Today, I’m excited to announce that Thrive Themes is joining the Awesome Motive team led by Syed Balkhi.
This is a big step for Thrive Themes and the future of this company.
It’s a big milestone and as one of the founders, it sometimes still seems unreal to me that the company has grown as much as it has.
Paul and I launched the first Thrive Themes product (back then called “Thrive Content Builder”) all the way back in 2013. When we started, we were the almost perfect image of the scrappy startup: 2 guys working out of a garage…
…except there was no garage. We were working out of a little apartment that we shared.
Thrive Content Builder wasn’t our first product, but as soon as we launched it, we could tell that this one was different. There was more demand for it than for any other product we’d ever created. There was palpably more excitement around it, too.
We kept working on the plugin, started expanding the team, started adding new products and built what would eventually become Thrive Suite.
In the early years, I was the face of Thrive Themes in many ways. I even sometimes get recognized by strangers and they invariably know me as “the Thrive Themes guy”.
From the outside, it may have looked like I am Thrive Themes and Thrive Themes is me. But that is giving me far too much credit.
From my insider perspective, it has always been crystal clear: the story of Thrive Themes is not my story.
Even in the early years, the growth we experienced was only possible thanks to the team we started gathering. And the direction Thrive Themes grew in was only possible thanks to the enthusiastic, active and switched on crowd of customers and supporters we’ve always been blessed with.
Thrive Themes grew fast. Sometimes almost too fast. And along the way, I learned that I’m quite good at building a scrappy little startup, but I’m rather rubbish at managing a team of 50+ people.
That’s why delegation was the name of the game, for many years. My work was about finding people who are better than me at various things and helping them take over my roles in the company.
And soon, there were no more roles to replace. It’s with great pride that I say that my involvement in Thrive Themes has been minimal in the last 2+ years.
This team consists of people who can do everything I can do, but better. So much so that I’ve considered my role in Thrive Themes to be “Nr. 1 Fan” for quite some time now.
Today, I’m officially and fully stepping out and handing the reins over to Awesome Motive.
With a transition like this come many questions, so let me take a moment to answer them.
Who is Awesome Motive?
Awesome Motive is a company started by Syed Balkhi of WPBeginner fame. Their mission is to help small businesses grow and compete with the big guys – which has always been our kind of thing at Thrive Themes, as well.
Even if you’ve never heard of Awesome Motive before, you’ve almost certainly seen or used some of their products.
They’re behind some of the most popular plugins and resources in the WordPress space, including:
Syed Balkhi, the founder of Awesome Motive, is perhaps the most skilled entrepreneur in the WordPress space and I doubt there’s anyone with more experience or know-how when it comes to running, growing and improving a business like Thrive Themes.
We also share one key value: putting people first.
Of course, every company says they care about their people and their customers, but anyone who has worked closely with Thrive Themes or with Awesome Motive knows: for us, this is not just lip service.
As you can probably see now, this is a core reason why I decided to take the step of passing on ownership of Thrive Themes. I believe that the best thing I can do for the growth of this company as well as for the team and the customers is to put it into the best hands in the market.
What Does This Change Mean for Existing Users?
First, let me tell you what it doesn’t mean:
Yes, the owners of Thrive Themes are changing, but for the most part, it will be business as usual.
Like I mentioned before, I’ve been watching Thrive Themes from the sidelines for a long time anyway. So my stepping away changes nothing on that front. And the team – the people who have brought you all of our amazing products, features, upgrades and content – they stay the same.
Brad will be leading the Thrive Themes team, with the support and mentorship of Syed Balkhi, to continue delivering the level of value you’re used to from us. This too, is not a change in any way since Brad was going to take on this leadership role anyway, after proving himself over the many years he’s worked with us.
It will still be the same people building the products, and the roadmap we laid out for 2023 and beyond won’t change because of this acquisition.
What the change of ownership means is that Thrive Themes is now integrated in a larger family of products and companies, and the team has access to a rich pool of expertise and experience.
Awesome Motive will help Thrive Themes grow better and faster than before and I’m sure you’ll see some of this starting to play out soon.
