Name/title: Michael Deffely/SEO Manager
Home office: Toledo, Ohio
Family and pets: No family or pets
Start date at Thrive: 1/3/2018
How did you get started with SEO?
I got my start in SEO when I was building my own dropshipping eCommerce stores on Shopify. After spending thousands of dollars in paid advertising, I realized that if I could leverage organic traffic my websites would be much more profitable.
That led me down the rabbit hole of learning SEO and implementing everything I could learn on my websites. I was hooked!
What do you love about working for Thrive so far?
I love working with colleagues who have their own unique skills and experience that they bring to the table. If you’re ever stuck on a problem, you can leverage the experience of everyone on the team to find a solution.
When you’re not at work, how do you spend your time?
During the warmer seasons I enjoy being outside as much as possible. Some of my hobbies include kayaking, hiking, and training for trail races. During the winter time I take things indoors and try to play as much basketball and curling as possible.
If you could turn anything into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance of winning a gold medal for?
Drinking coffee. I’m really good at that.
What would be your karaoke go-to song and what setting would we likely find you singing it in?
Styx – Come sail away
Setting? Has to be an old wooden ship.
If you could be any character from any book or movie, who would you be?
I’m a sucker for superhero movies, so I’d have to choose Thor.
Where did you grow up and what is special about that place?
I grew up in a small town called Pettisville.
What I thought was special is that it’s a town with no local government, so the community is very close knit and works together in ways you don’t see in larger cities.
If you were in a room with three billionaires, what would you ask them and why?
I would ask them for their personal top 5 books they have ever read. Because as they say, you’re the sum of the friends you have, and the books you’ve read.
If you could invite three people to dinner (dead or alive), who would be at the table and why?
First would be Dirk Nowitzki, because I’m a huge Mavs fan. Second would be Marcus Aurelius, because he was one of the best philosopher kings of Rome and would make for some interesting conversation. Last but not least would be Emma Watson, because I have a huge crush on her, and she’d be impressed that I’m friends with a philosopher king and pro basketball player.
