Born to Grill Stories Meet Angie Balsam

Q & A with Angie Balsam

How long have you been in the industry?

AB: October 2025 will be 3 years with BBQGuys, but I began my career in the lighting and plumbing industry. Lighting was always my first love. I specialized in product design and worked closely with overseas factories to create beautiful chandeliers and outdoor lighting fixtures. That included collaborating directly with an industrial designer to perfect each piece and traveling to overseas factories as part of this process.

BBQGuys was the perfect fit for me because I joined just as we began to grow and really concentrate on outdoor living, in addition to grills, of course. I had the product experience to help us grow into the complete backyard space and the passion to do so.

What area do you specialize in?

AB: I’m a category manager for our outdoor furniture and heating. It's not just picking out products and putting them on the site, it has to be the right products. It has to make sense. We don’t just find a brand and carry all their products (some of these companies have massive catalogs), so everything has to be curated. It’s my job to make sure it's a good fit.

Dining furniture is an obvious focus because we are industry leaders in the outdoor kitchen space, and those go hand in hand. Outdoor seating is also a priority, and we’re aiming not just for style but for comfort, of course. My job is curating our own catalog and working with the vendors. That includes pushing for better lead times, so our customers don’t have to wait any longer than necessary to enjoy these products in their own backyard.

What trends or innovations are you seeing in the outdoor furniture industry recently?

AB: It’s the multifunctional stuff, for sure! You’ll see fire pits that have a cooking top, and in-pool furniture—I'm seeing things that combine functionality with beautiful style. I like that these pieces with modern clean lines are now featuring warm, classic color cushions. It’s a lot of fun.

It’s also amazing to see traditional houses beginning to pull in clean modern furniture using soft colors and shapes for a unique blend. Personally, I don't want a brick house to have all-white contemporary outdoor furniture. People in the design world are blending styles for better backyards—they're making it modern but using texture and classic colors for something new.

The same goes for fire pits. I think you're going to see differently shaped fire pits. You have concrete rectangle fire pits and round fire pits, but there are some coming out that have almost a bubble-type shape — even a bean shape. It’s very exciting to have options nowadays and not just the same old fire pit.

What’s your outdoor living philosophy or design approach?

AB: I love the idea of bringing the indoors outside to give people an extra living space in their house. That's my favorite design approach. It gives you another place to go and it adds to your home’s value.

My design technique is all about building on a solid foundation. We live on a lake and it’s often windy, so I must make sure my own design is also practical and can be enjoyed during every season. I look for durable materials that can withstand any weather, then add a few things that I truly love. For that, I’m all about color. Color tells a story, and I enjoy using it to add personality to my indoor spaces. But I’ve learned that the true magic happens outdoors, where colors are naturally more vivid and impactful. The way these brilliant hues shape the design of an outdoor area has become my absolute favorite aspect of outdoor design. As a mother of 3 girls, my go-to color is often pink. Right now, my space features a pink citronella candle and coordinating cushions.

How would you define the perfect outdoor space?

AB: I think a perfect backyard is all about getting multiple uses out of the space. When you create an outdoor space that is both beautiful and highly functional, you've truly won. I also like to take it a step further and have a little secret I've designed into it.

For my backyard, that means adding a single, favorite piece. It’s that special element that ultimately makes the space feel truly personal. For some it might be a wood-burning fire pit. For others, it could be a chair with plush cushions. Having this mix makes it your own space.

What's the one thing you can't live without in your backyard living space?

AB: I love a swivel chair. I can swivel one way and see the sun. I swivel to face people as we chat. I love my swivel patio chair. I would pay extra for it. You may not realize it. You may be like, “Oh, I don't need that,” but then you get one, and it changes everything.

I’m cheating, but if I get two, then I also need an ottoman. That's the one thing I would need because you can swivel when you sit back, and you need to be able to put your feet up after you've swiveled.

What do you enjoy most about working with homeowners and customers?

AB: Oh my gosh, there's so much. Each interaction is different, but I learn every time. My favorite is whenever I get a question that makes me think, “Why are they buying this?” It draws me in, and then I can explore their unique needs, design aesthetic, and everything. There is something for everybody.

I also get to learn about the different areas of the country, and what is in style. It never ceases to surprise me, every time I talk to somebody, I learn something new that I try to carry into my next customer conversation. For example, I recently spoke to a group of college students looking to buy a grill for their balcony, and while hearing about their space and all their functional needs, I learned so much about expanding a traditionally smaller space. It was so eye-opening.

Do you have a “pro tip” or BBQ myth-buster you always share with customers?

AB: Don’t be fooled: recycled plastic furniture is not lightweight! It’s a heavy-duty material that offers impressive durability and is often backed by a great warranty.

I also tell customers that an outdoor space is never truly “finished.” I believe that any space always has room for a little more. I’ve yet to encounter a backyard, regardless of its size, location, or the season, which couldn’t benefit from the right design to bring together beauty and function.

Finally, I’ve found that even in warm climates, a fire pit or patio heater is a great investment. While I don’t need my patio heater every day, it completely transforms those chilly fall evenings. Without it, I’d miss out on the quiet, peaceful nights I love to spend in my outdoor space.

What outdoor product types and styles really speak to you?

AB: I’m definitely a “comfy girl” when it comes to outdoor furniture. My goal is for guests to never want to leave, so I always choose plush cushioned seating. I also love all types of fire pits because of their universal appeal, which brings people together and creates a truly relaxing environment.

As far as actual style, I find that an updated, modern style in a classic color gives me the perfect balance—a clean look that still blends beautifully with a traditional home.

When it comes to fire pits, are you team gas or team wood?

AB: Good question. I personally like wood, but only because I don't have gas yet. I'm still thinking it through. For my husband and me, a wood-burning fire pit is perfect. We like the wood-burning aroma you just can’t get from gas. Also, it keeps the mosquitoes away and I really don't care that I wake up in the morning and all my clothes smell like fire. I'm actually happy about that because it usually means it was a good night. That means I stayed out there a long, long time!

What’s the most common mistake people make when planning their outdoor space—and how can you help them avoid it?

AB: In my experience, a common pitfall in outdoor design is failing to match the style of the house. The good news is that modern patio furniture is often a great solution because it can seamlessly blend with a traditional home, giving it a fresh, updated feel. The trick is to be selective and find the right pieces to tie it all together.

There are certain spaces where a big backyard sofa that is white and clean may work. But if you know the customer has a brick house with lots of trees, it might not be what they actually need. You can't change your house or where you live, so you've got to be able to work with it. Sometimes, I think that people forget that, which is why I’m so proud that we can offer just about everything for everybody and their unique outdoor space.