Mike Hendrix welcomes Meghann Butcher, CEO and founder of RepSpark, the software platform that connects golf brands with the pro shops, resorts, and clubs that buy from them. Brands use RepSpark for catalogs, inventory, customization, microsites, ordering, and invoicing, and over 7,000 golf shops now transact through the platform.
Meghann shares how RepSpark started in late 2007 as an internal tool for a multi-brand operation, how it grew through the COVID-era shift to virtual showrooms, and why it raised its first outside round, a Series A from Headlight, after roughly 19 years. She also walks through Perfect Spec, RepSpark’s new club configuration product, how the company uses AI from engineering to customer support, and why RepSpark is niching down to become the commerce layer for golf.
Key Takeaways
- A software platform for the golf ecosystem: RepSpark sits between brands and the facilities that serve members and guests, covering the full order cycle from merchandising to payment.
- Who RepSpark serves best: Brands selling to more than 250 locations, with a sales force of three or more reps, dozens of SKUs, and multiple seasonal deliveries.
- A two-sided marketplace: Brands still invite their accounts, but pro shops now find and request access to new brands through the RepSpark community several times a day.
- Perfect Spec brings club configuration into the same workflow as apparel: Mid-tier hard goods brands can let buyers pick shafts, lie angles, grips, and more without building custom software.
- AI is used with intent: RepSpark uses AI for its internal knowledge base and Sparky assistant, reporting, support, in-product tools like an order balancer, and most of its code writing.
- Doubling down on golf: Rather than chasing new verticals, RepSpark is focused on integrations with POS, tournament management, and booking platforms.
- Booking integrations open post-round sales: A link in a tee time confirmation or a tournament microsite can let golfers order gear before or after they play.
- Community and recognition build loyalty: Mike and Meghann discuss gamification and awards as a way to keep pros using the platform as they move through their careers.
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to the Tech Caddie Podcast
01:46 B2B, B2B2C, or software platform?
04:19 Solving the time deficit in the golf shop
05:42 Who RepSpark’s customer is
06:53 Golf as the lead vertical, customization, and microsites
07:36 How brands and pro shops connect on RepSpark
10:25 RepSpark branding and a consistent buyer experience
11:19 RepSpark and Tee Commerce
12:50 How RepSpark started in 2007
15:25 COVID, virtual showrooms, the AR hub, and the PGA of America
17:00 Perfect Spec and golf club configuration
19:07 Bootstrapping and a first Series A after 19 years
21:15 Being a disruptor and winning over sales reps
22:17 Club controllers and passing invoices through
23:34 Niching down to be the commerce layer for golf
25:17 Booking platform and tournament integrations
27:02 Private, public, and resort facilities
28:28 AI at RepSpark and the Sparky assistant
32:06 Who Perfect Spec is built for
34:17 Mobile versus desktop ordering
35:05 Community, awards, and gamification
36:57 A compact golf software ecosystem
38:35 Section events and the PGA Show in Orlando
Guest: Meghann Butcher, CEO and Founder, RepSpark
Host: Mike Hendrix, smbGOLF
