"Together Talks" feature # 6: HDO Health presented by KLS, freight company.
Some background on HDO Health
HDO Health was founded in 2021. Bryan Stewart was introduced to 3 individuals who created the product known as The Journiquet™. Bryan met Nadi Graham, Tanya Nocera, and Dr. James Allen McElroy who had been developing the product as part of an engineering capstone project at The Ohio State University (OSU). These four individuals co-founded HDO Health.
Bryan Stewart (CEO), Nadi Graham (VP of Education and Training), Dr. James Allen McElroy (Vice President of Medical Affairs), and Tanya Nocera (Vice President of Research and Development) were brought together due to ties at Ohio State University. Now they operate this company trying to save lives with their product. In addition to the four co-founders, there are an additional 20 members on the advisory board at HDO Health.
Bryan created HDO Health's name, but all felt the message.
H – heart-led
D – data-driven
O – outcome- focused
The team stated how it was important for this company to serve others, not just in the product, but also in their reach, mission, and future goals. They wanted to ensure they created a product that would be superior to the current options. Every step taken was to achieve one basic goal, "save lives".
Heart-Led
The idea for this product was the brainchild of Nadi and Dr. McElroy in 2017. Friends for over 10 years now, they were at dinner one night complaining about the functionality of current tourniquets. They envisioned there had to be a way to make a better product. This led them to Ohio State University where they were introduced to Tanya Nocera. The three of them worked tirelessly to bring the vision to reality with a prototype followed by simulation and training.
During their work at OSU, they were introduced to Bryan. Bryan had been encouraged by a mentor to seek out some of the programs OSU offers for entrepreneurs. About 10 caught his eye from the catalog but based on his background and values he felt this product was the right fit. Soon after the four co-founded HDO Health.
Version 3 The Journiquet™ was produced in December of 2022, a mere 7 months after version 2 of the product. It is currently pending final submission for an FDA 510(k) review and clearance, which is currently planned for Q2 2023. In addition, the product is also waiting for the final issuance of patent and trademark approvals.
As a career law enforcement officer and tactical medic, Nadi could clearly explain the benefit of this product compared to the competition. He stated that The Journiquet™ could be applied in approximately 26 seconds. The average for similar products is around 40 seconds. But there is a caveat, the current options don't come pre-assembled. Nadi mentioned he has used the same tourniquet for a few years, and the fastest he has assembled and used that product is around 90 seconds.
Data-Driven
The Journey
Product development and funding proved to be some initial challenges for this start-up. Doing most of their work at Ohio State initially, they too were impacted by the shutdown of Covid. Once Bryan was brought into the fold, he took over the business aspects. The company also had to manage to build its network for future manufacturing and distribution partners. Fit and values have played an integral part in their partnership selection, and they are confident they will be well-equipped when they receive regulatory clearance. The HDO Health team is also doing all this while everyone works another job/career. Everyone on the team is doing this to create a lasting impact and legacy beyond themselves.
To date, the company has raised $455,000 of non-dilutive funding as outlined on Crunchbase. Nearly 100% of that has been allocated to product development and commercialization. They are currently raising money in their seed round, looking for $1.75 million to purchase inventory and other necessary aspects to scale the business following the FDA clearance.
Nadi has served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for the last 23 years. He also serves as a course instructor for Louisiana State University. A big reason that he believed in this product was the option for anyone to be able to use it. Simplifying the process and allowing anyone to save a life resonated with him, given his experience. The other issue to address was the price of current market options. Sometimes north of $700 for a single-use tourniquet isn't a realistic option for small locations like churches, small hospitals, schools, and even businesses. When we asked Nadi to describe his favorite moment in May of 2022, "The first time I held version 2 in my hands. We had worked so hard and long developing it, but until that moment, I couldn't fully embrace what we had developed. But, once I opened the box and could put it to use, I realized we have a game and life-changer here."
Tanya is faculty at Ohio State University in the biomedical engineering department. One of the programs she is involved in is the capstone for medical devices. That is how The Journiquet™, Nadi, and Dr. McElroy were introduced to her and OSU. Most projects that come through OSU don't continue after the founders see the time and work that goes into it. However, Nadi and Dr. McElroy were not going to be deterred. Their passion and dedication are what brought Tanya into the fold. She was able to resonate with their mission because she too got into this field because she wanted to develop products to help improve and save lives. A common theme amongst all members has contributed to the success of this product. Her best moment was when she held Version 3 in her hands and watched the pre-submission of the FDA approval. "It all felt real, I was overcome with emotions." I also asked her if there is a moment that brings the most joy thinking back about this journey, and she told us, "Every other Saturday our core group has a zoom call to talk about where we are (HDO) and we share a moment of gratitude, as part of our culture. I sit back and reflect on not only this wonderful product and company we have but the individuals who make it up. That in itself is gratitude."
