Posted this on my Facebook earlier today. Figured it was worth sharing here as AZB has played a big part of my last 20 years:
20 years working in the Billiard Industry.
April 1st 1996 I started working for Predator. I was 27 years old and really just wanted to be a professional pool player but I was tired of being broke and decided it was time to get a real job after 2 years of trying to make it as a player.
After 8 years with Predator and being part of a great team that helped put that company on the map, I left and started an online billiard supply store called Platinum Billiards which was a great success up until I sold my half of the company.
5 years later I moved to Colorado and went to work for Cuestix who are one of the largest billiard distributors in the country.
A year later I moved back to Florida and joined Cue & Case Sales (another very large billiard distributor).
2 years later I joined OB Cues (Jan 2012) and have been with OB ever since.
I have had the opportunity to work for some great companies and work with some great people. I have traveled the country and many parts of the world meeting thousands of players (amateur and pros alike).
I love what I do. I have always had a passion for the game and I always enjoy explaining to people what it is that I do ("you sell pool cues????")
I have seen the industry flourish and I have witnessed some tough times for many companies and many players.
I could have chosen many other careers (I am a licensed commercial pilot) but I do not regret any of the choices I have made over the last 20 years. Pool is a beautiful game and millions of people around the world get enjoyment from it every single day and I am proud to have helped play a part in making this game more enjoyable for the people who are lucky enough to get to play it.
The last 20 years have been an exciting time in my career and I can only imagine what the next 20 years will bring. It's going to be awesome! Thank you to all of you that I have met along the way and if we have never met and you see me at an event, please introduce yourself, I look forward to telling you what it is that I do.
20 years working in the Billiard Industry.
April 1st 1996 I started working for Predator. I was 27 years old and really just wanted to be a professional pool player but I was tired of being broke and decided it was time to get a real job after 2 years of trying to make it as a player.
After 8 years with Predator and being part of a great team that helped put that company on the map, I left and started an online billiard supply store called Platinum Billiards which was a great success up until I sold my half of the company.
5 years later I moved to Colorado and went to work for Cuestix who are one of the largest billiard distributors in the country.
A year later I moved back to Florida and joined Cue & Case Sales (another very large billiard distributor).
2 years later I joined OB Cues (Jan 2012) and have been with OB ever since.
I have had the opportunity to work for some great companies and work with some great people. I have traveled the country and many parts of the world meeting thousands of players (amateur and pros alike).
I love what I do. I have always had a passion for the game and I always enjoy explaining to people what it is that I do ("you sell pool cues????")
I have seen the industry flourish and I have witnessed some tough times for many companies and many players.
I could have chosen many other careers (I am a licensed commercial pilot) but I do not regret any of the choices I have made over the last 20 years. Pool is a beautiful game and millions of people around the world get enjoyment from it every single day and I am proud to have helped play a part in making this game more enjoyable for the people who are lucky enough to get to play it.
The last 20 years have been an exciting time in my career and I can only imagine what the next 20 years will bring. It's going to be awesome! Thank you to all of you that I have met along the way and if we have never met and you see me at an event, please introduce yourself, I look forward to telling you what it is that I do.