Thank You
Whenever I think about Thrive Themes, how far we’ve come and what may come next, I always arrive at the same emotion: gratitude.
I can’t express how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to build a company like this. How grateful I am for the people I met and worked with through this company. For the countless memories I have of difficult times and good times. I’m thankful for our customers, who made all of this possible and who have generally been a delight to work with.
As a founder, this has been an adventure for me and it was never just a job. I’m grateful that I get to say: for many years, this was my life.
Yes, this sounds cheesy, but it’s the truth. Ask some of the team members who’ve been around for a while, and they’ll probably remember me choking up while trying to express just how grateful I am during one of our team meetings.
Equally, I’m grateful to be able to acknowledge that the company outgrew me and to have found who I think of as the perfect new owner for Thrive Themes.
And so, when I try to think of how to end this blog post in the most appropriate way possible, all I can think of is:
Thank you.
Thank you!! For who you are, and showing up, sharing, inspiring and I’m wishing you the best on your new adventure 😀
Thank you very much, Maroeska!
Sorry to learn you are stepping down. Not altogether surprised given the recent personnel changes and your new venture Ikario. All the very best for the future.
Thank you for your support!
Congratulations, Shane! Looking forward to hearing about your upcoming endeavours with ikario or whatever comes after that!
Thank you, Jan!
Shane, thank you for your role, energy, time and passion in building a product and company that truly serve the world and makes it easier for small business owners to start, grow and succeed.
I’ve been with ThriveThemes from its early days and the continuous improvement alongside stability has been amazing.
It also speaks volumes of the maturity of your leadership to determine when the step aside because you want what’s best for your employees, customers and the vision of both your company and yourself.
I’ll be continuing to cheer for you in whatever comes next.
Wishing you all the very best and once again – thank you.
Thank you very much for your kind words, Gregory. That means a lot.
Thank you for the reassuring article Shane! Best of luck for your future plans. Vahn
Thank you, Vahn! Best of luck to you as well. 🙂
Thanks Shane! You and your team deliver a great product, great training and are reasonably priced. With a little effort, I’m getting all the value at a much more expensive $2400/year Kajabi membership. Congrats on your success and best wishes on your next ventures!
Thank you, that’s good to hear!
Congratulations Shane. It has indeed been a wild ride with the business going from strength to strength, developing incredible plugins, becoming a leader in the WP sphere. You’re a true inspiration to others. Thank you for everything.
Thank you, Chris!
What a tremendous piece of writing. And what a tremendous leader you are. Many congratulations on what you’ve achieved. Looking forward to the continuing brilliant service and products from your team. Meanwhile, much love and respect, and good luck with the next stage for you.
Thank you so much, Lysette! You’re too kind, really.
That’s hard!First Hanne and now you. You two have been the face of Thrive Themes for me and I really liked you both. The way you presented your products, ideas, videos etc. was great and the way you behaved as human beings was even greater.
Hope this will remain within the new company and the will take your spirit over. Thanks Shane & Hanne! Wish you all the best.
Thank you for your kinds words, Jörg!
Ditto!!!
Congratulations for a very long innings Shane. I guess I was one of your first customers having bought Thrive Content Builder on 11th Feb 2014 (perfectly timed for a small agency I set up and which is still going strong today along with everything Thrive Themes). I wish you the very best for the future and look forward to seeing what Awesome Motive bring to the table.
Thank you for your support through all those years, Quentin!
Congratulations to you! I’ve been a member since 2015 and wouldn’t change a thing regarding my decision to remain with you all over the years. I’ll be following your next chapter. Great luck!
Since 2015! Wow, you’ve seen many changes here over the years. Thank you for sticking it out with us through it all!
Thank you very much Shane for creating and developing such a great company with wonderful dedicated people in it. As a customer I’ve always felt appreciated. I truly hope that the nature of Thrive Themes will continue to thrive within Awesome Motive. Best wishes and good luck!
Thank you for your supportive words!
Dear Shane, I wish you all the best for your Future! Thank you for the amazing products you helped to bring to us with starting thrive content builder which I already loved all these years ago. I am also glad to hear that the long term comitment will be honored with the new owners! Would be shame to change this thrive characteristic!