HDO's Mission
Upon FDA approval, the company hopes to be able to sell directly to customers through Amazon and other channels. The belief is that The Journiquet™ should accompany any location that has a defibrillator on site. Additionally, as soon as the selling of inventory begins, a portion of all profits will be donated to either Veterans or First Responders supporting organizations. Once again echoing the company's commitment to giving back.
Recently HDO Health was accepted by Skillbridge. They have had two interns through this program to date. They are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand their workforce while contributing to such a great cause.
HDO Health's primary focus is launching this product to as many hands as possible. However, they also have future plans. The ideal timeline would be starting in 2024 to take the technology and brand of The Journiquet™ and sell it to a medical emergency portfolio company, allowing the new company to scale it at a higher level. HDO Health's vision and passion are to develop the product and then pass the torch to another company to scale and expand its reach.
Assuming all goes to plan, HDO Health plans to take part of the profits from selling off The Journiquet™ and pivot to their next innovation. That is the goal here, not just to cash out, but to move on to another challenge that they can collectively improve on. HDO Health wants to remain an innovation hub and continue to find ways to improve on current technologies and products. As they have stated every step of the way, "we want to help save lives"
Outcome-Focused
Partner with KLS
KLS offers LTL and FTL for both dry and reefer transportation. Our nationwide coverage provides companies a reliable, consistent, and dependable logistics partner to assist with your trucking needs.
For more information on how we can help, call our office today at 708-980-0920 or reach us via our email quote request here!
In Conclusion
We want to thank HDO Health and its four co-founders for their work and for allowing us to share their stories and mission. A special thanks to Bryan Stewart, Nadi Graham, Tanya Nocera, and Dr. James Allen McElroy for their contributions. This wonderful product will hopefully receive FDA clearance and hit the market in 2023. And who knows one day it may save your life or the life of someone you know. KLS is grateful to feature HDO Health as part of its "Together Talks" campaign.
HDO Health - Bryan Stewart, Nadi Graham, Tanya Nocera feature # 6 of Together Talks
*Klimson Logistics Solutions is an Industry Leading Customer Service 3PL. Our focus and commitment to our clients has us striving to be the BEST customer service 3PL for LTL, FTL, Reefer, and Drayage in the country. KLS, a freight company is a 3PL providing nationwide logistics solutions. KLS shipping services include: LTL freight, FTL freight, Reefer LTL freight, Reefer FTL freight, and Drayage. Klimson Logistics Solutions thanks you for viewing our marketing campaign "Together Talks" if you have any interest in being featured or questions regarding your freight operations please contact us today!
Why KLS?
Our precise and reliable effort.
We handle every shipment with the exact same process. It does not matter if you move one shipment a year or ten per day, you will receive the same level of customer service from us. When we started this company, we had one goal in mind, treat every shipment like it was our own. With our vast knowledge of the industry, we understood what a customer would want from a communication standpoint. We applied that process to be the standard here at KLS. Our reliability and being able to depend on our consistency is why we have such long-standing relationships with our clients.
Our Process?
Every shipment in our industry starts with a quote. We are firm believers that time is money, thus we strive to have quotes back in a 5-10 minute reply time for LTL and FTL, any FCL quotes are at the mercy of the carriers getting back to us. For LTL we have the flexibility to quote both off of NMFC and also Density depending on the carrier. Utilizing our services, you’re allowing us to use our expertise to class your freight accordingly to ensure we are providing the best rate we possibly can.
Once a quote has been submitted and a client chooses to proceed with KLS handling the arrangement of the shipment our full process begins. We create the BOL that will be used for the shipment. If it is a new location for our system, we will obtain all the important/special details (reference numbers, contact details, shipping hours, closed for lunch, dock/doors, etc.). We meticulously build every detail into our software for all future shipments involving that location. After we have both locations built and necessary reference numbers have been applied we will tender the shipment to the carrier. We use this method because it provides us a real time pickup number from the carrier to obtain updates prior to pickup. Our staff will either email the BOL directly to you or to the shipper (at your request) the minute after the tender has been accepted by the carrier. LTL carriers require a 2 hour window prior to close time in order to schedule it for a same-day pickup attempt.
The following morning you’ll receive an email from us. It will either provide the reason the pickup was missed (driver’s trailer filled up, driver missed the close time, truck broke down, shipper said no freight, etc.) or if the pickup was successful you will receive the PRO (tracking) number from us, along with the eta for delivery. Our staff will track it throughout the duration of transit and advise if anything happens that will alter the estimated delivery date. The day the shipment delivers we will email you with confirmation and the POD (Proof of Delivery), should you require it.
