Jason Hendricks

When did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur? What was your first entrepreneurial idea?

Entrepreneurship was in my bloodline. Growing up, I used my sister’s food stamps to buy gum, which I sold at school because kids were always asking for gum or pens to write with. Gum proved more popular, and unknowingly, I was already displaying entrepreneurial instincts to survive. 

Years later, after witnessing my big brother’s success with his businesses, I was inspired to become an entrepreneur myself. With the guidance of two professors at a community college, I discovered my passion for making people happy through laughter and thoughtful gifts. This led me to create my first major venture, “Forgot or Knot,” a gift delivery service that spreads joy and positivity. We personally hand-deliver gifts, allowing the sender to include a heartfelt video message, while our camera crew captures the recipient’s reactions. Our drivers use emotional intelligence to uplift people’s energy and create happiness throughout the process. 

You started TIED, a Dallas-based luxury car service, in 2021. What sparked this business idea and how does TIED differ from other car-service brands? Do you have plans to expand into new markets?  

On my 28th birthday, I went out with some friends who were tired of hearing me talk about business. My friend Johnny told me to relax and have fun. To take my mind off business, we explored renting a party bus. The prices I found shocked me, and I thought I could do better. So instead, we stayed local and enjoyed each other’s company. 

At the time I was enrolled in a program through a partnership with UTD and Future Founders, so the next day, I was required to conduct surveys on a business problem and discovered that many people had plans to drink and drive after their outings. Despite people telling me not to take this route, I decided to explore large group transportation. I used my savings, sold my car, and bought an all-white cargo van. It was basic at first, but I started adding seats, walls, AC, and other amenities based on customer feedback. Two months later, I met KG, the owner of Cosign Magazine, through an entrepreneur program at The Dallas Entrepreneur Center. KG was working on building a marketing piece for his business and I needed help with building my brand. With his assistance, I started receiving calls from celebrities and doing jobs for artists and actress.  

During this time, I was taking all my school learnings and applying it to my business. I would ask KG if we could have monthly meetings to evaluate our progress. I realized that we stood out by turning ordinary transportation into a VIP experience. Focusing on small details like rolling out the red carpet, offering white-glove customer service, and providing snacks and water. Our clients loved these touches. The team started to grow bigger providing more job opportunities to individuals in underserved communities. The meetings I had with my mentor Dr. Gold helped me understand the health of the business so that we can expand into new markets, starting with Austin and Houston.  

With the support from organizations like UTD, Impact Ventures, Texas A&M EBV, IVMF, The DEC, ComericaHQ, Cosign Mag, TBHF and NACEE I would not be in this position. It takes collective efforts of community support to push into new markets.  

You also founded Dallas Celebrations (formerly Forgot or Knot), a service that hand delivers gifts and captures the moment. Tell us what makes the gift receiving experience unique and innovative for customers? 

We recently rebranded from Forgot or Knot to Dallas Celebration which offers unique experiences, rather you need to explore places to celebrate a wedding or birthday, or you need to make someone’s day with an innovative gift. What makes the gift receiving experience unique and innovative for our customers is a combination of a surprise, personalization, emotional connections, and professional video production, the gift receiving experience offers a unique and innovative approach that resonates with customers seeking to bridge the distance with their loved ones. 

You are a United States Army veteran. Thank you for your service. How do you think your military service has influenced or impacted your entrepreneurial journey?  

The military helped me develop essential qualities such as leadership, discipline, and problem-solving skills that have proven invaluable in my entrepreneurial pursuits. The military taught me resilience and adaptability, allowing me to navigate the challenges and uncertainties that come with entrepreneurship. Additionally, I learned the importance of teamwork and collaboration, which I apply in building and managing my entrepreneurial teams. The military also instilled in me a resourceful and efficient mindset, enabling me to make the most of limited resources. My military experience provided me with diverse networks and connections that have been advantageous in my entrepreneurial endeavors. Overall, my military background has shaped my focus on mission accomplishment and results-driven thinking, driving me towards achieving my entrepreneurial goals. 

How do you give back to your community and pay forward your success?  

I give back to my community by providing mentorship and guidance to my peers, serving on the associates board for The Dallas Entrepreneurial Center, participating in the Dallas Capital Task Force, and assisting with pitch practices for entrepreneurs. These are ways that I pay it forward. During the holidays, I distribute bikes, scooters, and toys to underserved communities, bringing joy and collaborating with non-profits for a greater impact. I am inspired to give back because someone did it for me, and I want to make a positive difference in others’ lives. 

How do you define “excellence” in business?

Excellence in business, from my perspective, means consistently surpassing expectations and achieving outstanding results. It revolves around delivering exceptional value to customers, maintaining high-quality standards, and continuously improving processes. Upholding ethical conduct, social responsibility, and maintaining strong financial performance are also crucial aspects of business excellence to me. To set the standard for excellence, I feel the need to help others who are under my leadership, ensuring that they do not make the same business mistakes I made and guiding them to eventually surpass me. Success, to me, is measured based on how many people I can help become successful, making it critical for me to achieve excellence. 

How did receiving the TBHF scholar award impact your entrepreneurial journey?

Receiving the TBHF Scholar Award has had a significant impact on my entrepreneurial journey by enabling me to invest in a team, uniforms, and equipment. It has also helped me demonstrate to fellow entrepreneurs, who share a similar background to mine, the importance of working hard and having a robust support system. The award has truly amplified my ability to make a greater impact on struggling entrepreneurs who aspire to reach the next level, as the recognition has given me credibility, thereby instilling hope in others. I can help more people which is priceless to me.