BCA Insider - 2022 Holiday Edition

BY DESIGN KEEPING UP WITH DESIGN TRENDS

THE INS AND OUTS OF TIKTOK

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT CRYPTO & NFTs

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Keith Loria billiardskeith@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Charles S. Donnavan Warren Howard

Anthony Stoeckert

ADVERTISING

MEMBERSHIP MANAGER

Shane Tyree shane@bca-pool.com

(303) 243-5070 x23

DESIGN/LAYOUT

ART DIRECTOR

Julie Snee julie.snee@gmail.com

BCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN

Shane Bouchard, Maine Home Recreation

VICE-CHAIRMAN

Ivan Lee, Iwan Simonis

SECRETARY

Stephanie Schmidt, A. E. Schmidt

TREASURER

Nick Kroll, Viking Cues

BOARD MEMBERS

Debbie Corvey, Boynton Billiards

Ed Liddawi, Sandcastle Billiards

Philippe Singer, The Predator Group

Robbie Selby, R and R Outdoors

Trey Stites, Champion Shuffleboard

OPENING LETTER

What do the holidays mean to you? For me, the holidays are always plenty busy with business and trying to finish the year on a positive note, while also cherishing time with family and friends.

I have always also taken this time of year to look forward and think about new beginnings. With respect to the Billiard Congress of America, it is a very exciting time as we have many projects and programs that the BCA Board of Directors and headquarters staff are excited to launch in 2023.

Entering our 40th anniversary of the BCA Expo in 2023, we are pleased to co-locate with Amusement Expo International (March 27 – 30) and its growing list of organizations in similar industry segments. Moving the Expo earlier in the planning calendar is going to provide our dealers with more time to partner with manufacturers to plan their purchases for their busy holiday season.

The BCA Expo is also excited to remain in Las Vegas, and now we are closer to the Las Vegas Strip and its vast selection of hotel and dining options and world class entertainment. Additionally, for 2023, the BCA is thrilled to announce that we are developing more member benefits for our pool room operator members. Plus, we are in the final stages of launching a pool table installer and mechanic program. We also look forward to launching a revamped BCA-Pool.com website that will offer additional member benefits.

So, yes, there is a lot of stuff to be excited about. Until then, you can look forward to another great edition of BCA Insider that includes an in-depth look at TikTok, and how you can use it to help your business; preparing for the after-holiday rush; and because so many members had more questions, we did a short follow up on Crypto and NFTs.

Until 2023, let us make some memories we can cherish this holiday season while we listen to sounds of sleigh bells (and cash registers) ringing!

Happy Holidays.

Shane Bouchard

SHANE BOUCHARD, BCA CHAIRMAN

P.S. We also just recently introduced a new auto renewal program for your BCA annual membership dues. Now, renewing your membership is easier than ever!

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT

&

By BCA Staff

Over the past two issues, BCA Insider has run stories detailing cryptocurrency and NFTs, explaining how some in our industry are utilizing these new digital assets to further their businesses.

While both stories were meant to be primers on the subjects with the goal to help our members understand these terms better, a lot of confusion still exists, which is understandable.

Below are some of the most common questions that our members still have about cryptocurrency and NFTs and hopefully, this will help you on your road to utilizing these valuable digital tools.

CRYPTOCURRENCY

I still don’t get it. This is money that’s digital? What exactly are cryptocurrencies?

While this is seemingly a simple question, it still can be confusing. The easiest definition is that cryptocurrencies are digital currency designed to work as a medium of exchange through a computer network that is not reliant on any central authority, such as a government or bank, to uphold or maintain it.

Beyond being utilized as a method for payment, what are other functions of cryptocurrencies?

Cryptocurrency value can be pegged to underlying assets such as the U.S. dollar, central bank digital currencies, privacy coins, governance tokens, utility tokens, and non-fungible tokens. Of course, there are also investors and speculators who are hoping for appreciation. It is very important you know the intent and functionality of cryptocurrency you own or are considering owning.

How are cryptocurrency transactions recorded?

Cryptocurrency transactions are recorded on a shared, digital ledger called a blockchain. This is decentralized technology, spread across many computers, that records each and every transaction.

Aren’t blockchain and cryptocurrencies the same thing?

No. Blockchain is the technology that allows for cryptocurrencies to work. It is a decentralized and digital ledger of transactions used for cryptocurrencies and other assets/functions. It is important to separate the technology behind cryptocurrencies from the actual cryptocurrencies.

What are the most popular cryptocurrencies today?

The most popular and widely utilized cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, with about 65 percent of the $1 trillion industry. There are close to 8,000 different cryptocurrencies available today and growing. The others in the top five are Ethereum, Tether, USDC and Binance Coin.

Why are there so many cryptocurrencies?

That’s an easy one. People saw the early success of Bitcoin and wanted to get in on the action and try to make money. But be wary. More than 2,000 cryptocurrencies have failed in the past few years due to a lack of funding at the start and after launch, some failed to evolve, and a few were outright frauds.

How Safe is Crypto?

Despite its decentralized nature, transactions on most cryptocurrency networks are very secure, as long as crypto users take precautions.

NFTS

What exactly is an NFT?

At the most basic level, a non-fungible token is a one-of-akind, verifiable digital asset that can be exchanged between a creator and a buyer. The one-of-a-kind characteristic is important in distinguishing NFTs from other digital assets; one NFT is not interchangeable for another, like a dollar bill or a share of stock, but is unique and has its own value.

Why are NFTs valuable?

All value comes from the property it represents, which is normally something that exists in the digital world. This could be an original piece of art or digital memorabilia. The NFT itself doesn’t necessarily contain the digital property, but points to its location on the blockchain. Like a concert ticket or a deed to a physical property, an NFT reflects the value of the thing it represents.

What’s the link between NFTs and cryptocurrency?

While the two often go hand-in-hand, NFTs aren’t cryptocurrencies, they are built using technology similar to Ethereum and Bitcoin. Like cryptocurrencies, NFTs exist on a blockchain, which verifies their unique identity and ownership. The blockchain also keeps a record of all the transactions connected to the NFT and the property it represents.

NFTs seem to be aimed at collectors only. How can that help our business?

Because NFTs run on a blockchain, they could offer potential for uses beyond art and collectibles. Just look at what Riley and Jake Pechauer created with the Pool Shark Billiard Club, a series of 8,888 one-of-a-kind shark NFTs that promote billiards. In theory, NFTs could offer efficiency and security through embedded smart contracts.

How do I purchase an NFT?

Purchasing an NFT is not like a typical e-commerce transaction. Those interested in buying one must change their native currency to a blockchain-based cryptocurrency before they can complete their transaction. This exchange generally happens on a dedicated NFT platform.

How Are NFTs Distributed?

NFTs are sent directly to consumers from the point of purchase. For business owners, these assets can offer a direct-to-consumer product that eliminates a physical footprint and distribution. While this will be a cost-saving solution for B2C businesses, B2B companies will need to learn how to implement NFTs into their model.

As a small business, why should I implement NFTs?

The usage of NFTs may seem like it’s exclusively for artists and major corporations, but many small businesses are now using them as well. Small businesses have created and sold NFTs for sweepstakes initiatives and to raise money for charities they support. They can also create and sell NFTs to promote their business and generate revenue.

What are the drawbacks of NFTs?

While NFTs are an exciting technology with lots of financial potential, they do have limitations, one being the lack of broadband access in areas of the United States and other parts of the world. Without internet access, consumers cannot participate in the exchange of NFTs.

If you still have questions about either cryptocurrency or NFTs, send them to billiardskeith@gmail.com and our staff will do our best to answer.

THE INS AND OUTS OF

TikTok isn’t just a social media platform, it’s a sensation. While it’s extremely popular among Gen Zers –the app’s stereotypical user is a young person watching dance videos – people from all demographics are scrolling through TikTok’s countless videos.

