Acts of Kindness: Our Story
Hey there, friend! We’re Chris and Lou - two friends who’ve been on this wild ride together for almost 20 years now. It all started way back in college. We came from totally different backgrounds, but what brought us together was our shared outlook on life: staying positive, helping others, and building a sense of community wherever we went.
Lou, my partner in all of this, served eight years in the Marine Corps, including a tour in Iraq. He’s always been about service and community, which didn’t stop when he left the Marines. He ended up becoming a Park Ranger, spending his days out in nature, and staying connected with the Veteran community. Lou’s one of those guys who’s always there when you need him, and it shows in everything he does.
As for me, I’m Chris, and I’ve always been passionate about problem-solving. During college, I spent a lot of time working with local business owners, hosting events, and getting involved in anything that brought people together. That passion never went away - I carried it with me throughout my career, helping small businesses grow and tackle their toughest challenges. Throughout my journey, I’ve always been about creating positive vibes, finding solutions, and making things better for the people around me.
That's Lou on the left and me, Chris, on the right.
Fast Forward 15 Years
Fifteen years later, life brought us both to a point where we were ready for something new. We’d been friends forever but never worked together. We started thinking, “What if we could combine everything we love - community, business, helping people - and actually make something out of it?” Lou had been doing resale as a hobby, and after a bunch of late-night brainstorms (and way too much coffee), we realized we could build something pretty awesome together.
That’s how AOK Commerce got started. We didn’t want to be just another business out to make a quick buck. We wanted to do something meaningful. We figured, why not create a business that helps us provide for our families while also giving back to the community? So we took the plunge and made it happen.
The Birth of AOK Commerce
AOK Commerce is all about taking what we love - finding cool stuff, connecting with people, and spreading kindness - and turning it into something that makes a difference. With Lou’s experience in the resale world and my background in business, we thought we could create a company that put kindness at the forefront. We decided that a part of everything we earned would go back into the community - whether that means helping out Veterans, supporting local initiatives, or just doing simple acts of kindness to brighten someone’s day.
Life can be tough, and sometimes it feels like there’s more negativity than anything else. But we believe in the power of small actions. A little kindness goes a long way, and that’s what AOK stands for: Acts of Kindness. This isn’t just about selling stuff; it’s about building a community of people who want to spread positivity and do good things - no matter how small.
Our mission is simple:
Foster an engaged community where collectors connect and share in the excitement of the AOK shows.
Spread joy and positivity through our live shows and in every interaction we have.
Give back by using a portion of our earnings to support Veterans and causes that matter.
Promote acts of kindness, both in our communities and online.
Inspire others to get involved in spreading kindness however they can.
We’re not trying to be heroes or anything. We’re just two friends who saw an opportunity to make a difference and decided to go for it. We want AOK Commerce to be a place where every purchase means something more. Whether it’s buying a stranger a cup of coffee, holding the door for someone, or just sharing a smile, we believe those small actions can add up to something big.
AOK Commerce is more than just a store - it’s a community, a movement, and a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference. We’d love for you to join us on this journey and help spread some positivity - one act of kindness at a time.
So welcome to AOK Commerce, where kindness meets community, and every purchase has a purpose!
