by Tom Cade, Editor
A family business can be a wonderful thing, and how it gets to be one is sometimes years in the making.
In 1976, at the age of 14, Sam Bak left Korea with his parents and immigrated to the U.S., settling in the large Korean community in Philadelphia. He would later start an awards company in the basement of his brother's gift shop, spending years learning the industry by going to trade shows and from other business owners.
Bak met his future wife, Esther, in Philadelphia. In 1980, she had also emigrated from Korea. Two decades later, the childless couple adopted a six-month-old infant from Korea and named him Andrew. Wanting to make a new start, Bak passed the awards company to his brother, and in 2003 the small family left Philadelphia and moved to Seattle.
Bak founded his second awards company, this one in Tukwila, south of Seattle, and for 20 years the business thrived, with Alpha Trophy creating awards, trophies and gifts for organizations and events, including golf tournaments, golf courses and facilities. Esther worked side-by-side with Samuel in the early years before becoming a schoolteacher.
Among the numerous charitable and corporate golf events Alpha Trophy has been involved with, for the two decades the company has provided donations and support for the Northwest Korean-American Golf Association, and their annual Korean Open Golf Championship held at Meadow Park GC in Tacoma. The event is the largest of its kind in the U.S.
Andrew was three when they moved to Seattle. He attended Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, and in December 2023 he graduated with a degree in marketing from the renowned Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.
Soon after he graduated, Andrew’s dad began indicating he was considering slowing down, maybe even retiring.
And that’s when his son Andrew entered the picture. When the son began to show some interest, the father began to be re-energized. The business partners moved their main office to Snohomish, a small town 45 minutes north of Seattle.
Right away, Andrew was able to put his degree to practical use.
After graduation, he had initially wanted to go into sales or real estate. “But I thought it would be more meaningful to take what I have learned and help my dad expand his business with tools that he didn't have access to,” he said. “I helped him create a website after all these years, implemented google ads, and email marketing. It has been exciting to see the growth in business, and also has been fulfilling to work with my dad and learn about his passion.
“My dad was looking to slow down and retire but found a new wave of motivation and energy when I joined and brought these new ideas and opportunities,” Andrew says. “He's always had these goals of expanding across the country but was never able to implement the technology or systems.”
When asked how it’s going, taking over the business, the 23-year-old said it was a little daunting at first. “Having a hand in everything, from sales, to customer service, to orders, was a little overwhelming. But the challenge has been a good one.”
While attending college, Andrew had started to play golf, and still plays the local public courses in the area. “With so much of our business catering to the golf world, it all fits really well together.”
Sam is still involved with the business, but feels it is in good hands with his son.
“We believe in giving back to the community that has supported us,” Sam says. “Over the years, we've partnered with local schools, sports leagues, and organizations to help celebrate their achievements.”
Which would be in keeping with the ethos of the golf community. Visit alphatrophy.com for more information.
