ABOUT PROTEK & Friends
Who We Are
Protek & Friends is a Los Angeles–based clothing production studio providing full-package apparel manufacturing across the USA and China. Founded by Tran, Protek helps fashion brands plan, develop, and produce their collections with clarity, structure, and calm — from samples through production and shipping.
How Protek Started
Every story starts somewhere.
Mine honestly started with a favor for my best friend.
I was still working my full-time job when he asked me to help him produce his clothing line. He lived in New York but wanted to produce in Los Angeles because his styles required heavy garment dye and wash. That part was easy for me — I’d already spent years inside development, sourcing, pattern, samples, and production.
What wasn’t easy was working with a small factory.
Communication was nearly impossible.
Replies took days.
Prices changed after deposits.
Timelines slipped without warning.
Problems only showed up at the very last minute — when nothing could be fixed properly.
It wasn’t the work that was stressful.
It was how the work was handled.
And the more I tried to keep everything on track, the more I realized something important:
Most factories don’t see how much pressure founders carry.
They don’t see how one small decision affects:
• pattern
• samples
• shrink tests
• fabric behavior
• sewing
• wash
• cutting method
• timeline
• and profit
Everyone does their part, passes the problem along, and founders end up holding all the stress.
That was the moment I knew I couldn’t keep working inside a system like that.
A few months later, I quit my job and started Protek.
Not to become the biggest factory.
Not to take every client.
But to build a small, steady production system that actually plans ahead, communicates clearly, and treats every step with intention.
How Protek Works
Since the beginning, Protek has been built on a few simple rules.
The One-Style Rule
Most factories want your entire collection upfront.
I don’t.
We start with one style so you can experience how we plan, communicate, and solve problems before committing to a full line. If you don’t love the process, you can stop anytime.
Step-by-Step, Not All Upfront
I don’t bundle sourcing, samples, and production into one big upfront charge. We move step by step. You see the work, you feel the process, and you decide when to move forward.
No Retainers — Ever
I don’t charge retainers or lock clients into monthly fees. If I have to chase someone to work on their own dream, we’re probably not the right match. I work best with founders who are ready, engaged, and moving.
Why Brands Stay
Every time we finish a collection, it feels like being invited to a birthday party.
Every time a client texts me “We sold out,” it feels like Christmas morning.
When your weeks start feeling like that over and over — how do you ever stop?
If you’re looking for:
• clear communication
• thoughtful planning
• fewer surprises
• and a production partner who protects your time and margin
You’ll feel at home here.