Inspiring Conversations with Christopher Arnold of We Need A Hero LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Arnold.

Hi Christopher, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I never intended to start my own company. With two kids that have ADHD and a full time job, there was certainly no time. Any family that has been impacted by ADHD realizes that it does not come without its challenges, but one thing that I have realized is that it is important to smile and find joy in even those small moments. Whether it was putting on a Disney night with friends, or dressing up in costume as a certain spider hero at both of my son’s birthday parties (at least until they realized that it was me), entertaining was something that I enjoyed.

My wife and neighbors helped me to realize that I could bring that joy to others too. However, I did not want to start just another costume company, which are a dime a dozen. I wanted to do something different. I wanted to make an impact in kids’ lives by helping them to understand how they can be heroes at home. Enter We Need A Hero LLC! One service that I am most proud of that we offer is an anti-bullying and prevention service where a hero will help kids to understand how to recognize bullying and point them to resources where they can get help. An HOA recently hired us to talk to their community. As soon as I put on the costume, I could feel the responsibility of pulling this off weighing on me. So many folks look up to these costumed heroes, but I knew that if I could help to make a positive impact in even one child’s life – then mission success.

Comics is something I never saw coming as a potential service for We Need A Hero. In an effort to get my son to learn how to read, I took him to a comic book store. When I asked where the kid section was, I was shocked that there wasn’t one. All those comics and not one that was really kid appropriate. Most “kid” graphic novels had potty humor or bad words – words that I knew my kids would repeat at school. There was no heart in these stories. We left without purchasing anything. That moment was when I realized that my company could do more than just entertain at parties.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I took several entrepreneurial courses in the MBA program at USC in Los Angeles. I had the great fortune of listening to many leaders and their challenges in starting a business from the ground up. I remember thinking, there’s no way that I can do that. It has to be overwhelming. There’s so much to consider from marketing, HR, advertising, and accounting… It has not been a smooth road. With a full time job, two kids and a wife, chores around the house – there is no shortage of things to do. Finding a balance is crucial and I always prioritize family first. When things do get challenging, I try to think of why I started the company. I kn0w that I can make a difference. That keeps me going. Although I am an English major, I recognize that I do not have a creative writing background in writing comics. Enter Kestrel Erickson – the artist behind our new series, The Guardians. I’m fortunate that I’m able to lean on her expertise for support and guidance. It’s fantastic to watch the story unfold from an idea that I had in the back of my head over a decade ago. One of the biggest challenges is often finding the courage to implement that idea. You can dream and then make a plan, but without courage, you’ll have trouble getting off the ground. You never know what might be waiting for you if you take that leap of faith.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Only two years in and we’re just getting started! Although, we have come a long way already, there’s still so much more to do. There’s nothing quite like seeing a kid run up to you while in costume, knowing that they are seeing their hero for likely the first time in person. Seeing their faces light up as they jump towards you with a hug is something that you just don’t forget. What sets us apart though is that we help the kids to understand how they can be heroes in their homes and communities. Small things like picking up their toys, respecting your parents or making a conscious decision not to bully others can make a huge impact.

Aside from the costumed business, we also are working on our first comic titled The Guardians. This is an ongoing series for kids with the goal of encouraging children that might not ordinarily pick up a book to read, write or draw. The Guardians is about a boy named Ryder, who lives deep within the woods in a village called Oak Hollow. Although, the villagers are told that they cannot venture outside of the woods, our hero, of course, dares to ask the question: what lies beyond? This is a tale of mystery, discovery and adventure, but most importantly a story with heart. Our Stories with Heart brand will captivate readers by tugging on those heart strings and keeping them engaged in the story. You can check out the first few pages on our website and if interested, please support us by subscribing to the series! Let us know how these stories helped your child.

What am I most proud of? When a mom or dad writes us after appearing in costume for their child telling us how they couldn’t stop talking about how we made their day special – that warms my heart. It also helps serve as a reminder as to why I started this business and to keep it going for as long as I am able to fit into spandex! I’m hoping that our comic series will in the same way inspire kids to get creative. At the end of the day, if I changed one kid’s life for the better, then it was worth it!

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I have only lived in DFW since 2021, but am amazed at the growth! More new and exciting things are coming our way all the time and it’s fun to be a part of the excitement. That change is also perhaps a double-edged sword. I hope that the city does not lose its character and charm during this growth spurt. Although the city is great, the people are what makes the city shine the most.

Pricing:

• 1 hour hero appearance – $190 (travel charge may apply)
• The Guardians Comic – $4 monthly subscription
• Heroes Stand Together – Bullying Prevention $220

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.weneedahero.llc
• Instagram: weneedahero.llc
• Facebook: weneedahero.llc
• Other: https://www.weneedahero.llc/comics

Image Credits
We Need A Hero LLC