Thank you, Petra!
Thanks so much for all you’ve done! You will be missed. Best wishes on your new adventure.
Thank you, Lynda!
Man I’ve been with you since Hybrid Connect! Sad to see you go.
Thank you for sticking with us through all this time! I really appreciate that!
I’ve been with you for a long, long time – I am not worried about this transition at all. You’ve done a really great job with developing ThriveThemes to where it is now, and I wish you all the best in the future. 🙂
Thank you so much for your support and kind words, Clairre
Thank you Shane, however it will not be the same product without you. When you were in charge – everything was better and was working without any bugs. Already now is different. It won’t be any better, because nobody puts as much heart in it as you did. All the best to you!
Thank you for your kind words! I hope you’ll be proven wrong, of course. 🙂
Thank you for putting out these amazing products over the years! The WP community will miss you
Thank you, Joey!
I started with TCM in 2015 and have loved Thrive ever since. So, I wish the team well. You have built a fabulous business which the founders and staff should take great pride in. Thank you.
But I do worry that AM’s business model is very different – each tool priced separately, and at high prices with time limited discounts. These are two things TT avoided and were so much better than the competition for it.
I do hope that Syed learns from Thrive the value of your commercial model, but I fear that, in 3 years’ time, we’ll see each part of the Thrive suite priced separately. And the prices will be showing at excessive rack rates, with time-pressure discounting.
I realy do hope I am proven wrong and look foolish.
Thank you for your comment, Mike!
Pricing changes may happen and may need to happen (unfortunately we all have to keep up with inflating costs, somehow), but I believe that it won’t be predatory. And the product quality and support quality always comes first.
Thanks for the the leadership, creativity and stewardship. This handoff sounds wonderful. The new owner is a gem in the marketplace and while he has big shoes to fill in the hearts and minds of the loyal TT users, I think he is up for the tasks.
You and H are going to be missed. I guess there are tutorials on YouTube we can watch. 🙂
But, this announcement leaves us hanging as to what’s next for you — in and outside of your mythical garage spaces.
Peace. Bravo! Thanks again.
Thank you for your supportive words, Mark! And thanks for being an active Thrive Themes member and reader. We couldn’t have made it without people like you.
He’s been at this for a few years already: https://ikario.com/. Good stuff! I’m sure other things will happen.
I’m Hybrid Connect OG and Thrive has changed my life! Thanks for everything you’ve done and congrats on a successful exit ????
Haha, no way! Hybrid Connect feels like a lifetime ago.
Thank you for your support though all of these years, Mike.
Thanks Shane for building a great team and delivering awesome products. Best of luck to you in your future ventures. It’s so “Thrive” that you have thought about the users and things like the grandfather deal when finding a buyer for the business. Thank You and Keep being great.
Thank you for your kind words, Michael.
First Hanne, now you. I sincerely hope that what you have described in this blog post is not just a PR change to be communicated outwardly, but will indeed be so in the future. Unfortunately, I have seen many businesses go bust in the past after a change of ownership. To me, the name of who bought it says nothing, as you wrote. You were the face of Thrive, you and Hanna delivered the training. I hope Christine does not come to the same conclusion.
I am sorry this is happening, although I obviously understand why you made such a business and financial decision.
I hope Thrive Themes remains what it has been because we need it.
From the outside, it may seem like that, but the 2 changes have nothing to do with each other and both were a long time coming.
Hanne stepped out to start a family, which has nothing to do with Thrive Themes in that sense. It was a personal decision, which we all support her in. And the transition to a new owner was more than a year in the making as well. The change only looks sudden from the outside.
Shane, I am not a current client of Thrive Themes but have come to respect your knowledge and integrity over the years. Congratulations on this new development and I agree that you have found a perfect leader for the continuing growth and success of Thrive Themes. Thanks to you and the Thrive Teams.
Thank you, Douglas!
Congrats and thank you for this message and for the incrédule products you issued.
I hope that I’m going to be able to explore and take benefit of all their capabilities and features … but it’s a enormous and ever growing work !
