Making Connections: Impacting Millions with Kevin Thompson | OM010

In today’s conversation, my guest Kevin Thompson shares his transformative journey as he shifted from being a facilitator of million-dollar relationships to someone who facilitates connections that have the power to impact millions of people.

Join us as we delve into the power of relationships and discover how a simple shift in perspective can open doors to endless opportunities for growth and collaboration.

About the Guest:

After selling $16.1 Million of his own products and services solely through strategic partnerships, Kevin Thompson intimately understands the value of relationships.

As host of the Million Dollar Relationships podcast and founder of the Impact & Legacy Collective he creates positive change on a global scale by facilitating relationships that impact millions of people.

In his role as the conduit of trust for the partners he serves, Kevin cuts through the red tape, opens doors that are closed to others, eliminates rejection and guarantees a red-carpet reception for them.

Connect with Kevin Thompson:

Website: https://tribeforleaders.com

About the Host:

Jim Padilla is the founder and CEO of Gain The Edge – a done-for-you provider of industry-leading sales systems and unicorn sales professionals which he co-heads with his wife and entrepreneurial partner-in-crime, Cyndi Padilla.

Through their unique blend of laser-targeted selling systems, inspirational team-building expertise, and 60+ years of combined sales experience – Jim and his wife have generated over 1/4 bn in sales for a long line of high-level, visionary entrepreneurs.

Jim’s mission is to help purpose-driven thought-leaders untangle themselves from the day-to-day minutiae of seeking leads and sales for their business so they’re free to amplify their impact.

When Jim’s not making dollars rain down from the sky, you’ll regularly find him at the driving range – hitting a bucket of balls. Jim credits his time on the driving range as the main source of his best ideas.

Recently relocated back to California, Jim & Cyndi are immersing themselves in family time with their three daughters & four (soon to be five) grandchildren.

Connect with Jim at https://jimp360.com

If you want to see more great content like this, make sure to subscribe and ring the bell so you will get notified whenever we post a new video. And don’t forget to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts.

Transcript
Jim Padilla:

Hey, welcome back to another awesome episode of the opportunity makers podcast. So good to see you here. Appreciate you tuning in when you can literally be anyplace else doing anything else that you choose to be here. So I want to make sure that I honor your time, give you great value. And as always, you're going to really enjoy the conversation that we've got going here. Remember, the opportunities are everywhere, they're all around you, it's time for you to see them, as are getting you in a position to really see what is what is around you. What opportunities can come your way, and all the half glass half full up things that the perspectives that that exists around you, you've got more problems, and you know what to do with we all do, there's no such thing as a problem for you trouble free life. But there is a such thing as somebody who chooses how to approach them, and how to look over them, how to navigate them, how to see the high side of every challenge and turn it into an opportunity. And that's you and opportunity maker. And that's also my guest that we're bringing to you today, right is something he's been somebody who has been in my world for, gosh, going on, I think about eight years now. And we've gotten to know each other, we've been in networks together, we've been roundtables together, we've started building a relationship with an incredible guy, incredible giver, somebody who really seeks other people's interests in every conversation. One of the few people that I've met that every single time I'm around him, I know he truly cares about my best interest. And our time we've been in a room with him, he's completely focused on everybody else walking away with the best they possibly can, and never looking to take it is a great example. But just a quite high quality human being, and living through success as a byproduct of that. And that's just fantastic. And I can't wait to bring him to you. So after selling his $16.1 million of his own products and services, through solely strategic partnerships, all about relationships, Kevin Thompson intimately understands the value of relationships. As a host of the million dollar, million dollar relationships podcast and the founder of impact and legacy collective, he creates positive change on a global scale by facilitating relationships that impact millions. Powerful, right powerful, facilitating relationships that impact millions being the conduit of trust for the partners that he serves. Kevin cuts through all the red tape opens doors that are closed to others, and eliminates rejection and guarantees a red carpet reception for them. That's the kind of person that you want in your life. That's the kind of person that helps you start seeing the best sides of you. When you surround yourself with people like that you start seeing yourself differently, you literally don't have a choice, when those are the kind of people that you surround yourself with, you can help the seeing yourself in a new and different light, because that's what's being reflected back to you. And that's what you want your world and that's what you want to be to the people around you. And when you do it literally just starts opening the door to new opportunities, new ways of doing new ways of being and changing the game for yourself. And those around you can't wait to bring in. I honored privileged privileged to bring you this great interview great conversation with Kevin Thompson. Enjoy. Make sure you rate review Subscribe, check us out, get on the links, go to the website, download the the the other episodes here. And then it in the show notes and go connect with Kevin, you will absolutely thank me later when you do, right. We'll see on App some. Hey, you crazy opportunity makers, all of you guys that are out there making a great path towards doing wonderful things in the world. We just heard the professional interview the the introduction, the bio, that is Kevin Thompson. But here's Kevin. So you haven't use your own words and tell people a little bit about you how you got here. Why are you why are we talking right now? Why are you relevant?

