In this episode of the Pool Chasers Podcast, Greg and Justin sit down with Monica Archibald, District Sales Manager at Hayward Pool Products, for an in-depth conversation on the evolution of pool equipment, customer service, and industry innovation. Monica shares her journey from customer service in Temecula to becoming a key figure at Hayward, offering insights into how the company listens to the market through "Voice of the Customer" initiatives.

They explore differences between the California and Arizona markets, the perception of pricing in the industry, and Hayward’s approach to product support and training. Monica discusses new developments like the XL pump, advanced cartridge filters, co-op programs, and the recently acquired Clark King commercial division. The trio also touches on the importance of service after the sale, the reality of product development cycles, and the role of relationships in driving success.

Whether you're a pool pro, builder, or someone exploring new equipment options, this episode offers valuable behind-the-scenes insight into one of the industry’s leading manufacturers.

Connect with Hayward Pool Products: 

• Website
• Instagram 
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• YouTube

In this episode of the Pool Chasers Podcast, Greg Villafana and Justin Bowie talk with Israel Saari, Digital Solutions Category Manager at Pentair, about how automation and remote monitoring can transform the pool industry for both homeowners and pool pros. 

Israel explains how Pentair’s IntelliCenter automation systems—including the IntelliFlo3 pump, Upgrade Kits, IntelliCenter and IntelliCenter Lite—allow pros and homeowners to control and monitor pools remotely via the Pentair Pool App.

Mentioned in episode:
Israel Saari LinkedIn
Pentair Website
IntelliFlo3
Pentair Pool App
IntelliCenter
IntelliCenter Pool Control Upgrade Kit
IntelliCenter Lite
IntelliCenter Remote Monitoring Login

In this episode, Greg, Justin, and Mike dive deep into the challenges and demands of maintaining perfection within JMax Plumbing. They discuss the relentless pursuit of excellence, the importance of proactive problem-solving, and the critical role of quality control in building and sustaining client trust. With real-life anecdotes and a touch of humor, they highlight the necessity of constant vigilance and thorough communication to prevent and address mistakes before they escalate. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone striving for high standards in their professional work, emphasizing the balance between perfection and practical problem-solving.

Pool Chasers Website
Brought to you by Lyon Financial 

Topics Discussed

• [00:00:49] - Beers of the week
• [00:02:17] - Episode focus: Discussing common industry issues and personal insights.
• [00:03:27] - Importance of catching mistakes early and maintaining credibility.
• [00:05:07] - Example of a client relationship turning sour over a simple miscommunication.
• [00:07:06] - Learning from mistakes: The necessity of constant client engagement.
• [00:09:50] - Common plumbing problems: Crossed lines and leaks.
• [00:13:19] - The role of quality control in preventing client dissatisfaction.
• [00:18:20] - The cost of goodwill: Balancing financial loss and maintaining relationships.
• [00:23:15] - Case study: Handling a dirt pile incident to preserve client trust.
• [00:26:18] - Jobsite etiquette: The importance of communication and professionalism.
• [00:32:04] - Final thoughts: Embracing the pursuit of perfection while managing imperfections.

Episode Summary: 

In this edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by NPP’s Regional Director Of Operations for Texas Justin Gormley. 

Listen in as Justin discusses why it’s so important for every leader within an organization to ensure workplace safety and why this subject is often taken for granted despite how fundamental it is to any business. He speaks on identifying workplace safety hazards, creating safety policies, and training your team to adhere to these safety standards. 

Because a lack of strong safety standards can cost your company, both directly and indirectly, it’s vital for leaders to promote a culture of safety, and to ensure that those standards and best practices are followed without compromises. Ultimately, Justin believes that ensuring workplace safety comes down to embracing personal responsibility, no matter one’s position in the company. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 00:54 - Defining safety in the workplace 
• 03:11 - How to start improving workplace safety today 
• 05:45 - How much ignoring safety can cost your company 
• 08:07 - Making safety a priority early on, and often 
• 11:23 - Maintaining a good safety culture 

Connect with Guest: 

• Website

Episode Summary: 

Today, we once again speak with Rich Gallo, the Founder and CEO of Pure Swim Inc., a second-generation swimming pool maintenance and repair company based out of Valencia, CA. 

As we emerge from the pandemic, Rich looks back on how Pure Swim was able to continue to thrive in spite of the many challenges that the last two years presented. He also talks about changes across the industry in general, such as the explosion of demand for pools as the work-from-home culture became the norm. 

Rich explains the importance of understanding the new economy (ex. inflation) in order to stay ahead of common “chokeholds” and limiting beliefs that hold many business owners back. He also discusses why every business owner needs to have structure so that they do not get derailed both when chasing new opportunities or navigating times of hardship. He goes on to add that it pays to have a roadmap for the future; otherwise, you risk wasting your potential for growth. 

Finally, Rich speaks on his upcoming apprenticeship program and gives his general thoughts on mentoring the next generation of business owners and tradespeople, all the while expressing gratitude for an industry that has grown to be more transparent and collaborative over the decades. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:06 - How Pure Swim emerged from the pandemic 
• 07:10 - The importance of understanding the current economy 
• 12:02 - Breaking free from common business owner chokeholds 
• 22:49 - The current state of the industry 
• 29:21 - Modeling your business for growth

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the June edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine. 

After touching on the most interesting pool-related news of the month, Megan goes over recent industry news and the first quarter annual reports for Fluidra and Latham. 

Finally, Megan shares Pool Pro Mag’s newest article by Katie Crysdale, “End-Capping the Pool Experience”. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 03:13 - Madison Pool Equipment Fire 
• 04:25 - Good Samaritan rescues driver  
• 05:56 - Lifeguard shortage  
• 07:55 - $100,000+ pool donated to a grandma  
• 10:01 - Pool Noodle Fight  
• 13:32 - Hayward moves to NC 
• 14:51 - Ultra Pool Care Squad signs first two franchisees 
• 1

Episode Summary: 

In this edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by NPP’s President of Texas Hal Denbar. 

Listen in as Hal breaks down the important but often misunderstood distinction between making a profit and paying yourself as a business owner. 

He also explains the advantages of having an accountant and how to build a healthy pool business using the profit-first model. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:14 - Defining the problem 
• 02:37 - Profit versus owner’s salary 
• 04:29 - The advantages of having an accountant 
• 05:12 - Misconceptions around profit and salary 
• 07:18 - Making it a habit to check your numbers 
• 10:57 - Using the profit-first model 
• 15:55 - Determining how much to pay yourself 
• 18:18 - What counts as a “healthy” pool business

Episode Summary: 

Today, we sit down once again with AquaStar Pool Products COO Todd Pieri and Director of Science and Compliance Steve Barnes. 

Founded in 2000, AquaStar grew to become a vertically-integrated company that offers a variety of products such as spa jets and fittings, skimmers, ozonators, chlorinators, cleaners, and—as we talk about at length in today’s episode—pipeline filters. 

Our guests reveal what sets AquaStar’s filters apart from the competition, outperforming units twice it's size and making pool ownership easy with its intuitive design. They also speak on upcoming products in the company’s pipeline. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:12 - About the pipeline filter and its competitive advantage 
• 07:35 - ANSI pool standards for operation and maintenance 
• 13:08 - The filter’s NSF testing data 
• 19:48 - Features and benefits 
• 32:51 - How often to clean the filter 
• 34:55 - AquaStar’s rep coverage 
• 37:46 - Upcoming products in the pipeline 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with Jody Underhill of Rapid Hire Pro, a digital marketing agency that focuses solely on recruiting for home service companies. 

Jody discusses the unique challenge of getting your ad seen, encouraging business owners to take care in making sure that the ad is visible across all relevant high-traffic platforms. As he explains, Rapid Hire Pro’s nurture sequence offers a frictionless experience to job seekers who click on their ads, helping them reach the point where they can make the most informed decision possible. 

He goes on to talk about why it has become so difficult to hire technicians across the board lately. He addresses the efficacy of performance pay, the difference between recruiting and hiring, and what it means to provide a career versus a job. 

Jody also speaks on what causes employees to leave, and how you can fine-tune your business—especially when it comes to the pay, culture, life balance, and other benefits that you offer—in order to attract A-players to your company. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:03 - An introduction to Jody and Rapid Hire Pro 
• 07:42 - How Rapid Fire Pro seamlessly guides job seekers 
• 15:49 - Why it is so difficult to hire technicians 
• 17:47 - Performance pay done right 
• 25:50 - Recruiting versus hiring 
• 32

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the May edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine. 

After touching on the most interesting pool-related news of the month, Megan goes over recent industry news and the first quarter annual report. 

Finally, Megan calls for new faces to be featured on Pool Pro Mag’s 30 Under 40 and talks about their new story, “Safety is Always in Season”. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 05:59 - Jury awards $17.5 million to widow 
• 07:57 - Berlin to reduce pool temperatures  
• 08:46 - Charlotte Sanddal 500 Freestyle 
• 09:47 - Boy gifted the pool of his dreams 
• 11:16 - Woman saves son from drowning mid-plunge 
• 14:03 - Pinch A Penny store opens in Davenport, FL 
• 14:30 - (NPC) now offers their course in Spanish 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with Nick Ghiz and Jim Goettl of PUL Products. 

Nick and Jim have a clear passion for and purpose to what they do, both being sons of successful men in the pool business: Nick (son of Lewis “Buzz” Ghiz) hails from a generation of keen entrepreneurs while Jim comes from a line of highly creative product developers and innovators (his father John has over 100 patents in the pool industry). 

The pair do a deep dive into the disruptive products offered by PUL Products, particularly the PUL Conekt, which takes inspiration from tried-and-true in-floor pool cleaning solutions and incorporates current technologies to help their products stand above the noise. Unlike most in-floor cleaning systems that use a one-size-fits-all design, PUL Products offers technology that “contours” to your individual pool. 

Listen in as they share how both dealers and homeowners can benefit from PUL Products’ in-floor system customer portal and how they intend to continue innovating in this space like their fathers before them 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:05 - An introduction to Nick and Jim 
• 04:55 - About PUL Products 
• 09:11 - The capabilities of the app 
• 14:18 - Disrupting the in-floor pool cleaning space 
• 16:42 - Addressing the most common in-floor concerns 
• 24:24

Episode Summary: 

In this edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by Harry Geller, former Co-Owner of Magnolia Pool and Spa and current Vice President of Human Resources for National Pool Partners. 

Listen in as Harry describes the different elements that make up company culture and how to optimize yours in order to cultivate a sense of belonging among your team members. 

He also shares how to properly and continuously communicate culture to your employees, even in such cases as company mergers. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 02:07 - Why company culture is so important 
• 04:15 - Cultivating a sense of belonging 
• 05:16 - Creating a great company culture 
• 08:26 - Communicating culture to your people 
• 09:40 - How culture can maximize performance 
• 12:02 - Maintaining a solid and consistent culture 
• 13:52 - Books on building company culture 

Connect with Guest:

Episode Summary: 

Today, we bring together Skimmer’s marketing head Kevin Embree, Riptide Pool Vacuum System’s co-founders David Sargent and Matt Lopez, Primate Pool Tools’ co-founder Joe DiAnna Jr, and Piranha Pool Products’ owner Eric Resh. 