Thank you, Jean-Luc!
Thank you Shane for creating such an amazing products!
I hope this change doesn’t affect the awesomeness of Thrive Themes.
Only in positive ways, I’m sure. 🙂
I will miss you. I love the way you present things and I love your humble spirit. I wish you the very best and hope you’ll do well at what you will do from now on as well, and that this is not the last time we see something from you.
When it comes to Thrive Themes I hope growing bigger does not mean that the solutions you have will grow more complicated. For me who definitely is not a tech person – that’s only something I have to do in order to do what I love to do – I really hope the simplicity of things will remain. It’s complicated enough as it is already.
Thank you very much, Aase. The aim is always less complicated – more powerful. I don’t think that will change. 🙂
Oh my! Let me be honest: I am about to cry. I had several experiences with Monsterinsights and do not like working with them. I am very afraid that your great support will not continue.
Over the last years I grew to a big fan of the entire Thrive Team and always felt safe for my website to work. Let’s pray that they can catch on to that.
To Shane:
I really appreciate your work so much. You built a trusted brand with so much energy and I was always impressed how you manage your team.
Your videos always inspired me in various ways so to make it short: “THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.”
Wish you all the best for your next adventure.
Thank you so much, Christine! Your words really mean a lot. And I am sure that the work the team will continue to do will make you feel better about all this. Maybe some trust has to be re-earned, but they will do it.
You’re a HERO. Amazing what you have accomplished. Wishing you all the best in life to come.
Thank you very much, Frank!
Thanks for the wonderful product and company you built and best wishes on your next adventure ????
Thank you, Christa!
Dear Shane
Thanks for the note, and thanks for Backlink Battleplan (was that it’s name)? That’s when I first came upon one of your products!
All the best
No way, another Backlink Battleplan OG! I really had no clue where all of this would lead, back then. 🙂
You were the reason that I signed up for Thrive Content Builder back in 2014 and I have been a fan of yours since then. If you say that this is good me as a user – I trust you!
Good luck with everything going forward ????????
Thank you, Birgir! Really grateful for you sticking with us through all these years!
Thank YOU, Shane!
A great entreprenuer and “teacher” (I always love your videos!) gives his most loved “baby” into the hands of someone he seems to fully trust regarding the future well-being of the company that he founded and developed so successfully.
So, as a convinced Thrives user/customer I can only with you all the best for your personal future, and I will also try to end my little post in the most appropriate way – in fact in the very same way as I started it:
Thank YOU!
Thank you for your support and your encouraging words, Michael!
I have been A Thrive Suite owner for about five or six years. When I watched your tutorials, I thought your style of presenting was so natural and authentic that I became fully engaged and consequently a Thrive Themes advocate. Even though I haven’t seen your videos for over two years, to this day when I think of Thrive Themes I think of you.
Thank you Shane, I wish you the best in all you do.
Thank you so much, Michael!
10 yeas ago I started using Thrive Content Builder. From that moment on, I decided to use only ThriveThemes products to build our customer’s funnels and websites.
During these years, tutorials from Hanne and Shane were the most viewed by my colleagues and me. You were just like a sort of friends to me 🙂
Hearing about your departure is hard to accept, but I’m sure you are leaving us in good hands.
I wish you all the best!
Ciao
10 years! Thank you for being with us through all of that time, Fabio!
Thank you, Shane. Since becoming a customer of Thrive Themes back in 2018 I’ve been really impressed with the consistent progress.
I would also like to thank you personally for your online course content. Your advice has led to some amazing results. Sad to see you go, but you can be proud of the many achievements. Good luck with whatever you do next!
Thank you, Jonathan! Very happy to see that you have implemented ideas from my courses and gotten results! That’s always really rewarding to hear about. 🙂
Thank you Shane! Any other projects you’re working on?
I’ve been working on a project called ikario for a while and also on a few micro brands here and there…
Hello Shane,
You’ve done a great job with Thrive Themes and before you ‘disappear’ my conscience would like you to read the following:
I’ve had a note to contact you since you posted the ActiveGrowth video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbLgg3AogRY&t=10s
I believe you are a passionate and compassionate person with personal beliefs and subconscious conditioning that make you take on a lot of responsibility which overwhelms you and the people you work with. There are probably many layers to this and resolving it is step by step exercise and too personal to talk about here. It’s not a bad quality but the lack of delegation could prevent growth.