“Adults of all ages are using the platform, from teenagers to grandparents,” says Brandon Wilkes, a social media marketing expert and the marketing manager at The Big Phone Store. “And it’s not just for entertainment either –

By Anthony Stoeckert

businesses are using TikTok for marketing, and educators are using it for teaching. There’s something for everyone.”

That includes pool players – serious players, casual players, and people who are looking to buy games for their homes. And any billiard or home recreation retailer who isn’t sharing the word about their business on TikTok is overlooking a huge potential audience.

“In today’s social media-driven world, TikTok is quickly becoming one of the

most popular platforms for businesses and brands,” Wilkes says. “With over 800 million active users, TikTok offers a unique and engaging way to reach a large and diverse audience. For businesses, TikTok can be used to create short, creative videos that promote products or services, or to simply raise awareness about their brand.”

That includes billiard store owners, so let’s get an idea of what TikTok is all about and how it can benefit your business.

WHAT IS TIKTOK?

Let’s start with the basics as to what TikTok is, and what makes it different from the social media platforms you are – or should – already be using (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). As Wilkes describes it, TikTok allows users to share short videos where they lip-synch, dance, and share their creativity in myriad ways.

“It’s incredibly popular with people of all ages and has been a huge success in countries all over the world,” he says.

Alex Williams, an e-commerce business owner, says TikTok is “unlike any other social media platform. It allows users to express their inner creative genius with different features. They have the option to collaborate with celebrities and make their TikToks more fun.”

In fact, compared to Instagram and Facebook, TikTok is relatively new, which means it offers your store untapped potential for sales.

“Additionally, TikTok’s algorithm favors videos that are creative and original, which gives businesses an opportunity to stand out from the competition,” Williams says. “While TikTok may not be the most important social media platform for all businesses, it is definitely one to keep an eye on and consider incorporating into your marketing strategy.”

Brandon Walsh, founder of the Interly marketing agency, notes that different social media platforms serve different purposes, and that TikTok plays a different role than the platforms your store likely is already on.

“Facebook is used to increase direct sales, while Instagram is suited for engaging with your audience,” he says. “TikTok works best for spreading awareness and establishing identity.”

Kristi Smith, editor-in-chief and operational manager of Honest Brand Reviews , says billiard and home recreation retailers should definitely be active on TikTok if they want to achieve success.

“TikTok is heaven for home recreation retailers,” she says. “It’s the perfect platform where they can expand their customer base. Retailers can find clients beyond their locality, which can help improve their profit margin.”

Jessica Kats, an e-commerce and retail expert, says TikTok stands out from other social media platforms because it has a sole focus on shortform videos.

“Other social media platforms are fully established visual platforms,” she says. “Platforms like Facebook and Instagram do not just focus on video sharing. They also emphasize written content and photos.”

WHO IS ON TIKTOK

While there is no doubt that TikTok is tremendously popular among young people, they aren’t the only ones using it – and there’s a lot more to it than funny dance videos.

“The majority of TikTok users are between the ages of 16 and 24,” says Kats. “Other age groups also use this app, but not as frequently as young people.”

She adds that TikTok provides billiard retailers an opportunity to enhance their brand identity, increase brand awareness, and reach new audiences.

“Social media users are no longer attracted to lengthy content, which is the case for Facebook and Instagram,” Kats says. “TikTok gives them the same information in a fraction of that time. This is why business owners give TikTok more importance. It encourages users to spend more time on the app.”

So while many people think TikTok is only for younger people, businesses that ignore the platform risk missing out on an opportunity to reach people who are interested in their products.

“It’s a popular misconception that TikTok only has young users,” Williams says. “But you can easily find millennials making fun content online. However, it’s not a popular platform among boomers.”

WHY YOU SHOULD BE ON TIKTOK

You’re already devoting your valuable time and resources to posting videos and other content on your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – do you really need to post videos on yet another social media app? In short, the answer is “yes.”

Walsh says TikTok is different because it’s based solely on short-form videos, as compared to other platforms that fo-

“…BUSINESSES THAT IGNORE [TIKTOK] RISK MISSING OUT ON AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH PEOPLE … ”

cus on text and still images. He added that effectively using TikTok can help a billiard business increase its brand awareness; establish a brand identity; increase web traffic; and enhance your target audience.

“The best way to introduce TikTok to billiard and other retailers is to show them the business benefits,” he says. “Businesses care a lot about return on investment. They’re investing money, so they do need to see the returns on it. If you show how TikTok has helped other businesses in their marketing, they’re more likely to be convinced of it”

Several experts note that TikTok offers retailers a platform with more than 800 million active users, and they point out that audience is vast and diverse. That’s too big a group of people to ignore. Furthermore, a lot of TikTok users are difficult to reach through more traditional channels.

“TikTok is a highly engaging platform, with users spending an average of 52 minutes per day on the app,” Walsh says. “This presents a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with potential customers in a way that is both fun and interactive.”

Additionally, TikTok can help retailers reach new customers by building brand awareness and driving sales.

“TikTok allows businesses to showcase their products and services in a creative and engaging way,” Walsh says. “For example, retailers can create short videos highlighting their latest products, special offers, or even just fun behindthe-scenes footage. This can help to increase brand awareness and encourage potential customers to visit the retailer’s website or store.”

As if that isn’t enough, Wilkes says TikTok not only can help you find new customers, it allows you to build and maintain relationships with them.

“By interacting with users and responding to comments, businesses can create a sense of community and connection with their target audience,” Wilkes says. “This can help to build trust and loyalty, and ultimately lead to increased sales.”

BUILDING A TIKTOK PRESENCE

Like with any other social media platform, it’s important to think about how often you want to post videos to TikTok. If you post too few videos, people might not notice you, and too many posts can become overkill. You want your channel to be active enough that people find your videos and share them.

Wilkes says deciding how often to post videos depends on such factors as your channel’s goals, your target audience, and the content you post.

“For example, a channel that is focused on promoting a product or service might want to post new videos on a daily basis, while a channel that is focused on entertainment might want to post new videos on a weekly basis,” he says. “Ultimately, it is up to the channel owner to decide how often videos should be posted on TikTok.”

Smith recommends posting videos three times a week, and he offers suggestions for videos that can boost sales.

“Tutorials should be posted on the platform, showcasing the best way to use a certain product,” Smith says. “The videos should be educational and should add value to your brand. Retailers can make use of TikTok by hosting live Q&As and making use of social media to understand the diversity of audience members.”

And don’t be put off by the fact that a lot of young people are on TikTok. Paul Mallory, social media expert and co-founder of ConsumerGravity, says a major reason billiard retailers should be on TikTok is because it gives them an opportunity to attract a younger clientele.

“Its main difference is its short-form video content,” he says. “No other popular platform solely focuses on that. In an age where consumers’ attention spans are short, apps like TikTok are a must.”

There is one other important reason to create a TikTok presence for your billiard and home recreation store –and that’s because your competition is likely already on it. Oberon Copeland, founder and CEO of Very Informed, says that as TikTok grows in popularity, businesses of all kinds are discovering its benefits as a marketing platform.

“For billiard and home recreation retailers, TikTok offers a unique opportunity to reach a new audience,” Copeland says. “The app’s users are primarily young adults, who are more likely to be interested in active forms of recreation such as pool and Ping-Pong. In addition, TikTok’s focus on short, creative videos provides an ideal format for showcasing products and demonstrating their use.”

He notes that creating fun and engaging videos that share the excitement and fun of billiards and other table games is a great way to catch the attention of potential customers who aren’t familiar with what you offer. Make videos that showcase the games and target different videos to specific types of customers, such as people who are looking for a fun game for their family.

“With its large and growing user base, TikTok provides an invaluable opportunity for businesses in the billiard and home recreation industry to reach a new generation of customers,” Copeland says.

And those new customers can help keep your store successful for years and years to come.

GETTING STARTED ON TIKTOK

If your store has an Instagram or Facebook page, then you likely know how to create effective videos. (By the way, if you aren’t posting videos to your other social media platforms, you should be.) Your phone offers you everything you need to make effective videos.

