Leaders Of Tomorrow Podcast

What does it take to grow from a student unsure of their future to a leader in business and entrepreneurship? On this episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris Thomson reconnects with Chris O’Rourke, a remarkable alumnus of the Student Works Management Program, to discuss his inspiring journey. 

Chris reflects on how the skills and network he built during his time in the program shaped his career, from managing $300,000 projects as a student to leading high-growth companies in multiple industries.

Chris dives into the pivotal moments that defined his path, including his decision to embrace challenging opportunities and his relentless focus on leadership, team building, and strategy. He shares actionable insights on the importance of mentorship, avoiding complacency, and creating innovative solutions for emerging market needs. This episode is packed with lessons for anyone looking to scale their impact and lead with purpose. Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• How the Student Works Management Program builds essential skills for leadership and success
• Why networking and mentorship can open doors to life-changing opportunities
• The mindset and work ethic required to thrive as an entrepreneur
• Strategies for staying ahead by focusing on innovation and emerging market needs
• The key habits that define great leaders and problem-solvers
• And much more…

Resources:

How do life’s toughest lessons shape the leaders of tomorrow? On this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast, host Chris Thomson interviews Bruce Hodges, an accomplished entrepreneur, global leader, and proud alumnus of the Student Works Management Program. Bruce shares his incredible journey, starting from running a student franchise to becoming a CEO with extensive international experience. Along the way, he faced extraordinary challenges, including personal financial setbacks, and ultimately turned those lessons into fuel for building a mission-driven business, Parachute, aimed at disrupting predatory lending practices.

Bruce reflects on the critical skills he developed during his Student Works days, such as sales, team management, and embracing discomfort to grow as a leader. He discusses the power of taking risks, seizing opportunities, and staying grounded in a strong sense of purpose. From insights into financial literacy to the importance of living a values-driven life, Bruce offers a wealth of advice for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs. 

Whether you're a Student Works participant, alumni, or simply looking to sharpen your leadership edge, this episode is packed with inspiring stories and actionable lessons to elevate your career and life. Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Be “appropriately worried about failing” to find the balance between caution and action
• If an opportunity isn’t perfect, ask yourself, “What would have to be true to make this great?” and work to create those conditions
• Surround yourself with leaders who believe in you
• Growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone; embrace the challenges and adventures life presents
• Building good habits early and understanding the power of financial literacy can have a transformative impact on your future
• True wealth isn’t about appearances; it’s about aligning your values and actions with what truly matters
• And much more…

Resources:

In today's episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris talks to Zak Lefevre, co-founder and CEO at ChargeLab, a company that builds OCPP-Compliant software for managing EV charging stations. They are the back-end software behind North America's leading EV fleets, charging networks, and charging sites.

Zak’s entrepreneurial journey started with Student Works back in 2011 and, like most of our alumni, he believes that this experience played a big role in his professional and personal development.

You will learn a little bit about Zak’s background and who he was before joining our program.

Zak will share the best part about Student Works and the invaluable lessons he took with him from this experience.

He will also talk about the first business he ever started when he was very young.

You will find out what made Zak interested in electric vehicles, how he started ChargeLab and he will also share some of his early ideas about how to make money with this company.

Zak will also talk about the importance of not getting too greedy, why you should learn as much as you can about the business before you start anything, the most important qualities the leader of tomorrow should have and so much more.

Listen now and enjoy another fascinating discussion with one of our amazing alumni!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• The best part about Student Works and the invaluable lessons Zak took with him
• What made Zak interested in electric vehicles and how did he start ChargeLab?
• Why you should learn as much as you can about the business before you start anything
• The most important qualities the leader of tomorrow should have
• And so much more...

Resources:

How can mastering sales transform your career and elevate your business? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with Mark Cox, one of our alumni, founder of In The Funnel (ITF) Sales Coaching , and a seasoned sales expert with over 25 years of experience. 

Mark shares his incredible journey from being a top operator in the Student Works Management Program to leading a consulting firm that has helped over 70 companies achieve double-digit growth. He unpacks the lessons he learned along the way, providing valuable insights into how understanding sales at a deep level can create massive opportunities in both entrepreneurship and the corporate world.

Mark dives into the fundamental principles that drive sales success, such as the importance of mindset, skillset, and toolset. He discusses how preparation and planning can help salespeople perform authentically in the moment, creating meaningful conversations that lead to results. 

With a focus on real-life examples, Mark talks about the necessity of stepping out of your comfort zone to grow, the power of perseverance, and how surrounding yourself with the right people can fuel long-term success.

Listeners will gain practical advice on how to build a strong foundation in sales, why sales is a critical skill for anyone in business, and how lessons from Student Works apply to achieving success at the highest levels. Whether you’re just starting out in sales or looking to refine your approach, this episode offers valuable takeaways for building a high-performance mindset and reaching your goals. Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• The value of stepping outside your comfort zone to foster personal and professional growth
• Why preparation is key to seizing opportunities and driving success
• The critical role of sales in both entrepreneurship and the corporate world
• Lessons learned from Student Works and how they apply to high-level corporate sales
• The importance of mindset, skillset, and toolset in becoming a successful salesperson
• How planning and preparation can free you up to have authentic, meaningful sales conversations
• And much more…

Resources:

What does it take to transform from a young person with a bit of ego to a powerful, inspiring leader? On this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris speaks with Andrew Solomon, an exceptional young leader who has been through Student Works as both a top operator and a coach, and now runs an $8 million division of Rydel Roofing. 

Andrew shares how his experiences at Student Works shifted his focus from himself to the people around him—and how that change fueled his success.Andrew discusses the value of integrity, accountability, and how showing up with consistency has been crucial in his journey from a young operator to a thriving business leader. 

Listeners will hear how Andrew made critical personal and professional transformations, dealt with major setbacks, and ultimately built a high-performing business by putting his people first.

Curious about the importance of “leading yourself first” or how a personal vision can empower a whole team to achieve beyond expectations? Andrew reveals the mindset and actions needed to create not just a successful business but also a life full of purpose and fulfillment. Listen now and enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• A leader’s main role is to create hope and a vision for a better future
• Success comes from putting people first, not focusing on your own ego
• The importance of integrity and how it affects leadership in both business and personal life
• How the right mindset can turn failures into stepping stones for growth
• The challenges and triumphs of transitioning from Student Works to a larger-scale business
• The value of focusing on trajectory over current position for long-term success
• Personal practices that can improve leadership effectiveness
• And much more…

Resources: