Hi there, I'm Doug, founder of HeyTaco. A question I get all the time is, "Why tacos?" Well, it's a great question, and I'm excited to share why I chose tacos and how HeyTaco stands out from other recognition tools on the market. Being different is our strength, and I want to share why that's the case.
My journey has been shaped by the incredible people I've had the privilege of working alongside. Their talent, dedication, and passion have made me a firm believer in the power of workplace culture. It's not just about achieving success—it's about creating a place where people feel happy and valued. Working in environments where team connection and appreciation were priorities showed firsthand how powerful recognition can be in shaping our everyday work experience.
In 2015, I worked on a project to develop a talent platform to track employee happiness. This project was a revelation for me, personally and professionally. As I dove into HR software, I noticed a pattern: many existing tools, while comprehensive, missed the human element. They focused on performance reviews and tracking but didn't regularly make people feel appreciated.
This is where my passion for what I like to call 'feel-good' software was ignited. It's not just about functionality; it's about creating tools that foster positive interactions and reinforce good behavior. It's about how the software makes users feel. The knowledge that HeyTaco genuinely improves people's lives, even in small ways, is incredibly fulfilling. The idea of spreading positivity and gratitude has become a driving force for me.
Then, it struck me: most HR tools were designed for senior leaders and HR teams, not for everyday employees. That's why they felt distant, even sterile. They didn't engage people on a personal level. The real problem was that employees weren't interacting with these tools meaningfully—they were just completing a task.
As someone who's passionate about building meaningful connections, I started questioning: Why couldn't recognition tools be built for the individual to create everyday moments of appreciation? Especially when 64% of people leave their jobs because they don't feel appreciated (U.S. Department of Labor). People aren't necessarily leaving for better salaries—they're leaving because they feel undervalued.
I knew something had to change. I wanted to create something fun, lighthearted, and easy to use that would make people feel appreciated daily. That's when the idea for HeyTaco was born.
With the rise of messaging platforms like Slack and chatbots, I saw an opportunity to build a peer-to-peer recognition tool that didn't feel like "work." It could be seamless, integrated into daily routines, and, most importantly, fun.
Fast forward to today, and thousands of teams worldwide are using HeyTaco to spread appreciation in their workplaces. From small startups to global enterprises, people use HeyTaco to give each other small moments of recognition that build deeper connections and happier teams.
Ah, the taco question! My short answer is simple: tacos make people smile. They're universally loved, and they bring a sense of joy and fun to any conversation. That's exactly what I wanted with HeyTaco—a way for people to express gratitude that felt less formal and more playful. The process of choosing tacos involved testing various symbols, and tacos emerged as the clear winner due to their lighthearted, fun, and universally liked nature.
Tacos, in their quirky, approachable way, have become a symbol of appreciation. They spark joy and connect teams in a natural, not forced way. When someone sends you a taco, you can't help but smile. It's a small moment that brightens your day. That's the essence of HeyTaco.
Here's a little secret: HeyTaco didn't start with tacos. It started with virtual beers as a way to say thanks. However, after testing, it became clear that tacos had a broader appeal. They were lighthearted, fun, and universally liked. And so, tacos became the ultimate symbol of appreciation.
And here's my dream: one day, tacos will be the universal sign of appreciation everywhere. Imagine walking into a meeting and being handed a taco as a thank-you or getting a taco emoji from a coworker to say, "You're awesome!" It's simple, fun, and, most importantly, makes people feel good—and that's what HeyTaco is all about.
Thanks for reading! 🌮
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