What if friendship isn’t about convenience, but intention? In this energizing conversation, CEO and “friend collector” Andora Hinton shares how growing up as an only child shaped her hunger for connection and how adulthood taught her to choose friends with care. We dig into reciprocity, values alignment, vulnerability at work, and how different circles (corporate vs. entrepreneurial) fuel balance and momentum. Andora offers practical, doable ways to deepen bonds, especially when life gets busy, careers demand everything, or you’re rebuilding community in a new city. If you’ve ever wondered how to make time for real friends without losing yourself, this one’s your playbook.

You’ll learn:

• How to move from “convenience friends” to chosen friendships

• A simple system to keep friendships alive (text, call, schedule)

• Why reciprocity + shared values predict depth

• Courage-over-comfort steps to find friends (and keep them)

• How to model healthy friendships for kids—and teams

“Friendship is what you make it—so let’s make it intentional, energizing, and for life.”

Andora Hinton

Founder & CEO , Willow North Growth Partners

Andora Hinton, CEO of Willow North Growth Partners, has over 26 years of experience in sales, coaching, and training, specializing in helping teams improve communication and collaboration to drive growth across industries. She customizes strategies to align with organizational goals and foster lasting behavioral change.

Named a Top 100 Innovative Entrepreneur and Womelle Magazine’s Thought Leader of the Year in 2024, Andora is certified in Emotional Intelligence, Relationship Intelligence, and other leadership frameworks.

In addition to her professional work, Andora is passionate about the power of deep, meaningful friendships and how these relationships contribute to both personal and professional growth. She believes that friendship, vulnerability, and connection are key elements in navigating life and leadership with authenticity and strength.

Based in Chapel Hill, NC, Andora supports Make-a-Wish and lives with her family and dog, Duke. Her mission is to help leaders and teams unlock their potential, create lasting connections, and achieve success.

You can connect with Andora at www.willownorth.com.

©Friendship Institute 2025

Friendship Matters™ is intended to help improve our Friendship IQ. While this generally signals an improvement in our overall wellbeing, this podcast is not intended in any way to offer specific counseling or medical advice. Please seek help from a trained professional.