In this end-of-year solo episode, Chris Thomson reflects on one of the most transformational chapters in the history of Student Works. From smashing revenue records to reinventing the company’s systems, 2025 marked massive progress for the team and set the stage for an even stronger 2026.

Chris walks through the company’s growth, the evolution of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, breakthroughs in technology (including the full rebuild of SIMON), increases in operator success metrics, and the continued expansion of fundraising efforts for MS.

He also shares a personal milestone: becoming a grandfather and redefining his vision for the future.

If you want a snapshot of what makes this community powerful…and what’s coming next…this is the episode to hear.

[00:00:00] – The power of a competitive and cooperative culture

[00:01:10] – Why recognizing progress is a leadership best practice

[00:02:00] – From $10M to $43M: how Student Works accelerated after the pandemic

[00:03:15] – Seven years, 70,000 downloads: the evolution of the podcast

[00:03:40] – Shoutout to Podcast Your Brand for bringing the show to life

[00:04:45] – “I’m a proud grandfather”: welcoming Ella Rae Manje

[00:05:20] – New record averages in both painting and window cleaning

[00:06:30] – Eight million-dollar painting operators…and the first million-dollar window cleaner

[00:07:00] – $2.3M raised for MS: a legacy of impact

[00:08:00] – Five years of system building…and now a full-scale cleanup

[00:09:00] – Introducing SIMON 3.0: a complete rebuild of the company CRM

[00:12:50] – New estimating module + automated profitability safeguards

[00:14:13] – Daily production plans generated instantly inside SIMON

[00:14:50] – Major upgrades to safety, compliance, and team training

[00:18:00] – Final recruitment window: why December is the deadline

[00:19:35] – A call to future leaders: this is your moment to get on the bus

• SIMON CRM – Student Works Information Management Organizational Network

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by Chris Thomson. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

This week, we’re sharing the first part of a recast of Chris Thomson’s powerful conversation on Paper Napkin Wisdom with host Govindh Jayaraman.

In this second part of “Cancer Is a Journey,” Chris opens up about the next chapter of his cancer experience, from jaundice and hospitalization to finally receiving a confirmed diagnosis and beginning chemotherapy.

What unfolds is a story not just of treatment, but of mindset, gratitude, and the expansion of purpose. Chris reflects on reframing chemo as healing, finding meaning in mortality, and discovering an even greater reason to live: to be present for his family, his team, and now his first grandchild.

[00:00:00] – Picking up where Part 1 left off: from feeling great to noticing symptoms

[00:01:43] – Turning yellow: the first signs of jaundice and the rush to the hospital

[00:03:00] – Emergency biopsy, stent surgery, and the fear of what’s next

[00:05:26] – Finally, a diagnosis: follicular lymphoma — and why Chris calls it “fantastic news”

[00:06:40] – The entrepreneur’s instinct: “Tell me what I need to do. Put me in, coach.”

[00:07:32] – Overcoming fear of chemo and reframing it as a healing process

[00:08:46] – “Chemo made me feel better.” How mindset and gratitude shaped recovery

[00:10:42] – Seeing chemo not as poison, but as partnership with medicine

[00:11:23] – Gratitude for Canada’s healthcare and perspective from others’ stories

[00:12:30] – The day of the banquet: from biopsy to public speaking in one day

[00:13:38] – What’s changed: health, priorities, and becoming a grandfather

[00:14:49] – “I want to have with my grandkids what I have with my kids.”

[00:16:41] – Turning lemons into lemonade — how cancer expanded his mission

[00:17:46] – Living beyond the physical: how loved ones continue through legacy

[00:19:59] – Staying in the moment and letting go of unrealistic expectations

[00:21:00] – A powerful goodbye: honoring his late friend Wendy Porter

[00:23:21] – Facing death daily — a Stoic approach to living fully

[00:26:29] – The ROI of a life of contribution: “Profit follows purpose.”

[00:27:46] – Climbing new mountains — redefining success after survival

[00:30:00] – Reaching out and finding connection: “We’re better together.”