Kevin Thomspon:

She's you know, so I'll tell you I have and you know what's very interesting, Jim, I used to say that I facilitated million dollar relationships. And what was interesting is when somebody would ask, what do you do? And I would say that I would then back it up by saying and I'm always hesitant to save that because it's not about $1 figure at all. It's always about the relationships. And finally, I was having a conversation with somebody really close to me a while back and it dawned on me and I told her I said you know I say Blake, I am not the guy who facilitates million dollar relationships. And she's like, well, who are you then Kev? And as I I am the guy who facilitates relationships that impact millions of people. And I'll tell you that little shift right there, Jim I was huge, and quite honestly, every conversation I've had. And it's not like life wasn't good before it was, but it's like, infinitely better now. Since making that one, it seems like a small discovery. But that was such a huge game changer. And I've been doing this for years, I love talking with entrepreneurs. I mean, in my previous business, I used to own a publishing company for 12 years. And we had this this core training that we offered, in that 12 years, we sold over 16 $16.1 million worth of that training. And we did it exclusively through strategic partnerships, creating relationships with other entrepreneurs, and we did almost 600 strategic partnerships. And I did that not by reaching out to people going, Hey, can you help me promote my thing? It was no, I reached out asking how can I be of service? How can I help you? And kind of my gift was because I just love talking with entrepreneurs, I love finding out what about what they're up to what they're working on, what's got them jazzed and excited, what problems they're dealing with, what opportunities are they trying to take advantage of, and I and I always naturally default, to who do I know, that might be able to help them with this, and I make those connections. And the first really big connection that I made was 12 years ago, and I could you know, we can go into detail about it if you want to and stuff. But I made this connection for these guys, because one of them was dealing with a specific problem. The other one had a company where they had the solution. And they did help them. But a year later, these guys are doing so many amazing things together. And that's when I got to thinking, wouldn't it be cool? If I had a business where I got to do that all the time. And 12 years ago, the seed was planted. And today, that's what I get to do in this world.

Jim Padilla:

Yeah, and, you know, I mean, I've been there witnessing the journey, you know, for the last several years, as as our relationship has evolved, you know, connected with so many of the people that you have been connected with, and being part of, you know, some of the experiences with you. And it is it is a great way to do business. And it's interesting, because you can you when you do that, I mean, part of what we're wanting to reach out to you is and bring me on here is because what you're literally doing is creating opportunities. For everybody, you're creating opportunities for yourself, you're creating opportunities for the connections that you're bringing together. And that's in turn bringing creating opportunities for all the people that the collaborators serve in common. And so again, literally solving problems at scale, and creating opportunities. Where we're, ideally there's only problems, you know, you're filling a void for for problems are with solutions, and potential solutions and creating even more opportunities and abundance. So, you know, obviously, the thesis here of for this podcast, and for the show for the opportunity makers, brand in general, is showing people that it doesn't have to be as hard as it as they're making it. Right, it is so much easier to win in life if you just have a different lens to look through. Yes, that's you know, that's been a journey. For me, that's been the journey I'm on that's, that's what is that's where it how I live my life. And I've attracted so many amazing opportunities to myself by being in the right places and having the right perspective. And I know you live your life that same way. So, right, right now, with all this going on in the marketplace, what's the core message that you would share for people? What is what is creating opportunities mean to you? But how would you even define that?

