About Ben Collins

Ben Collins - Google Workspace GDE 👋 Hello!

I’m Ben Collins, educator, writer, developer and founder of The Collins School of Data and Sheets Insiders.

I create online courses and write about Google Workspace tools. I focus on data analysis and automation, using Google Sheets and Apps Script.

I love building lightweight, data-driven applications for the Google stack: Google Sheets, Looker Studio, Google Apps Script, Forms, Docs, Gmail, etc.

Timeline

In 2014 I quit my corporate job as a forensic accountant. I took a long bike trip, got married, and thought seriously about starting a paid accounting industry newsletter. (Spoiler alert – I didn’t. I came to my senses in the nick of time!)

In 2015 I wrote my first blog post about building dashboards in Google Sheets, which led to my first consulting client. I also taught data analysis courses for General Assembly.

In 2016 I doubled down on Google tools and continued consulting and teaching workshops.

In 2017 I launched my first online course – Build Dashboards with Google Sheets – teaching professional spreadsheet techniques.

In 2018 I was a tired Dad with two sons under 3 😉 I launched one course this year: Data Analysis with Google Sheets.

In 2019 I became a Google Developer Expert for Google Workspace Technology, one of only about 30 worldwide for the Google Workspace Technology branch. The GDE award is given out by Google to experienced, recognized developers of Google technologies (learn more about the program in this short film).

In 2020 I launched a new website, Excel To Sheets (to help you migrate from Excel to Sheets) and created the online conference SheetsCon.

In 2021 I ran two live, online training programs called Pro Sheets Accelerator. I also became a Google Cloud Champion Innovator.

In 2022, I launched two courses: The QUERY Function in Google Sheets and the Lambda Functions: 10 Day Challenge.

In 2023, I created and launched my 20th course: Beginner Apps Script. I also started using AI tools heavily and launched my 21st course: The AI Playbook for Google Sheets

In 2024, I launched the Sheets Insiders membership, designed to help you work more effectively with Google Sheets and Apps Script. Members get exclusive members-only benefits, including a members-only newsletter, new templates, deep-dive tutorials, and more.

When not crunching data, I love to spend time with my beautiful wife, Lexi, our two sons, my family and friends. We’re avid outdoors people, and get out hiking, cycling, traveling, cooking and eating outside as often as possible.

I’m a dedicated hiker, cyclist, paddle-boarder, and climber. I also enjoy digital photography and documenting adventures in far-flung places.

More at bencollinsoutdoors.com

If you’re interested, here’s a long story of How I Left My Corporate Accounting Job 7 Years Ago And Built A Career As An Educational Entrepreneur.

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If you’re curious what tools I use to run my business, have a read of this page (some affiliate links).

Interviews and Case Studies

2025

How Did HE Build a 6-Figure Business Using Only Google Sheets? I was interviewed by Doc Williams for his Business Tech Made Simple channel, where we discussed the behind-the-scenes of my business.

What Do You Do When Your Newsletter Stops Growing? An interview with the Growth in Reverse team about my newsletter growth and deep dive into ideas to kick start the growth again.

He Built a 6-Figure Empire Around Google Sheets: The Ben Collins Deep Dive Growth in Reverse’s deep dive on my business. They also published a written deep dive: Ben Collins Built a Successful Business With Google Sheets Tutorials

I didn’t want to go back to being an accountant! an article with Memberful on motivation.

Membership is saying “I want to be part of your orbit”: an article with Memberful with my reasons for moving to a membership model.

2024

Totally Unscripted Show: The Answer is Always a Spreadsheet

2022

How I used my spreadsheet skills to build a career I’m passionate about: a guest post for Teachable about my experience turning my skillset into a career that I’m passionate about.

Episode 06 of The Career Climb: An interview with Jamie Dru on his career podcast about the various twists and turns I’ve taken in my own career, and how I ended up teaching online courses.

Google Sheets and Apps Script educator helps others take their data to the next level using Supermetrics: a partner case study with Supermetrics

2021

How to Use Google Sheets To Run Your Small Business: workshop as part of Teachable’s Discover Fest 2021

How I built a Google Sheets blog with 400k views per month, with Simon Owens of the Creator Collab House

Interview with Noah Lerner and Jordan Choo on Agency Automators YouTube channel

If you have a question for me, get in touch here.