Wilkes says successful TikTok videos for businesses should be creative, on-brand, and provide value. He offers the following advice:

• Make sure the video is clear and concise.

• Get to the point quickly and don’t include any fluff.

• Focus on the value the video will provide – what information will the viewer gain from watching it?

• Keep it professional. This doesn’t mean the video needs to be stuffy or boring, but it should avoid being too casual or informal.

• Make sure the video is visually appealing. Use high-quality graphics and footage, and make sure the audio is clear.

“When it comes to being creative, businesses should think outside the box and come up with ideas that will capture the attention of their target audience,” Wilkes says. “They should also make sure that their videos are on brand, meaning that they align with the company’s values and messaging. Finally, businesses should focus on providing value in their videos, whether that’s entertainment, education, or both.”

PREPARING FOR THE POST-HOLIDAY RUSH

By Warren Howard

The new year is upon us and you and your staff are recovering from a busy and prosperous holiday season, so it’s time to take it easy for a few weeks, right?

Wrong. In fact, it’s time to prepare your store for the post-holiday rush.

There’s a misconception out there that following the holiday season, people are tightening their wallets after weeks of spending money on presents, food, and traveling. A lot of people also think the cold weather much of the country experiences keeps shoppers inside, as they recover from the hectic holiday season.

But that isn’t the case. There are lots of reasons people buy pool tables and other games – because they moved into a new home that has a game room, because they’re looking for a fun family activity, or because they love pool –and those reasons don’t disappear after January 1.

“Throwing in the towel for a few weeks after the holiday rush in your retail store is a bad idea,” says James Green, a retail expert. “The holidays are always a boost to local economies, but that boost continues well after the holidays have come and gone. The smart move to make is to keep pushing harder af-

ter a successful holiday season in your store. You might be tired, you might feel like sales are going to drop off, but if you keep the marketing up, keep your customer service up, and keep your sales team inspired, you’re going to see an increase in sales continue after the holidays. Use the holiday season as momentum to keep going.”

TURN RETURNS INTO PROFITS

Of course, the days immediately following Christmas are busy for retail

businesses of all kinds, including billiard and home recreation stores, but not always for the best reason. That’s when folks are returning unwanted gifts, which presents challenges for stores, but also opportunities.

“January can literally make or break the year for retailers,” says Brad Hall, a retail expert who has seen his share of post-holiday returns. “Your business is going to get inundated with returns and it’s up to you to turn those returns into exchanges at the very least, and possibly into extra sales.”

When a customer comes in to return a gift in the weeks after the holidays, ask them why they are returning it. One common answer will simply be that they didn’t want the gift. If that’s the case, ask them if there is anything else in your store that interests them. Maybe they’re a pool player who got a cue they didn’t like. Find out what kind of cue they actually want, or make suggestions to them. Maybe their dream cue is expensive, but store credit for the cue they’re returning could make it affordable.

“At the very minimum, you can keep your profits from plummeting into the negatives, but the most successful businesses can exchange items and upsell additional items with each exchange,” Hall says. “Furthermore, just because December is over doesn’t mean there’s not a slew of incoming holidays that people need gifts for.”

THERE’S ALWAYS ANOTHER HOLIDAY

Hall’s point about holidays is an important one. Just a couple of weeks after New Year’s Day, people are taking off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, then comes February and Valentine’s Day, March sees Saint Patrick’s Day, and then it’s time for spring and Easter.

Not that these are occasions where people buy their loved ones a high-end pool

table, but they are fantastic opportunities to reach out to established customers. The person who bought their spouse a pool table during the holidays might see Valentine’s Day as a great opportunity to buy them a cue, high-quality pool balls, or other accessories. Use social media and email blasts to spread the word to your regulars about new products that make ideal gifts during these holidays.

with it. Another advantage to gift cards is that they get people who are interested in the products you sell to actually walk through your doors. Not only does all of this cut down on returns, it gives you an opportunity to upsell to actual pool enthusiasts. There’s also a good chance those enthusiasts will spend money beyond the amount of the gift card – adding even more to your bottom line.

COMMIT TO YOUR MISSION

Rengie Wisper, retail expert and co-founder and designer at Ever Wallpaper, says that the post-holiday season is a time to remember the mission of your business.

“In order to take advantage of these holidays, you have to prepare for them,” says Marcus Barnett, who has been in the retail game for 20 years. He notes that billiard and home recreation retailers should ramp up their inventory accounting efforts – and also make sure they are properly staffed. “The post-holiday rush heavily features support issues and returns and exchanges, so you’ll want to focus on having ample help desk staff and experienced POS staff to handle the heavier flow of customers.”

PROMOTE GIFT CARDS

As a billiard store owner, you no doubt have had people walk into your store who don’t play pool but want to buy something for a relative or friend who does, so they have no idea what to buy. And when faced with that situation, smart retailers know that suggesting those customers buy a gift card is a great idea.

There are a few advantages to gift cards –first they are rarely returned because no one who loves pool is going to try to exchange a gift card for cash because they can buy the exact product they want

“Make sure every employee knows what makes your business unique and special,” he says. “Make sure every customer feels like they’re getting the kind of attention and customer service that makes them want to come back again. And don’t forget – even if you’re busy, it’s important to take time out of each day to check in with yourself and make sure your passion hasn’t waned. If it has, then it’s time to find a way to reignite that spark.”

It is, in a sense, a test of your determination, because after the intense holiday season and weeks of working long hours, it’s tempting to take it easy and just enjoy the fact that things are quieting down.

Also important is maintaining relationships with your regular customers, even the ones who are tightening their budgets in the early part of the year. Stay active on social media and promote new and exciting products. Then, when the time comes for these people to start doing some shopping, they’ll know to make a visit to your store.

Taking a smart approach to your billiard store now not only can result in surprisingly good sales in the early part of 2023, it can help set the stage for success all year long.

“…MAKE SURE YOUR PASSION HASN’T WANED. IF IT HAS, … FIND A WAY TO REIGNITE THAT SPARK.”

UNDERSTANDING GOOGLE MERCHANT CENTER AND OTHER E-COMMERCE OPTIONS

By Charles S. Donnavan

As a retailer, you’re concerned with a lot of things – boosting sales, pricing items correctly and knowing what your customers want and desire.

But for many retailers these days, it’s not just about selling in the store, but taking advantage of sales online. That’s why e-commerce platforms are relentlessly rolling out new tools for merchants to help them succeed.

After all, during the pandemic, studies revealed that a massive 81 percent of consumers shopped for items online, which forced many retailers in our industry to boost this segment of the business.

GO WITH GOOGLE

One of the most popular e-commerce platforms for billiard retailers to utilize is the Google shopping platform, which recently changed its name to Google Merchant Center. This platform allows retailers to list their products for sale and is one of the most successful e-commerce options around today.

The difference between the old Google shopping platform and Google Merchant Center is that the latter offers retailers the ability to create product listings that include more information, such as product images, prices, and descriptions. Additionally, Google Merchant Center allows retailers to target their product listings to specific audiences, such as con-

sumers in a certain geographic area or consumers who have expressed an interest in a particular type of product.

“Google Merchant Center is a one-stop shop for retailers looking to grow their business and get discovered,” says Matt Madrigal, VP and general manager of Merchant Shopping at Google. “It allows you to list your products for free across Google Search, YouTube, Maps and Image Search, in just a few clicks – even if you use a platform like Shopify.”

Additionally, Merchant Center can help billiard retailers more easily connect with local shoppers and measure and analyze how people are interacting with listings on Google.

“No one wants to live in a world where there’s only one place to buy things, which is why we’re working every day to help connect merchants with more shoppers,” Madrigal said.

