For Dillon Hill, early experiences with blindness, instability, and loss shaped a mindset rooted in patience, perspective, and incremental progress. From leading a world‑record nonprofit campaign to earning an MBA after returning to University of California, Davis, his journey reinforced one core belief: there is no secret sauce—only consistency, infrastructure, and integrity. Through Cosmoforge, Dillon champions ethical, sustainable growth for service‑based businesses, reminding founders that while business matters, it should ultimately serve a good life, not consume it.
You’ve navigated blindness, financial instability, and personal loss early in life — how did those experiences shape the way you problem-solve and build today?
I don’t see my experiences as being much different than the things anyone else faces. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to get from point A to point B. My specific experiences taught me how I best do that…appreciating every moment as baby steps towards the bigger goals.
The nonprofit campaign you led reached over 200 million people and broke world records — what did that experience teach you about storytelling, empathy, and mobilizing people at scale?
The power of being genuine. I think people responded so strongly because we were just two guys doing what we thought was right. There were some minor skills we picked up along the way, but I don’t think doing those same things again would lead to the same outcome. We just had a story that people felt connected to, and I think that is the most important thing.
After such an emotionally driven mission, you chose to return to school and earn an MBA — what shifted for you in moving from passion-led work to system-building and strategy?
It always bothered me how I had a partial degree, so I actually started the process of returning to complete my Bachelors degree from UC Davis. My brother was the one who pointed out my experiences might qualify me for a masters degree, so I thought I’d give it a shot.
Cosmoforge focuses on ethical, sustainable growth for service-based businesses — how does your personal journey influence the way you approach marketing and leadership differently than traditional agencies?
I’ve worked for $0 income startups. I’ve worked for mega corporations. I’ve grinded for years with no results. I’ve gone viral. I’ve seen the whole spectrum of growing a business…and that’s taught me there really isn’t some secret sauce. You have to invest in infrastructure first and foremost, otherwise you’ll always be reacting to the randomness of marketing. A 1% improvement everyday will always beat a viral moment that fizzles out.
Looking back at the path from crisis to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, what lessons do you hope other founders take away when they’re facing uncertainty or burnout?
Treat your business seriously, but business isn’t that serious. It’s a vehicle to live a good life with people you care about. If that vehicle isn’t getting you there, maybe it’s time to get a new one.
