Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Tan.
Hi Brandon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was young, I always play badminton with my friends on the street, but I was never serious about it. And I re-started playing Badminton back in Dec,2023. As I got deeper into the sport, what began as a casual interest transformed into something much more meaningful. I fell in love with the strategy, the precision, and the community that surrounds badminton — but I also noticed something else: despite how much I loved the sport, there weren’t many places locally where players could find quality gear, expert advice, and a space that truly supported the game.
That realization planted the seed for what would eventually become Bonbon Badminton. The name “Bonbon” actually comes from my dog(golden doodle), who has always been a source of joy and motivation for me. I liked that the name felt friendly, approachable, and personal — exactly how I wanted the shop to feel. I decided to open a dedicated badminton shop in Liberty Hill because I wanted to create the kind of place I always wished existed — a welcoming space for beginners, casual players, and competitive athletes alike. We offer authentic rackets, shoes, shuttlecocks, strings, and accessories from trusted brands, professional stringing services, and personalized guidance that comes from being players ourselves.
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges, but every step has felt worth it. Starting a small business meant learning on the fly — from inventory and partnerships to customer service and community building — but the community’s support has been incredibly heartening. What once began as a personal love for badminton has grown into a mission: to grow the sport locally and make it more accessible for everyone in the Austin area.
Today, Bonbon Badminton isn’t just a store — it’s a hub for connection, learning, and the joy of playing a game we truly love. I’m proud of what we’ve built and excited about what’s still ahead.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road, and I don’t think it was ever meant to be. Starting a niche business like a dedicated badminton shop came with challenges from day one. Badminton has a massive global following, but in the U.S. it’s still underrepresented, so a big part of the early journey was educating customers and building awareness from the ground up.
In the beginning, I was doing everything myself — sourcing products, managing inventory, stringing rackets, handling marketing, and running daily operations. There was a lot of trial and error, and plenty of long days where I was learning on the fly. Balancing passion with financial sustainability was also a constant challenge, especially while trying to maintain high standards for service and product quality.
Location was another hurdle. Being based in Liberty Hill meant working harder to reach players spread across the greater Austin area, but it also pushed me to focus on service, trust, and word-of-mouth. Slowly, the community grew, and that support made the difficult moments worth it.
I also want to take a moment to say how much I appreciate my wife’s support throughout this journey. Without her help, encouragement, and patience, Bonbon Badminton wouldn’t be where it is today.
Looking back, those challenges shaped Bonbon Badminton into what it is today. Each obstacle pushed me to adapt, stay patient, and remain focused on my original goal — building something meaningful for the badminton community and helping the sport grow locally.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bonbon Badminton?
Bonbon Badminton is the only dedicated badminton pro shop in the area, and that focus is very intentional. We don’t try to be everything to everyone — we specialize in badminton, which allows us to offer a level of expertise and service that’s hard to find elsewhere. From rackets, shoes, shuttlecocks, and strings to professional stringing services, everything we carry and recommend is centered around helping players perform and enjoy the game more.
One of the things we’re best known for is our professional stringing service. Proper stringing makes a huge difference in how a racket feels and performs, and being a certified stringer means customers can truly trust the consistency, precision, and care we put into every job. Every racket is handled with attention and precision, whether it belongs to a beginner or a competitive player.
What truly sets Bonbon Badminton apart is that I’m a player myself. I understand the sport deeply because I’ve lived it — from technique and equipment choices to how small adjustments can impact performance. That experience allows me to speak honestly and confidently about badminton, and to give advice that comes from real playing experience, not just product knowledge.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve built with the community. Bonbon Badminton isn’t just a place to buy gear; it’s a welcoming hub for local players. Even the name reflects that — “Bonbon” comes from my dog, and I wanted the brand to feel friendly, personal, and community-driven.
I want readers to know that Bonbon Badminton exists to support and grow the sport locally. Everything we do is rooted in passion, expertise, and a genuine desire to help players enjoy badminton at every level.
Also some exciting news 😄 — Bonbon Badminton will be moving to a new location in Central Austin (near the Lakeline area)! 🎉
We’re aiming for a summer opening, so stay tuned.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about Austin is the people and the sense of community. It’s a city that genuinely supports small businesses and local passion projects, especially ones that are a little niche or unconventional. The diversity here — culturally and creatively — makes Austin a great place to introduce and grow a sport like badminton. I’ve met players from all backgrounds, and that openness has helped Bonbon Badminton grow through word-of-mouth and genuine relationships.
What I like least is how spread out the city has become. Austin’s growth is exciting, but it can make it harder for niche communities like badminton to stay connected, especially when players are coming from different parts of the metro area. That said, it’s also a challenge that pushes us to be more intentional about building community and staying connected beyond just a physical location.
Overall, Austin feels like a city where passion-driven businesses can still thrive, and that’s a big part of why I’m proud to be building Bonbon Badminton here.
Pricing:
- Badminton Stringing services ranges from $22-$30
- Tennis Stringing services ranges from $32-$42
- Badminton Rackets ranges from $55-$280
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bonbonbadminton.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonbonbadminton/
