Today we’d like to introduce you to Dang Le.
Hi Dang, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I joined a fraternity in college, usually Greeks have a tradition to give and receive “paddles”. Paddles are pretty much similar to a trophy/plaque type of gift that is given to a “big bro” or “pledge parent” from the “little bro” or “kid.” This symbolizes the pledging portion of the time the individuals had within the organization.
I had to provide or make my own. My class and I went to a local campus Greek store. There we found simple custom-shaped paddles on the wall. It gave me an idea to ask how much it was to make a 2 ft sword. I was quoted about $250, but they were not sure if their carpenter can make it.
That inspired me to make my own paddle. I then designed a simple version of Tryndamere’s sword from league of legends.
Once presented it blew away my fraternity; other brothers and friends asked me to help make their custom paddle. I helped my friends with these custom items to save them money; shortly after, I didn’t realize I had a business going in, and I had started to help all of SoCal, and then now nationwide. Worldwide if you count Canada
From there, we continue to provide cheap affordable paddles and to innovate more custom paddles.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being a first generation here in America, my family does not have any experience in being a business owner. As the visionary person for Dang Paddles, I felt like I can be even more creative if I had the machines necessary to do so. My parents often urged me to stay small and do it as a side hobby and to finish school at the time. I was able to do both and had to break through their suggestions and acquire the items and factors I needed to grow.
I had moved out of working from my parents’ house to a shop in west Covina, here I am able to support my family now doing woodwork!
Just like any other business, you need to learn how to deal with customers, great experiences will bring back your clientele. With this being said, you really learn how to favor customers while being fair to your own energy and time, and with great effort, you can become a 5-star business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
We make custom Greek paddles if you wanted customizations like Goku or hello kitty on your paddle, we can design one
We brought “custom Greek paddles” to this entire niche of Greek life. I’m proud That I made a standard in the Greek gift world, that I made categories and styles to my specific work. I’m the first to do this, while others try to be generic, and we aren’t stopping with innovating and refining our craft
What sets us apart comes from the quality and precision of our woodwork. We have specific styles of cutouts that are exclusively from us, we can provide intricate designs and large designs. And lastly, our color and finish is the cherry on top.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My close friends are the biggest supporter and motivator. Literally, my group of friends helped me build some of these machines from scratch, advising me what I should do, can do, and not do. Any ideas and suggestion were strongest and quickest from them. Every time we hang out, it’s always brews and ideas and ideas. If we can imagine something cool to do, we’d do it or research it; that’s our motto right away.
Kevin em – helped me learn designing, cad, brought the machines together and workflow, brilliant guy
Brian phan – the refined ideas and genius behind my name, “dang paddles”
All my painters who have brought my plain wood pieces to color and life
All my friends and workers who have helped me get here, secretaries, assistants, packagers, shippers
I all learned from them, and it created the person I am today
Pricing:
- paddle accessories start at .55 cents
- keychains accessories start under $1
- traditional paddles start at $25
- custom greek paddles start at $60
- baller options $200+
Contact Info:
- Website: dangpaddles.com
- Instagram: dangpaddleswoodwork
- Facebook: facebook.com/dangpaddles
