We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kurt Hamilton. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Kurt , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I think chasing is always an interesting term because it means we have never fully achieved our goal. In business, we are always chasing something, whether it’s more sales, an improved mission, or in our case, a solution that hasn’t been fully developed yet.
Fulfillment House was started in 2018 with the dream of helping adults with special needs have a place of employment. That vision began with 6 adults and has grown to over 40 in 2025. But employment is only part of the day. Housing, transportation, and social opportunities are all pieces of the equation that go into living everyday life for the friends we employ here.
I am chasing the vision of creating an environment where parents have all the resources they need. To connect them with partners and systems we’ve developed, so they can provide the best care to their loved ones. To support families where they are today and inspire them to build toward where they want to go.
We are chasing a dream to make life easier for those who support their loved ones. It’s a dream we take tangible steps toward each day, and one we continue to anchor our business on.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kurt Hamilton and I’ve been in the non-profit world for 12 years. Everything I’ve been a part of has carried the same mission: people. No matter what cause we are serving, the focus has always been on supporting people through their challenges and circumstances.
The non-profit world has always drawn me in because it’s given me the chance to connect with so many incredible people I never would have met otherwise. I still remember one of my first non-profit events at a large Christian camp with hundreds of high school students across Kansas. At the end of camp, a student came up to me and said, “I now know what I want to do with my life, and it’s your job.” That moment showed me the value we create as non-profit professionals, and it has stuck with me ever since.
Today, at Fulfillment House, we are building a business that supports adults with disabilities through meaningful employment opportunities. But more than that, we’re building a workplace people are excited to be a part of. We’re supporting families at one of the most personal levels— their loved ones. The adults who work here are truly the heart of our success. We get to witness their breakthroughs every day, and they continue to elevate our business and push it to the next level.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
The participants in our programming have always taught me the most. In our organization we serve a variety of adults at different stages. When I came to Fulfillment House I instantly fell in love with the concept but quickly saw that parts were missing.
As we added new adults to the mission I noticed some of them did not share the same love for the work. I asked one of our employees what his favorite part of work was, and his answer was a one word dud, “Nothing.” My heart sank. In that moment I realized we had been looking at work the wrong way. We were focused on telling them what we needed from them instead of learning where they were passionate about supporting the business.
At the time we were launching new products like our printing department, and we had the idea to add customization to our cards. I shared that opportunity with the same employee and his eyes lit up with excitement. Not only did we transition his daily work, but he now truly loves what he does.
The lesson is clear. We never have all the answers in our work, but the solutions are all around us. Asking the right questions to employees, mentors, and community members will always elevate the business we operate.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
In business there are always fears. Fear of the unknown. Fear of risks that might not pay off. Even fear of failing and shutting down the business. The real question is how we respond to those fears. What are we adding each day to make sure we continue in the right direction?
For me, the answer usually comes back to the team I have around me. We are blessed with some of the best employees at Fulfillment House, and it starts with every position. Building a culture around the mission is important, but finding people who truly support that mission is critical. It is easier to step into risk when you know you are surrounded by people who have your back. That has always made it easier for me as an entrepreneur to keep exploring. I know our team can handle challenges because we have already faced so many together.
Here we try to worry less about how fear holds us back, and focus more on how fear can guide us into the next challenge. Mentors are also one of the best ways to overcome fear. I have always had a mentor in my professional journey, and each one has helped me face challenges and grow.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I have a strong belief that we can all do more to help each other. When I look back on my life and experiences, I can see many times where I chose the easy way out with a list of excuses. I am too tired. Too much going on. Too busy today, I will get to that next week. We live in a world where it is easy to make excuses for ourselves because so many things compete for our attention. But the truth is, the best opportunities we have are to support the people around us. When we do that, everyone benefits.
In the non profit world, this belief gets pushed to the limit. My running joke is always, why wouldn’t you want to work somewhere that is twice as hard for half the pay? But the reward is not in a paycheck. The real reward is the commitment to the mission, and the community it builds. Non profits create networks of people who carry stories, values, and support from generation to generation. They are building legacies.
At Fulfillment House, what we are building is not just a business, but a dream for students today and for adults tomorrow. Our hope is to keep building a system that can one day support thousands of individuals and their families. Every step we take today is progress for the next generation of leaders and creators.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
Trying is the word that constantly comes to mind. What is that crazy idea you have? Why have you not attempted it yet? I want to be able to look back on my life, on my organizations and teams, and say, that was a wild idea, but we did it, and it led to something amazing.
As entrepreneurs, we do not have to follow the same rules as everyone else because we are creating from nothing. That is one of the best gifts of the job. In non profit work, it is even better. As long as it connects to our mission, we can help people in whatever way they need. I do not have to stay inside the same rules and procedures as a corporate business. I can focus on the issue at hand.
When we are mission focused, it gives us the freedom to assist people in creative ways. So the only thing I will ever regret is not attempting to help more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thefulfillmenthouse.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fulfillmenthouse/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fulfillment-house-inc/?viewAsMember=true
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefulfillmenthouse
Image Credits
Pictures are saved with names in them. Brent with amazon card, Ben in red shirt, Max with lots of labels, Daisa blue hoodie, Katie in box of peanuts, Team photo from left to right: Blaire, Ashley, Brent, JT, Kaitlyn, CJ, Justin, Hayley, Jenny, Larin in nickelodeon hoodie, Audrey, Wyatt, and Ashley from left to right in flower photo. My personal photo is Justin on the left and me on the right.