Kevin Thomspon:

Yeah, so for me, and people in my world, and I, you know, I have long believed that as an entrepreneur, relationships are our most valuable assets, everything else stems from that. And over the last few years with everything that's gone, but been going on with COVID I mean, a lot has shifted in the last two years and it's, you know, people as a general rule are more skeptical now than they used to be because system everything that's gone on and and so these trusted relationships are becoming more and more valuable day by day. And and, and, you know, what I've been doing for the last couple of years is doubling, tripling and quadrupling down on creating relationships on solidifying the relationships that I've worked had for years. And, you know, I know a lot of people, you know, right now at this very point in time, AI is a big topic right now. And I think a lot is going to come from that. But I've been focused way less on AI, and just kind of over here, doubling down on relationships and pretty doggone happy with the investment that I've been making there. Yeah.

Jim Padilla:

Got it. So what? What are some of the opportunities that you've seen come out of the engagements that you've pulled together? I mean, what if you had been businesses born products built? What kind of fruit? So out of these relationships?

Kevin Thomspon:

Yeah, you, the biggest thing is getting people collaborating together, that might not collaborate together. And for me personally, finding it, you know, is having a conversation with people to find out, okay, what is the unique hook for them, that would make it just really easy that if I was talking with the right person, and I mentioned this person's unique gift, or hook to that person, they'd be like, holy cow, I want to know more about them. And so I'll give you an example. About a month or two ago, one of the guys that I serve, he was on a group call that I host for a few of these guys. And, and he casually announces on that call that the previous month, that they had just helped one of their clients scale to a million dollars a month in AD spent. And as soon as he said that, me and I watched the look on everybody's face on the Zoom call, we all just kind of our just, our jaws hit the floor. And we're like, Wait, what did you just say, and, and I was like, you know, as I. So now, if I'm talking with somebody who is investing in online advertising, and they are investing, you know, 80,000 a month, 100,000 a month, and they want to scale up from there. And I mentioned to them, Hey, you know what, I got a buddy of mine, who he just recently scaled one of their clients to a million dollars a month in ad spend. And by the way, I've since got an up date from them. They the next month, they scaled into 1.2. And this month, they've got a $1.5 million budget, I'll tell you, there is a very small percentage of a percentage of a percentage of agencies that could do that. I mean, this guy's got some chops. So now, when I'm talking with that right person, and I say, hey, you know, if that is something that you might like to explore, I can totally hook you up with a guy that that it would be worth talking to you about. And, you know, and that's what I look for in my role is how can I, you know, how can i What is the hook? Or what is the unique ability that somebody has has that as I'm just going out my day talking, I talked about tons of entrepreneurs, what is you know, if that comes up in conversation, you know, how can I make a real powerful introduction, because the introduction itself is very simple. I'm looking for somebody who's got a skill set and has a track record of delivering results.

Jim Padilla:

So would you say that relationships are the fastest path towards success?

Kevin Thomspon:

1,000%. And I'll tell you what, and here's why. Lack of trust is always the things the thing that slows down progress. That is kind of the, the it's, it's the, it's what causes growth to happen slowly. But when there is trust in both somebody's character, and in somebody's competence, when those two trusts are placed, guess what? There's zero friction. And when there is zero friction, things move so doggone fast. And that's the way things happen in my world, because there is zero friction. And that's what I want to do is I want to create these zero friction environments. So people can just connect and do things together and make a much bigger impact and that they too, can impact a lot more lives in this world.

