Gingko Embroidery Brings Patch Bar Popup to GEWKC

People attending GEWKC 2026 will discover a local patch bar popup by Gingko Embroidery. Owned and operated by Hao Quach, his business is perfectly poised to meet demand for personal self-expression that drives the custom embroidered patch trend. 

Quach, president of NAAAP-KC and an audit supervisor for an insurance firm, started Gingko Embroidery in 2022. The full-service business produces small-batch custom embroidered goods from patches to fashionable statement pieces.  

Inspiration for the business came from Quach’s family roots.  

“My mom opened an embroidery business in the Nineties in Vietnam,” said Quach. “My parents worked in factories during the day. They started a side business in the evening. As a kid, I saw how they ran their business. I remember her creating an embroidered gingko leaf. It reminded me of gingko trees in Kansas City.” 

That memory sparked the name and logo of Quach’s business.  

“I bought an embroidery machine and started with five designs with a focus on kawaii (cute). I can express myself creatively through embroidery,” said Quach. 

Since the business opened, Quach has expanded design patterns to appeal to different customer tastes. He also collaborates on some custom designs with his partner Jeffrey Nguyen, a senior illustrator at Hallmark.  

“Our first popup was at a 2023 festival. We were successful and realized we could do much more. We added more designs that year. Then people started asking for custom embroidery,” said Quach.  

Custom designs have developed into a significant part of the business since then.

“I scaled back on making my own line of designs, and 95 percent of embroidery orders are now for others. It’s a more stable business model, especially for planning inventory,” said Quach. 

This year, Gingko Embroidery became one of approximately three-dozen Asian vendors at The Silk Road. NAAAP-KC operates the retail boutique and community space at 201 Westport Road in Westport. 

As a nonprofit organization, NAAAP-KC promotes the career advancement and leadership development of Asian American professionals and entrepreneurs. Specifically, the Kansas City chapter’s Asian American members participate in professional development, social networking and community service activities. The Silk Road shop created a physical space for many NAAAP-KC members to sell their work and engage with others in the community through cultural events and meetups. 

For Gingko Embroidery, Quach has introduced more of his own patch designs at the retail shop.  

“It enables me to work out my creative muscles with patch designs,” said Quach.  

This year, Quach has also shifted to doing more popups through patch bar activation events. He has set up a mobile embroidery station in retail spaces for J.Crew and Veronica Beard on the Country Club Plaza, plus events for clients such as the Kansas City Chiefs.  

“I bring my embroidery machine into the store or at an event and work with clients on an in-house design with some personalization options. For Veronica Beard, I made a personalized cuff on shirts. It adds a special touch,” said Quach. 

In November 2026, Gingko Embroidery brings its patch bar experience to GEWKC. Quach will create a “one-of-a-kind" piece, adding, “People like that experience and often take photos of me making their custom patch or goods to share on social media.” 

GEWKC, November 16-20, at Union Station is a weeklong event with free sessions throughout the day for entrepreneurs. Aspiring and established small business owners can attend, connect with other professionals, find ideas and inspiration, and support local makers, artists and solopreneurs at the Maker Fair. Register and view the schedule.