Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamil Faizi.
Hi Kamil, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey began in 2013 while I was a student at the University of Central Florida. I’ve always been deeply passionate about history and politics, and I wanted to find a way to merge those interests with a meaningful career. At the time, I was working for a mentor who owned a small promotional items business. After saving enough capital, I approached him with an offer to buy the company; he was thrilled to see it pass into the hands that shared his dedication, and I’ve been running it ever since.
Since then, we have grown by focusing on high-quality, personalized memorabilia—specializing in challenge coins, lapel pins, patches, and belt buckles. While we serve many government and non-government sectors, our primary mission is supporting the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Army.
I attribute our success to the power of networking and a simple philosophy: if you do excellent work, the community will advocate for you. Beyond the products, what drives me is the ability to give back. A portion of our sales is donated every few months to veteran charities, ensuring that we support the very men and women who serve our country. It’s an honor to provide a tangible piece of history for those who make it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been anything but smooth. While entrepreneurship is often romanticized, the reality involves a steep learning curve and significant personal sacrifice. In the early days, my biggest hurdle was raising the capital necessary to scale an online-based business and mastering the complexities of digital marketing.
I’ve had to be a lifelong student to survive. I relied on a mix of online resources like Coursera and YouTube, the invaluable advice of self-employed peers, and the National Entrepreneur Center’s Orlando branch. Implementing these lessons was a slow, deliberate process that required immense ‘blood, sweat, and tears.’
Perhaps the most difficult part was the time spent away from family and missing social milestones to build this dream. This personal sacrifice gives me an even deeper appreciation for our veterans; they miss years of family life to serve and protect our nation. Seeing their sacrifice firsthand puts my own struggles into perspective and fuels my drive to succeed for them.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Coins Customized?
Here at Coins Customized, we specialize in high-quality, bespoke memorabilia that commemorates service, history, and achievement. Our core expertise lies in custom challenge coins, but we offer a full suite of products, including lapel pins, lanyards, patches, and belt buckles. We are primarily known for our work within the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Army, where precision and tradition are paramount.
What truly sets us apart isn’t just the metal and enamel; it’s our deep-rooted connection to the community we serve. Unlike many high-volume retailers, our growth has been fueled by personal referrals and a commitment to getting the details right for those who have worn the uniform.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of our ‘service-loop’ model. We don’t just sell to the military community; we reinvest in it. By contributing a portion of our sales to veteran-focused charities, we ensure that our business success directly impacts the underserved veteran population. For our customers, a coin from Coins Customized is more than a souvenir, because it’s a piece of excellence that gives back to those who gave the most.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be perseverance. The path of an entrepreneur is rarely linear; it is filled with technical hurdles, financial pivots, and personal sacrifices. There were countless moments where it would have been easier to walk away, but staying the course and remaining dedicated to the mission—even when the road was rocky, is what allowed Coins Customized to thrive. In this business, just like in the military communities we serve, showing up and pushing forward regardless of the obstacles is what ultimately makes the difference.
Pricing:
- Custom Challenge Coins: Starting as low as $3.50 – $5.00 per coin (based on standard 100-piece orders).
- Zero Hidden Fees: We pride ourselves on transparent pricing with no surprise ‘setup’ or ‘artwork’ fees.
- Volume Discounts: We offer significant price breaks for larger bulk orders (300+ pieces).
- Free Shipping
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coinscustomized.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/challengecoins4u/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/awesomecoins
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@challengecoins4u
Image Credits
credit: Coins Customized
