[2] Coulombe was born in San Diego, California, and grew up on an avocado farm in nearby Del Mar.

After running six Pronto Markets in the Los Angeles area, Rexall asked Coulombe to liquidate them; he decided to buy them out instead.

[2][7] Coulombe continued with Trader Joe's as chief executive officer until retiring in 1988.

[2] Coulombe served on the corporate boards of Cost Plus World Market, Bristol Farms, True Religion, and Imperial Bank.

[4] Coulombe was a board member of the Huntington Library,[11] the Colburn School, and the Los Angeles Opera.