Get to Know the Happy Hippo Family

You Asked...So You Shall Receive

 Our Happy Hippo Family Blog is here!

 I (Avery Hippo) sought out to conduct mini interviews with all the employees - so let’s get to it!

 First and foremost - let’s start with “Puddles”

The Pink Hippo who started Happy Hippo from the very beginning!

 

 

Current Position: Hippo

Favorite strain: Magic Hippo (Elite Red Sumatra). But I have to save it for special days (or the days when poop hits the fan)

Where are you from? How long have you lived in Boise?:

Puddles Hippo was born in Washington DC, our nation's capital. He migrated to the Pacific Northwest (on foot!) in 2012!

Short snippet of how Hippo came to be: 

Happy Hippo was born in January 2013 and we opened our doors in February 2013. Puddles Hippo has used Kratom since 2005 following a bad injury in a non-padded, ridiculous, tackle football game. Ethan was there. 3 of us went to the hospital in about 25 minutes. Puddles is a Hippo and should not have been playing football at 245 lbs on high-grass. Needless to say, Kratom has been Godsend to this Hippo and many others. Unfortunately, not all Kratom is equal. Happy Hippo only exists because we want people to try high-end, clean and a super-effective, safe product. That is why Happy Hippo exists. Kratom is everywhere now but good Kratom still isn't. 

What hobbies do you have outside of work?:

Like most Hippos, Puddles loves to eat. Unlike most Hippos, Puddles is not a complete herbivore. 

Puddles also likes to talk. 

Puddles speaks fluent English. Quite an accomplishment for a Hippo.

Random Question: Who would you have play you in a movie?:

Puddles has auditioned for several human roles but has not been cast for some reason...

Hippos are always underestimated. 

The most fitting actor to play Puddles, however, would be Shaquille O'Neal

Next up - Shay Hippo

Current Position: Vice Hippo 

Short backstory about Happy Hippo: "Puddles" had the idea to start the business and wanted me to work with him. He came up with the name on an airplane to Florida and said, "What about calling it Happy Hippo?" and I laughed and said, "Yeah, that's awesome!". We started it in our apartment from there. I did all of the customer service and shipping to begin with and "Puddles" did the operations and fast forward seven years later we have four offices and warehouses and an awesome Hippo team! The customer reactions to the products and happy brand have been amazing and now we have been able to give back to those in need. So the company has come full circle and we are so grateful for how many lives it has touched. And we are always striving to maintain the highest level quality in all aspects of the business, as we have from day one. 

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I am from Meridian, ID. I moved to Los Angeles for college and moved back to Boise around 2012. 

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Traveling- even though I haven't been able to do that much since Covid hit. Love yoga too! 

Random question: Where is the coolest place you've been?: Maui and Paris! - j'aime l'hippopotame heureux! (I love Happy Hippo!).

Jenna Hippo (Shay Hippo’s Sister)

Current Position: Human Resource Manager 

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: I take Kratom 2-3 times per week.  Favorite strains - Hyper Hippo (Green Maeng Da), Rockstar Hippo (White Maeng Da), Thunder Hippo (Diamond Malay), and most recently Haunted was a great strain!  

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: My favorite part about working for Happy Hippo is getting to be a part of a company that is constantly evolving and growing to better our customers and employees' lives. 

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: Born and raised in Meridian, ID.  It's a great place to be 

What is your main hobby outside of work?: My main hobby outside of work for the last year has been adjusting to the "mom life".  My (firstborn) daughter just turned 1 and watching her little personality grow each day is the best hobby I could ask for. 

Random question: If you could master any skill what would it be?: I would like to master the skill of playing the piano. 

Cammy Hippo (Mother Hippo)

Current Position: HR assistant and fulfillment

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: It is fun and I get to work with my family.

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: Ashton, ID I went to college here and then stayed.

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Cooking

Random question: What are you interested in that not a lot of other people are not?: Making Ankle Blankets

Ethan Hippo - Employee since October 2018

Current Position: Chief Operating Officer/Director of Public Affairs

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: Ghost Hippo (White Vein Borneo)

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: The opportunity to make positive contributions to the kratom industry, Happy Hippo employees, and to the continued growth of the business.

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: Born and raised in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. I moved to Boise in September of 2018 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Politics, Sports, Working out, and Playing Golf

Random question: What do you bring with you everywhere you go?: My propensity to turn everything into a competition.

“Nelms” Hippo - Employee since December 2018 

Current Position: Director of Research and Development

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: Ghost Hippo (White Vein Borneo)

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: The overall atmosphere and teamwork. 

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I am originally from Ragley, Louisiana, I moved to Boise in December of 2018. 

What is your main hobby outside of work?: My main hobby is traveling and playing video games. 