We discuss the newly co-branded Tools of Modern Pool Professionals which brings all of our guests together through their innovative technologies in the world of swimming pools. Determined to modernize the industry, Kevin had the idea to have a discussion between himself and these other company leaders to discover whether there was customer company value overlap between them and how their respective products have been game-changing. 

Today’s conversation revolves around the keys to constant innovation in the pool industry and the limitations of the (still widely accepted) substandard pen-and-paper system. Our guests also share how they have been raising customer awareness to get their products in more hands, and how adopting modern tools inevitably attracts high-quality labor, increases productivity, and profitability. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:19 - How the Modern Tools idea came about 
• 04:40 - Why these products are game-changers 
• 15:29 - The keys to innovation 
• 20:36 - Raising customer awareness 
• 28:03 - A new way to look at “competition” 
• 35:08 - Becoming a customer-service oriented company

• HornerXpress Worldwide Honored With The Prestigious 2024 President’s E Star Award For Excellence in Exporting
• Pentair Pool Announces Partnership of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
• NDPA Responds To Release of CDC Report Citing Rise in Drowning Death Rates
• International Water Safety Day is May 15th
• Introducing BCONE Pool Alarm by Life Buoy
• Summer dream job: Get paid $100K to swim in pools across all 50 US states
• Lyon Financial
• Pool Magazine second annual green to clean competition
• Pool Industry Podcasts

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with returning guest Christ Anderson, Founder, and CEO of Ledge Lounger. 

Chris recounts the many developments that Ledge Lounger underwent (and is currently undergoing) since his last appearance on the podcast, with a particular focus on how he and his team navigated the pandemic. 

He speaks on strategies his team has adopted to improve customer transparency over the past couple of turbulent years, which include decreasing lead time and proactive communication. He adds that training a product management team that is prepared for unforeseen changes in the market has been a huge boon for the business. 

Chris goes on to share Ledge Lounger’s secret to thriving in the new normal, staying innovative, and maintaining and even continuing to build on customer trust. Last but not least Chris jumps into 3 new lines of products that you do not want to miss! 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:03 - Navigating the pandemic 
• 04:17 - Moving into a new facility 
• 08:49 - Offering a product that creates memories 
• 11:18 - Dealing with the supply chain during COVID 
• 13:39 - Improving customer transparency 
• 20:13

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the April edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine. 

After touching on the most interesting pool-related news of the month, Megan goes over recent industry news and new industry movers and shakers. 

Finally, Megan talks about Pool Pro Mag’s new story, “What’s Our Biggest Threat?”. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 02:56 - $19 million dollar lawsuit finally settled 
• 04:16 - Overland Park Pool Closures 
• 05:28 - Perfume that smells like sunscreen 
• 07:51 - 260,000-gallon boulder-strewn water complex 
• 09:52 - Natare Corporation transfers to an ESOP 
• 12:55 - ControlOMatic moves to larger facility 
• 13:15 - Big Joe acquires Spin Master’s Outdoor 
• 14:28 - Brighton Pools Franchise

Episode Summary: 

This is what we love about our industry! Comradery and collaboration. 

Today, we speak with National Pool Partners’ CEO Augusto Titarelli and Chief Development Officer Justin Kuperberg, to discuss the impact inflation is having on the pool service industry. Increased costs for things like chemicals, labor, and even gas for service vehicles have strained operating expenses for many pool service businesses and their employees. 

The team at NPP put together a free inflation impact calculator to help give business owners the tools they need to protect their business, employees, and customers. It’s great that someone has done this and made it available for everyone! 

Download Here: https://poolchasers.link/npp-inflation-calc 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:14 - An introduction to Augusto, Justin, and inflation 
• 04:22 - Sectoral inflation and how to protect cashflow 
• 17:39 - Justifying price increases to customers 
• 30:02 - Fighting inflation as a business owner 
• 35:21 - NPP’s pool industry inflation calculator 
• 48:29 - Whether or not inflation is here to stay

Episode Summary: 

In today’s edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by Chad Nikkel, Regional President of NPP AZ & NV. 

Listen in as Chad highlights the major differences between selling a business versus selling a route, how to drive the value of your business higher, and explains the EBITDA valuation method. 

He also shares why you need to make sure your pricing is current and future-proof, and how to vet employees and ensure they are organized. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:45 - Selling a business vs selling a route 
• 03:12 - The EBITDA valuation method 
• 07:01 - Importance of business name reflecting services 
• 10:27 - Bringing in different vehicles for your fleet 
• 12:55 - Vetting employees 
• 16:10 - Driving the value of your pool business higher 

Connect with Guest: 

• Website

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with Poolside Tech’s Founder and CEO Bob Doan, Chief Revenue Officer Jennifer Doan, and Chief Technology Officer Stan Reznik. 

Poolside Tech provides smart pool automation technology. Their flagship product, The Attendant, actively monitors and maintains all equipment on the pad. It makes operational decisions, improving water quality and sending real time notifications when equipment malfunctions. 

Running on the belief that smart pool tech needs to be easy for the homeowner to use first and foremost, The Attendant was developed to hide all “the complexity behind something that is easy to use.” 

They also explain how Poolside Tech as a whole provides user-friendly solutions to pool pros and distributors in addition to pool owners and how their product is different from all others on the market today. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:20 - An introduction to Poolside Tech 
• 09:20 - Transition from Food and Bev industry 
• 13:06 - Developing The Attendant 
• 20:46 - Our guests’ frustrations with their personal pools 
• 31:43 - Bob’s first interaction with a “real pool guy” 
• 34:05 - Ensuring the application has all the features

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the March edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine. 

After touching on the most interesting pool-related news of the month, Megan goes over recent industry news, notable company earnings reports, and new industry movers and shakers. 

