meet the founder: erica collins
MIDWESTERN ROOTS. GLOBAL EXPERIENCE. HUMAN CURIOSITIES.
Erica Collins is a modern-day renaissance woman whose personal and professional aspirations have afforded her opportunities to see the world and connect with those within it.
Originally from Kansas, she’s had the opportunity to travel to 21 countries and 37 U.S. States since getting her passport back in 2012 to study abroad in India. That was the trip that changed her life and flipped everything she thought she knew about the world on its head. She is still chasing the travel bug that inspired her to see the world despite her fears.
During her 20 years in retail operations, Erica had a successful career including 10 years of people management at Fortune 500 companies like Amazon and Macy’s, and the 4th largest retailer in the world, Lidl International. Her work at Lidl took her to work in Germany for a year where she was required to learn German after a 4 month intensive course, taking classes from 9am-4pm Monday through Friday. Afterwards she entered her role as a District Manager, overseeing a district of stores in Northwest Germany, conducting daily business and coaching her employees in a second language. That was by far the most rewarding growth experience Erica had faced so far in her life. She learned what she was made of while being away from her friends and family, and out of her comfort zone.
After completing her 18-month contract as an expatriate in Germany and Ireland, she returned to the United State to help launch Lidl’s international expansion and thus, Lidl US was born. 2 years later, she played an integral role in overseeing their operations of a $1 Billion dollar acquisition. After leaving Lidl, she was recruited by Amazon to launch and manage their first GoGrocery Just Walk Out stores and later, she launched and managed Amazon Fresh Just Walk Out stores and fulfillment services.
Although her corporate experience proved plentiful, Erica decided to branch out into entrepreneurship and bet on herself. Her passion is traveling the world and interacting with those within it. She knew that if given the opportunity, she could create unforgettable and elite experiences for others, the same way she had for herself over 12 years. From there, EC3TRAVEL was born.
THE EC3 BACKBONE
A homage to her late grandfather and uncle; Erica founded her umbrella company EC3, on the backs of her ancestors, representing the multitude of DNA layers from both of her parents’ lineage.
paris, france
why ec3?
The 3 of them share the same initials, E.C.: Ellis Collins (grandfather), Ellis Collins Jr. (uncle) and Erica Collins (founder). EC3 honors the roots of the Collins family bloodline, which represents ancestors trailblazing paths for the next generation. That is Erica’s goal, to inspire those after her to following their soul’s passion.
Born to Parents, Paul & Regina Collins, Erica Collins was always encouraged to be herself and to follow her dreams no matter what. This ideal was reinforced by her Grandpa Ellis as he escorted her during the formalwear portion of the National American Miss Junior Teen Kansas 2004 pageant. They were all dressed up in their black-tie attire and riding the elevator to the auditorium when he grabbed her hand and said, “Shoot for the stars, Granddaughter! ‘Cause even if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars! Let’s win this!”. Later that evening, Erica won the title and was crowned Miss Junior Teen Kansas 2004. She will never forget the roaring cheers from the 30-person section of supporters who purchased tickets to watch her compete.
The support from her family gave Erica the confidence and faith to chase her heart’s desires. She was raised in a family rich with love, support, honesty and purpose. While she grew up in the college town of Lawrence, Kansas, her itch to explore her big city dreams took her out of the country for the first time to study abroad in India. That was 12 years ago and she hasn’t stopped challenging herself to remain open-minded while exploring this beautiful world around us.