The Calling and the Climb

What happens the morning after you sell the business you spent 26 years building? In this episode of The Calling and the Climb, Phillip shares the unexpected journey that followed his exit—moving from relentless pressure and responsibility into a season of rest that transformed his perspective on work, faith, and purpose. From the surreal freedom of the first morning after the sale to the deeper realization that every season of life carries meaning, this conversation explores what comes after the climb and why your purpose doesn’t end just because one chapter closes.

After 26 years of building his company from the ground up, Phillip Hampton walks through the real process of selling a business From finding advisors and hiring an investment banker to navigating valuations, due diligence, letters of intent, and the emotional roller coaster of negotiating a deal. In this episode of The Calling and the Climb, Phillip shares what founders should expect when preparing to sell their company and the lessons he learned along the way. The journey culminates in a powerful full-circle moment when he signs the final paperwork in the very place where his entrepreneurial journey first began, standing on the platform of his church.

In this episode of The Calling and the Climb, Phillip Hampton shares how the momentum toward his exit strategy was suddenly disrupted by COVID and personal loss. He reflects on navigating crisis, stepping away from the business during a critical season, and the importance of building loyal leaders who can carry the vision forward when life demands your attention elsewhere.

In this episode of The Calling and the Climb, Phillip Hampton and Kent Curry continue the journey toward an exit strategy by unpacking a critical season of course correction, renewed focus, and disciplined leadership. Phillip shares how setting ego aside, aligning key leaders, tightening spending, and monitoring the right metrics helped position the company for growth and marketability.From clear directives and accountability to celebrating wins and staying focused on long-term goals, this episode explores what it really takes to lead through pressure while preparing a business for transition. And just as momentum reaches a record high, unexpected changes begin to appear on the horizon.

After building the infrastructure, capital, and model to scale, everything looked ready for a powerful exit. The strategy worked. The growth was real. But behind the wins, something was drifting. In this episode, Phillip shares the painful season when prayerful decisions led to unexpected setbacks, misalignment crept in, finances spiraled, and he had to confront bitterness, forgiveness, and the weight of leadership. This is the spiritual side of entrepreneurship — where faith is tested, focus is refined, and grace becomes essential.

In this episode of The Calling and the Climb, Phillip continues the story of how a single unexpected opportunity became the catalyst for building an exit strategy. Using the idea of known knowns known unknowns and unknown unknowns he walks through the mindset shifts decisions and faith driven moments that allowed his business to scale secure funding build the right team and step into a much bigger vision. This conversation offers practical insight and encouragement for entrepreneurs navigating growth uncertainty and the path toward a successful exit.

In this episode of The Calling and the Climb, Kent and Phillip dive into what it actually takes to prepare a business for sale long before it ever hits the market. Phillip shares lessons from selling his 26-year IT company, including how valuation works, why repeatable revenue matters more than big one-time wins, the hidden cleanup required in org charts, documentation, and leadership, and why founders must work themselves out of day-to-day operations to exit well. A practical, behind-the-scenes conversation for entrepreneurs who want to be ready—before opportunity knocks.

In this episode of The Calling and the Climb, Phil Hampton and Kent Curry unpack why every entrepreneur needs an exit strategy whether you’re ready to sell or not. Phil shares the real timeline behind selling his company after 26 years, the hard lessons he learned about making a business valuable beyond the owner, and the leadership moves required to work himself out of day to day operations. They also dive into the unexpected inflection point that launched Phil into rapid growth, an unforgettable moment that strengthened his faith and ultimately positioned the business for a successful exit.

In this episode, Phil and Kent break down the “small things” that often get overlooked but can make a huge difference in business success. From meeting discipline and respecting people’s time, to prompt communication, follow through, and even dressing for success, these practical habits help build trust, professionalism, and momentum. If you’re trying to level up your leadership and your results, this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Calling and the Climb, Phil shares the unexpected way humor and creativity shaped his business journey. What started as skits, church banquets, and youth group dramas eventually became a powerful marketing tool that helped him stand out in a serious, buttoned-up legal industry. From creating the wildly popular “Bill and Phil Show” for attorneys across the country to learning how laughter builds connection, this conversation explores how God can develop gifts in one season that become essential in another.

