From building a company to building the AI that runs it.
I'm Mike Hodgen. I built a DTC fashion brand from $200 in fabric into a solar-powered microfactory with 4,500+ products, 10 employees, and 7,000+ five-star reviews.
Then I built 15+ AI systems that transformed how the entire company operates — not as a consultant looking in, but as the CEO running it day-to-day. Now I do the same for other companies as their Chief AI Officer.
The Full Story
The Aha Moment
Met my co-founder at Iona College. The idea hit at a music festival — there had to be a better way to make festival fashion.
Started from Nothing
Hand-sewing pieces in an apartment. No investment, no connections, no fashion background. Just two broke college kids who believed in the vision. Launched the brand on Etsy with $200 in fabric.
Built the Microfactory
Moved into a solar-powered facility in San Diego. Hired the first employees. Developed in-house manufacturing with a 0.5% defect rate — 10x better than industry average. Everything handmade, everything local.
Survived COVID
Festivals shut down overnight. Revenue dropped 80% in a month. Pivoted to Fabric Punch — DIY festival fashion kits. Kept every employee. Came back with 108% year-over-year growth once events returned.
Discovered AI as a Force Multiplier
Started building AI systems from the inside — not as a consultant, but as the CEO running the company. Product creation, SEO, pricing, inventory — everything got an AI layer. Built 15+ systems and 22,000+ lines of custom Python.
The Results Spoke
+38% revenue per employee. -42% manual operations time. 3,000+ hours saved annually. 4,500+ products, 10 employees, a solar-powered factory — and AI running through all of it.
Transitioned to Chief AI Officer
Handed the CEO role to my co-founder. Moved into a dedicated Chief AI Officer position — first for the brand, then for other companies. Founded Hodgen.AI to offer embedded AI leadership to businesses ready to move fast.
Featured In
Podcast Appearances
Retention Nation
HiFlyer Digital
Using AI to drive retention and loyalty in ecommerce
ListenThe Ecom Show
The Ecom Show
Managing 4,500+ SKUs and scaling inventory the easy way
ListenDigital Marketing Fastlane
Digital Marketing Fastlane
Building a DTC brand from a one-bedroom apartment
ListenThe Mindset Babe
Perry Richardson
Starting a festival clothing brand and leading through a pandemic
ListenReady to work together?
I work with a select number of companies at a time. Apply to see if we're a fit, or book a discovery call to chat.