Forty Under 40 Q&A: Joseph Tucker

NAME THREE MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

1. Inventing Hydra-Guard and Recharge Sports Drink.
2. TEDxLSU speaker.
3. Selected as LBTC Startup of the Year of several hundred companies that go through.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT.

I have been very fortunate throughout my career with Hydra-Guard Technologies and have been given the opportunity to give my time and efforts back to the community in many different ways. I have volunteered through my church, Healing Place, to feed families in need and help those that may be going through unfortunate times. I have volunteered at St. Vincent Du Paul and Habitat for Humanity. I visit schools in Louisiana and STEM programs to speak on topics such as entrepreneurship, product development and innovation.

NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY.

You Win in the Locker Room First by Jon Gordon and Mike Smith.

WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

A Wall Street banker and business owner.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?

My greatest achievement was the first invention of Hydra-Guard. Seeing it go from an idea to a product that athletes are using across the nation is without a doubt the best feeling. It took me 3 1⁄2 years to do bring it to market.

HOW DO YOU GET PUMPED UP BEFORE A BIG MEETING, PRESENTATION OR PITCH?

Before a big meeting or presentation, I typically listen to 300 Violin Orchestra.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

When I saw athletes using my product on their competitions for the first time. It was worth all the failures for the one moment.

WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL “AHA MOMENT?”

When I got consumer feedback about my inventions and realized there was a market for them.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST PRODUCTIVITY HACK?

My entrepreneurial spirit started when I was 9-years-old. I would pull a mower behind my bicycle with a piece of rope and would go house to house in my neighborhood getting business. I eventually saved enough cash to upgrade my equipment and expand my business and territory at age 10. When I am the least productive I am typically sleepless and not dieting well. To get me back on track I have to do hot yoga at Yoglates South. For me, honestly, there is no better way to clear your mind and get you back on track.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THE HARD WAY?

I learned business the hard way. Creating a business is not easy and making a profitable business is even harder. It takes time, dedication and positive attitude.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR JOB WOULD SHOCK CUSTOMERS OR CLIENTS IF THEY KNEW ABOUT IT?

Anyone can create a “me too” product. But it takes hard work and determination to truly create something unique, innovative and profitable.

HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY DRESS FOR WORK—CASUAL? PROFESSIONAL? BUSINESS CASUAL? OTHER?

Business casual. I always dress to be prepared!

WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB DO YOU LOVE? WHAT PART DO YOU HATE?

My job is my dream. So every day I wake up I get to live it! You can’t complain about hard work because nothing worth having ever comes easy.

WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN FROM A COLLEAGUE OR BOSS?

It’s a great compliment when I see my employees happy to be at work. They all typically come into work early and leave late, and I never ask them to do that. I have worked really hard on creating a great team environment here at Hydra-Guard. My team knows that my employees come first and with that motto they pass the same respect on to our customers.

MAC OR PC?

I’ve been accustomed to PC my entire life. I don’t know any different!

ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? IF SO, ON WHICH PLATFORMS ARE YOU MOST ACTIVE?

I am located on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and recently learned how to operate SnapChat. I would say that I am more active on Facebook and Instagram.

HOW MANY TEXTS DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?

I send about 15 to 25 texts and emails each a day.

HOW LOW WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR REMAINING PHONE OR COMPUTER BATTERY LIFE GET IN % BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK?

I’m willing to pay above top dollar for a charger if my phone or computer batter life gets in the 5% range.

HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?

10.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?

Gmail App and DocuSign.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?

No matter where you are in the world today, you can connect with somebody somewhere in seconds on the internet. Today, people are connecting in ways that they would have never have done 10 years ago.

WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU WISH WAS NEVER INVENTED?

I am thankful for social media for many reasons. However, today many people get their information off social media and sometimes that information is not from a reputable source. Also, it sometime disconnects us from interacting with people that we would typically interact with in more personable way.

WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?