What does Christmas have to say to entrepreneurs facing fear, uncertainty, and pressure? In this special Christmas episode, Phillip Hampton walks through four moments in the Christmas story where angels spoke one consistent message: Fear not. A powerful reminder for founders navigating silence, calling, reputation, and success.

What is it really like to be a founder? In this episode, Philip reflects on 26 years of building and eventually selling a business, sharing the realities people rarely see. From the insecurity of making payroll and carrying all the risk, to the mindset required to think differently, solve complex problems, and endure sleepless nights, this conversation offers an honest look at founder life. Philip also shares what he loved most, what he hated most, the biggest mistakes he would change, and the one piece of advice he wishes he had known from day one about building a business with an exit in mind.

In this episode, Phil talks about the often overlooked idea of God anointing people for work outside the church. He shares how his faith shaped his business journey, including a moment when he prayed for God’s anointing before a major tech presentation and felt the same lift he had experienced in ministry. If you are trying to build or lead in your own strength, this episode encourages you to invite God into your work and ask for His anointing on your business and daily decisions.

Customer service isn’t just a task, it’s a mindset. In this episode, Phil explains why great service can outperform sales and marketing, and how small personal touches create long-term loyalty. He shares practical keys like personalizing your approach, communicating clearly, reading your clients, and cooling off before responding. Phil also tells the story of the 2010 Nashville flood and how his team kept clients running during a crisis, proving the power of going the extra mile. This episode is full of simple, real-world principles you can apply right away.

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Philip reflects on 26 years of entrepreneurship and the many things he has learned to be grateful for. He shares some more obvious blessings like God’s faithfulness, loyal employees, long-term clients, wise advisors, and the freedom to build a business in America. He also highlights some very unexpected things that shaped him, including trials, financial scarcity, talented employees who surpassed him, competitors who sharpened him, paying taxes, and even constant technology changes. This episode is a reminder to stay thankful in every season.

In this episode, Phil digs into one of the hardest parts of running and growing a business: leading through change. He shares real world stories from his years running an IT consulting business, from introducing ergonomic keyboards to resistant teams, to overhauling document management systems, to navigating the painful shift from hourly billing to block hour retainers. He unpacks why people resist change, how ego complicates leadership decisions, and the practical steps every business owner should take to plan, communicate, train, and follow up when implementing new systems. If you have ever struggled to evolve your business, handle pushback, or adapt to shifting seasons, this conversation will give you a roadmap for managing change with clarity and confidence.

In this episode Phillip opens up about one of the hardest realities in business, turnover. From losing key people without warning to realizing he was managing out of fear, he shares how those painful lessons reshaped his leadership. He walks through practical steps he learned over time, documenting institutional knowledge, creating overlapping roles, rewarding longevity, and easing client transitions. With honesty and humor, he talks about the human side of running a company, how every departure hurts, but how planning, culture, and structure can turn disruption into resilience.

In this episode of The Calling And The Climb, Philip Hampton shares how God-given dreams can shape your life and business. From a vision he wrote as a 14-year-old to seeing it fulfilled years later, Philip reflects on how faith, persistence, and divine timing work together. He also recounts a powerful moment on a flight when God renewed his vision and set him on a path that would unfold over the next two decades. This episode is a reminder to pause, dream again, and let God plant fresh vision in your heart.

In this honest and deeply personal conversation, Phillip Hampton opens up about the early years of building his business in Nashville, the doubts, insecurities, and constant feeling that he didn’t have enough. No money. No business training. No connections. Even personal insecurities made him question whether he belonged in the room.But through it all, Phillip learned one of the most powerful truths in both business and life: God never asks for what you don’t have. He asks, “What’s in your hand?”

When you hit a wall in business, most people say, “It can’t be done.”But for Philip, four simple words flipped that mindset forever: “It can be done.”In this episode, he shares how a sign on Ronald Reagan’s desk became the motto that built his company, from fixing “unfixable” software to standing up a multimillion document database in less than a month. It’s a story of optimism, grit, and believing that no problem is truly impossible, only unsolved.