Random question: What is something crazy you’ve done?: I was the naked guy in 21 Jump Street. 

Mike Hippo - Employee since August 2019

Current Position: Production Lead/QA (Quality Assurance)

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: No favorite - but I like slow strains

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: I love every aspect about it!

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: Helena, Montana. I’ve lived in Boise for 11 years 

What is your main hobby outside of work?: I watch lots of horror films

Random question: If you had to give a 40 minute presentation on something with no preparation, what would you choose to talk about?: Cutting hair!!

Josh Hippo (Recruited by “Nelms” Hippo!) Employee since August 2019

Direct quote from Josh: “all my photos are amazing..I am like Barney Stinson...I cannot take a bad pic lol..”

Current Position: General Manager

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: That's a toughie... but if I had to pick just one it would be Sassy Hippo (Yellow Gold Indo)

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: Our customers...they truly embody who and what Happy Hippo is and that is what makes us amazing

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: Louisiana...moved to Idaho August 2019...best decision ever!

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Archery

Random question: Do you believe in aliens?: Aliens totally exist!!

Jamie Hippo (Josh Hippo’s Wife) - Employee since November 2019

Current Position: Fulfillment Manager/Social Media Team

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: My favorite Strain really changes depending on the day - but my tippy top favorites are Ghost (White Borneo), Chill (White Hulu), and Happy Hippo l (Super Green Indo/Borneo)

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: There are so many great things about working for Happy Hippo.  One of my favorite things is being able to grow professionally as the company grows.  Moving from Fulfillment, to Happy Hippo Helper, to Fulfillment Manager has been so much fun.  While I was a Happy Hippo Helper, I was able to get to know our extended Hippo Family and found that the relationship with our Hippo Family is definitely one of a kind and that is SO cool.

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I am originally from Louisiana and have lived in Boise for just over a year.  This has been one of the Best decisions of my life!

What is your main hobby outside of work?: My main Hobby outside of work is Hiking/Backpacking... I have a whole new part of the country to explore.

Random question: What is a weird talent that you have?: I don't know if this is technically a "weird" talent but I know how to properly fold a Fitted Sheet.

“Luke” Hippo - Employee since September 2019 

Current Position: QA (Quality Assurance) 

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: Hyper Hippo (Green Maeng Da)

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: “Kool People”

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: Detroit, Michigan. Moved to Boise in 1994

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Going to the gym!

Random question: What is something someone should do at least once in their lives?: Visit a Foreign Country 

Kiley Hippo - Employee since October 2019

Current Position: Director of Retail Sales

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: Superhuman hands down! 

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: The people - I love every one of you!

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: We can just say that I am originally from here.

What is your main hobby outside of work?: GOLF!

Random question: What pets do you have?: Are you ready for this list? Bearded Dragon, Green Iguana, 3 Red Eared Sliders, Crested Gecko, Leopard Gecko, Chameleon, and a crazy bird.

Alorah Hippo - Employee since December 2019

Current Position: Director of Happy Hippo Helper Department/Social Media Team/Weekly Newsletter Author 

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: White Horned Rhino (White Horn)

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: The amazingly friendly work atmosphere and getting to try NEW Kratom strains/products all the time!

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I was born and raised in Boise, Idaho!

What is your main hobby outside of work?: I like playing guitar, gardening, and fiddling with my Kendama 

Random question: What mythical creature do you wish were real?: Does it have to be mythical? I really wish the Tree Spirits (Kodamas) from Princess Mononoke were real!!! But if it has to be mythical, dragons are pretty sweet. 

Adam Hippo - Employee since February 2020

Current Position: Photography and Design/Social Media Team 

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: Red Dragon (Red Bali), Wild Golden (Yellow Viet), Sunshine (Gold Maeng Da), and Magic (Red Sumatra)

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: The other people that work here, the culture of the company, and seeing us make a real difference in our customers lives!

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I am originally from Orange County, California and I moved to Boise permanently in 2015. 

What is your main hobby outside of work?: I really like to play gold and watch all different types of sports. I want to learn more about woodworking but I haven’t gotten around to that yet. 

Random question: What movie could you watch over and over without ever getting tired of?: Lots of them, I love movies! Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back is the first that comes to mind. I also love Inglorious Bastards, Superbad, The Big Short, Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse, and The Nice Guys. Many others but i’ll stop myself there! 

Sky Hippo - Employee since February 2020 

Current Position: Production/Fulfillment Team 

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: Happy Hippo l (Super Green Indo/Borneo)

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: The people!

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I’m originally from Boise, but I've moved around all over the country for the military. 

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Running, fishing, video games, hanging with my kids, being outdoors

Random question: What are other people obsessed with that you just don’t get the point of?: Alexa! 

