By Ann Gill (M.A., ’76)
Alumna Connie Hanrahan is always on the move, using her time generously and wisely. During college, she worked in sales for the Collegian. One of her clients was the Subway store in Campus West. After six months working with her in that role, the owner convinced Connie to join his staff. She built a marketing department for his restaurants and, within seven years, was working with stores at over 20 locations.
Encouraged by that owner and six other mentors, Connie opened her own business, Mantooth Marketing, in 1995. Her goal was to offer cost-effective and honest marketing services to local small businesses. Her first client was the collection of businesses in Campus West; they remain a client to this day.
As her business grew, Connie added an events department. Mantooth now executes about 40 events annually, ranging in size from 10 to over 10,000 attendees. These events include the Town of Timnath’s Fourth of July Celebration and Fall Festival; A Vintage Affair, a wine- and beer-tasting event that benefits Pathways Hospice; and the Lagoon Concert Series on campus, which averages 2,500 attendees each week.
Why the name “Mantooth?” It was her mother’s maiden name. Her mother was determined, hard-working, and stood up for what she believed. Her daughter built Mantooth Marketing on those values. Like everything Connie does, Mantooth is a huge success. It was recognized by the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce as the 2014 “Small Business of the Year” and by BizWest as one of the “100 Fastest Growing Companies in Northern Colorado.” Recently it was named a “2018 Top Company” by Colorado Biz Magazine.
The thing Connie enjoys most about her career is creating what she never had—strong female mentorship. The six mentors who advised her on starting her business were all male. Her own mentoring activities range from formal mentoring programs at Mantooth to informal mentoring of the large number of women who seek her advice. Connie is encouraging but also knows when to suggest or direct and when to get out of the way and allow women to develop the confidence that comes with succeeding on their own. Her mentoring has been widely recognized, including by the Northern Colorado Women of Influence, which honored her as a “Woman of Influence” and an “Outstanding Mentor.”
Connie has served on a number of boards and in leadership roles, ranging from Habitat for Humanity to the Boys and Girls Club and CSU’s Ram Club. In 2013, she received the MS community “Champion Award,” which recognizes Northern Colorado residents who demonstrate a commitment to philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy. Her proud mother was in the audience to see Connie receive that award; she passed away three weeks later.
Connie Hanrahan is a Lifetime Member of the CSU Alumni Association. She attends alumni events and is a big supporter of our sports teams. We are deeply grateful for all this extraordinary woman has done for other women in our community and on our campus. She is a towering figure in local women’s history.