TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Edward Collins and Beth Ann Collins
Building a Life—and a Platform—Rooted in Purpose
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Edward Collins and Beth Ann Collins did not begin their business journey together. They began in life, shaped by love, loss, service, and a shared belief that success is measured not by what one accumulates, but by what one gives back. Before finding one another, both had built meaningful lives alongside spouses they deeply loved. Losing them was a profound turning point, one that reshaped their perspectives and ultimately prepared them for a partnership grounded in empathy, resilience, and purpose.

 

When Edward and Beth Ann met, their connection was immediate and deeply aligned. Each recognized in the other a commitment to service and a desire to create something that extended beyond personal success. Their marriage became more than a union; it became a mission. Together, they set out to answer a fundamental question: how can we make giving accessible to everyone, not just the privileged few?

 

Beth Ann’s life had long been defined by service. As a former police officer, she operated in high-stakes environments where compassion and strength were equally essential. Her work exposed her to individuals and families in moments of crisis, shaping a lifelong commitment to advocacy. After her law enforcement career, that commitment evolved into hands-on caregiving. Beth Ann fostered and cared for more than 60 children, many with special needs, offering stability, dignity, and love where it was often lacking. Her role as a mother to her son Chase, who has Down syndrome, further deepened her perspective. For Beth Ann, advocacy is not an abstract idea; it is lived daily, informing every decision she makes.

 

Edward’s path was similarly rooted in service, though it took a different form. As a Battalion Chief in the fire department, he led teams through critical, often life-threatening situations. The experience forged a leadership style defined by clarity, decisiveness, and composure under pressure. While still serving, Edward began building what would become a national retail success. Starting with just ten mattresses in his garage, he founded Burlington Mattress Company and grew it into a recognized brand through discipline and strategic execution. Nearly a decade ago, he exited the company through a buyout by a major global manufacturer. For Edward, that milestone was not an endpoint; it was the freedom to pursue a larger purpose.

 

That shared purpose took shape in the creation of 321 Give, an innovative platform designed to integrate charitable giving directly into everyday commerce. Rather than treating philanthropy as an afterthought, 321 Give embeds it into every transaction. The model is simple but powerful: 25 percent of profits are donated, with 20 percent directed to charity partners who register on the platform and are chosen by the consumer, and 5 percent supporting Special Olympics. With access to more than 1.9 million charities, the platform allows individuals to contribute to causes that matter to them while purchasing products they already need.

 

The idea, however, was far from simple to execute. Traditional retail infrastructure presented a significant barrier. Scaling a platform that could connect manufacturers, retailers, and charitable organizations required a level of technological integration that did not yet exist. The solution came through a strategic partnership with HIECOR, a technology provider known for its advanced retail systems and infrastructure. HIECOR became more than a vendor—it became the backbone of what Edward and Beth Ann were building.

 

From that collaboration emerged WeConnect, a platform that reimagines how manufacturers and retailers interact. At its core is a breakthrough innovation: a single EDI connection that enables manufacturers to connect instantly with tens of thousands of retailers. This eliminates longstanding barriers related to cost, time, and complexity, opening doors for businesses that previously lacked the resources to compete at scale. For manufacturers, it offers expanded distribution and greater control. For retailers, it provides streamlined access to ordering, suppliers, logistics, and operational tools, including an LMS platform, WeConnect University.

 

What makes the partnership between 321 Give, WeConnect, and HIECOR particularly unique is the alignment of purpose behind the technology. Both organizations share a commitment to supporting the special-needs community, a cause deeply personal to Edward and Beth Ann. This alignment transformed a business collaboration into something more meaningful—a shared mission to create infrastructure that benefits families and communities often overlooked.

 

Even the name “321” carries a deeper significance. Years before the two had met and before the creation of 321 Give, Edward had established a company called 321 Holdings, simply because it felt right. Decades later, the meaning became clear. March 21, 3/21, is recognized as World Down Syndrome Day, a connection that reflects the family’s journey and reinforces their belief that their work is part of a larger purpose.

 

Today, 321 Give continues to expand, adding new product categories and partnerships while maintaining its core mission. WeConnect is gaining traction across industries, with major manufacturers recognizing its potential to reshape commerce and distribution on a global scale.  

 

Through it all, Edward and Beth Ann remain grounded in the same principle that brought them together: success is not defined by what you build for yourself, but by what you build for others. Their work is not a vanity project—it is a deliberate effort to create systems that empower individuals, support charities, and redefine the relationship between commerce and compassion.

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Edward Collins: President/Co-Founder
Beth Ann Collins: Co-Founder
WeConnectMP.com, Optim1.com, and 321give.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/edward-collins-kc