Success as an Entrepreneur: Andy Hallon

Audenne Valdez
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    As a Transition Specialist with Hire Heroes USA, it’s my job to help transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses find meaningful careers and empower their success. But success comes in different forms. For one person,  success could mean having a full-time job with benefits. While others might consider being the CEO, flexibility with family, travel, or becoming your own boss as signs of success.

    Hire Heroes USA Client Andy Hallon

    For Hire Heroes USA client Andrew “Andy” Hallon, success came from living his dream as an entrepreneur. However, it took some time to figure that out. 

    He began his military career in the United States Air Force in Security Forces for 15 years. He deployed seven times and became a Wounded Warrior Alumni in 2013. He also had a hobby on the side, which turned into a profitable venture.  He started reselling shoes in 2015. He started by selling three pairs, the three became eight and then there were dozens after that. The side hustle eventually grew into a licensed business, and RaqND’s Kicks LLC was born in 2017. 

    Andy started his business without outside funding or support. Every dollar came from his personal savings, but building a business by his bootstraps took a toll. He had to put his business on hold while he dealt with a divorce, and he joined the Air National Guard in 2018.

    When Andy came to Hire Heroes USA and Mission43, he wasn’t sure if he should continue with his business.  After our conversations and guidance, he decided he couldn’t give up on his dream of owning his own business. To set a good example for his two daughters, he committed to stick with reselling shoes.

    Andy restarted his business in 2019, launching ND’s Kicks LLC. In that first year, ND’s Kicks experienced tremendous growth. When taking part in the 2019 Idaho Sneaker Exchange, Andy was able to record $56,000 in sales in a single day. He was also invited to take part in the world’s premier sneaker show, Sneaker Con. ND’s Kicks also experienced dramatic growth on the marketing side. Andy hired his sister as a contract brand & engagement manager with the goal to grow the brand’s social media presence. With 900 followers on Instagram in March 2019, they wanted to reach 1,500 followers in four months. By September 2019, their account had more than 10,000. That growth led to other companies expressing interest in collaborations with him. In less than one year, Andy achieved all of the major goals in his five-year plan.

    In 2020, he hired his first full-time employee and ND’s Kicks became the first sneaker consignment store to contract with the Exchange, a retail megastore that offers goods to soldiers, airmen, and their families around the world.  While the COVID-19 pandemic forced disruptions to in-person business, the online store is still up and running. In addition to running ND’s Kicks, Andy is now activated on a 6-month military backfill for Security Forces while studying at Columbia Southern University working on his Bachelors in Business Administration.

    Personally, it has been rewarding to watch Andy achieve his version of success firsthand. Congratulations to Andy, and we all wish him good luck in the future!


    ND’s Kicks LLC is a consignment store for Sneakers and Streetwear; buy, sell, and trade lightly used and new products and limited-edition releases. Andy’s passion is to bring the Streetwear and Hypebeast cultures to the ever-growing state of Idaho and to educate and influence fellow entrepreneurs and youth.