In recent years, Google has rolled out a few major updates that have made it easier for merchants – especially the smalland medium-sized merchants that are predominantly in our industry – to get discovered on Google for free thanks to free listings, integrations with third-party platforms and free insights and analytics tools. These are all accessed within the Merchant Center, a merchant’s one-stop shop for managing their presence on Google.

Any retailer who has a Merchant Center account can list their products on Google, which means a small, local business can

have their products show up right alongside the world’s biggest retailers to shoppers who are seeking them out.

“Before we rolled out free listings, merchants were required to pay for listings on Google Shopping,” Madrigal says. “Our goal is that this change will help level the playing field, remove barriers and ultimately support an open and free commerce ecosystem where any merchant can get discovered at no cost to them.”

Another way Google supports small- and mid-sized retailers is through its expanded partnerships with Shopify, GoDaddy, WooCommerce and other platforms that make it easy for merchants to list their products with Google in just a few clicks.

This means that in just a few simple steps, Shopify merchants can connect to Google one time and become discoverable across Google Search, Shopping, Image Search and YouTube.

This is great for merchants for two primary reasons – people shop on Google more than a billion times a day, a point that underscores the opportunities for merchants on third-party platforms that now have access to an even bigger audience through Google; and there is a huge amount of content across these surfaces, whether you’re watching an unboxing video on YouTube, image searching for pool tables, or reading publisher reviews, people are shopping and looking for new ideas on what to buy.

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO SELL

So, though Google may have the lion’s share of business, there are plenty of other ecommerce options for billiard retailers to look into as well.

For those who want to set something up quickly, Shopify is recommended. Square is for retailers who are selling evenly between in-person and online, while BigCommerce is for large-volume sellers.

Charles Wood, an e-commerce expert based in Los Angeles, notes new social media platforms are emerging with e-commerce functionality, including Instagram, Pinterest, and Snapchat.

“Instagram has recently introduced a feature that allows users to purchase products directly from within the app,” he says. “Pinterest has a feature called ‘Buyable Pins’ that allows users to purchase products directly from pins containing images of the products. Snapchat has a feature called ‘Snap Store’ that allows users to purchase products directly from within the app.”

These can impact what retailers are already doing on these platforms. For example, retailers may need to start using In-

stagram or Pinterest if they are not currently doing so, and they may need to adjust their advertising strategies on AdWords in order to take into account the changes that are happening with Google’s shopping platforms.

Still, these present both opportunities and challenges for retailers. On one hand, these platforms provide a new avenue for selling products and reaching potential customers. On the other hand, they also require retailers to be more strategic in their social media marketing, as they need to ensure that their products are being seen by people who are likely to purchase them.

Some have found social media platforms to not nearly be as effective as google shopping. The reason is primarily buying intent. Social media traffic tends to be too cold to make purchases and some have found social media is most effective for bringing people into an email list and gradually warming them up for a purchase.

In comparison, Google is very effective at sending traffic a retailer’s way, which is highly targeted and ready to make a purchase.

Whether Google or one of the others, it’s important to take advantage of e-commerce platforms to get ahead.

CREATING A COUPLE CAVE

By Keith Loria

Ever since the pandemic reared its ugly head, there’s been a rise in man caves and she sheds, as people spent almost all their time at home and needed a place to relax and clear their heads as they enjoyed some alone time.

But another sort of game room became popular during this time – the couple cave – a place where a man, woman and even the kids could go to have fun, whether by playing pool, shuffleboard, or pinball, or enjoying a home theater system with luxury seating.

While the traditional man cave used to be an oasis filled with things that just the man of the relationship would typically enjoy, and she sheds were the same thing but for women, there are now more rooms designed to be an oasis for both people together. There is less of a divide between what the man or woman wants, rather they create a space full of the comfort and items that the couple specifically enjoys together.

“There’s definitely a growing interest in creating spaces for couples and families,” says Steven Roeder of Blatt Billiards. “The pandemic has certainly caused an uptick in demand for these spaces as more people have been spending time at home with family and friends instead of going out.”

Family bonding time is becoming more personal and intimate, so creating spaces for expression within the home is building better relationships and encouraging interest in activities that can turn into hobbies and passions. Getting everyone’s input when you have a family may mean studying the interests that can be incorporated into a seamless theme for a cave.

Rachel Schmidt, purchasing manager for A.E. Schmidt Billiards in St. Louis, Missouri, believes these sort of couple caves are growing in popularity because more people are working from home now and they want a space that is separate from their home office to relax and recharge.

“The key for the perfect cave is allowing both sides to have input of what goes into the space,” she says. “If one person is set on having a pool table in the space, let the other person pick out the design and finishing options.”

Taylor Christie of Warwick, Rhode Island-based D&L Billiards, notes more families are looking to do things at home rather than be out and about, so there’s an opportunity to create entertainment spaces at home that would in the past be something people could leave the house to do.

“I think pocket billiards has begun to evolve into a family game again as it was years ago, leading to more interest in a specific space for family recreation,” Christie says. “Now that the pool table is becoming a centerpiece of living spaces, and more conveniently located in the home for more use, style and function have become more important than ever. Quality build and unique table designs are more popular and in demand than ever before.”

Chris Shanklin, owner of Chesapeake Billiards in Parkville, Maryland, has never had a female customer ask about her she shed, but does get a lot of women purchasing tables for their husbands’ man caves, and can see the trend of more couple’s caves coming about.

“Since the pandemic started, we have seen a tremendous increase in families looking to stay home or finding a game that doesn't involve a TV screen,” he says. “Everyone is home, or is able to work from home, so they see the need to use their space at home for entertainment.

FILLING IT UP

Even though people have gotten back to a more normal life, there still seems to be fewer and fewer places for people to get together in public spaces, and thus crafting a space for everyone to come together at home has become more popular.

While a man cave may include a lot of sports collectibles and movie posters, the couple caves are more about the games inside than the decorations and collectables. Pinball machines, pool tables, basketball shooting games and shuffleboard tables have become increasingly popular over the years.

“When creating a cave for couples it’s important to make sure there are aspects that cater to both partners’ interests as well as things they have mutual interest in,” Roeder says.

When choosing activities to incorporate into a couple’s cave, it’s important to get everyone’s take on the topic and add their favorite parts to the cave.

“If you dedicate the cave to movies, create a shelf with everyone’s faves and let everyone get a chance to watch their favorite movie with their favorite people,” Roeder says. “Couple bonding can be boosted the old-fashioned way with board games and card games; the other option is going full digital and purchasing gaming consoles such as Xbox with VR or two-player mechanisms.”

He recommends one of Blatt Billiards’ Dresden Board Game Tables as being a great addition for any cave.

“Everyone loves board games, and there are plenty of two-player board games for couples to enjoy together,” Roeder says. “It’s important to have comfortable seating and relaxing lighting. Ideally you want a space that is as stress-free as possible.”

Homer Brown, owner of Birmingham, Alabama-based BumperNets, notes table tennis is a great sport for couples and families and is a perfect game for couple caves. The store also carries collegiate signage and dart boards that are popular for these sort of spaces in the home.

“Setting up a dart section is a great idea for the game room,” he says. “We are seeing a lot of ladies coming in and buying darts. They come in different colors and shafts

and there are high-end and inexpensive models, and we even offer lessons.”

At D&L Billiards, Simonis cloth has been more popular than ever, even for just recreational use, mostly due to the desire to have the “pool hall” quality playing experience right at home.

For instance, at Blatt Billiards, the store focuses on how playing board games can bring families together.

“Our board game table can double as a dining table, so it is a natural fit in many homes and solves a big problem for families lacking in space,” Roeder says.

Another tip Brown offers is if someone is buying something – say an arcade game or pinball machine – he suggests they buy two (old and new) so that both can play at the same time.

Don’t market in ways that are specifically masculine or feminine. Instead, keep your marketing neutral or combine masculine/feminine phrasing.

“Since Simonis has blossomed in popularity, so has the need for a quality Belgian ball,” Christie says. “The combination of high-quality cloth and a superior phenolic ball makes for an exceptional playing experience.”

