Meet Andon Hood | Co-Founder of Herd

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andon Hood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andon, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The idea for Herd came to me while I was sitting in a class during my sophomore year in 2021, right after the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted the education system and forced schools to adopt remote learning. I noticed how inefficient and frustrating the communication between students, teachers, administrators, and parents was. There were so many different platforms, apps, emails, texts, and calls that it was hard to keep track of everything and stay on the same page. I also realized how important communication was for the success and well-being of everyone involved in the school community.

I started to think about how I could create a solution that would simplify and streamline school communication for all. I wanted to build a platform that would integrate all the existing tools and systems that schools use, while providing a private, secure, and customizable communication network that would suit the needs and preferences of each party. I wanted to create a platform that would not only facilitate information exchange, but also foster collaboration, engagement, and community building.

I shared my idea with my brother and co-founder, Logan, and we decided to start working on it. We did some market research, talked to potential customers, and validated our assumptions. We also participated in some startup competitions and bootcamps, where we received valuable feedback and mentorship. We then added our third and final co-founder to the puzzle, Spencer, who built a prototype and launched a beta version with a few schools, where we tested and improved our product.

That’s how Herd was born and how we started our journey as entrepreneurs. We are very passionate about our mission and vision, and we are constantly learning and improving. We believe that Herd has the potential to revolutionize school communication and make a positive impact on the entire education system.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets us apart from others is our unique value proposition and our customer-centric approach. We are not just another communication tool or app, but rather an essential resource that schools need to enhance their communication strategies and outcomes. We create our own market by applying “zero to one” thinking in everything we do. We don’t compete with existing solutions, but rather complement and improve them. We also target emotion, not just technology. We understand the pain points and needs of each party involved in school communication, and we design our platform to appeal to them uniquely. We evoke emotion with our brand positioning, which is based on oxymorons such as “digital harmony”, “organized spontaneity”, and “unified individuality”. These oxymorons reflect how Herd balances the opposing forces and challenges that schools face in communication, and how Herd provides a solution that satisfies everyone.

We are most proud of and excited about the impact that we are making on the education sector and the lives of our customers. We have received positive feedback and testimonials from schools that use our platform, and we have seen how Herd has improved their communication efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction. We have also witnessed how Herd has fostered a stronger sense of community and belonging among the school members, and how Herd has empowered them to express themselves, collaborate, and learn from each other. We are thrilled to see how Herd is transforming school communication for the better, and we are eager to reach more schools and customers with our platform.

Our journey to where we are today professionally was not easy, but it was rewarding. We faced many challenges and obstacles along the way, such as market validation, product development, customer acquisition, funding, scaling, and competition. We overcame these challenges by leveraging our strengths, learning from our mistakes, and seeking help from others. Some of the lessons we learned along the way are:

Listen to and learn from your customers: They are the ones who will use your product and pay for it, so you need to understand their problems, needs, and preferences, and deliver a solution that meets or exceeds their expectations. We constantly solicit feedback and suggestions from our customers, and we use them to improve and iterate our product. We also involve our customers in our product development process, and we co-create value with them.

Build a strong team and culture: You can’t do everything by yourself, so you need to surround yourself with talented and passionate people who share your vision and mission. We have built a diverse and inclusive team of engineers, designers, marketers, educators, and advisors, who bring different skills, perspectives, and experiences to the table. We have also cultivated a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence, where everyone is empowered to contribute, learn, and grow.

Leverage your community and network: You can’t succeed in isolation, so you need to connect with and learn from others who can support you and help you grow. We have benefited from the support and insight of our community and network, such as our mentors, peers, investors, partners, and industry experts. We have also participated in various events, programs, and platforms, where we have gained exposure, recognition, and opportunities. We have also given back to our community and network, by sharing our knowledge, experience, and resources, and by supporting other startups and causes.

What we want the world to know about us or our brand and story is that we are a young and ambitious startup that is on a mission to simplify school communication for all. We are driven by our passion for education and communication, and we are inspired by our customers and their stories. We are not afraid to challenge the status quo and create something new and different. We are not satisfied with the status quo and we are always looking for ways to improve and innovate. We are Herd, and we believe that everyone deserves to be HERD!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
That sounds like a fun scenario! If my best friend was visiting Houston, I would take them to some of the most fun, interesting, and exciting outdoor activities in the area. Here’s a simple plan of what we could do:

Day 1: We would head to the Houston Zoo, one of the most popular and diverse zoos in the country, where we could see over 6,000 animals and learn about conservation efforts. We would also visit the nearby Hermann Park, a scenic green space that features a Japanese garden, a golf course, a lake, and a miniature train. For lunch, we would grab some delicious burgers and shakes at Hopdoddy. In the afternoon, we would catch a show at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, a free outdoor venue that hosts a variety of performances, from musicals to concerts to movies.

Day 2: We would spend the day at the Kemah Boardwalk, a carnival-like amusement park that features rides, games, shops, and restaurants. We would ride the Ferris wheel, the roller coaster, and the carousel, and try our luck at some of the arcade games. We would also enjoy some of the boardwalk’s specialties, such as funnel cake, cotton candy, and corn dogs. For dinner, we would dine at the Aquarium Restaurant, where we could watch exotic fish and sharks swim by as we eat.

Day 3: We would go to the Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, a water park that offers exciting slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and splash zones. We would cool off from the Texas heat and have a blast on some of the park’s attractions, such as the Big Kahuna, the Tornado, and the Wala Wala Falls. We would also relax on some of the cabanas and loungers, and enjoy some snacks and drinks from the park’s vendors. For dinner, we would head to the Woodlands, a suburb that has a vibrant nightlife and dining scene.

Day 4: We would end our trip by visiting some of the other attractions and landmarks that we missed or wanted to see again, such as the Houston Botanic Garden, the Art Car Museum, the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, or the BBVA Stadium. We would also do some shopping and souvenir hunting at some of the city’s malls and markets, such as the Galleria, the Rice Village, or the Houston Farmers Market. For our farewell dinner, we would go to the Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, a renowned restaurant that serves some of the finest steaks and wines in the country.

That’s how I would show my best friend the best time ever in Houston!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
That’s a great question! I think success is never a solo achievement, but rather a collective effort of many people who have contributed to your journey in different ways. I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family, especially my parents and my brothers, who have been my biggest supporters and inspirations.

My parents have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and passions, even when they seemed risky or unconventional. They have taught me the values of hard work, perseverance, and integrity, which have guided me throughout my life. They have also given me the freedom and confidence to explore different opportunities and learn from my failures. They have always been there for me, cheering me on, celebrating my successes, and comforting me in times of difficulty. They are the best parents anyone could ask for, and I owe them everything.

My brothers have also played a significant role in my story. They have been my best friends and my role models since I was a kid. They have always pushed me to be the best version of myself, challenging me to improve and grow. They have also supported me in every endeavor, sharing their insights, advice, and feedback. They have also been my partners in crime, sharing many fun and memorable moments with me. They are the coolest and smartest brothers in the world, and I’m lucky to have them.

I’m very grateful for my family, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. They are the reason why I do what I do, and I hope to make them proud. They are my Herd, and I love them.

Website: https://www.letsbeherd.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herd_syndicate/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/herdsyndicate

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Herd_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089325364975