Phillip candidly discusses the common stereotypes founders face, how he reconciles his faith with his pursuit of profit, and the practical steps he takes to maintain generosity and gratitude. There has to be an operating philosophy behind the choices! From sharing personal stories of business struggles and successes to highlighting the importance of sacrificial giving, this episode offers valuable insights for budding entrepreneurs seeking to integrate their faith with their business endeavors.00:00 Introduction and Greetings00:46 Reconciling Faith and Business: Is it God or Mammon?01:24 The Importance of Profit in Business04:44 Guarding Against Greed07:21 The Power of Generosity07:52 Personal Stories of Generosity19:47 The Influence of Christian Upbringing25:49 Final Reflections and Conclusion

Sometimes revenue growth comes from mastering the overlooked fundamentals. In this episode, Phillip shares the seasons of your maturing business when you need to master budgeting, tax strategies, attracting top talent, figure out forecasting and building a strong organizational structure. These are the fundamentals you need to take your business on to a higher level.00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Planning for Growth00:50 Nuts and Bolts: Adapting Basics as Your Company Grows01:16 Navigating Business Seasons: Recognizing and Adapting to Change04:33 Building a Strong Organizational Structure06:11 Attracting Top Talent: The Role of Benefits Packages11:58 Developing a Sales Strategy and Forecasting Growth15:23 The Importance of Budgeting for Business Success18:58 Effective Tax Strategies for Entrepreneurs23:38 Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Business Growth

Adapt or die. When you’ve plateaued you can either double down on what you’ve been doing; or you can pivot to add something new.In this episode, Phillip describes branching out in his IT consulting business and pioneering computer forensics for law firms. Learn the pivotal business strategies he used, mistakes to avoid, and how listening to clients shaped his business evolution. This episode also dives into niche business opportunities, client relationship management, and staying relevant in changing markets. It’s a powerful look at business growth through adaptability, guided by a Christian entrepreneur mindset and faith-based insights.00:00 Introduction to Adaptability01:05 Early Business Challenges03:49 Discovering Computer Forensics07:16 Building a Forensics Department12:25 Exploring New Business Opportunities17:49 Maintaining Client Relationships21:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Phillip and Kent discuss the constant challenges of entrepreneurship, focusing on the stress of making payroll and managing finances. Phillip shares how his faith in God helped him navigate these tough times, recounting a miraculous moment when an unexpected large payment helped meet payroll. They also explore the balance between human stewardship and divine intervention. This episode is a testament to how leaning on Christian faith can guide business pursuits.00:00 The Payroll Crisis00:57 Constant Challenges of Entrepreneurship02:28 Managing Payroll Sacrifices03:10 Seasonal Business Struggles09:29 Faith and Financial Miracles15:44 Balancing Stewardship and Faith19:40 Reflecting on God's Guidance

In this episode, Phillip shares the essential leadership qualities he valued most in his business, with deep insights into the importance of cultivating loyalty. Phillip and Kent discuss hiring strategies, evaluating leadership potential, and drawing wisdom from personal and professional experiences. This episode is a must-watch for existing or budding entrepreneurs who seek to blend their Christian faith with their business ventures.00:00 Introduction: The Key Quality for Leaders00:47 Discussing Leadership in Business01:26 Hiring and Evaluating Leaders03:47 Competence and Adaptability07:48 Integrity and Work Ethic10:23 Initiative and Team Building16:03 The Importance of Loyalty18:56 Personal Anecdote on Loyalty22:28 Conclusion: The Benefits of Loyalty

What if you don’t understand why you keep failing in one particular area? What should casual Friday look like when your company only services high profile clients?In this debut episode of Casual Friday, Philip shares his struggles and breakthroughs in marketing his tech consulting firm, LogicForce, which served the legal industry. From writing tech gadget articles to leveraging legal tech CLEs and winning business awards, Philip delves into his marketing strategies. Despite hiring marketing experts and using SEO, direct return on investment remained elusive. Filled with personal anecdotes, this episode emphasizes the importance of networking, referrals, and creative approaches to visibility in the business world. Ideal for entrepreneurs navigating similar challenges, this conversation is honest and insightful.

