80. Summer Tech Series: Tern with David Shull and Katie Williams
Tern is on a mission to modernize travel advisor technology! Tern founders, David Shull and Katie Williams, share how this innovative platform is streamlining advisor workflows, prioritizing user feedback, and redefining the advisor-client relationship. By actively listening to user feedback, responding to queries, and receiving input on new features, Tern has created a loyal fan base that feels heard, valued, and connected. The genuine interactions and transparency in communication have elevated the user experience, driving enthusiasm and excitement among advisors. Tune in to learn about the platform’s development process, prioritization of features, and the future of technology in supporting travel advisors. As the travel industry continues to evolve, the human touch, coupled with cutting-edge technology, will be the driving force behind success in industry!
About with David Shull and Katie Williams:
In 2014, Tern’s founding team worked together as a part of the earliest team at Handshake. After eight years they had helped Handshake grow from a living room in Northern Michigan to the second largest professional network in the US and a $3.5B valuation. Tern's CEO, David was on a trip to Greece in 2021 when he missed a ferry schedule change. Instead of enjoying their first Greek Isle, David & his wife spent six hours in a (very hot) parking lot waiting for the next ferry. In that parking lot, David thought of his in-laws & that they used an advisor for all their trips. He thought, maybe if he had partnered with Wendy he wouldn't be in that parking lot. David called Brian and Katie and shared the earliest version of an idea for Tern.
What they didn't know was if anyone needed it. They packed their bags and headed to ASTA where they talked to as many advisors, agencies, and suppliers as they could. The answer was clear. The travel industry was desperate for better technology. David, Katie, and Brian started working on Tern in 2022 and went full time in 2023. Since then the team has grown and remains laser focused on building incredible technology for travel advisors.
Today we will cover:
- (02:15) The development of Tern
- (07:10) Getting advisor feedback on pain points in the industry
- (17:00) Balancing Innovation and Practicality in Technology Development
- (22:45) What is Tern? Who is it for?
- (26:40) Creating a loyal customer base; importance of user feedback
- (33:45) Progress over perfection mindset
- (37:00) Technology trends in the travel industry
- (45:40) Creating a streamlined and seamless user interface
- (48:10) Tern’s ideal user
- (50:10) The long term vision for Tern
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Travel industry agreement templates
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