Colleen Sundlie, the founder of The Date Lady, is a passionate entrepreneur whose journey has been shaped by her love for simple ingredients, creative branding, and a desire to build a meaningful business. Born and raised in Springfield, Colleen's story is one of innovation and an unwavering commitment to creating products that bring joy to people.
Colleen’s professional path started in advertising, where she worked at an ad agency in Kansas City and later on the client side for a supplier of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. After moving back to Springfield, she opened a small boutique ad agency, which allowed her to collaborate with organizations like the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Regional Arts Council. After marrying her husband and having her first child, his job led them to the Middle East. It was there, surrounded by the culture and traditions of the region, that Colleen discovered the incredible potential of date products.
When Colleen returned to Springfield, she turned her newfound passion for dates into The Date Lady, a company built on the principle of using simple, quality ingredients to create products that people could feel good about enjoying. She recalls how, in the early days, her business was organized around the schedules of her young children. “It was organized according to nap times and bed times,” she says. The business started small, focusing on a niche market, but as dates became increasingly popular, Colleen was able to slowly grow her team, allowing her company to scale sustainably.
Today, The Date Lady is experiencing explosive growth, a result of Colleen’s dedication to her business and the team her and her husband Ryan have built. "It's really such a fun thing to launch them into the market and to see people enjoy them," she says of her products. Her focus now is on expanding distribution and creating new products, many of which are currently in the planning stages. She's also working on the expansion of her facility, a move that will enable The Date Lady to reach even more customers.
Outside of her business, Colleen is deeply rooted in family. She and her husband have five children, most of whom were raised in Springfield. Colleen spends a significant amount of time attending their sports games and cherishing the moments she has with them. She also enjoys traveling and has a particular love for old homes, with a 1906 farmhouse in Springfield and a late 1800s home in Idaho. “We love the character and workmanship people put into old houses, it’s what we spend a lot of our extra time on, but it’s worth it!” she says of her homes.
In the future, Colleen hopes to explore writing, something she’s dabbled in before. Above all, she’s committed to being the best mom she can be. "I want to do the best I can with my kids," she says, reflecting her core value of family.
Energy Balls Recipe
Ingredients
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2 cup oats
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1 cup nut butter
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2/3 cup date syrup
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1/2 cup ground flax seeds
- 1 cup shaved chocolate or mini chocolate chips
Directions
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Combine all of the ingredients together until well mixed.
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Chill for 20-40 minutes.
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Roll into 1-in balls and keep in an airtight container until ready to eat.
The Date Lady is experiencing explosive growth, a result of Colleen’s dedication to her business and the team her and her husband Ryan have built.