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Story & Lesson Highlights with Jit Teo

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jit Teo. Check out our conversation below.

Jit, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My typical morning starts at my desk with breakfast and coffee in hand. I dive into my inbox—fingers crossed there are no urgent fires to extinguish!
If crises do pop up, I tackle them head-on. Resolution time varies wildly: sometimes it’s a quick 5-minute fix; other times, it’s a two-hour deep dive.
But on the rare, blissful days when everything’s running smoothly? I breathe a sigh of relief and shift focus to my team—checking in to ensure they’re thriving and their work is on track.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jit Teo, I am the General Manager of PromotionChoice.com, which is a subsidiary of VIECO, Inc. The company started in 1999, so we are 26 years old.
We specialize in printing on virtually any substrate you can imagine: from budget-friendly giveaways like balloons, stress balls (in every shape imaginable!), and disposable drinkware, to premium, high-end items such as engraved glassware, insulated thermos mugs, leather goods, and fully bespoke products crafted for major corporate events or milestone campaigns.

What truly sets us apart is our relentless commitment to customer service. In this industry, timelines are tight, expectations are high, and mock-up approvals can go through countless rounds. Our team doesn’t just manage the process—we gently guide, nudge, and support our clients through every decision, balancing patience with urgency to ensure artwork and quotes are finalized in time. Because when your event date is set in stone, there are no do-overs.

That’s what makes this industry so intense—and so rewarding. When you’re entrusted with delivering a critical piece of someone’s big moment, you own the outcome. And we take that responsibility seriously.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I grew up in Singapore before moving to the United States about 25 years ago.
My parents were always super strict and did not like me venturing out by myself alone. I first felt a sense of freedom and power when I sneaked out with friends when I was about 8 years old, took public transportation, bought movie tickets, and had a meal. At that young age, I wanted to feel what it was like to be an adult, and that was my first taste of it.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Fear of change has always kept me where I am, particularly when I am feeling comfortable. You keep thinking to yourself, all is good, nothing is broken, why shoudl I try something new? But then you get stuck in a rut even though you are comfortable, and you start feeling stagnant. But still the fear of the unknown looms and you quickly crawl back into your comfortable hole.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
The idea that we should care for one another as deeply as we care for ourselves sounds noble—and in principle, few would disagree. Yet in practice, this ideal is rarely lived out. Too often, people prioritize their own convenience, comfort, or immediate gain, even when it comes at the cost of others.

But imagine a world where we consistently chose empathy over self-interest—where we acted not just for ourselves, but with genuine concern for those around us. Such unselfish thinking wouldn’t just uplift our communities; it would enrich our own lives in ways we often overlook.

Unfortunately, many remain focused on short-term gratification, blind to the deeper rewards of compassion and mutual care. The truth is, lasting fulfillment rarely comes from looking out for number one—it comes from lifting each other up.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
Honestly, I go above and beyond for my customers—consistently. Whether it’s answering an email at midnight or responding to a text while on vacation, I make myself available because their success matters to me. I don’t just reply quickly; I provide clear, thoughtful answers and implement their requests without delay.

Beyond responsiveness, I actively contribute to their vision—offering creative suggestions for events and themes, delivering high-quality artwork, and giving them the full support they need to bring their ideas to life. Over time, I’ve become more than a vendor; I’ve become a trusted partner and an integral part of their team.

If I were to retire tomorrow, they’d feel it deeply—not just as the loss of a service provider, but as the departure of a reliable, collaborative colleague. Replacing that level of commitment, creativity, and consistency wouldn’t be easy.

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