This is the reason why I’ve had a note in my diary and tasks list to contact you since the video about 4 years ago. I literally moved the task last night to 8th Feb 2023. I haven’t been in contact as I’ve been busy managing my own challenges. However on reading about the merger, I thought I get this to you as I may not have an opportunity to contact you.
If anyone reads this comment before Shane, please point him here.
May you Shane and the rest of the Thrive Themes carry on creating awesome products with the awesome service and may we all prosper and be well on our journey in life.
Best wishes,
Bharat
Thank you, Bharat!
I think you hit the nail on the head. I do tend to take on too much responsibility. I’ve definitely suffered from that and so have people I work with, perhaps.
Gives me something to think about…
Thank you very much for all you’ve done Shane!! Been a customer since the beginning of Content Builder and love the way you build and expanded this software and the company! Good luck on your new adventures.
Thank you for being along on this ride for so many years, Victor!
I’ll miss not only you but also Hanne.
The way you teach is so simple and easy to follow. Add to that, you guys built a great a suite of product. I wish you all the best in what the future brings.
Thank you, Tola!
Thank you Shane Melaugh
I can feel the emotions in your words. Likened to having your first child go off to school for the first time 🙂
I am sure Thrive will continue to grow from strength to strength. However, I wanted to let you know that whatever you choose to do now, there may well be another winner somewhere down the line! A great forward thinker, I thoroughly enjoyed this blog!
Take care of yourself and keep safe
Thank you so much, Jannett. It’s really touching to read a comment like yours.
I will confess, I am afraid a bit 😀 In my eyes Thrive always seemed a non-traditional business – no BS, products working great, approachable price, awesome support. I hope that doesn’t change 😀
Don’t be scared! 😀 Be excited
I honestly doubt it will. Awesome Motive run their operation very similar to how we’ve done things – maybe just a bit less disorganized than me. 😉
I really hope this won’t change the quality of the products!
Only for the better, I’m sure.
Thank you, Shane, for your vision and for your dedication to create Thrive. You and Paul have accomplished something amazing and memorable. Your products have been the cornerstone of my web presence for ten years, now. Wow!
I hope that Syed and his team understand, and indeed take advantage of, the integrated strength that Thrive offers.
Thrive is not simply a collection of plugins and services. It is a unique workflow exclusively dedicated to conversion, and to optimizing both the developer and the customer experience.
Rather than absorbing Thrive, I am hoping that Thrive’s products become the template and the footprint for what Awesome Motive can now offer its customers.
In essence, although you are being acquired, what would be really great from a functional point of view is if the “little fish swallows the big fish,” lol.
Best of luck to you in your future endeavors! You have left an indelible mark on my business and the way in which I approach making websites.
That is really high praise! Thank you very much, John.
Thank YOU Shane! You built something incredible in TT and I’m so grateful to you. All best wishes for the future
That’s kind of you to say. Thank you, Abigail.
Big thank you back Shane, for being part of creating the amazing products in Thrive suite. Wishing you all the best for the future and looking forward to see your next scrappy little startup!
I’m very happy you’re leaving us in good hands and am excited to see where this will lead us!
Thank you, Gita!
Thank you as well, Shane, for your great work at Thrive Themes. You’ve built up the company to an impressive suite of tools that is helping many people run their business. I trust that Thrive will be in good hands with the new owners. Wishing you the best of luck in your future career, take care!
Thank you, Michiel!
It’s not everyday that you find a business that you can truly trust. You’ve helped Thrive Themes be one of those rare, shining stars. Best wishes to you in all you do!
Thank you very much!
Thank you for the amazing job you’ve done, Shane. I use Syed’s WPForms so I know you’ve placed ThriveThemes in good hands. Thank you for the lovely hand-over letter to reassure us all. Wishing you the very best of everything. Cheers, Thea
Thank you, Thea!