Your shipment has been quoted, scheduled, picked up, and delivered. The next step is waiting for the carrier to invoice us and make sure the rate matches up. If it does, we close out the invoice from the carrier in our system and automatically your invoice is created and sent to the requested party at your company. In the event the carrier has an additional charge on their invoice “Variance”, we will never send you an invoice with an additional charge without first identifying you of the charge.
Let us repeat, NEVER WILL WE JUST BILL OUT AN EXTRA CHARGE WITHOUT YOU BEING NOTIFIED.
You are our customer, we represent you. Should the carrier provide an extra charge on an invoice, “Lift gate, additional weight, reclass, detention, etc.) We notify you of the charge via email first. Second, within that email we identify what is required should you choose to dispute the charge. Again our goal is to honor your request, if you want to dispute, we will dispute. During a dispute we will provide you updates every step along the way. Once a dispute is closed out, whether it is approved or rejected, then we will invoice you as the invoice has been resolved.
For reference, our company only had 6.2% of all shipments go to dispute in 2022 and we successfully won 91% of those disputes on behalf of our customers.
This is our process for every single shipment you move with us. We don’t cut corners, we don’t hide from difficult situations. We believe in being available, honest, and transparent. We don’t ever want to tell you that a shipment is lost, damaged, misrouted, but it is our duty to notify you the second we find out something has gone wrong. We hate to present bad news, but it is part of the job. What you can guarantee is that we will work a shipment all the way through and turn over every stone until we get a resolution for our clients.
Services offered?
Our core business is LTL and FTL. Within these options we have options for both dry and refrigerated/frozen. We also offer FCL/Drayage options. Our company as a 3PL has nationwide options and services clients across the US.
Let’s breakdown our services more in-depth
LTL:
Standard and Guaranteed
CFS (Imports & Exports)
Tradeshows
Hazmat
Anything that is on a pallet can be moved LTL. Typically LTL is up to 10 pallets, but the sweet spot for a carrier is 6-8 pallets at most for an individual shipment. LTL quotes are good between 5-30 days depending on the carrier. LTL can be quoted either via NMFC or density to determine the class (we do this for you).
Volume:
Anything over 10-12’ of space in the truck is the technical rule for a volume shipment. When we run a quote for you we will determine if it qualifies for volume and provide you a rate if available. Volume moves allow you to get a reduced rate for larger shipments. The caveat to volume shipments it the quotes are only valid for 3-7 days and they move on capacity between terminals. If a terminal is backed up they will move their LTL freight first before the volume freight, which can lead to longer transit times for volume moves.
FTL/Dedicated/Expedited: 53’ Dry and Reefer 26’ Box trucks with lift gate Sprinter Van The main difference for FTL vs LTL is space and transit time. For standard pallets you can fit either 26 or 30 pallets in a 53’ dry van. The other main difference is transit time, for FTL each day counts in the transit time, whereas LTL does not count the day of pickup, weekends, or holidays in their transit time.
Reefer/Frozen:
LTL and FTL
We specialize working in the CPG space with food manufacturers. We regularly deliver to
the following locations:
Kehe
UNFI
Core Mark
DPI
Wegmans
Cugini
H.T. Hackney
Netrition
HEB
ALDI
Chambers and Owens
EBY Brown
Nassau Candy
Harris Teeter
Wakefern
NU INC
Long Distribution
What makes KLS different?
There are thousands for freight brokers and 3PL in our industry. Barrier to entry is rather easy and agents or owners will often hire sales people without any intention of properly training them. It results in high turnover for many freight companies and a forgettable experience for the client. We choose to operate differently through our consistency. We truly care about doing right by our clients and prospects too. While we would love to help provide our services to every company we speak with, that just isn’t realistic. We won’t always be the right fit for every company that moves freight and that is ok. Our authenticity as a shipping company sets us apart from the competition and that is backed up by our testimonials. We also run a marketing campaign bi-weekly called “Together Talks”. We interview, highlight, and promote two businesses every week. Our goal is to grow our network, make new connections, and learn something new with each collaboration. Check it out on our website and if you’re interested in being featured reach out.
Our company also runs a year long charity promotion. Book your first shipment through KLS and we donate to the charity of your choice in your name. Our way of thanking you for giving us an opportunity to show you the KLS way and what makes us one of a kind. This entire package is what we offer to every prospect and every client. Our goal is to help provide answers that customers may have when it comes to shipping. We want to always be available as a resource and will always offer a lending hand whenever we can.
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