[00:32:00] – Closing reflections: remembering who you are and being there for others

• Princess Margaret Hospital (Toronto) – oncology and liver specialists
• Dr. Sapisochin, liver surgeon at PMH
• Wellspring – support network for cancer patients

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

Paper...

This week, we’re sharing the first part of a recast of Chris Thomson’s powerful conversation on Paper Napkin Wisdom with host Govindh Jayaraman.

In this deeply personal episode, Chris opens up about his cancer journey, from the moment he was told he had a large mass on his liver and bile ducts, through the confusion of a terrifying working diagnosis, to the mindset and gratitude practices that helped him stay grounded. It’s an intimate look at courage, leadership, and the choice to live with purpose no matter what life brings.

Far more than a medical story, this conversation is about resilience, mindset, and reframing fear into purpose. Chris shares practical lessons on advocacy, communication, receiving support, and choosing the story you tell yourself when life turns upside down.

[00:00:00] – Govindh introduces Chris Thomson and their 30-year friendship

[00:01:35] – Chris explains why he’s sharing his cancer journey and overcoming fear of others’ opinions

[00:03:40] – “Who am I to tell this story?” — Chris on realizing the importance of sharing hope

[00:06:30] – The day everything changed: learning about a grapefruit-sized mass near his liver

[00:08:10] – Turning to his network — how relationships became a lifeline

[00:09:40] – Hearing the words “cholangiocarcinoma” — a supposed 12-to-18-month death sentence

[00:10:10] – The importance of not buying the “working diagnosis” until confirmed by biopsy

[00:13:00] – Why doctors give worst-case estimates and what patients should really hear

[00:16:00] – Choosing perspective: getting affairs in order and communicating with his team

[00:18:20] – “You can tell people you don’t know.” — transparent leadership during crisis

[00:21:50] – The power of reframing: asking “Why is this happening for me?” instead of to me

[00:23:03] – Lessons from Seneca: “We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.”

[00:25:35] – A conversation with his son, living the same mindset he teaches others

[00:27:34] – Meeting another survivor and finding hope in community

[00:30:00] – How giving first in relationships came back as support when he needed it most

[00:33:00] – The art of receiving help with gratitude and grace

[00:36:00] – “Bring good energy.” — why kindness helps healing

[00:37:25] – Mindfulness, meditation, and radical self-care during crisis

[00:41:00] – “My job was to be as healthy as possible for the fight of my life.”

[00:42:00] – The plot thickens: ongoing uncertainty and inconclusive biopsies

[00:44:09] – Closing part 1 — the unknown ahead

What happens when success meets humility and life throws you the ultimate curveball?

In this deeply personal conversation, Chris Thomson sits down with Jakob Graham, a three-year veteran of the Student Works Management Program and incoming coach, to unpack how entrepreneurship, ego, and family challenges shaped him into a grounded, mature leader.

Jakob shares his journey from being a confident 21-year-old who thought he had it all figured out to facing a family health crisis that changed everything. Through heartbreak, hard lessons, and real growth, he learned the value of integrity, vulnerability, and showing up even when life feels uncertain.

Listen now because if you’ve ever wondered what true leadership looks like beyond the numbers, this episode will remind you that success starts with who you become when things get hard.

• [00:03:36] – Jakob’s early years in painting and his first taste of entrepreneurship
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• [00:07:12] – The harsh truth about “luck” and the myth of overnight success
• 
  
• [00:10:34] – How Student Works improved his time management, focus, and grades
• 
  
• [00:12:02] – The ego check that changed how he handled conflict and coaching
• 
  
• [00:15:03] – Building systems and auditing his business for long-term growth
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• [00:17:38] – How self-awareness and vulnerability became his superpowers
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• [00:22:48] – The life-changing family crisis that reshaped his priorities
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• [00:30:33] – Rebuilding a $260K business with a “we not me” mindset
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• [00:34:00] – Why integrity and consistency separate the top performers
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• [00:39:20] – Becoming a mini coach: why you’ll never feel fully ready—and that’s okay
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• [00:42:37] – Advice for new entrepreneurs: fail fast, ask for help, and keep swinging
• 
  

