
Grow With Kepo | The Corporate to Founder Podcast
Your Excuses Are Lying to You: Kelson Hillier's Story
My guest today is 22 years old and he is making moves that most people twice his age are too scared to even talk about. Kelson Hillier grew up in Roseville, California, got bullied from second grade all the way through eighth grade, was on suicide watch for two years, and still chose to rise above it. He read over 100 books in high school, turned down a management training position at his day job to step into his dad's $3 billion real estate brokerage, and he will tell you straight to your face: you need to learn how you make excuses and then knee-cap them. In this episode we talk about where his drive actually comes from, why he chose faith after everything, the moment he decided quitting was not in his vocabulary, and what he would tell anybody sitting in a 9 to 5 right now who knows they are meant for something bigger. If Kelson at 22 can do this, what excuse are you holding onto? Watch the full episode, share it with someone who needs to hear this, and if you are ready to find what YOUR genius zone actually is, join us at the "You're Sitting On Gold" workshop. Link below. Subscribe to Grow With Kepo for more real conversations with people building real things. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro: He is making braver moves than you 01:25 - Growing up in Roseville, bullying from 2nd to 8th grade 02:40 - On suicide watch and choosing to rise above it 03:30 - Meeting his best friend and giving his life to Christ 05:20 - The 3 things that drive him: family, faith, future 07:55 - His support system: brothers, parents, and the "fake it 'til you make it" years 10:40 - "If I am doing everything for that goal, then I am succeeding" (the core quote) 11:10 - Age reveal: 22 years old 12:30 - The skills gap: going from physical work to his dad's brokerage 14:00 - "Even if it doesn't work out, I'll have learned something" 16:50 - Reading 100+ books in high school (the work ethic origin story) 21:25 - COVID grade 11, distractions, and needing a physical classroom 26:20 - How to snip your excuses in the bud 27:20 - Surround yourself with the 5 best people you can think of