Finally, Megan talks about Pool Pro Mag’s new story, “Bound by Integrity”. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 04:01 - The World's Longest Limo 
• 05:52 - LA Proper Hotel Pool Suite 
• 07:18 - Staff at Eccleshill Pool to wear body cams 
• 08:45 - Main drain drowning and safety 
• 11:25 - Jeb Bush and Drew Brees acquired Essig Pools 
• 14:42 - 2,000 CEOs commit to advancing diversity 
• 15:15 - Cody Pools Announces $40,000 Donation 

Episode Summary: 

In this episode, we speak with pool service professional and coach David Van Brunt of Swimming Pool Learning. David has had a passion for the service industry since he got his start in 1988 when he was just 16 years old. 

Today, he runs the #1 swimming pool channel on YouTube with 50 million video views and 100,000 Subscribers. Alongside his channel, David has an online coaching program with over 280 members. He hosts the popular Pool Guy Podcast Show which has over 850,000 downloads. 

David offers his best advice for planning for your future as a pool service professional, as no one can do pool service forever unless they reach a point where they’re doing it simply for fun. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:47 - Intro to David Van Brunt 
• 03:33 - Things to note when planning for your future 
• 05:24 - Planning if you’re already getting up in age 
• 08:25 - Preparing for the corporate world 
• 11:09 - How to invest your extra cash wisely 
• 16:50 - Why invest in real estate 
• 21:28

Episode Summary: 

In today’s edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by Justin Kuperberg, Chief Development Officer at NPP. 

Our discussion centers on de-risking your business. What are the fundamentals you need to know when preparing your business for the future? 

Justin touches on the importance of earnings, accountants, employees, customers, and the economics of the business. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 00:52 - A quick introduction to Justin 
• 01:28 - What does de-risk your business mean? 
• 03:10 - What you should know about earnings 
• 04:08 - Why do you need a good accountant? 
• 05:37 - Why you should take care of your employees 
• 07:01 - Price to the market & take care of customers 
• 08:45 - Know the economics of the business 

Connect with Guest: 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with British TikTok sensation Miles Laflin, aka “thep00lguy”. As of this conversation, Miles has over 12.3 million followers on TikTok, 220,000 on Instagram, and 500,000 subscribers on YouTube. 

Miles started recording pool content in May 2020. His first video went viral right away, garnering a quarter of a million views in a single day. His best performing video of all time hit 130 million views, becoming the third most-viewed TikTok video in the UK. 

Miles speaks with us about his dramatic rise to fame almost two years ago, his content creation process on his various social media, his collaborating with celebrities in his more recent videos, and how he plans on scaling his business in the near future. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:31 - An introduction to Miles 
• 06:19 - Miles’s typical working week 
• 08:57 - Why Miles decided to start recording his jobs 
• 12:48 - Going viral on TikTok 
• 19:24 - Miles’s favorite video 
• 22:14 - Miles’s recording process 
• 27:16 - Dealing with trolls

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the February edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine. 

After breaking the ice with a candid chat about recent travels and the Super Bowl’s more “interesting” moments at the halftime show, we jump into the most interesting pool-related news of the month. 

Megan then goes over recent industry news, recently released products by various manufacturers, new industry movers and shakers, and upcoming trade shows. 

Finally, Megan talks about Pool Pro Mag’s new story, “Service Truck Tetris”. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 05:05 - Boxer Derek Chisora spends day as pool guy 
• 05:53 - Adele postponed show over swimming pool set 
• 07:20 - New article about alternative swimming pools 
• 10:26 - Sycamore Mineral Springs damaged by chemical fire 
• 11:40 - IPSA elects new board members 
• 12:46 - PHTA donors for their Step Into Swim™ program 

In this episode, we dive into the collaboration between Pul Products, and JMax Plumbing, to design an innovative pool return solution for managing high-volume overflow in pools. We also share our hands-on experience installing a Clear Comfort dual unit system and highlight JMax's unique approach to educating sales teams on plumbing essentials. Join us as we discuss exciting projects, and reflect on working with high-profile clients who prioritize simplicity. We also explore the challenges of high-rise pool installations. Finally, we address market trends, economic concerns, and the importance of accurate pool plumbing in a Q&A with Pool Pro Magazine.

This episode is brought to you by Lyon Financial

Connect with Pool Chasers

• Website
• Episode 272
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with NPP’s President of Texas Hal Denbar, and Texas Business Development Manager Amy Engelmann. 

After a brief update on how business has fared ever since Patriot joined NPP, we introduce Amy, who talks about her path to eventually partnering with NPP. She and her husband Neil co-owned O'Neill's Pools & Hot Tubs before its transition into Patriot. She looks back on her foray into the pool industry and the early challenges she had to overcome as a business owner, and what eventually drew her to NPP. 

Hal then speaks on private equity and the process that led to this consolidation, why he believes that third-party valuations are subpar by comparison, and how this process actually resulted in Hal learning more about his own business and the direction he wants to take it. 

Hal and Amy then explain how they are managing all of these moving parts amid year one. They offer tips on creating a sound exit strategy and how sellers may evaluate whether or not to take the plunge. They also speak on how employees have reacted and adjusted after learning that their companies had switched hands. Finally, they discuss the new technologies NPP is introducing in the coming months. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:11 - How things have been since Patriot joined NPP 
• 06:02 - An intro to Amy and O'Neill's Pools & Hot Tubs 
• 10:20 - Amy’s early struggles owning a pool business 
• 13:34 - Why Amy joined NPP 
• 25:36 - Explaining “private equity”

Episode Summary: 

In today’s edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by Bryan Banta, Founding Partner and President at National Pool Partners. 

Listen in as Bryan answers the two questions, “Should you consider Airbnb accounts?” and, “How can you reduce risks and make a profit servicing vacation rentals?” When it comes to these accounts, pool professionals often become confused when it comes to pricing and factoring in liability. 