I am extremely happy for you! I have been with you and a customer since the birth of your company. We met in Las Vegas even before Thrive was a thing with James Jones. It’s been awesome to watch Thrive Grow into such an amazing company! You deserve all this and more!
Haha, damn! That’s a long time ago…
Crazy how far we’ve come since then. Thank you very much for your kind words!
This is completely unacceptable. Undo it immediately.
I kid, of course. Exiting a business is always a sweet & sour ordeal. I know you must be going through a lot Shane, so I want to wish you the best in everything you do from now on.
We owe you a LOT for developing such an awesome suite of tools. They’ve been really helpful and thousands of businesses wouldn’t be where they are without your software.
Congratulations and godspeed!
Haha, thank you Miguel. It is bittersweet for sure, but I also feel lucky to have had the opportunity to build something like this and to have the opportunity to step away when the time feels right for it.
Wow, yes, I saw that coming -of course- like many others. I am in since 2013 with the first plugins and the first version of the Content Builder… with tokens and stuff… I am also a fan, Shane. When we develop new sites, and I hire developers for building the site, they have to do it with the Thrive Suite. My motto was and will be: I don’t want to be dependent on anybody and this is what I wish our customer the same!
I always could hold to that promise and I hope this is the continuous case for the future.
I thanks you for everything and wish you all the best in the future, Shane!
Thanks again.
Warm regards,
Tom
Wow, 2013… crazy that we’ve been at it for so long already, eh?
Thank you for all your support over the years, Tom!
Hey Shane, I´m shocked! I´m a Grandfather member since 2016-04. I always thought YOU are Thrive Themes. And yes, like Jörg says: the way you presented all was great and the way you behaved as human being was even greater. Thank you, Shane and thank you Hanne!! Best wishes and be happy!
Thank you for your trust in us for all this time, Mathias!
I love Thrive Themes. It’s great to have every resource an online marketer needs all in one place all because of you and the team you have built. I have great trust in Syed because I’ve gotten many great recommendations from WPbeginner. It’s a little bit sad of course, that you’re leaving. I feel like we’re watching you and your men hang on that cross all over again Spartacus… er, I mean Shane. A big thank you from me as well.
Best of luck in whatever you want to do next.
Thank you, Dave! This was always to goal with Thrive Themes. To create the kind of resource I wish I had had as a small startup founder. 🙂
I wish you all the best as well.
Thanks. To you, and to Hanne too. For being human in a difficult world. And for remembering it, always (I think), throughout those thriving years of incredible development. Good luck to you. 🙂
Thank you, Corinne!
Congratulations Shane. The company may well have outgrown you but what got it to where it is today is the culture that you fostered along the way.
Few tech providers have earned my trust like you have and even though you’ve had a back seat in recent years, the team has clearly been operating with some Shane Melaugh DNA in their thinking.
I know Brad is a product of that culture so hope that the new owners will let the Thrive team do what they do best.
My best wishes to you and I’ll finish as you did… Thank YOU!
Thank you, Brett!
I have absolute trust in Brad and his ability to keep fostering that culture. And I also trust that Awesome Motive will be smart enough to let Brad do his thing. 😉
What is next? Will you create a new product? I have really appreciated your business startup and marketing courses.
Thank you, Dan!
New products, new businesses may come at some point. At the moment I am on a quest for self improvement and learning how to create growth experiences for people.
I have always had a drive to learn and teach and want to pursue that more deeply.
I’m so happy for you Shane. I have been an avid supporter and evangelist of Thrive since 2015 but when I think about why I’ve been so willing to share Thrive Themes with other people it’s that I can FEEL the passion in the company. You were always vulnerable about the challenges, and clear about the future. I have continued to follow your journey in the last 2 years and am still learning a lot. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world. Thank you for knowing who you are and who you are not.
Thank you, Amanda! That really means a lot.
Thank you for all Shane, you are a legend!
QUESTION:
Thrive University will be kept like it is?
Thank you, Josè! Yes, TU will remain. 🙂
Congratulations Shane!
My first encounter with one of your products was Hybrid Connect which later got improved, renamed and converted to Thrive Leads and since then I have been a customer of Thrive themes.
