was a customer service rep and graphic designer. Then, I took over trade shows and handling communications with our international suppliers. I wore all the hats at that business,” he says. In 2017, Bui decided to chase his entrepreneurial dreams and opened his own business. “I startedmy own distributorship, Nine Promotions. After running that for two years, I thought I was better fitted on the supplier side. Withmy knowledge of the industry andmy love for small business, I decided to hop on with Raining Rose, and now I get to help distributors grow their business.” Before joining the industry, Bui says he never thought about logoed products as advertisements. “When I first started, I was surprised to see how big the industry was. It was kind of like a secret society of people selling promotional products,” says Bui. “After working on the distributor and supplier sides of the industry, I’ve learned that putting logos on products is a tool for end users to grow their businesses, create awareness and show pride. Now, I always push distributors to go above and beyond just putting a logo on a product and to add value. It’s nice now, being in the industry long enough, that I get to educate people.” As a niche supplier with a smaller product line, Bui says he knows his products inside out. “If you’re working with a supplier that’s selling 1,000 products, it’s actually really hard to learn everything. All you can do is give people what they need,” he says. “Knowing ingredients and a product’s backstory has helped me to truly be a professional in selling personal care items in our industry.” Bui says the most important lesson he’s learned this year is not to be afraid of change. “When the pandemic happened, all of us had a choice: sit back and be scared or go for it.” As president of the Rocky Mountain Regional Promotional Products Association for the past two years, he has helped guide the regional association through uncertain times. “We decided to brainstorm and come up with new ideas. We thought of the ‘Rocky Box,’ which was modeled after Birchbox. In a time when suppliers couldn’t connect with distributors, we brought people together in a space to talk about products. We did 100 boxes, and we had a time on Zoom for each supplier to talk about their product in the Rocky Box.” Bui says volunteering with the association has been fun. “I like to see our association and industry grow, and you learn so much when you connect with other people in our industry. It’s important to have a web of support.” Along with virtual trade shows andmeetings, Bui found a new “vehicle” to connect with his clients. InMarch 2021, he bought an adventure van. “I’ve been thinking about this van for years, but through the pandemic, I felt like I could get it and use it for work,” he says. The van has a living space with a bed and kitchenette. “I have a territory of Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California, and within that realm, I can travel inmy van and see people along the way. As an outside rep, you usually fly places. When you fly to, say, Los Angeles, you book a hotel in that area. After you see everybody, you go back to your hotel, and the next day, you are still at the hotel, so you can only go so far. With the van, I can travel without having to go back anywhere.” Bui says it cuts down on travel time. “With that extra time, I can see clients who outside reps normally can’t meet because it’s too far from the airport or hotel. The van has helped with meeting those who usually only get a phone call or virtual meeting, and it’s also helped people recognize who I am.” Bui’s #vanlife is a testament to his values. “It’s not the money that I am chasing after anymore. It’s really about life and being able to explore and see things. Having a job that gives me the ability to go out and truly be me, and Raining Rose supporting who I am, is special. If you talk to my clients, they’ll probably say I’m really Along with virtual trade shows and meetings, Bui found a new “vehicle” to connect with his clients. In March 2021, he bought an adventure van. | DECEMBER 2021 | 77 CONNECT
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