Start-up culture is often described as a whirlwind—fast-moving, disruptive, and unforgiving. But for Colby Leachman, it is also an arena where purpose and progress converge. Based in Silicon Valley, Leachman has carved a career defined by both entrepreneurial daring and principled advocacy. His work bridges enterprise technology, emerging industries, and social responsibility, proving that businesses can be both profitable and transformative.
At the center of his professional journey is Full Swell Consulting, the strategic firm he founded to guide visionary entrepreneurs and growth-stage companies. From AI to cannabis to crypto, Full Swell partners with founders who are building at the intersection of innovation and sustainability. For Leachman, the mission is not only to scale bold ideas but also to align them with a broader purpose. His philosophy is simple but powerful: profit and positive change should not be mutually exclusive.
Building Companies with Purpose
Through Full Swell, Leachman has become a trusted partner for companies navigating the delicate transition from concept to scale. His expertise lies in blending deep strategic analysis with precise go-to-market execution. Startups often falter not for lack of vision but for lack of structure, discipline, or the ability to adapt. Leachman provides that missing link—helping leadership teams design frameworks that sustain both growth and impact.
He emphasizes the idea that innovation should not just disrupt industries but also contribute to the greater good. This conviction has shaped Full Swell’s focus on green space industries, enterprises that leverage innovation to drive sustainability. By supporting businesses that reduce waste, optimize energy, or create pathways for environmental resilience, Leachman ensures his work resonates far beyond financial metrics.
A Career in Emerging Frontiers
Before launching Full Swell, Leachman immersed himself in industries on the frontier of change—enterprise software, artificial intelligence, and later, cannabis and cryptocurrency. These fields, often marked by both rapid expansion and regulatory complexity, provided him with the versatility needed to advise across diverse sectors. His ability to navigate such landscapes has made him not only a strategist but also a translator of innovation, capable of guiding founders through environments where disruption meets uncertainty.
Champion of Justice Reform
Leachman’s professional life is inseparable from his role as an advocate. For him, entrepreneurship is not just about business success but also about addressing systemic inequities. Nowhere is this more visible than in his support of the Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit dedicated to ending unjust incarceration caused by outdated drug laws.
As an advocate and donor, Leachman amplifies the message that no one should remain behind bars for actions—particularly cannabis offenses—that society no longer criminalizes. His involvement reflects a broader philosophy: business leaders must also take responsibility for shaping fairer systems. By supporting re-entry programs, he underscores the idea that entrepreneurship should open doors not just for founders, but also for those marginalized by past policies.
Commitment to Community and Sustainability
Colby’s values extend into global causes as well. As a long-time supporter of the World Wildlife Fund, he champions environmental stewardship alongside his entrepreneurial pursuits. The WWF’s mission of protecting ecosystems and biodiversity aligns closely with his personal and professional focus on sustainability.
At the local level, Leachman has spent over a decade coaching youth soccer at the YMCA, working with children between the ages of six and twelve. Through coaching, he instills lessons that transcend the field: teamwork, resilience, discipline, and leadership. For him, sport is a metaphor for life—a space where young people discover the importance of collaboration, persistence, and balance. His love for soccer, along with surfing, also provides him personal grounding in the high-pressure world of entrepreneurship.
Leadership with Balance
What distinguishes Colby Leachman is not only his ability to operate in high-growth industries but also his insistence on balance. Surfing the California coast or playing soccer with friends, he draws from sport the same lessons he applies in business: patience, adaptability, and the value of practice. This balance allows him to approach challenges with clarity, while also reminding those around him that success is as much about sustainability of self as it is about financial return.
Advisory and Education
Leachman’s career also reflects a commitment to ongoing education and advisory roles. He served as an advisor and board member at Greener Technologies, a startup optimizing power usage in grow lighting systems. His involvement supported innovations that directly tied efficiency to sustainability. Additionally, his education through General Assembly—with specialized training in AI for Marketing and AI for Sales—demonstrates his dedication to staying ahead in industries where technology constantly reshapes the rules of engagement.
A Vision for the Future
Today, as Full Swell continues to expand its influence, Colby Leachman remains steadfast in his vision: to build scalable, high-impact organizations that transform industries while improving communities. He understands that the future of entrepreneurship is not only about market dominance but also about responsible leadership.
In Silicon Valley, where innovation is often equated solely with disruption, Colby Leachman represents a different archetype: the entrepreneur who sees progress not as a race for valuation but as a commitment to impact. Whether through his business ventures, advocacy for justice reform, or community service, he is redefining what it means to be a founder in the modern age.
