With a bright mind and relentless hustle, Sok excels in unpredictable business world
With a bright mind and relentless hustle, Sok excels in unpredictable business world
Dec. 11, 2019
Since flipping his first pair of sneakers for profit as a 16-year-old high school
junior, Andrew Sok knew he wanted to be his own boss and play by his own rules.
A budding entrepreneur and first-generation student at the Community College of Rhode
Island, the 18-year-old Providence native now owns his own small vending company and
continues to reach new heights on the high-risk secondary sneaker market.
Having successfully navigated the unpredictable waters of the small business world
at a young age, Sok is further pursuing his education in hopes of turning what may
seem like a hobby for some into a money-making business that could eventually bankroll
his future endeavors beyond CCRI.
“As a kid, I always had that mindset of working for myself,” said Sok, the son of
Cambodian refugees who now lives with both parents in North Kingstown. “I’ve always
had that entrepreneurial spirit.”
To fine-tune his business acumen, he enrolled at CCRI this semester, taking advantage
of a “great learning opportunity” through the Promise scholarship to study under experienced
professors who are helping him further understand the risks and rewards as he dives
head-first into the world of entrepreneurship.
“This is a great fit for me,” Sok said. “The class schedule is flexible and the professors
are knowledgeable. They bring real-world experience to the classroom.”
His first money-making endeavor started innocently enough. A friend suggested he could
score big on the online sneaker market, so Sok began researching release dates for
new shoes, how to utilize bots – or automated programs – to make wholesale purchases
through retail providers, and when to flip his new investments for a quick profit.
Soon, he dove into more untapped resources, niche markets such as collectibles or
alternative brands. He bought a suitcase from the Manhattan-based skateboard company
Supreme, waited until the supply dwindled, and then sold it through a third-party
website – he typically uses StockX, one of the more popular online marketplaces –
for more than twice its original retail value.
Some of his finds require a little more legwork. While researching the collectibles
market, he discovered Rae Dunn, a pottery company in California named after a former
fashion designer that sells handmade products worldwide, everything from ceramic birdhouses
to coffee mugs. The brand’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years with collectors
willing to pay more than double the retail value for items. Sok found eight Rae Dunn
birdhouses at a local TJ Maxx and sold them online for a hefty profit that turned
out to be more than worth the effort.
The resale market is as fickle as it is fascinating. Aside from staying on top of
the current trends, the key, Sok says, is understanding the concept of supply and
demand, particularly in the sneaker market.
Sok buys in bulk and hopes the availability of the product dwindles while the demand
skyrockets – risky, no doubt, but there’s little room for reward in the business world
without taking calculated risks.
There’s money to be made, Sok said, if you’re fortunate enough to score a hot new
item at retail value, which requires extensive research on release dates and availability.
He currently owns more than 200 pairs of sneakers, some which he’ll move quickly for
a small profit and others that require more of a long-term investment.
His latest endeavor is the vending business. Sok found a retiring local businessman
selling 26 vending machines on Facebook Marketplace, all located throughout the state.
He purchased the route with money from his sneaker sales and now services the machines
himself during his free time between classes.
The drive and determination runs in the family. Sok’s parents fled Cambodia in their
mid-20s during the Cambodian Genocide of the late 1970s. His father entered the marine
trades industry and continues to work first shift as a boatbuilder. His parents always
told him to get good grades, go to college and follow in their footsteps, but Sok
knew long ago the 9-to-5 grind was not in his future.
At CCRI, he’s now learned there’s more to being an entrepreneur than having a fool-proof
idea and a tireless work ethic; one must also have the right tools to succeed outside
of the classroom.
With a brilliant mind for business, Sok’s opportunities are endless. He’s determined
to become Rhode Island’s next great entrepreneur, but, for now, remains focused on
his education at CCRI, where the college’s business program puts him on the right
track to achieve his goals.
“This is what I’ve always wanted to do,” Sok said. “I think you have to be born with
it. That drive is not something that can be taught. It has to be in you.”
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On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) celebrated a milestone achievement: its 60th Commencement Ceremony. Held at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, the event marked the culmination of CCRI’s year-long diamond anniversary celebration and was a stirring tribute to six decades of transformation, opportunity, and achievement for Rhode Islanders.
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The Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Energy are teaming up to offer a free exploratory program designed to give participants a window into the growing utilities industry.