Shanklin has noticed that when men and women compromise, the sale happens faster and they both are happier by the end of the transaction, so the products he recommends are things both are interested in.

Schmidt feels the best gaming equipment for couples is something that multiple people could be playing at once and suggests a pool table and conversion top so you get more than one option without taking up a ton of space.

“We normally suggest accessories like cues to couples, which has to do with the customizable appeal to an item,” she says. “Each person is different on the type of cue they like, so this way they can customize the weight and color to their preference.”

MARKETING MATTERS

Retailers should be thinking of ways to market items for couple caves so that both men and women are interested in what they are seeing.

“A lot of the ladies are the decision makers and the ones who come in and buy,” Brown says. “Getting them involved is really important.”

It’s all about compromise when marketing to couples.

“There are so many times we have customers say their partner will let them have a pool table, but they don’t want it to look like a traditional pool table,” she says. “This is where marketing the product as highly customizable helps a lot. Also, marketing your product as something everyone in the family can play and enjoy is a great idea, too.”

Being a sport where all levels can play, and a way to transform an unused space into an entertaining part of the home, D&L Billiards always highlights that a pool table is the perfect addition for any sort of couple cave through social media and other means.

The idea of the couple cave is only going to get stronger so billiard retailers should strike while the iron is hot and get people thinking about the best ways to make these rooms the most exciting ones in the home.

“

…WHEN MEN AND WOMEN COMPROMISE, THE SALE HAPPENS FASTER…”

PORT ROYAL COLLECTION

BY

DESIGN KEEPING

UP WITH DESIGN TRENDS IS KEY TO SUCCESS

By Keith Loria

The billiard industry has historically lagged behind the furniture industry in innovation and creativity. However, many manufacturers and importers have successfully brought the sport in line with the furniture industry within the last couple of decades. This has enabled dealers to sell game room furniture that complements customers’ overall style instead of just furnishing the game room.

“Knowing and understanding current design trends enable our store to anticipate what the consumer is looking for,” says Kimberly Murdock of Houston, Texas-based International Billiards. “When the client determines what designs

they are planning for their home, we are ready to fill their wishes. Interestingly enough, we weren’t able to do that 20-30 years ago.”

This is true for billiard tables, other gaming tables such as shuffleboard and table tennis, game room furniture and accessories, and more.

Tenille Brice, vice president of Prestige Billiards, Scottsdale, Arizona, notes “pool tables are no longer just pool tables,” and are more a statement or furniture piece, so following design trends is extremely important.

“A lot of people want their house to flow; they no longer want that game room with the traditional ball and cloth for the most part, so us knowing the design trends helps us to forecast how we’re going to purchase and figure out the big-ticket items for the next year,” she says. “We always keep the classic styles, but I always look at furniture trends to see what’s popular.”

For example, Prestige Billiards brought in some of the blonde oaks this year even though that gives off ’80s vibes, because that’s what Brice noticed was trending at furniture stores.

“We’re seeing a lot of modern mid-century and Scandinavian design,” she says.

Jeffrey Roeder of New York-based Blatt Billiards, notes by following design trends, it helps the store know what it wants to purchase for display on tables that it wants to put on its floor.

“We tend to follow trends and transform those into some of our custom tables and designs,” he says. “Oftentimes, designers and decorators reach out to us before these trends become more prominent in the market. They are the ones working on these new houses and restaurants and hotels, and they typically want a custom table, and we craft them around their design. That helps us come up with our new styles and design.”

For instance, he is seeing more interest in modern tables, but with a bit of antiqueness in them, showing a rich, quality statement from the past.

Lynne Cornwall of Encore Billiards & Gameroom in Milford, Connecticut, stays very aware of the fashion industry and the home furniture industry by going to trade shows and following the hot colors from Pantone, knowing that these things will better inform her on the trends that will trickle down to the masses.

“You need to take what you see and convert it into reality,” she says. “Sometimes what they show is not going to follow through in the billiard industry, so you need to be able to weed that out.”

When Cornwall has a customer come in and say they are planning a room, she usually starts with the biggest piece which will be the main focal point of the room.

“I always talk about their flooring, because that’s something that won’t change,” she says. “The pool table is usually the next-biggest thing with a major emphasis in the room. You need to make decisions based on that.”

Blatt Billiards

COLOR MY WORLD

For its 2023 Color of the Year, Krylon selected Spanish Moss, a deep forest green that nods to nature.

“This midnight green has a strong connection with the richness of nature, dense forests, and mossy terrains,” says Ashley Banbury, senior color designer for Krylon. “Rooted in the renewing power of green, it can balance with both warm and cool accents.”

The spray paint shade easily upgrades furniture and decor, plus plays well with practically everything, so retailers should tout those features when selling game tables and furniture.

Benjamin Moore went with a brighter color as its Color of the Year for 2023, choosing Raspberry Blush, a vibrant red-orange hue.

“People are ready to bring color back into the home, taking a step outside their color comfort zones,” says Andrea Magno, color marketing and development director at Benjamin Moore. “Raspberry Blush 2008-30 and the Color Trends 2023 palette empower the use of statement colors that deliver delight and personality while transforming rooms for incredible results.”

Sherwin-Williams is going with Redend Point, a blend of blush and beige featuring subtle pink undertones as its Color of the Year.

Krylon’s Spanish Moss

Benjamin Moore’s Raspberry Blush

Sherwin-Williams’ Redend Point

Dunn-Edwards’ Terra Rosa

“The grounding shade feels especially on trend as homeowners turn toward earth tones to bring comfort and joy to their interior spaces,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “People have been drawn to nature-inspired and earthy tones the past couple years, and this is something that will continue into 2023 and beyond. Greens, blues, and browns can make any space feel safe, calming, and grounded yet still energized.”

Soft, earthy shades of pink and clay take the lead for Dunn-Edwards’ Color of the Year, Terra Rosa, which blends brown and burgundy for a rosy pink that works as both a grounding neutral and a delicate accent.

“We’re putting health and wellbeing first, making time for escapism and embracing nostalgia ... This translates to design through lush, sophisticated touches with equal parts prettiness and drama,” says Sara McLean, color expert and stylist for Dunn-Edwards. “Sweet and cozy without being saccharine, the warm hue adds comfort to a bedroom or living space.”

Roeder has noticed more darker colors in vogue lately, and so the company’s tables are following suit.

“What’s important for us to fill the color request,” he says. “We were getting a lot of enquiries on ceruse oak, open grain oak, so when we’re making tables for our showroom floors, we tend to go with a color that was previously popular. But more importantly, it has to look good to us.”

Cornwall characterizes herself as a “purple girl,” but she knows that doesn’t mean her customers agree, so it’s important to pay attention to the masses and their tastes. Based on what she’s seen, she expects grays to be very big in 2023.

“It’s like a timeless color; it doesn’t go out of style, so it’s always going to be there,” Cornwall says. “I’m also seeing a lot of blues. A lot of antique dulled brass has come back as well. We haven’t gone overboard with that because I feel it has a shelf life.”

Brice sees gray being still popular, but more of a darker gray than in recent years.

“People are pulling away from the lighter grays,” she says. “Also, a lot of wood is coming back, but not in-your-face

woods like espresso or mahogany, but more ashy-browns of coffee colors. We’ve had a ton of requests for those.”

MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS

It’s vital that retailers work with designers not only to understand what’s hot, but because they are often the link between customer and store.

“We focus strongly on the commercial firms who do builder and multi-family projects,” Murdock says. “Some of these relationships go back 30-plus years and have become friendships. We keep their credit cards on file because they order so often. When retail is slow, I can depend on our design business to keep us busy.”

Cornwall works with designers all the time, and notes that whether you agree with them or not, she knows they are the ones really doing the work, so she caters to each carefully and differently.

“You need to ask them upfront how they want to handle things, because they may handle things differently with their clients,” she says. “I let them tell me what they are thinking and then you help them. Sometimes you might not agree, but you have to be diplomatic.”

