Entrepreneurship is a journey that often starts with a spark of passion and a willingness to take risks. For Ben Hodge, his entrepreneurial spirit was ignited by his family’s business ventures and his hands-on experience managing their ranch and real estate properties. This hands-on training taught him valuable lessons about tax and business structures, as well as the importance of maximizing time and processes.
In 2011, while caring for his ailing grandfather in San Antonio, Hodge’s entrepreneurial journey took a new turn when he started managing his family’s 300-acre ranch and other real estate properties. This experience led him to assist in creating the Delta Hodge Ranch and the Hodge Trust to manage the finances of their various endeavors. Hodge’s diverse background in Anthropology and Physical Therapy assistance provided him with a unique perspective on business operations and management.
As Hodge’s entrepreneurial spirit continued to grow, he ventured into the world of music booking, which ultimately led to the creation of his booking service, EEVET. Learning coding and software development along the way, Hodge aimed to match bands with venues to perform. Despite facing setbacks in Nashville, where corporate leaders were not as receptive to his platform as he had hoped, Hodge persevered and continued to learn from his experiences.
Hodge’s journey took another turn when he co-founded Thyme Digital, a data-driven marketing service, and delved deeper into digital transformation and data analytics. Recognizing the importance of filling knowledge gaps in his skill set, Hodge decided to pursue further education and enrolled in the St. Mary’s University Online MBA for Professionals program with a concentration in Data Analytics in 2023.
The Online MBA program provided Hodge with valuable opportunities to network with industry leaders and attend special events, including meeting U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and former San Antonio Spurs player David Robinson. Hodge’s dedication to innovation and community impact caught the attention of his professor, Sergio Palacios, who nominated him for the Texas Business Hall of Fame Future Texas Business Legend Award.
Hodge’s commitment to creating a better world and his adaptability to embrace change align with the Marianist values of St. Mary’s University. His outstanding achievements and dedication to making a difference in his community were recognized with the Legend Award of $15,000, which he plans to use for business expenses or tuition. Looking ahead, Hodge is eager to graduate in 2025 and participate in a trip to South Korea to study international business with the MBA program.
Through his entrepreneurial journey, Hodge has learned valuable lessons about perseverance, passion, and the importance of not giving up on one’s dreams. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to stay passionate about their goals and to seek inspiration from extraordinary individuals who have faced setbacks but continued to pursue their dreams. Ben Hodge’s story is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship and the impact of education in shaping the future of business leaders.
