ollins founded his own investment firm in 1985, Richard H. Collins Enterprises and manages investments in a portfolio of companies.

At age 25, Collins was chairman of two Texas banks. In his career, he has successfully participated in energy, media and commercial real estate investments.

Collins spends about one half of each day on business interests and the rest on charitable activities and on political activities. He serves as chairman of The Today Foundation and president of the Calvert K. Collins Family Foundation.

Collins also serves as Chairman & CEO of istation, a private company that teaches children to read online using Pixar-quality animation. The Internet-based software continuously monitors children’s progress, allows for small-group instruction, and provides assessments of student skills in grades Pre-K to 5. The program is designed for all students but is extremely beneficial to disadvantaged children. The company uses scientifically based reading research as the basis for its curriculum and provides comprehensive reports for teachers and school administrators.