Jim Padilla:

Like that. You got to go you got to put something in that man zero friction environments. There's, there's some marketing in there. There's some hooks for you somewhere, that's great, because that's something that you don't hear anybody talking about. And it's I think everybody needs to play with that for sure. Because then that's I mean, to me, that's the seed ground for opportunities. That's where opportunities happen. Right? When there's no friction, there's no resistance, then it's lubrication just moves, right? zero friction, everything's connected, everything looks good. The opportunities are abound in a play and environment like that. Yes, that's really good. So what do you see, you know, you're, again, you know, I intentionally selected the people that I'm bringing on this podcast, and you spend like me a lot of your time, if not all of it, around people who are playing a game at a different level. And so you sometimes we get disconnected from, we'll call it the the average person, the average entrepreneur. And so we are not as caught up in their day to day problems and realities. And so what are you seeing at the, with the people you're talking to? What are you seeing as the biggest concerns that are coming up in conversations around the economy around the marketplace

Kevin Thomspon:tching the news back in like,:Jim Padilla:

Yes. Yes. You know, gosh, Tom, Tom Ziegler. You know, we were just talking, before we went live here that, you know, it's so easy to have intentions to commit to continue relationships, and then things just get away. We did a launch with the Ziggler foundation with Tom and with Kevin Harrington and Mark Tim, as a triumvirate worked with a launch with him several years ago. And I need to reach back out to him. I mean, especially because what you're talking about, like there's there's huge, huge juice in that opportunity there for because there's a lot of people who need really good people, and they need to understand how to find them. And I think so much of it is in the way that you see the world. You know, I know I probably have a record there's or the meter if anybody's listening to these podcasts, I'd say the word opportunity all the time. It's just baked in. But but all of the greatest opportunities lie in the perspective that you bring. So if you're wanting to attract great people, you need to have a vision that requires great people. And then yet you you have to speak to people in a manner that helps them see that they got a reason to be right. That's all it always starts from that. But so if you have a business and an environment that's you're fearful, you're worried is not going to last you're worried about what's happening in the marketplace. You're not going to attract the people that are going to bring you up and elevate this thing. You got to have a vision for this that other people can jump into and help you Ron this thing?

Kevin Thomspon:the past, I remember, back in:Jim Padilla:

It is so true. It is so true. I want to go back to what you just said a minute ago that you you were running a business that was that it was a business that you were you were in it because it was working. It was making money, but it was outside of your comfort zone that maybe where you want it to be something that was really congruent to who you are. I think that happens far more than most people are aware of but not if it's something I need to be aware of. They're just so neck deep in the trenches. And but even if they are they don't know what to do about it. You know, because how do I stop this to start doing the thing that I want? So let's let's just kind of dive into that for a minute. Like what's the mindset around that what what is the thought process there? When you're stuck in that opportunity in that particular business? How do you get out

Kevin Thomspon:

you know, for me personally, what it took was somebody who knew me well to pointed out to me, and it's not like I didn't already know it I knew it wasn't a right fit. I was artists artists put this out there I during that time I remember being on an airline flight home from Texas, home to Seattle here and thinking, Man, I wish this damn plane would just crash because at least my wife would have the insurance money. That's how much I was hating that damn business model, even though it was profitable. And it took somebody really close to me to just point it out. Because I did, I totally felt like, okay, you know, I don't want to do this anymore. I am sick and tired of this. I don't want to bring on another client to serve. And yet, I don't know what because you know what, when you're in a spot like that, so much of the time, we can't see clearly, we're not thinking clearly I sure wasn't. And fortunately, somebody close to me was like, Kev, you know what, you just need to find a model that's in alignment with who you are. And you need to find a model that lets you show up and just be you and serve in a way that not only benefits those that you serve, but makes you feel good about it, too. And when you do that, man, you're going to be loving life, and so are the people that you serve. And so now it became about finding a model that was in alignment. And, and so I, I now became open to that idea. I started talking with people close to me about this and stuff, people that I was serving people who were investing in me, and that I really love them. And I'm like, I want to serve you better than I am. And so I started getting feedback. And with their help, we figured out a model that works so much better. And now, you know, for the last what we're talking three, three and a half years, we got the right model now. And I'm just excited to be on this journey I'm excited to and it's not like stuff doesn't happen, stuff happens. But I continue to grow as a person, which in turn, allows me to serve those I serve at even a much better level. If I am continually attracting just more and more people into my life. And I'm just like, wow, look at what is going on here. And I know that because of my network, and because I have so many amazing people around me who who love me for who I am complete with my faults and everything that they're accepting of that they are rooting me on to, they want to see me win because when I win, everybody else wins, too. And so I've got I'm surrounded by people, if I, if I got problems, I've got people I can go to. And I know that and so that just makes it I'm like, Bring it on, we're gonna figure this out together.

