Paul and Landen Collins - Father and Daughter Study Buddies
When father and daughter Paul and Landen Collins joined the Get Force Certified Admin Academy together, they found more than just Salesforce skills - they discovered a shared purpose. Driven by a passion for service and a desire to use technology for good, they built new confidence, forged an even deeper bond, and set out to make a lasting impact in their community and beyond.
The Study Buddies: How a Father and Daughter Found Their Purpose with Get Force Certified
When Paul and Landen Collins from Ohio decided to take on the Get Force Certified Admin Academy together, they weren’t just learning Salesforce. They were following a calling: to build skills that would help them give back, serve others, and leave the world better than they found it.
A Shared Beginning
Paul, a lifelong software developer, first discovered Salesforce in 2005. He immediately saw how powerful it could be in helping organisations operate more efficiently and serve more people. Over the years, he championed it in businesses he worked with, but deep down, he always knew he wanted to do more than build systems, he wanted to use technology to help people thrive.
Meanwhile, Landen had graduated from Ohio University with a communications degree and completed a full-stack developer bootcamp. She loved technology, but even more, she loved connecting with people. Her heart had always been with service: volunteering in hospitals, leading programs for children with special needs, and travelling to the Dominican Republic to build homes for families in need.
When Paul found Get Force Certified, he knew it was the right opportunity, for both of them.
“I told her, if you can combine your people skills, your tech skills, and your passion for helping others, Salesforce could open the door to real impact.”
Paul received a scholarship through the Workforce Navigators programme, which supports learners from all walks of life to access opportunities in the Salesforce ecosystem. Landen rearranged her work schedule to join too. They became not just classmates, but partners in a shared mission.
Paul, a lifelong software developer, first discovered Salesforce in 2005. He immediately saw how powerful it could be in helping organisations operate more efficiently and serve more people. Over the years, he championed it in businesses he worked with, but deep down, he always knew he wanted to do more than build systems, he wanted to use technology to help people thrive.
Meanwhile, Landen had graduated from Ohio University with a communications degree and completed a full-stack developer bootcamp. She loved technology, but even more, she loved connecting with people. Her heart had always been with service: volunteering in hospitals, leading programs for children with special needs, and travelling to the Dominican Republic to build homes for families in need.
When Paul found Get Force Certified, he knew it was the right opportunity, for both of them.
“I told her, if you can combine your people skills, your tech skills, and your passion for helping others, Salesforce could open the door to real impact.”
Paul received a scholarship through the Workforce Navigators programme, which supports learners from all walks of life to access opportunities in the Salesforce ecosystem. Landen rearranged her work schedule to join too. They became not just classmates, but partners in a shared mission.
A Learning Experience Full of Joy and Purpose
From the first class, it was clear that Dave Massey’s Academy wasn’t like anything else.
“Dave creates this incredible atmosphere, music, laughter, real conversations. It’s not just about learning Salesforce. It’s about building confidence, community, and believing you can make a difference,” Landen shared.
Paul noticed it too. “Dave elevates the energy of the group every session. He lifts you up. Even if you’ve had a hard day, you leave class feeling motivated to keep going.”
The course was deeply interactive, with live quizzes, real-world examples, and constant encouragement. Dave shared not just technical knowledge, but also life lessons, about resilience, about service, about using your skills for good.
“He wants you to succeed. He believes in you until you believe in yourself,” Paul said.
From the first class, it was clear that Dave Massey’s Academy wasn’t like anything else.
“Dave creates this incredible atmosphere, music, laughter, real conversations. It’s not just about learning Salesforce. It’s about building confidence, community, and believing you can make a difference,” Landen shared.
Paul noticed it too. “Dave elevates the energy of the group every session. He lifts you up. Even if you’ve had a hard day, you leave class feeling motivated to keep going.”
The course was deeply interactive, with live quizzes, real-world examples, and constant encouragement. Dave shared not just technical knowledge, but also life lessons, about resilience, about service, about using your skills for good.
“He wants you to succeed. He believes in you until you believe in yourself,” Paul said.
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Passing Exams, and Building a New Vision
Both Paul and Landen successfully passed their Salesforce Associate exams, armed with new skills, greater confidence, and a stronger sense of direction.
Julie, Paul's wife and Landen's mom now calls them “The Study Buddies,” and the nickname fits: they often find themselves deep in conversation about Salesforce strategy at the dinner table, helping each other study, sharing new ideas, and planning their futures.
But for both of them, Salesforce is not the end goal. It’s the tool they will use to pursue their deeper purpose.
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Driven by Heart, Powered by Technology
For Paul, the future is crystal clear: he wants to spend the rest of his working life leading a successful Salesforce team in his day job, and finding time to also giving back. He is passionate about working in the nonprofit sector as a volunteer, using Salesforce to strengthen organisations that are making a real difference in the world.
“I want to spend the time I have left working to lift others up. Technology is powerful, but in the right hands, it’s transformational. I want to use everything I’ve learned to make a lasting impact.”
