Akeem Pickering

Akeem Pickering:  A.K. Billiards Entertainment

Mr. Pickering, a veteran pool player who once won an $8,000 prize

in an Orlando pool tournament, began his company this year. He donated $400, part of the proceeds from his company’s first pool tournament, to Willard Wheatley Primary School. The company’s first tournament featured 32 players from the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Could you tell me about the business?

I’ve been playing pool since 2003. I’ve been partially trained by a professional pool player. I fell in love with the sport. Then I was told that there was a tournament in St. Thomas last year. So I went and I played. And I got third place out of 32 players, so I decided I could try it at home, too. So I did. And that’s what the whole company forming was about: to hold pool tournaments.

How does your company make money?

I have two pool tables of my own. Because we don’t have a location, I write letters to different places to get a spot to hold the event. Now, the players, basically, they register to play, so they pay a registration fee. Then there are some sponsorships that help to curb expenses, so to speak.

Why do you like pool so much?

It’s a bit challenging. It doesn’t require physically exerting much energy, but it requires you to think because you might find yourself in some very hard positions. A pool table is only so big, but you can be in some tough spots and you have to think, “How do I get out of this position, exactly?”

Why is it a good sport for young people here?

I would say we need as many activities as we can get. The primary focus being activities that are schoolwork driven, … like after-school programmes where you focus on math or English or Spanish or computers. I would say go for that first. Pool is a recreation, something you do in your spare time, but it’s also a way to be a stress reliever.

Do you hope to be a professional pool player some day?

That was back in the day when I just started being trained. … I don’t know now, because you have to constantly travel to tournaments all the time. You’re not in one spot. And I’m a family guy.

What’s the hardest part of getting to that level?

Time. You have to put in some good time to understand exactly what you’re doing. When I started learning, I was playing pool maybe about five hours every day for about a year and a half. I mean, some people are naturally blessed with gifts and some people have to learn their gifts. And I have to learn mine.

What is the hardest part of having a full-time job (at the BVI Ports Authority) and running a small business?

The hardest part of doing that is when you have something for your business that needs to get done, but during your full-time work hours.

Where would you like to see your company in five years?

I would like to see, honestly, for me to actually hold a professional pool tournament here in the BVI.

What advice would you give to a young person who wants to be successful in business?

Take your time. Do your research. Understand what you are getting into and that it’s a risk. You have to try to weight your pros and your cons to make sure your benefits outweigh your risks.

This interview was conducted, condensed and edited by Jason Smith.