In this episode, Phillip discusses an existential threat to his business that was caused by an employee mistake. What does an entrepreneur do when an employee mistake jeopardizes a prime client relationship? Is there a path for recovery when brutal honesty pins the blame directly on your shoulders? Hear how Phillip reacted to his bitter crisis and how a surprising silver lining materialized years down the road.

In this episode, Philip shares invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, using his own experiences in starting and growing a small business. He highlights four key principles: getting legal and adhering to governance requirements, meticulous record keeping, sourcing secondhand goods to save money, and systemizing daily operations with a structured plan. He also emphasizes the importance of having a system to manage daily tasks efficiently to avoid chaos and stay productive. Philip provides practical tips and resourceful strategies, aimed at helping new business owners navigate the early stages of entrepreneurship successfully.

Join Phillip and Kent as they delve into the powerful lesson that a crisis can often be an open door to new opportunities. In this episode, Phillip shares his journey from founding Hampton Technologies to rebranding as Logic Force Consulting during the Y2K crisis. Learn how he transformed challenges into growth, navigated balancing personal and professional life, and made critical decisions that propelled his business forward. Perfect for entrepreneurs driven by faith, this episode explores seizing existential crises and turning them into stepping stones for long-term success.00:00 Seizing Opportunities in Crisis00:30 The Birth of Hampton Technologies01:36 Facing the Y2K Crisis05:32 Growth and Hiring First Employee07:44 Rebranding to Logic Force13:56 Balancing Business and Personal Life18:03 Making Critical Business Decisions22:01 Handling Crises and Moving Forward

Episode 03: Grinding It Out – Survival In the Early Years of BusinessPhillip and Kent discuss Phillip's incredible journey from starting a business accidentally with less than a week's worth of money to building a successful 26-year enterprise. Phillip shares the challenges of operating a small business in the early stages, the importance of not burning bridges, and the key role of faith in his entrepreneurial journey. Discover how Phillip managed multiple gigs to keep the lights on, the significance of building credibility, and the pivotal decisions that helped him scale his business. Ideal for entrepreneurs guided by their Christian faith, this episode provides insights into perseverance, strategic networking, and balancing business with personal values. Tune in to learn the valuable lessons Phillip gathered over his remarkable journey.

Where is God?: Phillip's Story of Trust and Triumph Join Phillip as he recounts a personal journey of faith,resilience, and the unexpected beginnings of his entrepreneurial venture. Facedwith job loss and uncertainty, he shares a candid story about finding strengththrough worship and trusting God's guidance. This episode is a heartfeltreminder to entrepreneurs about the importance of faith and perseverance amidstlife's storms. Tune in for an inspiring tale of overcoming adversity anddiscovering divine direction in both business and life. 00:00 EP002 2025-06-02 15-03-1000:27 The Unexpected Job Loss01:20 Struggling with Emotions and Faith02:43 A Challenging Night at Church04:55 Finding Strength in Worship09:53 Lessons from Biblical Stories12:00 Embracing Uncertainty and Faith17:10 The Reality of Entrepreneurship20:51 Concluding Thoughts on Faith and Fear

From Job Loss to Business Success: How Faith Led to 26Years of Entrepreneurship When Phillip lost his job unexpectedly, he turned to prayerand introspection to figure out his next steps. Despite having no intention ofstarting a business, a chance opportunity at a Nashville law firm led him tofound a consulting company that became his career for 26 years. Phillip shareshow his faith guided him through uncertain times, highlighting the importanceof taking leaps of faith and trusting in God's plan as he built a successfulbusiness from an accidental opportunity. 00:00 Starting a Business by Accident00:33 From Techie to Jobless: A Career Crisis04:19 The Unexpected Job Offer06:16 The Birth of a Business08:36 Navigating the Early Days13:07 Faith and Career Decisions16:14 Divine Guidance and Career Choices18:46 Conclusion and Reflections

I started my business with virtually nothing but a hope and aprayer. But through God's faithfulness and through my commitment to the process that he had started in me, I was able to grow the business from zero to a multimillion-dollar enterprise. I give God all the glory for placing this calling on my life.And so if you feel a call to be an entrepreneur. Or maybe some other pursuit that is not considered to be a traditional ministry path. And if you find yourself stumbling along on what may seem like a very solitary journey, this podcast isfor you.