I have always felt that you guys were different which was one of the primary reasons for me switching to Thrive Architect from Optimizepress.
This change is something I will now be watching with curiosity and skepticism. Irrespective of whatever one says or, feels, two people and their philosophies, especially when it comes to a business can never be the same.
While I know Syed is an amazing entrepreneur, I will still be a little skeptical on how this change will impact Thrive themes overall.
Regards
Thank you for being with us for so many years! That really means a lot to me.
Wow… just wow. Did not expect that for my Monday morning. Very bittersweet. Happy for you Shane as you have built an incredible business and deserve all of the success.
However I can not imagine someone I would NOT want you to sell your business to more than Syed. When I read that name my heart sank. The way he treats is customers is the opposite of the Thrive Themes culture. You have always under charged and under promised and over delivered, and Syed over charges and under delivers. You have always rewarded loyalty. Syed takes loyal customers and charges them twice as much on year two. There is NOTHING about the culture of Thrive Themes and Syed that is symbiotic.
I write this maybe in hopes that Syed’s team will see it and find a way to adopt the culture of Thrive in Syed’s empire. They should hire Shane and Hanne as consultants to turn THEIR business culture around because Syed is one of the few WP businesses I refuse to work with.
I’ve been an exclusive Thrive user for probably 5 years+ at this point. I’ve been an ambassador and sent countless people to this product. Syed better go on a spiritual retreat and get his heart values changed before he screws this up for all of us. Thrive Themes is one of the greatest services I have ever used in my online business career. I just hope and pray it doesn’t change.
I’m sorry to hear that you feel this change is not a good move. I do hope that the future direction of the company will assuage those fears.
Thank you for being with us on this journey so far, Jeremy!
Congratulations! I’m guessing that selling the company was a difficult choice. However I’d also guess that the rewards you gained from creating such a wonderful and helpful product and valuable company are gratifying. Good luck in all your future endeavors.
It was a very difficult choice, no question about it. But I also believe it was the right choice. Onwards and upwards!
Shane, thank you for letting me be part of your journey. I can attest I have become a better marketer by watching you and learning from you. You have been an immense figure in my marketing journey.
Thanks to you and Hanne for all these amazing years of valuable knowledge and empowering.
All the best always.
That’s really nice to hear! Thank you!
Congratulations, Shane (and Hanne) of course. Very well executed. I love TT so much, that I cannot imagine working with something different when it comes to WP (maybe that’s why I have been with you since 2016).
I also remember the good ole days before Thrive (what was that product called again, Hyperconnect??) and the announcement that you are now diving into “WordPress Themes” 😉
I hope that the new owners recognize what an awesome business this is with a very loyal customer base that does free promotion for TT day in day out.
As I have been a Shane fan for nearly a decade, I wonder if there is any place where we can follow future endeavors because I would assume, people like Shane, cannot retire that early 🙂 I already missed your videos and blog posts, let’s see if something new comes around.
Ah yes, I remember that announcement as well. It was really only through the active back and forth communication with customers like yourself that this idea formed and Thrive Themes started.
So thank you very much for being part of this journey!
I am hooked to Thrive T from 2016 on and its development accelerated every year more and more. Amazing. But that’s not what touches me. Your way of communicating, presenting and creating your team, that Shane way, makes TT nearly feels as family for me. As others mention, I hope that spirit and DNA will stay at the core. And although I aspected a move like this, still it is a shock you and Hanna seeing go. I am curious to your next episode, maybe a zendojo? Wish you good times and a joyfull life. Gratefull for all you have given I thank you.
Thank you for your kind words. I wish you all the best as well!
Thanks for all you’ve done with Thrive. I’ve always enjoyed your videos, both Thrive related and productivity related. I still look for you on YouTube. You have great insight and so much to give.
Thank you very much, Maurice!
Knowing this is the last Shane Email i have to move from promotions to inbox is very sad.
All things come to an end. It was really a pleasure to be able to build this company. Thank you for being part of it.
Well earned! I just hope you guys negotiated the lifetime subscription pricing with them. Lol! Really, this product helps my little small business appear legit!
