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Hodgen.AILet’s talk

Founder & AI Systems Builder

I turn complex problemsinto working software.

I’m Mike Hodgen. I learn how your business works, find where the work gets stuck, and build what’s missing. Custom software, integrations, and automation, with AI where it helps.

Book a conversationSee AI in practice

30 minutes with me. Start with what’s getting in the way.

Mike Hodgen
Mike HodgenFounder & AI Systems Builder. Your point of contact.
+38%

Revenue per employee

42% less

Manual operations time

My DTC business, 2024. First-party results.
The work behind the numbers ↗

Built from operating experience

I started with cash sitting on shelves.

I co-founded a fashion brand and built a microfactory in San Diego. Too much cash was tied up in stock. Better forecasting helped change what we made and how much we held.

That’s still where I start: the problem in the business, then the tools.

Read the inventory story
Inventory held in my own business
Before~$300K
At its lowest~$100K
Historical result from Inventory Planner and operating decisions. Reported by Fashion Capital ↗

What useful AI looks like · Field operations

The work was done.
Then came the typing.

A field rep has already measured the windows and filled out the sheet. I built a way to turn a photo into draft order lines, so the team can check the details before creating the order.

Read how I built it
Compare the next step.

The work is already captured.Measurements, fabric, and fitting details.

Photograph the sheet
A draft to review
Measurements
Check against the photo
Fabric
Confirm the catalog match
Unclear detail
Flagged for a closer look
A person checks it.
Then creates the order.
Illustration of the published field-intake workflow. AI prepares the draft; uncertain details still need a person’s review.

The same idea, after a sales call

The call ends.
The useful detail stays.

There’s another meeting to get to. I built a spoken debrief for my CRM that prepares notes, next steps, and a follow-up draft for review.

See the voice workflow

“Here’s what happened on the call.”

  • Meeting notes
  • The next step
  • A follow-up draft

Ready for a person to review.

Illustration of the spoken-debrief workflow in my build notes.

Where I draw the line

Preparing the work is one job. Approving it is another.

In the campaign review flow I built for my business, a proposed email waits for a person’s approval before sending. A person can reject it with feedback.

See what I’ve built
Proposed emailPrepared for review
A person decides.Approve → sendReject → revise
Illustration of my campaign approval flow.

Corporate AI training and events

Your team is learning AI.
Help them learn it together.

One person tries a new app. Another builds their own process. I bring your team together to understand what matters, practice on familiar work, and agree on what comes next.

Explore team AI events

Half-day or full-day. Events from $5,000.
Start with a planning call; agree on the scope together.

A shared task becomes a shared way of working.

  1. Bring the work.

    A recurring task your team recognizes and wants to improve.

  2. Try it together.

    Compare approaches. Check the output. See where a person’s judgment matters.

  3. Agree on the next step.

    Choose a useful place to start, with clear boundaries and someone responsible.

Illustrative workshop flow. The agenda fits your team.

How I help

The right kind of help for the work ahead.

Some businesses need a starting point. Others need someone to own the work. We can work out which fits you.

Each engagement has its own scope and terms. Explore ways to work together.

Keep reading

The thinking behind the work.

All writing