“I was in my senior year at West Point when 9/11 changed everything. Before that day, we weren’t expecting to go straight into combat; but just a few short months later, I was a military intelligence officer deployed to Iraq. Once there, fellow soldiers started receiving care packages. The positive impact of those packages stuck with me. I remember thinking there has got to be a way to scale this kind of care package giving to benefit everyone.
But at the time, I didn’t have any way to act on that idea. Even after my military career, when I consulted for McKinsey, I kept the idea to myself. Eventually, I joined my brother in another entrepreneurial pursuit. When we sold that business two years ago, the time was right to pursue my dream.”
That dream, born in the care packages sent with well-wishes from home, is fused with a faith Derik Timmerman devoutly advocates as a Christian, seminary graduate, and part-time preacher at churches in the Charlotte area. That dream is Hopebox, a subscription-based care package of handmade gifts and encouraging messages.
Faith is the heart of Hopebox because, as Derik says, it is only God’s truth that gives real, lasting hope to people.
“I wanted to share the gospel in a way that anyone could be encouraged and find themselves a little bit closer to saving faith. And we also decided early on that every Hopebox item would be handmade. Why limit hope to our downstream subscribers when we could give hope upstream to handmade artisans as well?”
With a background in operations performance transformation, Derik set about determining the best approach to operationalizing the concept. Research confirmed that the subscription box model is under-represented in the encouragement gift industry. He decided to focus on an affordable subscription box, while also providing one-time deliveries as an option.
“The reason behind a subscription model is that we believe encouragement gifts can support people better if given over time. With Hopebox, you receive encouragement care packages on a monthly basis. We all know someone going through trying times. Usually there’s an initial burst of sympathy and concern, but over time that fades. Imagine the impact when they receive encouragement over three months, or six months, however long you want to send hope.”
Each of Hopebox’s three co-founders add their strengths to the business which officially launched in February 2017. Derik’s brother Matt is the marketing guru and Matt’s wife Kristin brings artistic flair and a gift-giver’s heart.
The impact of Hopebox goes beyond individuals giving to individuals. Hopebox is appropriate for any organization that spends money on gifts for customers, supporters, or employees going through life events. In lieu of flowers, sending a hopebox provides a unique way to express care. That may be law offices, churches, organizations with philanthropic givers, medical practices, or corporations. And hopeboxes can be customized for each organization, providing the perfect hope-filled outreach.
Derik is optimistic and, yes, hopeful about the potential of this startup.
“I’ve never been more excited or passionate about an idea. Hopebox is a legacy I want to leave to my kids.”
So the solider turned preacher, once so moved by the comfort of a care package from home, offers a way to send hope to everyone. After all, Hopebox is delivering what we all need most… hope!
Want to tell your #founder story? Contact tigPR!
Biz Beginnings 