Jim Padilla:

Amen. Amen. And you know, I want you guys listening to be thinking about this, because one thing that in the entrepreneur space, especially in the expert, space, coaches, consultants, authors, etc. There's this almost a veneer that we tend to put over our businesses, because we're so concerned about what they look like to the outside world. And I'm stunned at how many people are just consistently, I love my business, and I'm in this for the joy and I'm not in this for the money and all this like you can but almost all would want to get under the hood. They're all just real. They're just a shitshow like everyone else, or they're dealing with issues. And you know, no matter how many people are out there, running a business model that isn't congruent, that doesn't fit, that doesn't work for you, but you're doing it because you don't know what else to do. Or because you found a way to make this thing work. And now you don't know what to do to replace it. And I just want to give you that encouragement, that permission to put the brakes on and step back. And it doesn't mean you have to have a new business model, but you can give yourself the gift of running a business differently. And you know, considering and I have gone through that same thing recently, you know, we were running business for successful multimillion dollar company, all that all that stuff.

Jim Padilla:

And we just it was it was not it wasn't feeling good. It wasn't rewarding to us. And we had a big colleague who gave basically he told us a Why are you guys doing this? He said put them because we weren't I was talking to him saying you know we're growing our team we're bringing people on. Why are you doing that? You're Why are you continuing to endure this pain, when you should just put stop and just rewire it restructure and set it up so that it serves you and it was crazy because it was the simplest thing yet. We needed somebody to tell us. Yeah, we needed somebody gave us permission to stop. Stop the madness. Yeah, and you know At the very same time, that very same day that our colleague told us this, Cindy was listening to a podcast from Ed Mallette. And Ed was talking about he was basically telling the story. And it was a parable some time, but basically, it was these inmates. And then there was these, the Chad some, some of the visitors or the people that were philanthropist and wanted to serve, you wanted to help. And one guy went and brought pillows to the inmates so that they can have a place to lay their head. And then the second guy came and brought mattresses so they can have a place to sleep and be comfortable. And then the third guy brought vegetables, fruits, they can have a good healthy food. The fourth guy, brought a key, let them out. And it was something that everybody is smooth, we're so used to making comfort, in the middle of pain, instead of just relieving ourselves of the pain. In so many of us are running a business that is torturing us are living a life where maybe our health or whatever it might do with that category. Stop looking for ways to make it feel better, and start looking for ways to get out of that situation. You can give yourself the gift of a new per business doesn't mean you have to give up a whole new business model. But you can give yourself a facelift, how do I do this differently so that I do the actual role I want to infrastructure, other people around me so that I can feel good and enjoy what I'm doing. And then when you do, then you're like happy and thrilled. And like Yeah, and he's just always like the nicest guy, the happiest guy who just loves who he what he is and what he does and who he serves. And, you know, you can be doing that too. It is that simple. It is as simple as a shift. It is as simple as a shift. There's no difference between Kevin, me and anybody else that you've been seeing on the interviews, or office people, everybody, here's just a simple people, we all put we had two legs, you know, put them on, put on pants one leg at a time, brush your teeth, we only have one toothbrush at a time, we do all the same stuff. You just got to give yourself the permission, and I'm giving you permission. And I'm pretty sure Kevin is on that board on the pain as well. Now you just got to give yourself permission to stop the madness. Look for a better path. Don't just try to make it easier. Don't just make it more comfortable. Relieve the problem, and then come at your business. And watch how you can serve people.