Jakob Graham is a three-year Student Works Management Program veteran and an incoming coach for the 2026 season. A graduate of the University of Guelph, Jakob has grown his business to over $260K while building a reputation for consistency, humility, and servant leadership. After stepping away from his business to support his family through a major health challenge, Jakob returned stronger—with a renewed sense of purpose and a focus on developing others.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Facebook

• Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday
• The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
• Gary Vaynerchuk on failure and time
• Alex Hormozi on focus and execution

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the

This week, we’re sharing a recast of Chris Thomson’s feature on Canadians Leading With Impact, where he sat down with Troy Treleaven and Kevin Robert Crone from Dale Carnegie Canada to talk about leadership, mindset, and building Canada’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

Chris shares how he’s spent over three decades developing thousands of young Canadian entrepreneurs, turning ambitious students into confident leaders capable of running six-figure businesses before graduation.

From the fundamentals of accountability and time freedom to the psychology of stress and the discipline behind leadership, Chris breaks down what it really takes to lead with integrity, contribute value, and create lasting impact in both business and life.

[00:00:00] – Troy and Kevin introduce Chris Thomson and the Student Works legacy

[00:01:00] – Chris on betting on young entrepreneurs and the three freedoms: economic, decision, and time

[00:05:30] – Why mindset and stress management are critical to leadership success (“No pressure, no diamonds”)

[00:07:10] – Troy recalls door-to-door lessons and finding flow through challenge

[00:08:20] – Chris explains why knocking on doors builds sales mastery and confidence

[00:12:50] – Turning mistakes into “miss-takes”: why failure is the best teacher

[00:14:50] – Chris shares his entrepreneurial roots, from university athlete to Student Works leader

[00:18:20] – The 1,000-Millionaire Vision: teaching students to build wealth through leadership

[00:20:15] – Why contribution comes before profit

[00:21:45] – Alumni success stories: from Student Works to Wall Street and corporate leadership

[00:26:30] – The truth about generational differences and why each wave of leaders must evolve

[00:30:00] – Managing social media, FOMO, and the discipline of focus in the digital age

[00:35:00] – The Four Referability Habits (Dan Sullivan’s framework) and restoring integrity

[00:41:20] – Coaching accountability: helping young leaders see the real cost of inaction

[00:43:30] – The concept of willingness and the habits of elite performers

[00:46:00] – Chris on what Canadians need to raise the bar: high standards, high support

[00:51:10] – How Dale Carnegie’s teachings shaped Chris’s coaching philosophy

[00:53:40] – Are we missing positive psychology today? Chris on modern motivation and lifelong learning

[00:54:43] – Closing reflections: leadership, contribution, and becoming your best self

• How to Stop Worrying and Start Living – Dale Carnegie
• The Four Referability Habits – from Dan Sullivan’s Strategic Coach
• The Fourth Turning – William Strauss & Neil Howe
• Positive Psychology / Flow Theory – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
• Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast – hosted by Chris Thomson
• Dale Carnegie Training Canada

• Connect with Chris: Website |

What happens when early success turns into your biggest obstacle?

In this powerful conversation, Chris Thomson sits down with Colby Wilson, a Wilfrid Laurier business student and three-year Student Works Management Program veteran who’s now preparing to become a mini coach. After a strong rookie season and a complacent second year that nearly derailed his progress, Colby shares the turning point that reignited his drive, and how he built a $275K business through leadership, ownership, and humility.

He dives deep into lessons learned from failure, the mindset shift that rebuilt his confidence, and the joy of helping others believe in themselves.

Listen now because if you’ve ever felt “not ready” to lead, Colby’s story proves that greatness starts the moment you dive in headfirst. Don’t wait for perfect. Just start.