Avery Hippo - Employee since May 2020

Current Position: Affiliate Manager/Blog Author/Hippo Helper 

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: Sunshine (Gold Maeng Da) for sure!! I liked Haunted Hippo and Superhuman Hippo a lot, though 

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: My coworkers and the environment. I never dread coming to work like I have other jobs - I get excited to come to work and try not to brag to my friends too much about my awesome job. 

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I’m originally from Idaho Falls, ID. I grew up in Tucson, Arizona for 7 years though, and I finally moved to Boise in 2018. 

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Going to the gym, taking photos, writing, reading or listening to audiobooks (I’m obsessed with learning new things).

Random question: What movie do you know the most quotes from?: Not sure why but… Nacho Libre. “Chancho - bring me my stretchy pants!” 

Luke Hippo - Employee since May 2020

Current Position: Full-Stack Developer 

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: Smiley Hippo (Red Horn), I also like our Kava 

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: I’d say our passion and culture. From COO to Customer Service to Production to Fulfillment, each employee is constantly trying to provide the best experience and product for our customers. 

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: Homegrown Boise born and raised

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Hockey! Been playing for over 20 years. Go Colorado Avalanche! 

Random question: What’s the most impressive thing you know how to do?: I think we already covered them with playing hockey or developing computer applications 

Holly Hippo - Employee since June 2020 

Current Position: Happy Hippo Helper Lead

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: My favorite strain is a 50/50 mix of Thunder Hippo (Diamond Malay) and Lightning Hippo (White Thai)- nicknamed Hurricane Hippo 

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: I love the friendly happy environment - its so nice to love the people you work with, they are ALL awesome. 

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I was born and raised in Nampa, ID. 

What is your main hobby outside of work?: I love to be outdoors - boating, camping, hunting, fishing, although you wouldn’t know it by looking at me. MudNMascara is a lifestyle. 

Random question: What weird fear do you have?: I wouldn’t call it a “weird” fear per say, but I will never go more than knee deep in the ocean because...JAWS. 

Natalie Hippo - Employee since July 2020 

 

 

Current Position: Production/Fulfillment Team  

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: The environment, I feel like all of us employees have similar personalities 

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I was born and raised in Boise

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Reading, Hiking with my dog, Hammocking 

Random question: When people come to you for advice, what do they come to you about?: Relationship advice. But i’m not good at that because I just tell them to break up

Kathy Hippo - Employee since August 2020

Current Position: Production/Fulfillment Team  

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: The laid back environment

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I was born in Texas and moved here at age 4

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Mommin’, snowshoeing, camping 

Random question: What would you most likely become famous for?: Going viral for yelling at somebody 

Kevin Hippo - Employee since September 2020

Current Position: Happy Hippo Helper 

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: Thunder! (Diamond Malay)

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: My lovely coworkers 

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: Born in California, raised in Boise since 2010 

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Snowboarding and cooking 

Random question: If you won the lottery what would you do with the money?: I’d buy a brand new RV and travel to all 50 states with my friends (and buy endless Chick-fil-a)

Sarah Hippo - Employee since October 2020 

Current Position: “Production/Fulfillment Aficionado”

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: Happy Hippo l (Super Green Indo/Borneo)

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: Definitely the fun environment 

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I am from Boise

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Fishing!

Random question: Who is your go-to band/artist when you can’t decide who to listen to?: Fleetwood Mac

Sully Hippo - Employee since November 2020

Current Position: Production/Fulfillment Team

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: Hyper Hippo (Green Maeng Da)

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: The environment and the people 

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I was born in Twin Falls, I moved to Boise when I was 14

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Any kind of sports 

Random question: What is something you would never do again?: Hmm… that’s hard because I’m not really scared of anything 

Debbie Hippo - Employee Since November 2020

Current Position: Production/Fulfillment Team

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: The people!! Everyone who works here is cool and fun, I also like learning new things about Kratom 

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I am from Bay Area, California and moved to Boise June of 2020 

What is your main hobby outside of work?: Being with family, being a mom, and camping 

Random question: What is something you’re obsessed with?: Having to know everything 

Autumn Hippo - (Debbie’s Niece) Employee since December 2020

Current Position: Production/Fulfillment Team

What is your favorite Kratom strain?: Sunshine Hippo! (Gold Maeng Da)

Favorite part about working for Happy Hippo: My favorite part is the staff!

Where are you originally from? When did you move to Boise?: I am originally from Concord, California. I moved to Montana when I was going to high school. Then I moved to Boise about 2 years ago 

What is your main hobby outside of work?: I don’t really have a main hobby, but I hangout with my friends after I get off work!

Random question: If you could be friends with any celebrity - who would you choose?: I would love to be Johnny Depps friend! He sounds like an amazing person.