Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Hodges.
Hi Jason, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In late 2018, I attended Evermore Park for the first time. I came with a good friend of mine from Sheridan, WY. The drive to the park was 10 hours one way, so we thought if we were going to go, we might as well get dressed up and go as characters. In the early days of the park, not many people knew that is was okay to dress up when attending, so when we showed up, we were quickly confused as part of the cast and crew. When we revealed that we were not, I was asked if many of the specialty costume pieces I had made were for sale. These included potion bottles that were backlit with LEDs, glowing crystal necklaces, and more. By the time I left the park, my extensive costume had been reduced to just my jeans and t-shirt. Quickly I realized I could pay for more trips to the park with this process.
After a few months, I began to be approached by actors in the park asking if I could make specialty items for them and the characters they played. It wasn’t long after that I was approached by the owner of Evermore Park about becoming a 3rd party vendor for them. With a little help from some friends, I was able to find an employee to run the booth while I was back home, and another who I could stay with while I was in town to avoid having the expense of a hotel.
Quickly I went from just making items as a way to pay for my trips, to teasing with the idea of it becoming a nice side venture. This lasted for just under a year when I entered into a contest for new businesses in Wyoming. On a lark, I applied and to my great surprise, won. In total, between contests and grants, I was able to secure over $50,000 in grant money to start my business in earnest and leave my previous employment.
The first full year of being in business was a whirlwind. I was on the road 3 weeks out of 4 between Evermore Park, but also conventions and C fairs. To cover it all, I took on 6 additional staff, and eventually a business partner. By February 2021, The Nerdy Wolf had opened its first brick and mortar store in the Provo Towne Centre Mall, had a production shop in Utah and Las Vegas, and over 12 staff. Our products range from handmade hardback leather journals, glass dip pens, leather armor, resin daggers, and more. In short, we are a geek shop that sells items you would typically find at your favorite festival.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have been more fortunate than most. We have wonderful repeat customers and no lack of events, shows and conventions to sell our wares. Between our store, Evermore Park, online sales and the many shows we attend, business has been good to us.
We’ve been impressed with The Nerdy Wolf, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We specialize in-house made geek related items. Our focus from the beginning has been on the premise of making items that are hard to find elsewhere, and selling them for a fair price on volume rather than a high markup. About half of the items we sell are made this way. The other half are things we just like and hope other people will like them too.
We are known for our leather work and hardback journals, but our specialty is how we make our epoxy resin prop daggers. Using several different methods to extract air and compress the resin, we turn out daggers, hammers and other items that have the look of crystal and ice, but remain kid friendly and safe to take to conventions. We are the only ones who make them and they always draw a crowd.
We are also always growing and trying new things. We frequently rent out facilities to hold events, like capture the flag with boffer swords, parking garage foam dart battles, concerts, and in 2023 we will be hosting our first Anime Convention. It is exciting to see how the public has welcomed us with open arms and excitement for what we have to offer.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Everyone will tell you it’s too hard, including yourself…. and it will be. However, be patient, methodical, and plan. Don’t rush in blindly. Rather, take each step with poise and grace. You will need that balance when you stumble, and you will. Just take a breath and don’t give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thenerdywolf.com
- Instagram: thenerdy.wolf
- Facebook: facebook.com/thenerdywolf
- TikTok: thenerdy.wolf
Image Credits
Rachel Anne Robertson