“The problem we have here is that these are pools in residential neighborhoods, they have the same size as every other pool on the street that you’re probably already servicing, and maybe they even bought the house from a previous customer and now they’re renting it out.” 

Bryan stresses the importance of clarifying with the prospect whether or not the property is a vacation rental right off the bat and setting expectations with them in a way that minimizes risk and maximizes profit. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 00:40 - Challenges that the AirBnB phenomenon presents 
• 01:41 - Determining which properties are AirBnBs 
• 05:50 - What to require of clients with vacation rentals 
• 09:30 - Dealing with vacation rentals emergencies 
• 13:24 - Additional time and chemicals typically needed 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with David and Luke of the Australia-based SPLASH!, the leading magazine for the Australian swimming pool and spa industry. They are also the co-hosts of the SPLASH! podcast. 

Listen in as Luke and David talk all things Australia and how the nation’s pool culture and industry differ from that of the U.S. They speak in particular of how climate affects usage, the importance placed on function over form, and the accessibility of pools to different socio-economic groups. 

Finally, they discuss differences in how pools are maintained in either country, including Australia’s preference for salt chlorination, frequency of use of variable speed pumps, more infrequent service schedules in Australia. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 00:48 - An introduction to Luke and David 
• 12:50 - About SPLASH! 
• 17:12 - What the trade can learn from SPLASH! 
• 25:30 - The Australian culture and climate 
• 33:28 - Pools and spas in the Australian market 
• 37:25 - Function comes before form in Australian pools 
• 44:42 - How Australia has stayed on top of innovation

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the January edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine. 

After a quick post-holiday catch-up, we jump into the most interesting pool-related news of the month. Megan then goes over recent industry news, including the usual M&As and emerging movers and shakers. She also tells us to expect a bunch of shows and other events in 2022. Finally, Megan talks about Pool Pro Mag’s popular new story on women in the industry. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 02:23 - Twitch streamer buys inflatable pool company 
• 04:06 - Station Casinos to hold casting calls 
• 06:16 - Hodge Pool Service drags 8-foot alligator out of pool 
• 07:06 - 11 Students treated for breathing issues in malfunction  
• 07:40 - Man faces felony animal cruelty charge  
• 09:44 - America’s Swimming Pool Company new locations 
• 10:21 - Pool Scouts 100th Franchise 

Episode Summary: 

In today’s edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by Nathan White who is the Branch Manager at Patriot Pool & Spa, a National Pool Partners company. 

We discuss the art of efficient meetings with Nathan, who after almost 22 years in the pool industry finds himself leading five meetings every single week, striving to improve upon each one. 

Taking inspiration from the EOS® system, Nathan does a deep dive into six principles that he and his team stand by in order to ensure consistently high-quality meetings. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 00:43 - An introduction to Nathan White 
• 02:12 - Nathan’s experience running efficient meetings 
• 04:05 - Principle #1: Consistency 
• 05:10 - Principle #2: Punctuality 
• 07:51 - Principle #3: Timeframes 
• 09:19 - Principle #4: Scaffolding 
• 13:44 - Principle #5: Picking Officers 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with Brandon Reed, owner of Pool Volution. He sits down to talk about what drives him to provide insight and education to fellow pool pros and why he believes that business ownership is the key to making a serious living out of a career in this industry. 

Brandon then explains what led him to establish Pool Volution. He admits that the brand began simply as a way to “prove himself” to those who doubted his potential, but later, as his audience grew, his motivation changed to something more selfless. 

“Thank God—something turned a new leaf in me. Something told me that I have value for people. Now it’s all about my followers. I love them to death. I care about them. I want to do the best that I can for them while I have the time available.” 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:54 - An introduction to Brandon Reed 
• 15:01 - Why Brandon left HVAC  
• 22:01 - Becoming well-versed in business as a pool pro 
• 30:15 - Staying on top of new equipment 
• 32:04 - The evolution of Pool Volution 
• 41:44 - Brandon’s goal for Pool Volution 
• 50:41 - Brandon’s thoughts on Amazon Live

Episode Summary: 

In this episode, we recap all the episodes that came out in 2021. We have had another amazing year on the Pool Chasers Podcast where we once again navigated pandemic-related challenges and reached over 300,000 downloads!  

To our awesome guests, thank you for sharing your valuable time to record with us and sharing your knowledge with the industry. To our sponsors and Patreon supports, we thank you for supporting us, without your financial support, we could not produce the show. To all of our incredible listeners, thank you for joining us each and every episode, you are the reason we do this, and interacting with you is still our favorite part!  

We wish you a Happy Holidays and a great 2022! 

Sponsors: 

• Skimmer 
• Primate Pool Tools 
• Leslies 
• Lyon Financial 

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Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with Bob Spacy of the family-owned Superior Pool Solutions, which he has operated alongside his wife Sheri since 2014. Superior offers full-service, repairs, tile cleaning, and remodeling. 

Bob discusses his inspiration behind his “Truck Talks” series on Instagram and how it blew up in ways he never expected, including getting him seen as a mentor to pool guys everywhere. 

“It was my way of trying to communicate with other pool guys that we’re all in this together,” says Bob. “And it just kind of grew from there.” In fact, the series ultimately tripled business for the Spacy family. 

Bob then goes into his foundation, Scary Christmas House, talking about how a fateful trip to Disneyland led to a creative endeavor that brought his blended family closer than ever before and grew into a philanthropic initiative that gained steam nationwide. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:16 - An introduction to Bob Spacy Jr. 
• 02:25 - How “Truck Talk” series tripled his business
• 05:37 - Giving value as a business owner 
• 07:05 - Why Bob began the Scary Christmas House 
• 10:45 - Being featured on national television 
• 12:41 - How the house turned into a foundation

Episode Summary: 

In today’s edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by Jessica Janiszewski, Vice President of Human Resources at National Pool Partners. 

