DIVERSE SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT: Promo Victory

BY AMANDA SCHIMMEL

In this day and age, differentiation propels a business to succeed, whether it be demonstrated through a company’s products and services, industry qualifications, or customer service.

Promo Victory checks off each of these categories as a uniquely distinguished promotional marketing company that strategically helps businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies market their brand with creative and innovative merchandise.

As she approaches her 15 year anniversary, President and Founder Vicki Lam has single handedly grown the company from the ground up—literally, because she stands as the company’s sole employee. Lam launched Promo Victory after realizing that she was underappreciated, undervalued, and underpaid for the work that she was providing at her place of work. Rather than convince clients from her old company to switch over, she was determined to begin anew: “I really started from scratch to prove I could make it on my own because it is so much more meaningful and rewarding when you earn your client base.”

As one would expect, the benefits of acting as a one-woman show are in abundance, beginning with the fact that there is no need to bypass a middleman; Lam explains, “It’s easier and better because clients work with me exclusively, whereas with most companies people only get to work with a sales rep or customer service who may not have any credentials.” At Promo Victory, each client can interface directly with the owner and receive the best experience and the best expertise. Lam is brand-focused, strategy-focused, and customer-focused.

Promo Victory also boasts both industry-specific and diversity-based accreditations that effectively differentiate its work from competitors. Lam is a certified advertising specialist, of which represents only a small percentage within the promotional industry. Certified Advertising Specialist certification includes taking 70 courses, passing a 3-hour exam, and requires re-certification every three years—and Lam is the only CAS in the state.

Additional layers in her qualifications further enhance her distinct skillset as Lam is also not only recognized as a minority-owned and woman-owned business in Delaware, but by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as well. WBENC Certification validates that a business is at least 51%

owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women, and it is considered the gold standard for women-owned business certification.

Moreover, Promo Victory was named Superstars in Business by the Delaware State Chamber in 2018 for excellence and outstanding achievements. Each of these accreditations on their own is highly impressive, but when put together, Lam stands out from the rest. She explains, “I work very hard to differentiate myself from other competitors. When people come to my website, they know exactly why my company is different and why they need to work with me. I think that is key to a successful and sustainable business.”

She concludes, “I’m a firm believer of Coco Chanel’s quote: ‘In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.’”

Get listed as a diverse supplier! Many companies in Delaware and beyond are actively seeking certified diverse businesses to integrate into their supply chains. Help them find you by increasing your visibility as a diverse supplier! Contact Kelly Basile at kbasile@dscc. com to get listed on the State Chamber’s diverse supplier directory at www.DSCC.com.