• [00:03:39] – Ambitious but naive: Colby’s life before Student Works
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• [00:05:30] – “An accelerated capsule of growth”: lessons from year one
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• [00:09:30] – The trap of complacency and how two lazy months cost him big
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• [00:12:08] – Facing failure, humility, and the moment everything changed
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• [00:17:15] – How clear planning and weekly execution rebuilt his business
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• [00:18:42] – The secret to enrolling a motivated team that owns the goal
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• [00:23:33] – What top performers like James, Landon, and Caleb all do differently
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• [00:27:13] – Why Colby is stepping up to coach the next generation of leaders
• 
  

Colby Wilson is a fourth-year business student at Wilfrid Laurier University and a three-time operator with the Student Works Management Program. After scaling his business from $100K to $275K, Colby is stepping into a new challenge as a mini coach, mentoring future entrepreneurs while running his own high-performing team. Known for his humility, grit, and growth mindset, Colby’s story reflects the transformation that happens when ambition meets accountability.

🔗 LinkedIn

• The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier
• Actualize Club Performance Coaching (by Cam Russelle)
• Matthew McConaughey’s Oscar Acceptance Speech (leadership lesson)
• 
  

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production by...

What happens when a lost university student decides to go all-in on himself?

In this inspiring conversation, Chris Thomson sits down with James Ward, a three-year Student Works Management Program veteran and newly appointed full-time coach, who went from feeling directionless at Western University to becoming one of the top-performing young entrepreneurs in the country.

James reveals how he overcame rejection, mastered delegation, and turned discipline into leadership that now drives a $400K business. His story is a masterclass in ownership, consistency, and belief, and a reminder that success isn’t about being special, it’s about never stopping.

Listen now because if you’ve ever doubted your potential or wondered what separates good from great, this episode delivers the roadmap. Don’t miss it! Your next breakthrough could start here.

James Ward is a three-year veteran of the Student Works Management Program and a graduate of Western University. Starting with no business background, he grew from a $100K rookie operator to a $400K top performer and Operator of the Year in the window cleaning division. Now stepping into his new role as a full-time coach, James is passionate about helping young entrepreneurs unlock their potential, lead with confidence, and create life-changing success.

🔗 LinkedIn

• Facebook Ads for Local Business
• Western University – Ivey Business School
• “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel
• 
  

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production brought to you by Chris Thomson and Podcast Your Brand. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if the hardest job you ever had wasn’t laying bricks in the blazing sun, but learning how to lead people?

In this powerful conversation, Chris Thomson sits down with Andrew Woodruff, a multi-year veteran of the Student Works Management Program, to unpack the staggering transformation he experienced while balancing Queen’s University engineering with running a business that exploded past $300K in sales.

Andrew shares his chaotic first summer, the painful lessons of leading without a plan, and the breakthrough moments that helped him shift from hard worker to intentional leader. His journey reveals how resilience, feedback, and relentless growth can turn uncertainty into undeniable success.

Listen now because if you’ve ever wondered how to leap from surviving to thriving as a leader, this episode holds the insider playbook you won’t find anywhere else. Miss it, and risk staying stuck in the grind.

Andrew Woodruff is a Queen’s Civil Engineer and Concrete Canoe Team Captain, who is a multi-year operator with the Student Works Management Program. Rising from a small-town background and a start in bricklaying, he has scaled his student-run business into a six-figure operation while balancing one of Canada’s toughest academic programs. A Mexico performer and Presidents Club winner, Andrew is known for his relentless drive, growth mindset, and ability to inspire and lead teams under pressure.

🔗 LinkedIn

• The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
• Alex Hormozi’s content on habits and hard work
• Queen’s University Engineering Concrete Canoe Team

• Connect with Chris: Website | LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Student Works Management Program
• Apply to be an Owner / Operator in the Management Program
• Looking for a fun job this summer? Summer Job Opportunities
• Hear more Alumni Success Stories

The Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast is an original production brought to you by Chris Thomson and Podcast Your Brand. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.