Birth of a Pool Cue: Part #1 "The Beginning"

The following is part 1 of a 4 part series in which I recall my experiences working as a social media intern for Viking Cue Manufacturing, LLC.  Over the next few days I'll be adding a new posts where I describe the new manufacturing facility, and what I learned as a newcomer to the industry.

I had only been working as an intern for Viking Cue for a few weeks when the day I’d been waiting for finally arrived. I along with a fellow intern had the privilege of taking the official tour of the new Viking Cue manufacturing facility located in Middleton, Wisconsin. Around the company, the tour is simply known as the “Rick Tour” because it is led by Viking V.P. Rick Rolli, and who better to take us on this journey than the man who’s seen it all, done it all, and been a staple with the company for over thirty years. Not knowing much about how pool cues are manufactured, I was excited to learn the process and learn more about this company, which has been around for nearly fifty years.

That particular morning I was excited to make the drive up from Janesville. My first couple of weeks were spent organizing my office and getting comfortable with my surroundings; however, I still felt in the dark about the whole cue making process, which is probably the most important piece information someone needs if they’re going to be working for a pool cue manufacturer. So, I walked through the doors of the office and headed upstairs readily awaiting my personal tour.

“Drat!” Everyone was at a meeting; meaning my tour would have to wait. I was told to work on a side project until the meeting ended. So I did some research in the office of Mark Thomas, the company’s marketing supervisor, who also happens to be the one who brought me on board. His office is nice, which is to be expected in a brand new facility, but I had no desire to be in an office that day. I wanted to see the production floor--where all the magic happens.

I thought their meeting would never end, but finally Rick burst through the door and grabbed me and my fellow intern to lead us on the grand tour. It’s funny. I’d been hearing about the “Rick Tour” for a few weeks, but had never actually met Rick, and the guy who came through that office door was not who I was expecting. A thin guy with a salt and pepper beard wearing blue jeans and a flannel shirt, he looked like he’d be more at home on the factory floor than up in the offices, which may actually be true. He had us both laughing as he introduced himself, and he seemed excited and upbeat. Enthusiasm radiated from his raspy voice. I could tell that he loves giving the tour; if nothing more than to show off this new, state-of-the-art facility, and that he takes pride in the products coming out of the factory.

Stay tuned as I enter the production floor.