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Warwick, RI -- Samantha Lescarbeau knew she would experience one life-changing event at CCRI commencement. But she never expected what would happen after she walked across the stage at Amica Mutual Pavillion on May 15.
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Warwick, RI -- The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announced the winners of its 2025 Student Film Festival following a weekend of cinematic talent and storytelling. The festival kicked off with a red-carpet gala on Friday, May 10, and continued on Saturday, May 11, with a full day of student film screenings. The event drew students, faculty, and local film lovers to celebrate the achievements of CCRI’s talented filmmakers.
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May 22, 2025
Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) will launch the next phase of work-based learning to increase internships for students to work directly in workplace environments, gaining valuable skills and experience necessary for college and career success.
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A partnership between the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Delta Dental of Rhode Island (DDRI) is building a pipeline of highly trained, workforce-ready dental hygienists to respond to a nationwide demand for dental hygienists and lay the groundwork for a stronger, more sustainable oral healthcare system in Rhode Island.
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May 16, 2025
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) celebrated a milestone achievement: its 60th Commencement Ceremony. Held at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, the event marked the culmination of CCRI’s year-long diamond anniversary celebration and was a stirring tribute to six decades of transformation, opportunity, and achievement for Rhode Islanders.
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May 14, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) softball team is headed back to the NJCAA Division III Softball World Series for the second consecutive season following another remarkable run in 2025. With a 19-7 overall record, CCRI is currently ranked No. 6 in the NJCAA Division III national poll and will represent the Northeast District and Region XXI at the World Series, held May 21–24 at Carrier Park in Dewitt, NY.
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Brendan Murphy, former Smithfield, RI, resident and one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the Community College of Rhode Island’s men’s basketball program, was honored recently as the college’s Athletic Alumni Award recipient at the state’s 2024–25 Scholar-Athlete Awards ceremony hosted by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi.
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May 07, 2025
Ten student-athletes from the Community College of Rhode Island were honored last week for their athletic and academic achievements as part of the annual Scholar-Athlete Awards held in House Chamber of the Rhode Island State House. The Legislative Awards are designed to provide public recognition for student-athletes from CCRI, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island for significant achievements in their academic and athletic pursuits. The honorees have also demonstrated exemplary citizenship and community service.
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May 06, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Rhode Island College (RIC) are proud to announce the launch of a new, fully online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) program. This innovative partnership offers CCRI nursing graduates a seamless, affordable, and flexible pathway to earn their BSN while delivering the academic rigor and clinical relevance that Rhode Island’s healthcare system demands.
CCRI Partners with United Way to Open 211 Satellite Office
April 29, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has partnered with United Way of Rhode Island to establish a 211 satellite office on CCRI’s Warwick campus, expanding access to essential community resources for students. This collaboration underscores CCRI’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers to student success and ensuring students have the support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
CCRI Launches Free Ophthalmic Technician Training Program
April 23, 2025
Warwick, R.I. – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce the launch of a new Ophthalmic Technician training program through its Division of Workforce Partnerships. This 120-hour program, beginning in May 2025, is free of charge and designed to prepare participants for immediate employment in a fast-growing healthcare field.
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April 23, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Foundation has appointed four new members to its Board of Trustees. We are honored to welcome these four distinguished leaders to the CCRI Foundation,” said Rosemary Costigan, Ph.D, RN, Interim President of CCRI. “Their diverse backgrounds, deep ties to the community, and shared dedication will support us in advancing the college’s mission of access, equity and opportunity.
CCRI and Rhode Island Energy partner to launch free utilities career exploration program
April 17, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Energy are teaming up to offer a free exploratory program designed to give participants a window into the growing utilities industry.
Introduction to Utilities – free to anyone who meets eligibility requirements through funding from Rhode Island Energy – is a seven-hour introductory course that provides participants with foundational skills and knowledge to explore career pathways within the utilities sector, specifically with Rhode Island Energy.
Four CCRI Faculty Honored with NISOD Awards of Excellence
April 10, 2025
Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces that four distinguished faculty members have been recognized with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards. The recipients, honored for their exceptional dedication to student success and academic excellence
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April 10, 2025
Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce that it has been designated a Military Friendly® School for the fourth consecutive year, achieving Gold status for the first time during the 2025–2026 academic year. This prestigious recognition underscores CCRI's unwavering commitment to supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.
Dec. 11, 2019