When she gets a new item in the store that she thinks designers would be interested in, she always alerts them so they can incorporate it in their floorplan and designs.

International Billiards

Roeder deals with designers weekly, and the key to keeping both parties happy, he says, is to provide what they’re looking for in a timely manner, giving them what they need and also educating them.

“There are a lot of complex steps that go into purchasing a pool table and extremely more when you’re crafting a new one,” he says. “To be able to work with a decorator and not annoy them with a bunch of questions will go a long way. Being personable helps a relationship as well.”

STAYING INFORMED

Brice has a roster of about 20 designers that she works with, and follows their social media sites to understand what’s big. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, as overall, she follows more than 150 designer sites.

“This helps me forecast colors and see how rooms are being set up,” she says. “I also like to talk to the designers when they come in so I know what they are thinking and hearing about as the newest trends.”

Roeder finds a lot of his information about what’s trending through myriad design magazines and websites.

“You can get a general framework in your mind about where

While keeping informed through articles in furniture and trade publications is helpful, Murdock receives the majority of her insight from her design firms.

“Not only am I able to learn the nuance of current styles, I see the trends early based on my designers’ future projects,” she says.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While it’s very important to keep the latest colors, designs and finishes in stock, equally important is understanding that not every consumer is interested in what is “in” so you need to keep a few classic options in stock.

For instance, even with oak being “out,” International Billiards has been selling quite a few special order tables with gray stains on white oak.

“So, while it’s still wading in the shallow end with other rough cut and strong grain woods, I believe that we will start seeing the golden to medium stain on red oak in 2023,” Murdock says. “Of course, the traditional carved-legged tables might see a resurgence late in the year – or for sure by 2024.”

All I Want ...

THE DURANGO

~ Features solid pine with band-saw distressing and rustic bolt accents.

Here at Olhausen Billiards, all of our products are hand-crafted in our 250,000 square ft manufacturing facility in Portland, TN.

BCA EXPO PLANS CO-LOCATION WITH AEI

By Keith Loria

Things will be a little different at this year’s BCA Billiard & Home Leisure Expo, but all the changes are designed to make things bigger and better.

First off, the event will be held in the spring, March 27-30, to give companies a jump start on its orders.

But the even bigger news is that for the first time ever, the BCA Expo will be uniting with Amusement Expo International (AEI) to host two shows under one roof at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“We can expect a lot more excitement at the Expo and around the Expo,” says Shane Bouchard, BCA Chairman. “The majority of the items that people are going to see with AEI – the arcade games on the coin-operator side – will be things our retailers can really latch onto and offer as additional products and services.”

And Bouchard is speaking from experience. He notes that he went to the AEI Expo a few years ago and it completely transformed his business.

“Now, instead of showing up at someone’s home with a pool table and see-

ing a golf game in the corner or pinball that they bought online from someone else, that person is now buying all of that stuff from me,” Bouchard said. “It’s because I went to the show and made those connections and learned about those products from the vendors.”

So, BCA members will have that same opportunity to interact with AEI vendors and learn how both industries can help each other.

“I think our dealers are really going to see an influx of customers, too,” Bouchard says. “I think it’s going to be an incredible opportunity for everyone.”

The BCA Expo is an invaluable source for anyone in the billiard business, whether you’re a decades-long veteran or have just entered the industry recently. For more than three decades, the Expo’s mix of speakers, exhibitors, tournaments and events has helped people stay up to date on products and trends so that their businesses can thrive and prosper, and better compete.

The co-location idea came about after the two associations met and realized

that it could do a lot for both industries. Bouchard brought it to the BCA board knowing the possibilities.

“It’s a good idea for a lot of reasons,” Bouchard says. “As an industry, it’s important to grow and expand our horizons, and AEI offered that opportunity. This by far is great for our membership.”

The co-location means BCA will still be running its own Expo separately, but it just happens to be in the same space as the AEI Expo – one that is closely aligned to the billiard and home leisure industry.

“AEI just made sense to us all,” Bouchard says. “We could have still done a summer show on our own, and we did move it to the spring, but that’s going to help because of supply chain issues.”

In the past, someone could order something at the summer show and have it in the stores in time for Christmas, but that’s not really the case anymore. Manufacturers are backed up, so this gives members a better opportunity to get early orders in.

Originally created as an event for buyers and sellers of amusement, music and games – the coin-op business – AEI has broadened its reach in recent years via co-locations and alliances with related industry segments including Family Entertainment Centers (FEC); Bulk Vending; Laser Tag; Virtual Reality, Foundations Entertainment University, and now the BCA Billiard and Home Leisure Expo.

AEI is co-owned by a pair of industry trade associations: the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) coin-op.org and the Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA).

For the past 40 years, the BCA Expo has served as the premier show for everything from billiards to barstools, cues to casual furniture, ping-pong to shuffleboard, and much more.

“AEI attendees are entrepreneurial, always on the lookout for new opportunities and ways to diversify their business portfolio,” said Tim Zahn, president of the AMOA. “We’re excited to add BCA Expo to the AEI co-location family. With the addition of BCA, attendees already operating retail locations will have the opportunity to get even more business done while in Vegas. The expanded exhibit hall provides new opportunities for everyone.”

The co-location also allows the BCA Expo to return to Las Vegas, which arguably has produced the best shows in the past in the minds of many.

“It’s been the best for vendors, the best for retailer attendees, and AEI feels the same way, which is why they are in Vegas every chance they can get at the Convention Center,” Bouchard says. “The hotel rates are cheaper, the airfare is better and Las Vegas is just the place you need to be for a show. There’s so much more to do when you’re there.”

Registration for the BCA Expo will launch in early 2023. Check out bcaexpo.com for more details.

TOP PLACES TO DINE

IN LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas is known for its plethora of great dining experiences – both on and off the strip – but here are some of our favorite spots that attendees should check out while in town for the BCA Expo.

DELILAH

3131 Las Vegas Blvd South

This breathtaking supper club from the H.Wood Group at Wynn Las Vegas, boasts a two-level space with lavish chandeliers, a fireplace, and entertainers dancing alongside a live jazz band. With a menu by executive chef Josh Smith, diners will love some of his signature dishes, such as Wagyu beef Wellington, a reimagined chicken TV dinner, and Dover sole fish and chips with pommes soufflé.

BAZAAR MEAT BY JOSÉ ANDRÉS

2535 S Las Vegas Blvd

A raw bar with ceviches and carpaccios and a fire stage with wood grills and rotisseries make José Andrés’ Bazaar Meat more than your everyday steakhouse. Fan-favorite menu items include the cotton candy foie gras, caviar flights, and Kobe beef, which can be grilled on an ishiyaki stone at the table or served in a miniature airbread sandwich.

HALF BIRD

3500 S Wynn Road

Chef Brian Howard makes chicken the star of the show at this Chinatown favorite. Whether it’s his spicy Hot Chicken sandwich, unique take on chicken nuggets or his healthier rotisserie chicken option, the menu has something for everyone.

CARBONE

3730 S Las Vegas Blvd

Inside the Aria Resort, this Italian restaurant is superb and an excellent place to dine when in town for the Expo. This celebrated concept from Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick pays homage to the Italian-American restaurants of the mid-20th century with a New York-inspired cuisine. Favortes include Lobster Fra Diavolo, Chicken Scarpariello,Veal Parmesan and Octopus Pizzaiolo.

TACOS EL GORDO

1724 E Charleston Blvd

These wildly popular tacos are a can’t-miss experiences in Las Vegas. What the cafeteria-style restaurant lacks in ambiance, it more than makes up for in flavor. Each of the Tijuana-style tacos here is bursting with spice and texture.

