1. When you were a kid, what did you want to grow up to be?
After witnessing the Apollo 11 moon landing, I was convinced I wanted to be an astronaut! I always thought of being on a mission to Mars and discovering other life forms as I was into science fiction movies, especially the original version of “War of the Worlds.” I then started playing youth hockey and the space travel dream turned into becoming a professional hockey player. I continued to play into my adult years and am still a huge fan of the sport.
2. What was your very first job?
My first job was at age 16 (1975), when I was a clerk in our local pharmacy – Reese Drug Store in Madison, IL – and I believe my wage was $1.75 per hour. Gas was 57 cents a gallon! At age 18, I started a job with the Kroger Grocery chain, where I worked for 10+ years through my years at Southern Illinois University. It was certainly an ideal part-time position, as the money was great and it was a fabulous company to work for; they respected their employees and compensated them well. They asked me to consider jumping into a management position which required me to add a marketing & management degree, which I did. (This degree later became important.) The company decided to pull out of the St. Louis market in 1986, which ended that possibility.
“Not only do I enjoy selling Ergoline products, I take great pride in helping people make money with it.”
3. Tell us about your tanning industry journey.
In 1989, my brother Tom invented a product called Mister Chair. It was an outdoor lounge chair modified to spray the user with a super-fine mist of water while sunbathing. That invention stemmed into the sales of canopy tanning units manufactured by Sun Industries, which later was purchased by JK … Tan Marketing was born. We felt a need to also open an upscale tanning salon in our community, which was an overnight success! Tom was then offered a distributorship to sell tanning equipment in Missouri and Illinois for Sun Industries and when JK/Ergoline purchased Sun Industries, the territory increased to 12 states. Tan Marketing continued to be one of JK’s largest distributors until they purchased us in 2021. Tom and I continue to sell Ergoline equipment as Midwest sales managers.
4. Where is the coolest place you’ve traveled to?
I would have to say the coolest place I have traveled is Germany. In 2006, all of the U.S. Ergoline distribution network had the opportunity to visit Windhagen, Germany where all of the equipment is manufactured. We were treated like royalty by Ergoline as they spared no expense. One of the most beautiful places they took us for an overnight stay was in a Bavarian resort town called Tegernsee nestled in the Bavarian Alps. This trip is still often talked about with my colleagues!
5. What does your average weekend look like?
I spend weekends with friends and family, fishing (weather permitting ), attending church and enjoying my many hobbies including beer can collecting. I am an avid collector of vintage beer cans and breweriana. (Visit billysbeercans.com to see more!) Side Note: Being in sales, I never have a weekend totally “off” as I am always available to help my many customers!
6. What is one of your pet peeves?
The lack of communication today is so annoying – it’s difficult to get anyone on a call as it’s a “hide behind emails and texts” world!
7. What is the best thing about your job with JK?
Not only do I enjoy selling Ergoline products, I take great pride in helping people make money with it. I specialize in new salon start-ups helping customers from the ground up, including finding a location, demographic studies, competition, electrical and HVAC requirements, salon build-out, equipment mixes, package and membership design and all forms of marketing.
JK has always been the world leader and innovator of indoor tanning and wellness equipment. I am extremely confident in offering my customers the best product, price and service after the sale. The JK team is a group of passionate, collaborative, innovative, motivating people who are inclusive with everyone! The organization’s culture and camaraderie are second to none, as we are all part of a great team and will do anything to help each other and our salon customers.