In these unprecedented times, a phenomenon known as “The Great Resignation” has emerged. As a result, companies need to adapt their hiring and retention best practices to be able to stand above the noise amid today’s shaky economy. 

In this conversation, we tackle an important subset of this issue: the most common HR mistakes. 

She stresses the importance of minimizing subjectivity and putting more objectivity into hiring and firing decisions, adhering to wage and hour laws, doing your due diligence when classifying workers, getting clear on recordkeeping requirements, and knowing when it’s time to update your policies. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 02:15 - An introduction to Jessica Janiszewski 
• 03:27 - #1: Hiring and firing talent based on gut feeling 
• 08:16 - #2: Misunderstanding wage and hour laws. 
• 14:41 - #3: Misclassifying employees and independent contractors 
• 19:05 - #4: Common recordkeeping mishandlings 
• 27:01 - #5: Policies outdated or not enforced

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with electrical automation and programming specialist Pat Burke. He is the owner of Poolin’ Around, LLC, which offers pool and spa mechanical services in the Phoenix Metro Area. 

We kick off the conversation discussing Pat’s first love before he got into the world of pools: BMX racing and, funnily enough, pool riding (which actually became the inspiration behind the name of his future company, Poolin’ Around). 

Pat started cleaning pools in Tucson at the age of 19 and kept at it for a number of years before boredom eventually nudged him into the technical side of the pool industry. 

The rest of our conversation centers around Pat’s expertise in electrical automation and programming, particularly when it comes to repairing heaters. He goes into common heater-related issues and what he looks for in and around the pool when commissioned to install a heater for the first time. 

Finally, Pat talks about best practices when pricing your services, his go-to resources for pool education, and his tips for organizing your tools and equipment as a technician. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:52 - How Pat got into BMX and pools 
• 15:42 - Transitioning to servicing pools 
• 18:29 - Pat’s life cleaning pools at 19 
• 25:59 - Creating new income streams 
• 28:41 - Moving on to gaining technical expertise

May 12, 2024 Weekly Flash Briefing: Swimming Pools, Industry News, Business & Culture

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TOPICS DISCUSSED

• Pro Pool Inspectors limited time discount
• Pro Pool Inspectors training
• Lyon Financial loan calculator
• Pebble Technology New Line of Pool Finishes, PebbleQuartz
• Enter Pool Magazine Second Annual Green to Clean Competition
• Green to Clean YouTube Video
• Haviland Enterprises, Inc. Celebrates 90 Years of Chemistry
• WYBOTICS Announces Release of WYBOT C1 PRO Pool Cleaner
• Airthereal Launches AquaMarvin AM6 Robotic Pool Cleaner
• Pool Industry Podcasts

Episode Summary: 

Today, we sit down with Megan Kendrick to talk about the most exciting products featured at the recently held International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo™. 

We kick things off by sharing our experience of finally seeing each other in person a few days back at the expo. We follow that up by running through the most recent acquisitions in the pool industry before jumping into our main topic in which we give our thoughts on the 2020-2021 new products. 

Finally, Megan updates us on upcoming events in January 2022 and Pool Pro’s newest article, “Pump Up the Perks”. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 00:59 - Recap International Pool & Spa Show 
• 03:32 - Recent acquisitions 
• 05:00 - A caveat before getting into products 
• 06:11 - A quick run-through of the products 
• 07:05 - The Attendant by Poolside Tech 
• 09:06 - Ariel by Pivot-Solar Breeze 
• 09:25 - AquaLink® TCX™ by Jandy 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with Walt McKinley, a generational trauma coach, motivational speaker, and author. 

He is a retired Naval Intelligence Officer and former Fortune 500 Corporate Executive who made the pivot to become “a generational trauma coach focusing primarily on helping men learn how to break the generational cycle of abuse and fight to be the heroes of their own family.” Walt has spoken in front of large crowds on this topic now for over 25 years. 

“Everything we do in life comes from our childhood: The good, the bad, and the indifferent. It all stems from the same place.” 

There’s no better way to illustrate that statement than through Walt’s own journey to overcome generational trauma. It was a childhood that involved fourteen moves, extreme physical and emotional abuse, homelessness, and a suicide attempt in his teens. It all culminated with testifying in court against his father at 16. 

Miraculously, Walt was able to turn his life around through the Grace of God and by finding it within him to forgive those who abused him throughout his formative years. He speaks on the moments that led to this dramatic transformation and why he was compelled to become a beacon of hope for other men who have gone through similar experiences. 

Greg and Tyler also dive deep into their own challenges growing up as well as the ones they continually strive to overcome as grown men running a business and living with their own families. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 02:03 - An introduction to Walt McKinley 
• 04:18 - How Walt overcame his own generational trauma 
• 22:09 - Why Walt’s stepfather was physically abusive 
• 23:27

Episode Summary: 

In today’s edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by Hal Denbar, President of Texas at National Pool Partners. 

When is it time to fire a customer? Hal says that there are a number of reasons, the top three being issues related to payment, misaligned expectations, or the abusive treatment of his team members. 

Ultimately, you have to be quick to fire bad customers for the sake of employee morale. “Cut out the cancer early,” says Hal. “Don’t let it fester. Don’t let it bring you down and make you lose your joy for doing what you’re doing, because that is contagious.” 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:27 - Firing a customer for abusing your employees 
• 06:14 - Firing a customer for misaligned expectations 
• 10:05 - How to avoid setbacks or criticism personally 
• 14:09 - The importance of setting expectations 
• 17:14 - The value of having a CRM 
• 20:14 - Getting the service agreement right 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with Lorne Sederoff of SearchKings, a lead generation company primarily in the paid Google space with a focus on home service businesses, including pool construction and service. Lorne discusses the Google Guarantee platform and how pool companies can take advantage of the program to hit the top of the search engine’s rankings. 

