ACE NextGen Houston Speaker Series is a monthly series hosted on the last Thursday of each month bringing in entrepreneurs to share their experience, skills, knowledge and wisdom. The roughly one hour moderated talk or presentation will be preceded and followed by open networking.

Food and drinks are provided with additional food and beverages available for purchase. Parking after 7pm is free (do not need to scan the code).

Dress code: Casual

Cost: Free for members, $10 for non-members

May Speaker Series: Patrick Lam of Lam Bespoke

About Patrick and Lam Bespoke:

Upon meeting Patrick Lam, one defining trait becomes evident relatively quickly; he possesses an entrepreneurial spirit akin to what you read about in biographies of titans of industry. His perseverance and determination have guided him throughout his life. After receiving a Jones Scholarship in ’96, his undergraduate education began at UT Austin where he majored in Business Management. After two years, he transferred to the University of Houston to complete his degree while helping part time with his family’s upholstery business.

Upon graduating in 2000, he transitioned to working full time at Hien Lam Upholstery. As one of five employees, all of whom were family, balancing that dynamic while creating growth and change proved to be challenging and rewarding. Part of that climb included acquiring a 32,000 square foot space in the Montrose area in 2005 to accommodate his goal of improving production and sales. By the time he departed ten years later, he had increased gross sales from $250K to $2.4 million with a staff of 22.

The second real estate purchase was a 20,000 square foot building near Upper Kirby, where Patrick would begin his next endeavor, a retail furnishings store. Despite the economic downturn plaguing much of the country, he strongly felt there existed demand for a mid-high end furniture store with custom offerings. With renovations complete, LAM BESPOKE opened its doors in May of 2011 with three employees. His business acumen and instincts proved correct again. LAM BESPOKE has entered its fourteenth year and emerged from the recession with a team of 25 and shows a growth from $670K in 2011 to a sales projection of $10 million plus for 2026 with a 3rd location in the Woodlands that opened in early 2025.

Always looking beyond the horizon, Patrick’s current efforts are on growing the LB brand to an omni channel home decor brand with a long-term goal of franchise possibilities. His accomplishments were not without moments of financial uncertainty. However, fear of failure does not haunt him the way complacency does. Taking the road less traveled is the only path he knows. It is this resolve and resilience that make him a natural entrepreneur.