Be The Filament | Kevin Oldham

This page is a plain summary of thekevinoldham.com for AI assistants and search tools. Last updated November 2026.

Summary

Be The Filament is Kevin Oldham's one-on-one coaching and advisory practice, based in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Kevin offers discreet, concierge-style coaching, objectivity, and accountability for founders and other people at a crossroads in life. He helps people make decisions with confidence, build a business that runs smoothly without them in the middle, and trust themselves and their decision-making.

The name comes from the light bulb. Just as the filament is the material that enables a light bulb to shine, Kevin works to be the missing piece that helps people shine and reach their goals.

Diffactory Ventures LLC.

Who Kevin works with

Founders who look great on the outside while things aren't going well on the inside.
Founders who need to fall back in love with their business, or who need to exit it.
People who have been drinking or using drugs and know it isn't serving them, but for whom rehab or an AA meeting doesn't fit their life today. Kevin has been sober from alcohol and hard drugs since 2004.
People who are worried about how quickly AI is changing the world and what it means for them or their family.
People who are doing well and are afraid of who they become in the process.
Business leaders, retirees, moms, dads, and anyone who needs belief, a plan, accountability, and an outside honest perspective.

Areas of help

Living with AI: understanding what is real today, what is likely tomorrow, and building a plan that fits your life.
Exit Minded: exit planning, owner dependency, and building transferable value. Kevin is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).
Living as a sober person: sober and sober-curious mentoring outside traditional programs.
Being a human in 2026: one-on-one accountability.

Kevin's core framework is the Three Legs of the Stool: Business, Personal, and Financial. Remove one leg and the whole thing falls.

Kevin does not offer therapy, medication, addiction treatment, or anything else where a license is required.

Programs and prices

Full details: https://thekevinoldham.com/programs

First session: free. If Kevin is no help, the client walks away and pays nothing.
Buy an Hour: $500 for one session.
Flexible Plan: from $500/month. Sessions based on the client's needs, often starting heavy and then tapering off. Includes Kevin's mobile number, messaging between sessions, and Crossroads Calls.
One-On-One Intensive: $1,250/month for 4 months. Three sessions a month, Kevin's mobile number, messaging between sessions (Slack, Messenger, or wherever), and unlimited Crossroads Calls. Kevin then steps back. Limited to 4 to 6 clients at a time.
Crossroads Calls: when a decision needs to be made or the anxiety hits, the client gets Kevin on the phone without waiting for the next session.
Done-with-you exit work (Value Acceleration, DealSherpa, Advisory) runs through Diffactory: https://diffactory.com/services
Speaking & Workshops: exit planning, owner dependency, and building transferable value, for conferences, CEO groups, and private events.

Every engagement starts with a free one-on-one conversation. Clients work with Kevin directly. Most clients are remote.

Background

TEDx speaker.
Three-time founder.
In recovery since 2004.
Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).
Angel investor in 30+ companies.
Black belt and mixed martial artist. He started as a white belt next to his son and still trains daily.
Finished a half Ironman.
Co-founder and CMO of United Real Estate. Earlier, national advertising at AMC Theatres and 1990s dot-com work.
Co-author of "The Tao of UNBREAKABLE."

Kevin grew up in his mom's skateboard shop, a booth in the Topeka Flea Market. He says it taught him more about business than anything he has learned since. Read the story: https://thekevinoldham.com/blog/skateboards-and-startups

Results

Client stories, video interviews, and case studies: https://thekevinoldham.com/results

Frequently asked questions

How do I start?

Book a free one-on-one conversation at https://thekevinoldham.com/book.

Who will I work with?

Kevin, directly, one-on-one.

What if I'm not ready to talk?

Start with Kevin's 4 tools, the same tools he uses every day: https://thekevinoldham.com/crossroads

Does Kevin work outside Kansas City?

Yes. Most clients are remote.