Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jeremy Hodge. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jeremy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When you were first starting out, did you join a firm or start your own?

When I first started out, I didn’t launch my own business right away — not officially. My early career actually began in the world of computer animation. At just 20 years old, I was hired by Full Sail University to teach, which turned into a fast track through visual effects, demo reel production, and a deep dive into storytelling through motion. At that time, animation felt like magic — the kind of magic that comes from mastering something most people don’t understand. And I loved that.

But life had other plans. Over the next few years, I moved through a series of chapters — from flight simulators and financial advising at Merrill Lynch, to sales and entrepreneurship in the hearing aid industry. Each step added another layer: systems, sales, strategy, service. I learned how to connect with people, how to deliver real value, and — more importantly — how to build.

That’s when I started HD Web Developers, which was my first real departure from working for others and into building something of my own. I began designing and developing websites, but quickly realized I wasn’t just building websites — I was building business systems. Funnels, CRMs, automations, marketing workflows — it was about helping businesses operate more efficiently and grow. And I loved that too. HD Web Developers became a proving ground, a lab, and a launchpad all at once.

But something bigger was calling. As AI tools became more powerful and accessible, I saw the opportunity to elevate everything I had been doing — to take all the systems thinking, the storytelling, the business strategy, and fuse it with this new kind of magic. That’s when Thryv Consulting was born.

So was it the right choice to start my own thing? Absolutely. The path wasn’t direct — it zigzagged through a lot of industries and roles — but every chapter built momentum. And now, with AI, it feels like everything’s converging. I’m still building. Still innovating. Still helping people unlock what they didn’t think was possible. And in many ways, it feels like I’m just getting started.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

If this is your first time coming across my name — hey, I’m Jeremy Hodge. I’m the founder of Thryv Consulting (that’s Thryv with a Y — for “why”), and I’ve taken a pretty unconventional path to get here.

I started my career in computer animation, teaching at Full Sail University when I was just 20. Back then, I was captivated by the magic of bringing something to life on screen — pixels transforming into movement, into meaning. That creative spark — that desire to take something abstract and make it real — has stayed with me, even as the tools have changed.

Over the years, I’ve worked in finance at Merrill Lynch, launched a national hearing aid referral network, and built HD Web Developers, where I helped business owners go beyond just websites and build real systems for growth. It was through these experiences that I realized something: I wasn’t just building tech. I was helping people unlock capacity — time, energy, freedom, clarity.

But while my professional journey was evolving, something deeper was happening too.

Behind the scenes, I was on a parallel path — a long, winding journey into self-awareness, wellness, and intentional living. I began journaling daily, meditating, practicing yoga, and designing a life that aligned with my values. I became obsessed — in the best way — with the idea of becoming the best version of myself. Not for ego, but because I genuinely wanted to understand why we do what we do — and how we can do it better.

That lens — the one that blends systems with soul — is the foundation of Thryv Consulting.

Today, I help business owners harness the power of AI to scale smarter, operate lighter, and reconnect with what really matters. Whether we’re building AI-driven CRMs, designing workflows that eliminate busywork, or creating dashboards that give you back control, it all comes back to this:

👉 Why are you doing what you’re doing?
And how can we build a system that supports that?

What sets Thryv apart isn’t just the tech. It’s the intention.
I don’t believe in growth for growth’s sake. I believe in designing businesses — and lives — that help us thrive.

I’m proud of the systems I’ve built and the wins my clients have had — but what I’m most proud of is that I’ve stayed curious. I’ve never stopped asking questions, reflecting, refining. I believe in lifelong learning, both in business and in life.

And if there’s one thing I’d want you to take away, it’s this:
Find your Why! And your How and What will follow!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots I’ve made — and honestly, one of the hardest — was stepping away from a business that was working on paper, but wasn’t working for me anymore.

I had built a national hearing aid referral network from the ground up. It was smart, efficient, profitable, and scalable. I had figured out the marketing, the systems, the partnerships — all of it. But I was waking up each day with this nagging feeling that I wasn’t building something I wanted to grow long-term. It felt transactional. It didn’t light me up.

So I made the decision to walk away. I sold the hearing aid business and shut down the network, even though it was producing income. From the outside, it looked risky. But for me, it was a necessary reset — a chance to realign my energy with work that actually aligned with my values, curiosity, and creative instincts.

That pivot led me into web development, systems design, and ultimately AI architecture and consulting. Every piece of that journey gave me tools I use today — but more importantly, it gave me clarity on what I don’t want to build, which is just as important as knowing what you do.

Sometimes, the boldest move isn’t pushing through. It’s letting go — so you can make room for something better. That one decision reshaped everything for me.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

About three years ago, I went through a divorce that reshaped everything.

It wasn’t just the end of a relationship — it was a moment where my identity, my priorities, and my path all came up for reevaluation. Suddenly, I wasn’t just navigating life as a business owner or a creator — I was showing up as a single father, a co-parent, a man trying to rebuild from the inside out. And it forced me to ask some really big questions: Who am I now? What do I want life to feel like — not just look like on paper?

That was the beginning of a different kind of resilience for me. Not just surviving the hard season — but choosing to thrive in spite of it. Or maybe because of it.

I doubled down on the things that grounded me: journaling daily, meditating, getting intentional about my routines, my health, my mindset. I rebuilt not just my business model, but my life design. I wanted to be the best version of myself for my sons — and for the future I was stepping into.

That process of rediscovery is what ultimately led to the launch of Thryv Consulting. It’s not just a company — it’s a reflection of everything I believe in. That when we align with our why, when we build systems that support our energy and our purpose, we’re not just more productive — we’re more fulfilled.

So if you ask me what resilience looks like, I’d say this:
It’s not about powering through.
It’s about pausing, listening, realigning — and then rising with intention.

That’s what thriving means to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thryv.ing
• Instagram: @the.jeremyhodge @thryv.ing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-hodge-568ab2191/
• Other: Thryv.ing Insights Newsletter: https://sahbk-cmpzourl.maillist-manage.com/ua/Optin?od=11287eccc1e8d8&zx=132c08e58&lD=112bd18228fb61f78&n=11699f75002889f

  https://linktr.ee/thryv.ing

Image Credits

Justin Hodge