Contents
- introducing this week’s interview
- Early Beginnings: The Unexpected Path to Business
- From Ministry to Entrepreneurship
- Key Lessons in Business Leadership
- Transferable Skills from Pastoral Work
- The Importance of Adaptability
- Overcoming Challenges
- Personal Growth and Resilience
- Business Relationships and Mentorship
- The Power of the Right Partnership
- Future Vision: Workpod and Social Impact
- Ambitious Goals
- Personal Philosophy
- Continuous Learning and Community
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
introducing this week’s interview
In an enlightening conversation, Kody Thompson shares his remarkable journey from a youth pastor to a successful business leader, revealing key insights into entrepreneurship, personal growth, and adaptability.
Kody Thompson is a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary leader with a track record of success. He is
renowned for his achievements as the founder of Lightning Sites, a web development company that he
built from a $250 startup into a multi-million-dollar enterprise generating in excess of $5M profit across
eight years.
Early Beginnings: The Unexpected Path to Business
From Ministry to Entrepreneurship
Kody’s journey began unexpectedly in an unconventional setting:
- Started as a youth pastor working with high school programs
- Transitioned to freelance graphic design to support himself
- Transformed his freelance work into a subscription website company generating $3.5 million in annual revenue
Key Lessons in Business Leadership
Transferable Skills from Pastoral Work
Kody discovered that his experience as a youth pastor provided crucial skills for business:
- Public Speaking: Regularly speaking to large audiences built confidence
- Team Management: Leading volunteer teams taught motivation techniques
- Communication: Developing skills to engage and inspire people
The Importance of Adaptability
Adaptability emerged as a critical attribute for business success:
- Roles change rapidly as businesses grow
- Ability to pivot and adjust is crucial for survival
- Technological changes require quick decision-making
Overcoming Challenges
Personal Growth and Resilience
Kody emphasized the significance of:
- Learning from failures
- Developing “thicker skin”
- Not taking customer experiences personally
- Continuous self-improvement
Here is the video which is also on all major podcast channels.
Business Relationships and Mentorship
The Power of the Right Partnership
Kody highlighted the importance of:
- Sharing similar values in business relationships
- Finding mentors who provide valuable insights
- Creating win-win scenarios in business dealings
Future Vision: Workpod and Social Impact
Ambitious Goals
Kody’s current venture, Workpod, aims to:
- Create 10,000 jobs in the Philippines
- Currently placing 50 staff monthly
- Targeting 200 staff placements per month
- Potentially impacting 200,000 lives through employment
Personal Philosophy
Continuous Learning and Community
Kody’s approach involves:
- Constantly seeking personal and professional growth
- Building community on his family farm
- Creating a legacy that supports family and broader social goals
Key Takeaways
- Adaptability is crucial in business
- Skills are transferable across different domains
- Mentorship can dramatically accelerate growth
- Business success is about creating value for others
Conclusion
Kody Thompson’s journey illustrates that success is not about a predetermined path, but about:
- Embracing opportunities
- Continuous learning
- Maintaining a growth mindset
- Creating value for others
His story is a testament to the power of adaptability, resilience, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Read more about Kody below.
Kody Thompson is a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary leader with a track record of success. He is
renowned for his achievements as the founder of Lightning Sites, a web development company that he
built from a $250 startup into a multi-million-dollar enterprise generating in excess of $5M profit across
eight years. Over that time Lightning Sites was able to build over 1,500 websites, servicing over 800
clients monthly and generating in excess of 500,000 leads for his clients.
In 2023 Kody was able to transition out of the day-to-day operations of Lightning Sites, when it was
acquired by US technology company Sites At Scale.
After successfully building his own remote teams to grow and exit Lightning Sites, Kody developed a
reputation as an expert in building international teams and scaling businesses and launched the
Business WrkPod in 2021, with Co-Founder Dale Beaumont.
WrkPod specialises in helping companies build teams in the Philippines, offering comprehensive
services that include talent recruitment, state-of-the-art co-working spaces, and extensive training and
support for both clients and Filipino talent.
In the last 2 years, Kody has facilitated the placement of over 900 remote staff for WrkPod clients and
grown enabling them to achieve greater efficiency, reduce operational costs, and strengthen their
enterprises.
Beyond his business endeavors, Kody is a devoted husband and father of two daughters. He is also
deeply committed to philanthropy and has initiated the Love @ Scale project in the Philippines (see
video), which supports 250 students. Kody’s journey is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and
dedication to making a positive impact in both the business world and the community.
Get more info on WrkPod here: https://www.wrkpod.com/