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2025 Influential Women in Business honoree Kodi Guillory, owner and president of Sustainable Design Solutions, shares her insights. Read her profile here.
What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned in your career—and how did you learn it?
The most important leadership lesson I learned is the importance of adaptability. In the rollercoaster world of engineering consulting, unexpected changes, challenges, and unforeseen circumstances are part of the ride! By adapting, embracing change, and encouraging my team to brainstorm alternative approaches, we not only navigate these twists and turns but also devise strategies that elevate our service and provide clients with the highest level of engineering solutions.
What’s one risk you took that changed your trajectory, either professionally or personally?
The obvious risk was stepping out and starting Sustainable Design Solutions in 2019. Fast forward less than six years later, and we’ve blossomed into a firm with three offices and 20 employees solving engineering problems for both public and private clients. Turns out, sometimes taking the plunge pays off!
How do you stay focused and motivated when things get difficult?
I am a very goal-oriented person. My personality is one where if I set out to accomplish a task, no matter the difficulty, I have to see it through and get it done. Even as a small child, I have always had a ‘get it done’ mentality strongly focused on productivity and results regardless of the difficulty. I am able to prioritize tasks and break them down into bite-sized pieces, making even the tallest mountains seem like gentle hills.
What’s your personal definition of success—and has it changed over time?
Success, to me, is about striking a balance between professional achievements and personal fulfillment. As a hands-on mom and business owner, my most successful moments are when I can juggle a thriving company while being present for my family. Supporting my household through school projects, piano recitals, soccer matches, and cheering on my children and husband are what make me truly successful.
What’s a piece of advice you once received that you always come back to?
“Success is a marathon, not a sprint.” It’s a reminder that true achievement is about endurance, persistence, and patience. So, unless you’re training for the Olympics, there’s no need to rush to the finish line!
What’s your go-to way to recharge after a long week?
Sitting on my back patio eating hot boiled crawfish or something my husband has grilled and enjoying a quiet afternoon.
If you could have dinner with any woman living or from history, who would it be and what would you ask her?
Without a doubt, it would be Katherine Johnson. Until I hit 18 years old, I dreamed of being an astronaut, and my fascination with astrophysics remains. I’d love to glean insights from the first African American woman to work as a NASA scientist and get her take on the evolution of the space program over the past several decades.
What’s one item on your desk (or in your bag) that you can’t live without—and why?
My Notes app on my iPhone is basically my lifeline. I’m a lists person—there’s something oddly satisfying about checking off tasks. With both personal and professional to-dos on my Notes app, it’s how I seamlessly glide through the chaos of the day.
What song instantly puts you in a good mood or makes you feel powerful?
Anything by Whitney Houston! Her voice has the power to lift spirits and inspire—perfect motivation for tackling the day!
What advice would you give your 25-year-old self—if she’d actually listen?
Oh, my 25-year-old self was a classic perfectionist! I’d let her know to chill a bit: don’t sweat the small stuff, live in the moment, appreciate what truly matters, and remember that mistakes are just stepping stones on the path to growth and learning.