Kevin Thomspon:

Amen. Yeah, for sure. For sure.

Jim Padilla:

Yeah, so, you know, I mean, we have hours just zipped by what what's what's one piece of wisdom insight that you're seeing that you want to share with everybody who's listening that as a nugget and insight to to navigate the marketplace and what's going on in the world right now.

Kevin Thomspon:years.:Jim Padilla:pany back in, you know, early:Kevin Thomspon:

That's so funny. I just looked in the video over my shoulder. And I see Jesus, outside my front porch is right out here. And this guy, Jesus, it's right out the window. You see he he's putting the news hardwood staircase in our home for us. And actually, him and his his buddy, they've been here doing a bunch of work, they put a bunch of new hardwood floors in for us and all that in the living room. And, and I'll tell you what, these two guys, they're absolutely amazing. And just I look at the workmanship of what they do. And like every day when they finish and they've been here for like, I don't know, three, four weeks now. I always say before when they're when they're calling it a day. I'm like, Man, this looks absolutely amazing. You guys, I mean, thank you so much for all that you're doing to help us out with the house and stuff and just being appreciate. It's like, they they work that much harder because they know that they're appreciated and stuff, you know, and and when you know what, that's totally true. I feel the same way when I am appreciated by someone, man, I will go overboard to deliver and do whatever I can to help somebody when I feel appreciated for doing that and stuff. And so yeah, we all are that way.

Jim Padilla:

Absolutely. So take that's a great challenge. And I would love here's what I want you guys to do. Write down 10 people. And then you know Dan kachelle, who I know you know as well, Kevin. He challenged me on this and we spent some time with like three people a day. As I was reached out to three people there and it was just that same thing. It was just appreciation. Let's jump on a call love to see what going on. And I was you know, and of course, it led to a swell of business because we're just reconnecting and having great times and meeting people. But find those 10 people, yeah, and then commit to some level of that on a regular basis. But then also mix in a behavior. What's one thing that you can add to this, that you can start doing everyday like, going across the room to shake somebody's hand instead of just waving at them, whether that's your mailbox at the mailbox that your neighbors, or somebody in the office or at the store, like, just actually walk across the room and show somebody, you know, do your own thing if you've got issues with touching them or whatever, but make people feel like you're making the effort because they matter. Just find a behavior that you can add to you, that will demonstrate that because there have been so many times where you have the opportunity. And, you know, there's nothing wrong with being polite. But people will recognize it. If you come across the room, Tim, you give them two eyes, and say, Hey, I'm, I'm all yours right? Now, I'm giving my undivided attention because I'm not distracted. I'm not doing this while I'm talking to you. You're it, you're the only thing that matters. We've just got to start really pouring in. And you're the person when you do that, you're gonna start being the person that people come to, because they want that, once you start setting the tone. They know here's, here's the term that I that I've been coining for last few years, you become a green button person. Right? When the phone rings, we got a green button and a red button. Be honest. Most of the people when they call you, you hit that red button, right? But there's a few people that when they call, you always hit the green button, because their green button friend, you need to be a green button person and people's life. Make sure that they know that every time you call, there's something positive and they want to answer the phone. Yeah, amen. So I want you guys take us up on that challenge and then go into the shownotes. There's, there's ways to get to reach out. Kevin, I would encourage you to reach out if you have something that you want that you want to share with anybody or anything you need support with.

Kevin Thomspon:

Well, what I would say, you know, I'm on Facebook, I'm really active on Facebook. But don't just don't send me a friend request, do this, because this, this will be way more valuable. You do that active appreciation challenge. And then you send me a message and tell me about your experience. Now that is something out now what a great way to start a real and meaningful, long lasting relationship. So do that. Then send me a message on Facebook and I look forward to talk with you and I'm capping the connector on Facebook.