For Paul, the future is crystal clear: he wants to spend the rest of his working life leading a successful Salesforce team in his day job, and finding time to also giving back. He is passionate about working in the nonprofit sector as a volunteer, using Salesforce to strengthen organisations that are making a real difference in the world.
“I want to spend the time I have left working to lift others up. Technology is powerful, but in the right hands, it’s transformational. I want to use everything I’ve learned to make a lasting impact.”
Landen shares that same heart for service. Throughout her life, she has sought out opportunities to help those who needed it most, from volunteering in children's oncology wards to leading programs for students with special needs, and travelling to the Dominican Republic to help build homes for families who had so little, yet showed immense gratitude for even the smallest gifts.
“The thing that sticks with me is how much joy people can have even when they have so little. It showed me how much we take for granted, and how much impact even small acts of service can make.”
Now, Landen dreams of combining her love for volunteering and working with children with her new Salesforce skills, helping nonprofits, hospitals, and schools harness the power of technology to do more good in the world. If you know of any nonprofits looking for great people like Paul and Landen reach out to them on LinkedIn.
“The thing that sticks with me is how much joy people can have even when they have so little. It showed me how much we take for granted, and how much impact even small acts of service can make.”
Now, Landen dreams of combining her love for volunteering and working with children with her new Salesforce skills, helping nonprofits, hospitals, and schools harness the power of technology to do more good in the world. If you know of any nonprofits looking for great people like Paul and Landen reach out to them on LinkedIn.
Feeling Ready: Preparing for Success
For both Paul and Landen, one of the most valuable parts of the Get Force Certified experience was how prepared they felt walking into their Salesforce exams.“Before this course, I had no idea what to expect from a Salesforce exam,”
Landen said. “But Dave’s mock exams made all the difference. I knew how the system worked, I knew how fast I needed to move, and I even knew how to manage my nerves. When it came time for the real thing, I felt like I had already taken the test four times.”
Paul echoed that feeling of confidence. “The way Dave teaches you to break down questions, eliminate bad answers, and trust your instincts, it really stuck with me. I wasn’t second-guessing everything. I could read a question and think, ‘I know this,’ and move on without getting stuck.”They both agreed that the Academy didn’t just teach the material, it built a mindset for success.
“Dave sets you up to walk into that exam knowing you can do it,” Paul said. “You don’t just learn Salesforce, you learn how to believe in yourself under pressure.”
For both Paul and Landen, one of the most valuable parts of the Get Force Certified experience was how prepared they felt walking into their Salesforce exams.“Before this course, I had no idea what to expect from a Salesforce exam,”
Landen said. “But Dave’s mock exams made all the difference. I knew how the system worked, I knew how fast I needed to move, and I even knew how to manage my nerves. When it came time for the real thing, I felt like I had already taken the test four times.”
Paul echoed that feeling of confidence. “The way Dave teaches you to break down questions, eliminate bad answers, and trust your instincts, it really stuck with me. I wasn’t second-guessing everything. I could read a question and think, ‘I know this,’ and move on without getting stuck.”They both agreed that the Academy didn’t just teach the material, it built a mindset for success.
“Dave sets you up to walk into that exam knowing you can do it,” Paul said. “You don’t just learn Salesforce, you learn how to believe in yourself under pressure.”
A holistic experience
“Dave doesn’t just teach Salesforce. He teaches you to believe that you can be a force for good in the world,” Paul said. “It was hugely empowering to hear Dave share his story, how he built this academy, and how much heart he puts into helping others.
”Landen agreed. “Hearing about people like Tanya, who is blind and still became Salesforce certified thanks to Dave’s support, made everything feel even more real. It’s not just about passing an exam. It’s about showing up for yourself and for others, no matter what challenges you face.”
Through every story he told, Dave showed that success isn’t about being perfect; it’s about persistence, community, and heart.
“Dave made us feel like we were part of something bigger than just a class,” Paul said. “It made us believe that if we keep pushing forward, we can make a real difference in the world too.”
Their advice?
“Find a way to combine what you love with what you’re good at. Follow the path that lets you help others. That’s what truly makes the journey worthwhile.And, if that includes Salesforce, 100% look into Dave’s course. It will be a gamechanger for you!”
“Dave doesn’t just teach Salesforce. He teaches you to believe that you can be a force for good in the world,” Paul said. “It was hugely empowering to hear Dave share his story, how he built this academy, and how much heart he puts into helping others.
”Landen agreed. “Hearing about people like Tanya, who is blind and still became Salesforce certified thanks to Dave’s support, made everything feel even more real. It’s not just about passing an exam. It’s about showing up for yourself and for others, no matter what challenges you face.”
Through every story he told, Dave showed that success isn’t about being perfect; it’s about persistence, community, and heart.
“Dave made us feel like we were part of something bigger than just a class,” Paul said. “It made us believe that if we keep pushing forward, we can make a real difference in the world too.”
Their advice?
“Find a way to combine what you love with what you’re good at. Follow the path that lets you help others. That’s what truly makes the journey worthwhile.And, if that includes Salesforce, 100% look into Dave’s course. It will be a gamechanger for you!”
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