I like to wake up at 5 a.m. It gives me an hour or so to myself before my phone starts to ring or the emails start coming in. It’s a nice hour to myself and allows me to focus on what’s ahead.

BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?

Breakfast is always on the go.

THE SAYING GOES: “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” SPECIFICALLY, WHAT ARE YOU “BEING” TO MAKE BATON ROUGE BETTER?

I believe I am “being” the changed to Baton Rouge through my entrepreneurship. People have great ideas every day and most of them never do anything with them because they either do not know how to get started or they think they can’t do it. When I talk or give speeches, I relate to them, they look at me and realize I am just like them. It gives those minds a since of hope that they can chase their dreams and passion no matter the age or funding.

WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP”?

I started working for a Fortune 500 company at 21-years-old. I was advising people twice my age on how to manage their financials. For me to last with the company I had to compete with the veterans who looked at me as a child. I had to learn how to run with the wolves early on.

WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?

My wife and I got married in Mexico. This was by far the best vacation of my life!

FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?

A red bike. I would put poker cards in the spokes to make it sound like a motorcycle as I would peddle.

WHICH TALENT OR SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?

If I had a superpower it would be to cure cancer and diseases.

WHAT’S A NICKNAME YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE FOR YOU?

The Mayor.

WHAT ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS ABOUT?

I will not let a black cat pass in front of my vehicle when I am driving. I’ll typically just turn around.

WHO FASCINATES YOU?

Jeff Bezos, who created Amazon, which is by far the most innovative and convenient marketplace to purchase anything. After researching more about him and his company, I think it’s absolutely phenomenal the monster that he has created.

WHICH FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?

My fictional character is Ironman. He is smart and makes things happens with his gadgets.

FAVORITE DRINK?

Grape Hydra-Guard Recharge.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?

I like instrumental music so I really like listening to Lindsey Stirling.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?

Sandlot.

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?

I’m an old soul. Probably George Clooney.

WHAT SCARED YOU AS A CHILD, AND WHAT SCARES YOU NOW?

Dark shadows in a dark room.

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?

My advice would be to continue to reach for the starts, be patient and know that success doesn’t happen overnight—so don’t be so hard of yourself.

PETS?

I have a dog that I rescued from the shelter that was going to be euthanized the day before I rescued him. His name is Pike and I consider my son now.

HAVE YOU HAD ANY MEMORABLE CELEBRITY ENCOUNTERS? WHAT HAPPENED?

Yes, my most memorial celebrity encounter was when I was sitting at dinner with a previous shark off Shark Tank at the Bellagio.

TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE.

As I have grown older I have realized that each day is not guaranteed. The loss of close friends and family members will humble you. It’s a lesson to make the most of ever encounter you make with everyone.

WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG PERSONAL OR CAREER CHALLENGE YOU PLAN TO TAKE ON?

With creativity and continued innovation, my next challenge is to strategically expand Hydra-Guard into a household brand, gain more market share in our industry and compete on a national level with other leading brands.

WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?

There are constant concerns of how we are shaping the minds of our youth. I think it is important for our current generation to implement the principles and expectations for future generations to come. A big part of that is being more involved with our youth on a daily basis.

WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE?

I see the most hope in our youth. When I give speeches at schools, I can see a spark in youth’s eye when they hear “they can create and be an entrepreneur.” It’s like many of them did not know that was an option. Now they do!

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?

My advice would be to set your goals higher than you believe is obtainable. Learn to recognize and react to failure. Be patient and trust the process.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST HOPE FOR BATON ROUGE?

My greatest hope for Baton Rouge is to sustain and have a thriving economy. Baton Rouge is a great place to start a company and employ people in our community. It would be a dream come true to see Baton Rouge as the next Silicon Valley. There’s no better place to be than with the people of Baton Rouge.

DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS ON IT?

1. Run a triathlon.
2. Walk the great wall of China.
3. See the Northern Lights.