YUI EDOMAE

3460 Arville St

Sushi fans are sure to be impressed with this Chinatown staple. The edomae sushi restaurant from Chef Gen Mizoguchi, who changed the sushi game in Vegas when he opened his lauded Kabuto, features three sophisticated high-end omakase menus. Standout dishes include uni nigiri with a dab of hand-grated wasabi and buttery bites of salmon and very very fatty tuna.

AUSTIN BILLIARDS IS ALL ABOUT FAMILY

By Anthony Stoeckert

For more than 50 years, Austin Billiards has been selling pool tables and other games to the people of Austin and Central Texas. Located in one of the nation’s most dynamic and popular cities, the store offers an array of pool tables, along with foosball, shuffleboard, air hockey, table tennis, arcade games, and more, along with furnishings, while providing top-notch service and repairs.

And it all started with three Brunswick tables.

In the early 1970s, Eric Teggeman was working in his brother-in-law’s trophy shop, and Brunswick owned a company that made trophy figurines – tiny models of athletes that were placed on trophies.

“One day, my dad was opening up a box of figurines, and on top of the box was a little flyer that said, ‘Become a Brunswick billiard dealer with as little as a three-table opening order,’” says Jim Teggeman, Eric’s son and the owner of Austin Billiards. “So my dad borrowed $1,000 from his brother-in-law, ordered

three tables and got his dealership as a Brunswick dealer. He set the three tables up on the trophy shop showroom. After about three to five months, my uncle – his brother-in-law – told him, ‘You’re taking over my trophy shop, you need to get your own store!’”

ERIC’S STORY

In November of 1971, Eric opened the first Austin Billiards store, where he sold Brunswick, Fischer, and Ebonite

tables, along with cues and cue tips, and eventually serviced tables.

Eric was first introduced to pool as a kid growing up in the 1940s in Thrall, a small farming town in Texas, where Eric’s father owned a grocery store. Local families would head to the store, mostly on weekends, to buy the necessities they didn’t grow on their farms. In the back of the store was a room with some pool tables and other games, like dominos, where men gathered and socialized.

“My dad used to rack the balls for a nickel when he was a young kid, and he started playing the game a little bit,” Teggeman says. “So he had a little interest in billiards, and my grandfather made pretty good money with those tables in the back of that grocery store.”

Eric later attended the University of Texas, working for the Texas Railroad Commission during the summer. One year, his boss at the commission was short-staffed and wanted Eric to work in the fall. Eric’s father gave him permission to take one semester off to make

the extra money. Then Uncle Sam came calling, and because Eric wasn’t in college, he was eligible for the draft during the Korean War. Eric’s father had a connection who told him Eric was about to get drafted and suggested he sign up for the Air Force before he received his draft notice. That’s exactly what he did.

“He was a navigator,” Teggeman says. “He was on the refueling planes that refueled the SR-71 spy planes and after 20 years, he retired a major.”

After retiring, Eric worked for his brother-in-law’s trophy store. Then came that fateful day when he ordered those Brunswick tables.

JIM’S STORY

Jim Teggeman’s career at Austin Billiards started when he was a kid.

“When I first came to work, I was pretty much a shop boy,” he says. “I would stock the shelves, clean the floors and wait on customers. Then when I

learned how to put the tables together, I started going out and doing installs. I did installations for a good 20 years for him. I trained service guys –as we hired new employees, they’d send them out with me to teach them so that they would be able to go out on their own.”

After all those years, Austin Billiards had enough crews and Jim was able to leave the road and manage the store. He handled ordering, inventory and the business side of Austin Billiards.

Eric’s billiard empire in Texas grew to the point where he had two stores, as well as some pool rooms and bars.

“He finally was ready to retire when he hit his 80s,” Jim says. “He worked up until he was 80, checking on his billiard rooms.”

A FAMILY BUSINESS CHANGES HANDS

By 2012, Eric was ready to retire and started selling the buildings he owned. At the time, Austin Billiards had a 15,000-square-foot showroom. Jim bought the business from his father and moved to a growing area of the city.

“I went into a much smaller location, just because I was taking it all on myself,” he says. “And I leased the space in a strip mall, very small with a 3,500-squarefoot showroom. I wanted to start off small and see how long I wanted to continue doing it, considering I had already been doing it 25, 30 years.”

“MY MOTHER WAS THE ONE WHO RAN AND BUILT THIS COMPANY.”

As it turns out, Jim wanted to continue running Austin Billiards for quite a while. He was in that spot for 10 years before moving the store to its current location on Austin’s Anderson Mill Road, a 15,000-square-foot space. That move happened recently, in March of 2022. And though Eric passed away in 2018, Jim continues to honor his father’s legacy.

“Something that my father always wanted was to have a showroom and the warehouse under one umbrella,” Teggeman says. “We always had off-site warehouses and he hated that. It was a dream he never lived to see, and I have that now. I’m proud to accomplish something he always wanted.”

Jim says his premier lines at this point include Legacy, Imperial, A.E. Schmidt, and CL Bailey, but one of the keys to his success is knowing which brands are the right ones to carry at any particular time.

“I’ve been through some economy downfalls and different lines of pool tables,” he says. “I never rule out one manufacturer. This business is on a tidal wave – you go through waves and it depends on who’s producing and manufacturing the better product at any given time. I never destroy the bridge because I never know when I’m going to have to circle back around.”

CHANGING AS AUSTIN CHANGES

Austin Billiards has long offered a wide range of products, and in recent years, Skee-Ball and arcade games have been very popular. Outdoor furniture is another growing part of the business because Austin’s weather allows for outdoor entertaining for most of the year.

One area where Jim has seen a big change is the growing demand for different table styles, which he says is a result of people from other parts of the country moving to Texas.

“They’re coming from Florida, California, down from New York, to Texas,” he says. “Recently, through this pandemic, with this influx of out-of-state people moving to Texas, I’ve seen the style desire really open up. The people out of California and Florida want a different style from people in the south, who want a traditional pool table. We’re seeing demand for people who want styles that we’re not used to seeing.”

And a lot of those people who are moving to Texas are specifically looking to Austin.

“Austin has a really diverse group of people,” Teggeman says. “It’s a fantastic city. I don’t think I’d ever want to move anywhere else. I love to visit other places, but I’m always glad when I come back home.”

How it started:

He added that Austin is on the cusp of Texas’ Hill Country, which isn’t mountainous but also isn’t flat, unlike a lot of other parts of Texas.

“Austin is unique,” he says. “We’re surrounded by three or four lakes and we have some elevation in Austin. It’s growing in leaps and bounds. I hear people all the time say that if they’re going to move to Texas, they’d move to Austin. Not Dallas, not Fort Worth, not San Antonio, it’s Austin. We have high tech, and hills, lakes, and lots of live music. We have a little bit of everything without being too big like Houston or Dallas, even though we’re getting there.”

And the diversity of the city has resulted in Austin Billiards catering to a wide variety of customers.

How it’s going:

“You get the pool room players who are big-time players looking at cues and cases, and then I have the family with three or four kids who want a table for their garage,” Teggeman says. “Our designers have commercial projects going on. We cover the full spectrum. We have builders who are building $2 million to $5 million homes, and then a guy who’s counting dollar bills to buy a new cue case. We see them all.”

Austin Billiards is doing its part to make sure Austin remains the special place that it is by getting involved with several local causes, including the Mullet Open, a golf tournament that supports a center for neglected and abused children; the Texas Book Festival, which was founded by former First Lady Lau-

ra Bush; and, JDRF, which helps people with Type 1 Diabetes.

“You have to give back a little bit to the community,” Teggeman says. “I’ve lived in this city 52, 53 years. It’s important to contribute back to your city and help different groups.”

SERVICE IS A SPECIALTY

In addition to selling pool tables, Jim Teggeman and his team are experts at maintaining them, as Austin Billiards offers recovering, re-cushioning, and pocket repair services. Austin billiards also moves tables, from home to home in the Central Texas area,

and within homes. It’s a tradition that began with Eric.

“He went to some schools,” Teggeman says. “Back in the day, Brunswick would have mechanic schools, where you could learn the trade. And he learned a lot of it on the fly.”

