Today we’d like to introduce you to Vik Ray Nguyen.
Vik Ray, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I had the entrepreneurial itch. My dream, even as a child, was to one day own my own business. Growing up in Houston, I remember selling candy and baseball cards to my peers in middle school – yes, I was THAT kid. I watched my mom as she worked hard and struggled to support my brother and I. Her dedication to our family and work ethic inspired me.
As a kid in Houston, I became a die-hard fan of all the Houston pro sports teams. Even to this day, I love rooting on our Astros, Rocket and Texans. My passion for sports led me to buy my very first patch to add to my jersey back in 2003. I loved everything about that patch, including the way it enhanced the look of the jersey. I was hooked! I combined my passion for sports, love for patches and my entrepreneurial spirit and launched Patch Collection. I did not really know how to begin a new business venture, I just knew I wanted to own my own successful business.
Has it been a smooth road?
As with any new business, I had to go through my fair share of growing pains. I also learned lessons the hard way as I went along this journey. I did not really have anyone I could turn to for guidance, therefor it was always a little scary making big decisions on my own, always hoping I was making the correct ones. I had to do a lot of on the job learning as I went through this process. Some of the bigger obstacles early on were definitely the financial challenges any new business owner faces. There was a lot of trial and error in the beginning, but I was determined for Patch Collection to become a successful business. I have been blessed to go through these trials because it taught me a great deal about business. I have been able to use these lessons to expand and diversify and am now a proud co-owner of Diced Poke – a Houston Mid-Town fast casual Hawaiian concept.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Patch Collection – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Although Patch Collection originated with humble beginnings of a few sports patches, we have grown to carry a variety of license products from all major pro sports. Our inventory now consists of licensed items such as bobbleheads, decals, jerseys and a host of other items. We have also expanded beyond sports and carry a diverse patch collection from wide ranging categories such as Pop Culture, Comics, Sci-fi and have even launched our very own Patch Collection Exclusive Design patches!
We have earned a national reputation for carrying a vast variety of top quality products. We feel right at home working with individuals who want just one special patch made for a special event, to working with multi-million dollar companies with large, logistically challenging orders. We are proud to have worked on projects for the Sugar Land Skeeters Baseball Team, celebrities such as Gary Vee, as well as international projects for Disneyland Paris! We can do it all!
Our talented team includes creative designers which enable us to have the flexibility to tackle any job – from concept, design, prototype to final product. Unlike most in our industry, we are happy to work on custom orders of a single patch to orders that consist of thousands.
One of the things I am most proud of is that here at Patch Collection, I have been able to build a team of very talented people that I enjoy working with. My team has been a key part of the rapid growth Patch Collection has enjoyed every year for the last 10 years.
Now, that we have moved into our new 5,000 sq. ft. facility, we are ready to tackle the future as we innovate and expand our business. My desire is to make my family and our home city of Houston proud as we continue to grow our offerings and the Patch Collection brand.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the diversity Houston has to offer. This is my hometown, I love everything about it – especially our Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Houston Texans and Houston Dynamo!
Contact Info:
- Address: 11718 North Garden Street
Building C
Houston, Texas 77071 - Website: www.PatchCollection.com
- Phone: 866-594-4756
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patch_collection/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatchCollection
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/patchcollection
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PatchCollection?ref=l2-shopheader-name
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