Meet the speaker: Cory Miller

Jen Jamar • February 10, 2026

Cory Miller wasn’t always an entrepreneur. Before he founded iThemes, he worked as a newspaper journalist and also served as the Communications Director for Midwestern Seminary.

In 2008, he started iThemes, a fast-growing company that builds web design software and offers cutting-edge web design training for thousands of customers around the globe. He is the co-founder of The Div, Inc, a 501(c)3 nonprofit tech foundation aimed at inspiring and training the next generation of web developers through its kid’s program, Div Jr, as well as the co-author of WordPress All-in-One for Dummies.

Cory brings a huge breadth of knowledge of CMS systems and working in the digital space to Prestige Conference. Read on to get to know him a bit better before he joins us as a panelist for the discussion topic “Are WordPress products big business?” at our Las Vegas event.

In 3 sentences or less, please describe what you do for a living:

I make people’s lives awesome by leading our 20-plus person team to build, maintain and support WordPress software that makes building and maintaining websites easier and better for our thousands of customers all over the world.

Mostly, I just am the CEO … Chief Entertainment Officer … at iThemes.

Why this career and not something else?

This is my 3rd career so far. I’ve done tours in journalism and also ministry.

Entrepreneurship was something I dreamed of as a kid, as I watched two entrepreneurial grandfathers run their vastly different businesses, and employing most of their family.

It’s the best job I’ve ever had. Extremely fulfilling and rewarding.

When did you figure out what you wanted to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a truck driver when I was a kid. So that didn’t pan out.

But I’m not sure I ever figured it out … what I have done is consistently sought to find jobs that play to my strengths and interests so that I can do work I enjoy, with people I like, for people I care about.

That’s really how I landed where I am today. And how I measure my success in my career.

P.S. — I’ve always enjoyed my work and have written extensively about my experiences here:

Once you figured out what you wanted to do with your career, how did you start making things happen?

In my experience, it seems so similar to surfing … and just super silly simple.

I put in the hard work and hustle to paddle out to where the waves come in …

And then I waited, watched, learned … but most importantly, I was ready and prepared for when my opportunity came in.

I’m still riding that wave.

Who were your most valuable mentors and how did you connect with them?

My grandfather, Leo, as an entrepreneur and family man — watching him as I grew up was inspiring and motivating and I seek to be like him in many ways.

My business coach and dear friend Michael Smith (http://imentorleaders.com/) — for helping take us to the next level, and teaching us how to care for people. Referred to me by good business friends.

My partners, Scott and Jay — for being amazing role models and friends. We met as business partners first (a mutual friend introduced us), then we became great friends. I respect and admire who they are first and foremost and how they do business as a guide for my own life.

My forum groups from the Oklahoma Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization — for reminding me that I’m not alone, and sharing their life and stories with me each month for the last four years that have had a profound impact on my happiness and success in life and business.

What’s coming up next for you?

Our customer focus this year is WProsper.

We want to help our customers do well, do better this year, specifically making money with WordPress and iThemes.

Product wise … some highlights are we’re going to …

Continue to make BackupBuddy the best all-in-one solution for backing up, restoring and moving WordPress sites.
Get iThemes Exchange, our WP ecommerce plugin, to critical mass by focusing on key features people need most and keeping it super simple and easy to sell online.
Continue to strengthen iThemes Security as one of the best utility tools to lockdown your WP websites.
Turn iThemes Sync into the premiere software for managing a fleet of WordPress sites and a key partner in growing your freelance business

Any industry predictions for 2015?

Hyper growth (and competition) in WordPress enterprise agencies (both for talent and clients)
A growing (and concerning) gap of highly talented, quality WP people (developers and designers) to fill the many position needed for the growth of WordPress companies (from Automattic to enterprise companies and to us)
The return of Jason Schuller (fingers crossed)

What book(s) are you reading right now?

The Automatic Customer by John Warrilow

Favorite “guilty pleasure” song or band that you can’t help but rock out to?

I’ve admittedly got the most eclectic and embarrassing music tastes in the world … so … Eminem for starters. I often forget to put Private on my Spotify and get exposed to the lame music I secretly love.