Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcos
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Sure thing! My name’s Marcos, but creatively I go by Kopacetik — a name that came from the slang “copacetic,” meaning everything’s all good. It stuck because that’s the energy I try to bring into everything I do: design, music, art, business, life. A little chaotic, a little smooth, but always good vibes underneath.
My journey started like most creatives — tinkering with stuff. I was the kid messing with Photoshop while everyone else was playing video games ( still was also playing video games) 🙂 . Eventually, that love for design turned into a full-on creative career. I built my brand Kopacetik to house my art, music, and design work — and that side hustle grew into real opportunities working with brands, events, and artists.
But I’ve always had an entrepreneurial itch too. I didn’t want to just create cool stuff — I wanted to build cool spaces. That’s what led me to take over a pool hall in Lakewood, CA with a long term client and now Partner John English, and transform it into Good Times Billiards. It went from a sleepy neighborhood spot to a vibrant, high-volume venue making over $1.5M a year. It’s more than a business — it’s a culture hub.
Now I’m expanding that vision with John with new spaces like The Eight in Long Beach — a coffee shop meets pool hall that’s inclusive, creative, and just weird enough to work. My approach has always been: if no one’s making the space or event you want to hang out at, make it yourself.
The road’s been anything but linear — I’ve bootstrapped, learned by messing up, and figured it out along the way. But every step has been about creating something real, something unique, and something that brings people together. And somehow… it’s all still kopacetik 😌🎱
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? Not at all, it’s been more like navigating a back alley with potholes, no GPS, and a flat tire — but hey, we still made it 😎
One of the more intense chapters was when I spent seven years working as a Creative Director at Chinese International Marine Container USA (CIMC). That job was no joke — I was handling high-stakes design and marketing for one of the largest container and logistics companies in the world. And while they didn’t pay for college, that role felt like a full-blown masterclass in business, branding, and communication. It was a “learn by fire” kind of situation — deadlines, corporate expectations, international teams — and I had to level up fast. It wasn’t just work experience… it was a real-world education plus extra credit.
At the same time, I was still running my own design business on the side — building websites, designing brands, making art, and growing Kopacetik as a creative identity. So I’d clock out from CIMC and clock right back into my own projects. The burnout was real. It was like having two full-time jobs, but only one version of me to juggle it all. I also had a newborn at the time and was struggling with my mental heath during COVID. Ive never felt so much pressure coming at me from all angles.
Then came the leap into Good Times Billiards — and let me tell you, it was not some smooth handoff. It was chaotic, risky, and full of moments where I questioned if I was totally out of my depth. I didn’t have a blueprint for turning a run-down pool hall into a seven-figure community hub. I had to figure out licensing, operations, events, culture — all while putting out literal and metaphorical fires. But again, the experience from CIMC helped — I knew how to problem-solve under pressure and keep the vision steady.
So yeah, the road’s been full of sharp turns, speed bumps, and the occasional “WTF am I doing?” But every struggle came with a lesson — and I’ve collected a lot of XP along the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of The 8. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My newest venture is called The Eight — it’s a pool hall meets coffee shop, meets creative community space, located right in the heart of Long Beach, CA. Imagine sipping on a killer iced matcha while you play a round of pool, surrounded by good music, cool people, and an intentionally inclusive vibe. That’s The Eight. It’s modern, chill, and just a little retro — kind of like if a speakeasy and a streetwear café had a baby… and that baby knew how to shoot bank shots.
What sets us apart is that we’re the only pool hall in Long Beach, and we’re intentionally designing this space to be more than just a spot to play. It’s for networking, decompressing, working on your laptop, or meeting friends who don’t want to hang out at a bar. We’re big on creating an alcohol-optional environment — in fact, we’re working with local AA programs to start a sober pool league, because fun doesn’t have to be dependent on a drink.
The Eight is also built for the creative misfits — artists, designers, students, weirdos, and wanderers. We’re planning events, live art nights, DJ sets, and pop-up collabs that keep the space fresh and unexpected. We want to be known as a place that feeds your soul and your brain — whether you’re lining up a shot or lining up your next idea.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that we’re not copying anyone. The Eight isn’t following a template — it’s built from scratch, with intention. Every piece of furniture, every menu item, every song on the playlist — it’s all part of a bigger vibe. One that says, “You belong here. Come play.”
We offer:
• Hourly pool time ($10/hr per person)
• Specialty coffee + boba
• Air-fried snacks and finger food
• Creative coworking during the day
• Events, workshops, and community collabs
• Sober leagues and inclusive gatherings
Whether you’re here to break racks, sip espresso, or just exist in a place that feels good — The Eight is your spot.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
First off, I gotta give major love to John English. John has been more than a mentor — he’s been a partner, a brother, and a ride-or-die creative mind in my life since I was a teenager. We’ve been building, brainstorming, and navigating wild ideas together for 20 years. He’s someone who always gave me the freedom to think differently while grounding me with business sense. The stuff we’ve created together — and the stuff still in the pipeline — wouldn’t exist without our connection. John’s one of those rare people who sees your potential before you see it yourself.
Next, my dad — he was my first real teacher when it came to business. I grew up answering phones at his shop, watching how he handled customers, solved problems, and ran things with integrity. He planted the seed early that you can be both professional and personable, and that’s something I’ve carried into every project and every interaction. Those early lessons in customer service still show up in how I run my businesses today.
And I’ve got to shout out Frank Sonzala, the former CEO of CIMC USA. He gave me an incredible opportunity when he trusted me to take on the role of Creative Director. He never micromanaged me — instead, he believed in my vision and let me create. That trust gave me the space to grow, experiment, and learn at a high level. Working with someone who believed in the power of design and storytelling in a corporate setting was rare — and I’ll always be grateful for that.
Beyond that, I have a whole crew of homies, team members, collaborators, and even past clients who helped shape this journey. From the Good Times Billiards fam to everyone helping bring The Eight to life — I couldn’t do this alone, and I wouldn’t want to.
Success isn’t a solo mission. It’s a group effort — and I’ve been lucky to have some real ones in my corner.
Pricing:
- Pool Table Pricing – Per Player $10
- Coffee $4
- Shirts $30
Contact Info:
- Website: http://the8lbc.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/the8lbc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572995516591