Thank you, Cheryna!
I just read the entire Post! Thanks for all you have done to deliver such great customer care…even on your exit! Whatever next great thing on the horizon for you… Well Earned my friend.. well Earned!
Thank you, Chernya!
Shane,
Thank you and the whole Thrive Themes family. I really hope that the business change is for the best of all.
I truly hope that Hanne, Brad and all the fantastic people in your team, continue developing Thrive Themes to the next level.
You have me as a loyal customer, for sure. Actually, I am currently working on the final migration for my WP Blog, which consists on changing my theme from Genesis to Thrive Themes Theme Builder.
One question:
Will the online courses and all of the Thrive Themes University content remain available for us?
Other than that, I can only say thank you for your help, guidance and leadership in the industry.
Wishing you all the best. Please do keep in touch, just don’t disappear.
Best regards.
I can’t stop thinking about this major change, I am still processing it.
I am afraid It’s not going to be the same, it won’t be.
Hey Luis, yes of course— Thrive University and its courses will remain. We have no reason to change that, though Shane won’t be involved in creating any more, of course.
I understand your concerns, but I trust that the future is, if anything, brighter after this change. And yes, like Brad mentioned, all the Thrive University material will remain available to you.
Thanks Shane. Thrive is awesome and am sorry to see you go. Take care and enjoy your journey
Thank you, Chris!
Thank you for making Thrive themes.
It has served me for so very long. 🙂
I hope the new owners impresses us even more with a wonderful welcome bonus. 🙂 wink wink.
I hope you’ll continue to be impressed! 🙂
I don’t know where I would be today without you and Hanne. Thanks so much to both of you. Shane, I wish you luck!
It was truly a pleasure! Thank you and all the best to you too, Stefan.
Thank you Shane and wish you all the best.
Thank you, Vincent!
Congratulations, Shane. A transition like this is only natural and well-earned for you and Paul.
Having been an agency customer from the very beginning, I can say your products have made my life and my clients a joy to create and edit websites, even with the growing pains of a new product, your team was always there to help out.
I hope your next venture fulfills you and I’m sure I’ll see you around on the web.
I’m happy to hear that and thank you for sticking with us through said growing pains.
Thank you Shane, its been a great ride with you but I guess its time for you to go and sit on a beach somewhere for awhile 🙂
Something along those lines, yes. 😀
Thanks for creating Thrive Themes. The software has changed the lives of a lot of entrepreneurs – including mine. Good luck in your future endeavors!
That is very good to hear. That was always the goal!
Wow… congratulations on passing on the reins, Shawn! Although I won’t lie – I am sad to hear this news. You and Hanne have been my go-to for so many things beyond just incredible ‘templates’ – which is where I started with Thrive in my last business (which I closed the doors on after a decade, but have remained with Thrive Themes as the constant biz growth tool).
Not only have you created incredible tools, but your delivery of this product and service has elevated and simplified the way I desire to show up in my business too. An excellent example of powerful simplicity. Best wishes in whatever adventures lay ahead. You will definitely be missed.
Welcome, Sayed! May success and growth be abundant for everyone you touch.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Jennifer!
You’re welcome, and it’s all true, Shane, lol.
PS – I typo above (not Shawn, omg… the horror when I saw it – I had already pressed submit, lol). Onward!
Best of luck to you, Shane. I’ve really enjoyed watching just about every video you’ve put out. I hope to still see you on YouTube from time to time sharing your immense wisdom. Thanks for thinking of us long-time users as well.
Thank you for your kind words, Eric!
Very sad day for me. I loved your style of training and thinking. YOU are the reason I have stayed with Thrive Themes. Good luck with all of future dreams. Hope to see you down the road.
Thank you, Jim!
Shane,
I’ve been a member since the very beginning. You will definitely be missed! The hardest part is for them to going to be replacing the TRUST factor I had with you, along with the great support and innovation you brought us. You are a one-of-a-kind talent and I will be most interested to follow your next step. Thank you so much for such a great product over the years, and all the best to you—it’s been a wonderful ride, my friend!
David