“What Google is introducing into the pool industry,” says Lorne, “for both pool builders and pool cleaners is going to be a new top-of-page directory that is going to dramatically change the business.” 

Google’s criteria for the “best” company of your specific industry in your local area is threefold: 1) How often you answer your phone; 2) Whether you have social proof that you do a good job via your Google My Business page, and 3) Your business needs to be licensed and insured, and the owner will require a background check. 

With no mandatory long-term contracts, a dedicated account manager assigned to your business and a flat fee for their service that doesn’t increase as your company scales, SearchKings sets itself apart as a valuable partner for home service providers looking to get in early and on top of Google’s search rankings 

If you would like to find out more about how SearchKings can help you grow your business, email them here: poolchasers@searchkings.com. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:02 - An introduction to Lorne & SearchKings 
• 02:01 - A quick recap of our last conversation 
• 05:48 - Google’s new pay-per-lead ad platform 
• 12:16 - Toggling keywords on and off on different days

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the November edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine. 

After Megan’s quick update on how she has been successfully delegating and outsourcing tasks that leave her more time to devote to working on her business rather than in her business, we hop into pool-related news stories from around the world. 

Megan then goes over recent industry news, including a number of recent M&As and emerging movers and shakers. 

As in-person events and other activities start rolling back in, she discusses what to expect from the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo™. 

She also speaks on the 2021 International Awards of Excellence which has just announced its winners (link to the article below), as well as updates from Pool Pro and 30 Under 40. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:03 - Work on your business not in your business 
• 04:23 - Tbilisi turns an old pool into an amphitheater 
• 05:56 - TikTok pool star Miles Laflin (thep00lguy) 
• 07:45 - Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee falls into his pool 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with Bryce Sirrine and Zach Singer of Beyond Pool Cleaning and Sun Pool and Patio. Recently, the two became brand ambassadors for Skimmer. 

Having been business partners since their schoolboy days, Bryce and Zach share the path that led them to the swimming pool industry and developed their drive to become a “resource” for pool professionals and serve them in a way that larger distributors currently don’t. 

The two also speak on what inspires them, as entrepreneurs, to continuously push against the boundaries and how they were able to fashion systems and processes and a company culture that has allowed them and their team to thrive in their current ventures. 

Bryce and Zach go into their approach to setting expectations with their employees and why they believe that having them buy into their vision for the company and the customer experience is a fundamental part of their culture. 

Finally, Bryce and Zach explain how they were given the opportunity to become brand ambassadors for Skimmer. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 00:54 - An introduction to Bryce and Zach 
• 10:36 - Opening up a brick-and-mortar retail store 
• 16:39 - How managing the stores has been so far 
• 21:19 - AZ Pool Techs 
• 22:37 - What drives Bryce and Zach’s entrepreneurial spirit 

Episode Summary: 

In today’s edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by Eddie Skehan, Vice President of Operational Excellence for National Pool Partners. 

Our discussion today is all about fleet management. In particular, he speaks on the advantages of GPS tracking, which include heat mapping, using gamification to promote good driver habits, performing preventive maintenance, recovering lost vehicles, and geo-tracking. 

He encourages every business owner in the industry to make the investment into the latest GPS technology since “the fleet is probably the biggest expense that you have.” He adds that, ultimately, you will reap significant savings down the line. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 00:45 - A brief introduction to Eddie 
• 01:41 - A primer on GPS tracking 
• 03:05 - Driver habits 
• 04:28 - Preventive maintenance 
• 05:27 - Recovery 
• 07:10 - Justifying prices on cutting-edge software 
• 09

Episode Summary: 

Today we speak with Mark Jones, Owner of the New Orleans-based Blue Street Pools. Mark has been immersed in the world of sales from a young age, but never imagined himself touching the pool industry until quite recently when he decided to look for better opportunities as a new father. 

Not long after losing his job in Corporate America, Mark found his first account in a neighbor who asked him to clean his pool. One summer and another nine accounts later, Mark had completely replaced the income he made as an employee. He never looked back. 

Mark entered the pool industry in 2017, marketing himself solely through flyers which he disseminated around his neighborhood. But his breakthrough would come in 2020 when he settled on TikTok to promote his business. Encouraged by a friend, he created an account on the social media platform. Six months later, Mark had gained 100,000 followers on TikTok. Today, he has over 2.1 million. 

Listen in as Mark discusses how to build an online brand as a pool pro using TikTok. He explains the value of “giving out the game” and the importance of transparency and a love for the community you build. 

Finally, Mark shares his five-year plan to take an already unbelievable career to the next level. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:34 - Mark's background 
• 06:37 - Learning the ins-and-outs of cleaning pools 
• 08:33 - How Mark started marketing his pool business 
• 12:40 - Mark’s rapid business growth via TikTok 

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the October edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine. 

The news stories we cover include a new mobile app out of Austin, TX called “ATX Swims”, through which users can directly purchase tickets to the city’s swimming pools; an accident involving a falling tree branch at a resort in Honolulu; an initiative to teach primary school children in Marle, France how to swim using a mobile pool; and Scottsdale, AZ’s green pool and mosquito problem. 

Megan then goes over recent industry news, including a number of recent M&As and emerging movers and shakers. 

She also gives a shout-out to Patriot Pool & Spa, who once again was named the fastest-growing pool service company in the U.S. by Inc. 5000. 

