Pool Chasers Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this exciting episode, we were joined by Dennis Boyd of Pro Pool Inspectors and Charlie Raphael of Watershape University to introduce the Certified Residential Pool Inspector (CRPI) Training Course, the first of its kind for the pool industry. The discussion centers around the importance of professional certification for pool inspectors and how it benefits both pool professionals and homeowners. Dennis and Charlie explain how the new Certified Watershape Residential Inspector (CRWI) Certification is setting a new standard in the pool industry, particularly in real estate transactions. They also provide details on the upcoming course offerings, including how to sign up, and why continuous education and certification are key to success in the pool industry.

Sign Up Or Learn More:

• Certified Residential Pool Inspector (CRPI) Training Course
• WU B2121: Pool Inspections for Real Estate Transactions October 7-8 Hosted by Master Pools Guild & Watershape University in San Antonio, TX 

Connect with Pro Pool Inspectors: 

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube
• TikTok
• LinkedIn

Connect with Watershape University: 

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook

In this episode, we sit down with Bunim Laskin, the founder and chairman of Swimply. Swimply is an innovative platform that allows homeowners to rent out their swimming pools, similar to Airbnb but for pools. Bunim shares the inspiring story of how Swimply was born out of a simple neighborhood agreement and evolved into a multi-million dollar business. They discuss the challenges and successes of building the company, the impact it has on local communities, and the potential for future expansion into other rental markets like boats and sports facilities.

The conversation also touches on how Swimply provides pool owners with a way to recoup their maintenance costs and even turn a profit, while offering non-pool owners affordable access to private pools. Bunim also talks about the company's efforts to collaborate with pool professionals and the exciting new features and expansions that Swimply is launching.

Brought to you by: Lyon Financial 

Pro Pool Inspectors ,marketing expert, Matthew Dube highlights the significance of a comprehensive marketing approach for pool professionals, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, consistent execution, and thorough evaluation. He stressed that setting clear business goals and understanding the target audience are essential in developing effective long-term plans. Additionally, Matt advocated for consistent marketing efforts, like running ads and engaging with customers, to build brand credibility and foster relationships. He also underscored the value of utilizing data to refine marketing strategies, discussing how metrics like impressions and clicks can inform adjustments to enhance campaign effectiveness. Moreover, Matt touched on the benefits of automation tools, such as email automation and AI-generated content, to streamline processes and ensure efficient communication with customers. This holistic approach, he suggested, is crucial for achieving marketing success and driving growth in the competitive pool industry.

Offers below are available within two weeks of the release of this episode.

** Use promo code: POOLCHASERS2024APP for 20% Off First Monthly of Pro Pool Inspectors App Subscription **

** Use promo code: POOLCHASERS2024MS for 20% Off First Year of Yearly Marketing Maintenance Service **

INSPECTION TRAINING DATES: 

Remote Training

• May 9-10
• May 23-24
• June 20-21

In-Person Training

• May 30-31
• June 13-14
• June 27-28

Connect with Pro Pool Inspectors:

• Website
• Instagram: PRO POOL INSPECTORS SOFTWARE APP (@pro.pool.inspectors.software)
• Facebook
• Youtube
• Tik Tok: Pro Pool Inspectors Software (@propool_software) 
• LinkedIn

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

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