Hidden Gems: Meet Hao Quach of Ginkgo Embroidery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hao Quach.

Hi Hao, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t realize it at the time, but embroidery was one of the first ways I saw creativity and entrepreneurship in action. My mom ran a small machine embroidery business out of our home, customizing uniforms, towels, and gifts for people in the community. She often worked late, managing orders and stitching everything herself with incredible attention to detail. Years later, I got curious and bought a machine of my own. What started as a fun side hobby quickly turned into something more, I found myself using embroidery to tell stories, reflect on identity, and add a bit of humor into everyday things. It’s become more than a creative outlet, it’s how I connect with others, build community, and carry on something I grew up with, but reimagined in my own voice.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Machine embroidery isn’t as simple as pressing a button. There were a lot of trial-and-error moments in the beginning, broken needles, tangled thread, designs that didn’t stitch the way I pictured them. And of course, I’ve ruined more than a few garments figuring things out. On top of the technical side, building a small business from scratch comes with its own set of challenges. Balancing creativity with accounting, marketing, customer service, it’s a lot.
There were times I doubted myself or wondered if anyone would connect with what I was making. But every challenge pushed me to get better. The process taught me patience, resilience, and how to trust my creative voice.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Custom & Small-Batch Embroidery From one-of-a-kind gifts to limited production runs, we take your ideas and bring them to life, stitched onto hats, shirts, jackets, tote bags, and more.

Original Designs
Our work celebrates culture, humor, and identity, drawing inspiration from lived experiences and nostalgic moments in our shirts, hats, and patches. Catch us at local Kansas City vendor fairs to explore our full collection in person!

Live Mobile Embroidery
We bring the machines to you, literally. Our mobile setup turns events into interactive experiences, where guests walk away with custom pieces embroidered on the spot.

Community at the Core
We’re proud to support local nonprofits and student organizations across the Kansas City metro by donating products and embroidery vouchers that help uplift and celebrate our community.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Embroidery is a craft that requires precision, but running a creative business demands flexibility. Whether it’s troubleshooting a last-minute machine issue, customizing a design to reflect someone’s story, or pivoting to meet a client’s vision. I’ve learned that being open to change is what keeps things moving forward. Being adaptable has helped me turn mistakes into lessons, experiments into products, and ideas into real opportunities. It’s also helped me stay grounded while growing, creatively, personally, and professionally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ginkgoembroidery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginkgo.embroidery/