Tyler and Megan speak on upcoming events for pool pros, including those of AQUA Magazine, the Virtual World Aquatic Health Conference, and the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo™. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 03:17 - Flowbird’s new app for Austin, TX, ATX Swims 
• 04:19 - Seven people injured at Hilton Hawaiian Village 
• 05:33 - A mobile pool to teach children how to swim 
• 06:59 - A century-old pool is set to be remolded 
• 08:02 - Green pools and mosquito problems in AZ

Episode Summary: 

Jim Conti is the Head of Sales at Sutro. The brainchild of founder Ravi Kurani, Sutro began with a focus on ORP technology before the company made the pivot to reagent-based testing with photometry, resulting in Sutro’s flagship product, the Sutro Smart Monitor. 

Jim explains the limitations of ORP and what led the team at Sutro to home in on incorporating Reagent Cartridges by LaMotte into their current technology. 

He compares the evolution of Sutro to that of the iPhone and that the future of the product will see the addition of even more features that add to convenience such as one-tap remote chlorine checks. 

“We’re an absolute extension of smart home technology,” says Jim. He goes on to share the many exciting plans the company has to make Sutro an indispensable tool for pool service professionals of any size. 

While he accepts that some service pros will always prefer old-school, analog systems over what’s cutting edge, he hopes that Sutro will change the game by looking at the product’s development as a “two-way street”, where customers have a say in how the technology will continue to evolve. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 00:55 - An introduction to Jim and Sutro
• 07:47 - Why reagents are a better choice over ORP
• 15:56 - How the Sutro Smart Monitor works
• 26:28 - The evolution of Sutro’s technology
• 35:18 - How to set up the Sutro Smart Monitor
• 37:58 - Why it’s important to embrace new technologies
• 46:26 - How to introduce Sutro to your routes
• 52:47 - What the future holds for Sutro
• 1:00:14 - How to get more information on Sutro

Sponsors: 

• Sutro 
• Pentair 

• Pro Pool Inspectors limited time discount
• Pro Pool Inspectors training
• Lyon Financial loan calculator
• VivoAquatics Launches Water Usage Platform to Provide Critical Monitoring and Leak Detection
• Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Celebrates National Water Safety Month This May
• GENESIS® Announces Maria Moscato As International Design & Wellness Faculty Advisor
• Polaris Unleashes Lineup of Cordless Cleaners to Meet Every Need
• Green Pool Contest – Win Some Green With Pool Magazine!
• Pool Industry Podcasts
• Submit news to Pool Chasers 

Episode Summary: 

In today’s edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by Justin Kuperberg, Chief Development Officer at NPP. 

Our discussion centers on what we believe are the three things that owners should consider when thinking about the future of their business: legacy, net worth, and intangibles. 

Listen in as Justin speaks on the common factors that sellers overlook when selling their business and the steps that immediately follow. 

He also encourages sellers to put themselves in the shoes of their buyer, and in fact for sellers to make sure that they are nurturing a relationship with the buyer that results in both parties experiencing total confidence throughout the transaction. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 00:42 - A brief introduction to Justin 
• 02:52 - Legacy and considerations around selling your business 
• 06:00 - Net worth and getting clear on your balance sheet 
• 08:13 - Building a business versus running a business 
• 09:38 - Negotiating with your company’s potential buyer 
• 10:59

Episode Summary: 

Today we do a deep dive into AquaStar Pool Products. Founded in 2000, AquaStar grew to become a vertically integrated company that offers a variety of products such as spa jets and fittings, skimmers, ozonators, chlorinators, cleaners, and—as we talk about at length in today’s episode—VGBA drains. 

In this conversation, we sit down with AquaStar Pool Products COO Todd Pieri and Director of Science and Compliance Steve Barnes. Listen in as Todd and Steve illustrate the importance of referring back to the fundamentals through the lens of sports (leading Todd to tell the story of how he won a bet with Michael Jordan on the golf course). 

Steve goes in-depth on the history and function of the main drain and what pool professionals must be ready to explain to owners with regard to staying safe around their pool’s main drain. Steve also shares how AquaStar built their state-of-the-art facility and explains how the main drains are tested as well as how they must meet NSF standards. 

The two also discuss the story of AquaStar and how it grew to be the multifaceted company it is today. They speak on AquaStar’s meticulous attention to detail and push for cutting-edge design, particularly when it comes to their drains and drain covers. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 02:40 - An introduction to Steve 
• 06:09 - Steve’s personal entrapment experience 
• 17:35 - An introduction to Todd 
• 21:43 - Athletics helped Todd appreciate business fundamentals 
• 28:28 - Todd’s experience winning money from Michael Jordan <

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the second in a new series we’re calling “News & Notes” in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine. 

With the NFL season kicking off soon, start things off with an interesting pool story connected to Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. We talk about a couple in Virginia Beach that turns out to be the tenth of a series of customers unsatisfied with the service of a particular swimming pool contractor. We also discuss another tragic piece concerning a semi-truck carrying pool chemicals crashing into a bank building in California. Finally, we give our thoughts on over ten stories of drownings that occurred in September. 

Megan then goes over recent industry news, including the 2nd quarter earnings coming out for the major companies that are public and what that means for the industry as a whole. She also references a Reuters article covering why “the spot price per container on the China-U.S. East coast route- one of the world's busiest container lanes - has climbed over 550% from a year ago.” 

Tyler and Megan also speak on the various regulatory changes in the industry, as well as exciting new events that pool professionals can look forward to in the coming months. Finally, Megan gives an announcement on the upcoming September-October issue of Pool Pro Magazine exclusively covering the commercial side of the industry. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:36 - An update on last episode’s news stories 
• 03:04 - Recent notable pool-related news stories 
• 06:45 - MCR Hotels begins charging for their amenities 
• 08:42 - Public companies 2nd quarter earnings