Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Hodges.
Hi Bill, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
From 2006 to 2011, I worked for an endoscopy company that was a global leader in medical technology, specializing in the development and manufacturing of advanced medical devices. I was originally hired as an International Field Engineer, supporting 25 of the top healthcare facilities around the world. Over time, I worked my way up to Field Operations Manager.
In that role, I managed a global team responsible for the installation, maintenance, and support of critical medical devices. I collaborated closely with senior leadership to drive operational improvements, which led to a 20% increase in on-time project deliveries and significant cost reductions through optimized travel and expense management. My efforts ensured that our company’s products met the highest standards of quality and reliability in the field. One of my proudest accomplishments was helping to reduce service costs by $2.2 million.
What I didn’t expect was that 2011 would be my last year in that position. I was laid off after the company restructured into a hardware and medical supplies retailer. I went from the highest point in my career to well, nothing. At least, that’s what the world told me I should think.
But instead of seeing it as a loss, I chose to view it as a sign. Maybe that closed door was really a loving signal that something greater was waiting for me. Rather than sitting around wallowing, I used that free time to be proactive. This wasn’t defeat, it was freedom. That time showed me how much of a gift it was to be released from my old path.
Shortly after being laid off, I decided to do something I had always wanted to try: alternative housing. On a small plot of land near my driveway, I finally went for it. My wife jokingly called me “Noah” and said this was my “Ark.” I put all the research I’d gathered over the years into action. Solar panels, spray foam insulation that kept the interior at a steady 76°F year-round, a tilted roof for rainwater collection, and geothermal tubes for natural air conditioning.
Seven months later, I had built what I called the Solar Office Solution, or “S.O.S.” for short. Ironically, while I was building it, my phone started ringing off the hook with calls from old contacts and clients looking for help. Since my former company had shifted directions, there was nowhere else I could refer them—except to me. I had the experience, the knowledge, and the drive. So I thought, why not give it a shot?
The only problem was, I didn’t have a business name. Jobs were already coming in, but I needed something to call myself. One day, while waiting in line at Lowe’s to open a “Pro” account, I realized I had to put something down, so I went with the best name I could think of at the time: Bill’s Alternative. And just like that, my new business was born.
Suddenly, I was back in the field I knew so well, but this time I was free. I could apply my own wisdom directly to my work. As my own boss, I focused on helping people by providing affordable, off-the-shelf solutions that lasted for years without the need for constant technician visits. I took a “hand-in-hand” approach with my clients, ensuring they felt completely confident using their new systems by the time I left. Most importantly, I designed solutions that truly fit their needs, not just what big companies told them they needed.
It was a blessing to get paid for something I excelled at, something that allowed me to take care of my family while doing meaningful work.
Since 2012, I’ve been independent and able to support my family through Bill’s Alternative. It’s been a wild but rewarding ride, made even better when my son joined me in 2018. Teaching him the ropes and working together has been one of life’s greatest gifts. Last year, he officially took over the business, allowing me to focus on new ventures.
If I could offer one piece of advice to future entrepreneurs, it would be this: trust your gut, care about people, and don’t be afraid to fail. Sometimes you have to jump out of the nest before the wind catches your wings. Stick with it, and never forget to use that big, beautiful brain you’ve been given.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wish I could say it’s been a smooth road, but it hasn’t. Representing yourself as an independent company is no walk in the park. You quickly realize you’re a small fish in a very big pond.
There were times I spent months bidding on jobs, only to have larger corporations swoop in and make offers that customers simply couldn’t refuse. Those companies have the capital and resources to make clients feel secure right away, while a small business like mine has to ask for a little trust up front.
Even so, the work I do always leads to more personal, mutually beneficial outcomes. It makes complete sense from a customer’s standpoint to go with a big name over one independent guy, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t disheartening at times. Still, those challenges taught me resilience and reinforced the importance of building trust through quality and honesty.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bills Alternative LLC?
Bill’s Alternative is a “Solutions Consultants” business, we like to think of ourselves as problem-solvers first and consultants second. We design, implement, and fine-tune systems for just about any kind of space, corporate offices, schools, entertainment venues, and even homes. Every project is different, and that’s what keeps things interesting. Our job is to listen, understand what someone truly needs, and then build or recommend a solution that makes their life easier.
One of the things that makes us a little different is our range, we work with the latest technology, but we also know how to bring older systems back to life. Not every problem needs a brand-new fix; sometimes it just needs the right touch and a bit of know-how to get it running smoothly again. That balance between innovation and reliability is something I take a lot of pride in.
We also make sure our services fit different budgets. Not everyone has the same resources, and that shouldn’t stop someone from getting quality work done. Whether it’s a big buildout or a small upgrade, we find a way to make it work without cutting corners.
Another thing that sets us apart is how flexible we are in how we work with people. Some clients want us there hands-on, managing everything start to finish, while others prefer a more hands-off approach, phone calls, virtual guidance, and check-ins. Either way, we stay connected and make sure the project turns out right.
What I’m most proud of, though, is the trust we’ve built over the years. Our clients know we care about their projects as much as they do. We don’t just walk in, do the job, and leave we build relationships. For me, that’s what the business is really about: helping people find solutions that last and feeling good about the work when the day’s done.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’ve always seen luck (good or bad ), as part of the natural ebb and flow of the world. Any “good luck” I’ve had in business has really been the result of planting good seeds: treating people right, doing honest work, and building strong relationships. When you take care of your customers and genuinely care about the solutions you provide, that energy tends to find its way back to you.
As for the bad luck, it’s usually come from things outside of my control. At the time, it’s never easy to see it that way, when you’re in the middle of it, it just feels like a storm. But looking back, those moments have always had a purpose. They taught me patience, humility, and perspective.
Good or bad, the world keeps moving. My job is to keep my head up, not let the bad drag me down, and not take the good for granted when it comes my way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Billsalternative.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BillsAlternative
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-hodges-98821831
