Local entrepreneur and Air Force veteran Ryan Collier is on a mission to use his time, experience, and small business to leave his community better than he found it.

As the owner of College Guys 4 Hire, Collier provides residents and businesses with help on tasks they may be unable to handle themselves. From landscaping to moving services, his work goes beyond the job itself — it’s about building trust, offering opportunity, and creating meaningful connections. 

“I want people to know that if they need something and I can’t do it, then I will find someone who can. A lot of people feel alone, and I want to give them comfort that I’m reliable and willing to serve,” said Collier.

Drawing on his experience in the Air Force, Collier emphasizes the importance of manpower. While landscaping is the company’s foundation, he has diversified services to stay busy through the slower fall and winter months—ensuring year-round employment for his team.

“I want to be someone workers know they can rely on for steady jobs,” he said. “It’s a win-win: our clients get the help they need, and our workers get the stability they deserve.”

Among those workers are residents from Oxford House, a sober living community in Shreveport that helps individuals rebuild their lives through structure and support. By offering them hands-on training and employment, Collier sees an opportunity to restore dignity and hope.

“No matter their past, these guys are capable of helping others—and themselves,” he said. “Our customers connect with their stories. They want to be part of that change. I truly believe that when you give your best and do right by others, it comes back to you tenfold.”

A self-described jack-of-all-trades, Collier credits the Air Force with equipping him with leadership, resilience, and discipline. He compares his business operations to the mission-driven work of Barksdale Air Force Base — deploying skilled manpower to meet various needs across the community, even helping new Airmen move in and settle their homes.

“In the Air Force, I was able to see both good and bad leadership, and I learned when to be a friend and when to be stern,” Collier said. “It helped me establish my leadership style, gave me resilience, and taught me discipline. I knew by going into the Air Force and working hard now that I could set myself up for success later.”

Before founding College Guys 4 Hire, Collier moved to Bossier for its schools. Originally from Rapides Parish, he found the inclusive environment at Parkway High School to be a welcome change. 

“My parents moved here because of the schools,” Collier said. “At Parkway, I found diversity and acceptance. I wasn’t used to that—I was used to being the only Asian kid in class.”

Having graduated and served at Barksdale, he stayed to become an entrepreneur because the relationships he formed in the area helped him be well-received as a young entrepreneur.

Still, he acknowledges there are challenges of striking out on your own.

“It can be scary doing something different because you worry about what people will think,” he said. “But if you take that risk, even if you get burned, you’re building bridges to something bigger.”

In the end, for Ryan Collier, success isn’t just about business — it’s about service, connection, and giving back.

“This community has been good to me,” he said. “I just want to return the favor.”