Delaware on a full scholarship and was nationally ranked as an All American Track Star, earning a B.A. in Business, Marketing and Public Relations. An avid golfer, she recently won a trophy at the Neediest Kids Pro Am Invitational at the Avenel Golf Club. She smiles as she says, "I would like to mention that I was Mrs. Maryland '99 First Runner up, and my life today is to serve as if I won first place!"
Her professional career started in the investments industry as a successful Licensed Financial Advisor in Chevy Chase. She then segued to working in banking for over a decade in Washington, earning many awards such as "President's Circle of Excellence", "Best in Bank", etc. In recent years she followed her heart and was recruited back to Montgomery County to have the honor to work with the Federal Credit Union as Vice President and Director of Community Relations. As the core creator of the credit union's Employee Benefits and Financial Wellness Programs for county residents, she works closely with Montgomery County businesses, schools and residences.
KC also serves as a Board Member of the Coalition for the Advancement of Financial Education -- CAFE Montgomery MD -- which promotes policies that advance the financial well being of all Montgomery County residents, especially the most vulnerable. She most recently was nominated to Montgomery County's "Leadership Montgomery Class of 2021" where she aspires to actively collaborate with other leaders to find ways to strengthen the community.
KC is the founding publisher of Potomac Lifestyle, one of 149 magazines nationwide under the "Lifestyle" umbrella. To her, publishing the magazine is another way to promote and inspire community involvement and help local businesses. She is succeeding!
Here are a few quotes from local business owners:
Kristen Raymond, Georgetown Hill, Director of Community Marketing and Communications
“I met KC at a fundraising event. She is the epiphany of gracefulness. Always ensuring that everyone gets a fair shot at succeeding, extremely generous with creative ideas and believes collaboration is essential in all you do.”
Master Sharma, East West Tae Kwan Do
"KC has done an amazing job with Potomac Lifestyle Magazine! She single-handedly brought our Potomac community together! KC's positive energy and enthusiasm are contagious!"
C. Warren Taylor, Serenity Gardens
“Over two years of working together with KC, I realized how lucky I was to be in business with someone that knew how to not only give back, but also support me, and my business, with integrity and poise. She has been mentoring me with my marketing efforts since day one!”
To contact KC email her at kc.cole@citylifestyle.com.