Eric taught Jim, and today Jim works with young mechanics who are experts and are dedicated to providing customers with excellent work, even if their approach is different from his.

“I watch them put a pool table together and it’s so much different from how I did it,” he says. “We accomplish the same goal, but the process is a little different. Everyone has their tricks of the trade. But if they go out with me

and I’m the lead, I do it the way I do it, and they look at me like ‘What are you doing?’” he says with a laugh. “We’re always looking for ways to improve or for new tricks we don’t know about.”

Austin Billiards is a true family business. Not only have Eric and Jim been running the store for more than half a century, Jim’s sisters have worked there. And his mother, Frances, ran the store when Eric was out installing tables.

“My mother was the one who ran and built this company,” Teggeman says.

Jim’s daughter, Madison, has been working at Austin Billiards for five years, marking the third generation of Teggemans to share their expertise at the store. That family element has been vital to the store’s legacy.

“I think we’ve been successful because we’ve been really friendly,” Teggeman says. “The whole time we’ve had the business, there have always been family members here. There’s a family atmosphere when people come here. We really get to know our customers well, we get social and learn a little about them, not just what they want to buy. Families come here shopping as a family.”

Another key member of the Austin Billiards team is Jim Ivester, a friend of Teggeman’s for more than 20 years who started working at the store about five years ago. “He’s been a great asset to the growth of my company, a loyal employee, and he’s helped tremendously with my social media and marketing,” Teggeman says. “He’s just been a blessing to have.”

Jim loves sharing the history of the store with customers, and now there are people buying tables from Austin Billiards whose fathers, grandfathers, and even great-grandfathers bought tables from Eric all those years ago. And sometimes, Jim’s crews will FaceTime him to show him a table they are working on that he and his father serviced years, or decades, ago. “A lot of times, we’ll sign our name with a Sharpie on the bottom of the table with the date,” Teggeman says. “They’ll see a table I signed with my dad – ‘Eric and Jim set up this table in 1978.’ They’ll take pictures and send them back to me.” Those tables are still out there and being used. And that is a testament to the commitment of Austin Billiards – and of Jim and Eric Teggeman.

ONE-ON-ONE WITH OLHAUSEN BILLIARD MANUFACTURING

By Keith Loria

Olhausen Billiard Manufacturing, Inc., is a leading pool table manufacturer with more than 300 dealers across the globe.

The Portland, Tennessee company also designs shuffleboards, collegiate games, outdoor game tables and more.

Brian Rosselli, sales manager for Olhausen, recently spoke to BCA Insider about the 50th anniversary of the company, the state of the business and what’s ahead.

BCA: How has business been in 2022 and since the pandemic?

Rosselli: Business has still been strong and there still seems to be significant demand in the home recreation sector. I think there has been a shift since the pandemic in the amount of time people spend at home, especially if they are now working from home. The overall work/home landscape is just different now, which can continue to be a benefit to our business.

BCA: What have been the biggest challenges of the past two years and how did you overcome them?

Rosselli: Yes, the challenges have certainly been extensive and continue to be a challenge in some areas. Supply chain issues, shipping costs, material costs, vendor delays, employee retention, new employee recruiting, etc., just to name a few. All businesses have experienced these challenges over the last two-and-a-half years, but it’s just

JUNIOR INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM

Creating Tomorrow’s Champions

THE BREAK AND RUN PREMIER JUNIOR INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM OFFERS:

ā Free coaching/instruction to youth nationwide.

ā On-going, individualized instruction tailored to junior players at all ages and skill levels.

ā Structured instruction at no cost to junior players who wish to play competitively.

ā Support to local coaches and instructors of players who are playing, or wish to play, at a competitive level.

ā Training materials, regular feedback and assessments of participant progress.

ā Regular instruction in person or via video exchange, such as Facetime or Skype interaction.

PBIA instructors associated with this program do so as a service to the PBIA and in furtherment of the sport. They receive no compensation for their participation. Each instructor has gone through extensive training and has a verified background check to participate.

If you are a junior player interested in this program, please email questions to rob@pbia-instructor.com.

finding that delicate balance between the opportunities and threats, and your strengths and weaknesses as a company. Our industry has been very fortunate throughout the pandemic, and we have all seen increased sales and outstanding opportunities, but it has certainly been very stressful as well. Just a matter of embracing the positive and fighting through the negative as best you can. The hardest part is, a lot of the negatives and challenges are out of your control.

BCA: What is new and exciting at the company?

Rosselli: Celebrating our 50th anniversary this year has been very exciting. It’s a big deal…most companies don’t make it 50 years. Huge milestone, huge accomplishment and something

to be very proud of. Donny Olhausen is a very humble person and isn’t a big fan of having the spotlight on him, but I hope deep down he realizes what a great feat he has achieved. I am proud of him, proud of the company and proud that I have been with Olhausen for over 25 of those years as a part of the journey.

BCA: What is the secret of success in the industry?

Rosselli: Simple, quality product, quality people and quality relationships. It seems simple, but it is not as easy as it sounds. Donny Olhausen, Butch Olhausen and Marty Bloom built the recipe together many years ago, and we all work to continue to deliver that recipe every day. Our dealers are our friends and our business partners, and they are the reason we have been

around for 50 years. There has always been a mutual trust, respect and loyalty between Olhausen and our dealer network. That’s no secret, but it is certainly the backbone of our success.

BCA: How important is the Olhausen team to that success?

Rosselli: Hugely important. Being a part of the Olhausen team for over 25 years is something I am very proud of. We have so many great people here who keep the wheels turning and the factory humming every day. From leadership, to management, to middle-management, to department leads, we have so many members of the team who have been here for 20, 30, 40plus years. When we have management meetings or production meetings, you look around the room and it’s impres-

CONVERSION DARTS

90% Tungsten Barrels have a slim profile for tight shot groupings

Conversion darts come with a set of converter steel tips, and soft tips, making them usable with both sisal and electronic dartboards

Includes three darts, converter points, soft tips, o-rings, and a total of six flights in both slim and standard sizes

your cue anywhere

INCLUDES SOFT AND STEEL POINTS PER SET Cue and chalk sold separately

CUE CASES

Padded Interior - Foam-lined inserts brace your cue against impacts, preventing cracks and warping. Sleek Design - Features a comfortable rubber handle and slim profile so you can bring

sive to realize the amount of years of experience that are sitting in the room. I once met a very successful business person who told me, “I don’t buy companies, I buy people. Because without them, there is no company.” So, to play off those words, without the Olhausen team, both employees and dealers, there is no Olhausen Billiards.

BCA: In what ways does the company separate itself from the competition?

Rosselli: While we have many table features and benefits that we feel separate the quality and reliability of our products, it really comes down to the team. As I spoke about earlier, I really do believe we have the best team, both internally with our employees and externally with our dealers. It’s a strong combination that is tough to beat.

BCA: What are the latest trends in the industry that may have changed the direction of the company in some way?

Rosselli: While being a U.S. manufacturer has its challenges, I think the opportunities far outweigh them. We are essentially a custom shop and make most of our products to order. This offers us the ability to have extensive customization with our products, but also the ability to make adjustments on the fly to accommodate changing market demand or trends. Our ability to custom-

ize or create on the spot is important when accessing trends or meeting market demand. We hear it all the time –“You need this finish color, it’s hot” or “You need to do a table in this design, it was all over the furniture show.” Then, a couple weeks later, Donny already has a prototype built. Pretty cool to be able to respond and change direction that quickly on something based on budding market trends.

BCA: How do you envision 2023? Anything exciting planned for the year ahead?

Rosselli: Some sense of calm and normalcy would be nice. Things have been so crazy the past couple of years, and we have all been running around trying to put out fires and solve problems all day, every day. For 2023, strong sales, stable market demand, reliable supply chains, happy customers and some strategic planning for the future sounds good to me.