Explore every episode of the podcast Pool Chasers Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| The First Certification in Residential Pool Inspection with Dennis Boyd & Charlie Raphael | 17 Sep 2024 | 00:48:45 | |
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.
Connect with Pro Pool Inspectors: Connect with Watershape University: | |||
| The Rise of Swimply: Pool & Backyard Rentals in 150 Cities with Founder & Chairman, Bunim Laskin | 26 Aug 2024 | 00:36:52 | |
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. | |||
| Upscale in the Pool Industry & the Power of Marketing with Matthew Dube of Pro Pool Inspectors | 03 May 2024 | 00:49:34 | |
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. ** 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:
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| Episode 203: How to Hire Top Talent with Jody Underhill of Rapid Hire Pro | 30 May 2022 | 00:57:56 | |
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:
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| Episode 202: May - News and Notes with Megan Kendrick of Pool Pro Magazine | 23 May 2022 | 00:27:20 | |
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:
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| Episode 201: PUL Products - Disrupting the In-Floor Cleaning Industry with Nick Ghiz & Jim Goettl | 16 May 2022 | 01:02:22 | |
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:
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| Episode 200: Company Culture - Business Tip of the Month with Harry Geller of National Pool Partners | 09 May 2022 | 00:16:27 | |
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:
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| Episode 199: Increase Productivity and Profitability by using the Tools of Modern Pool Professionals | 02 May 2022 | 01:01:52 | |
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:
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| Episode 198: Ledge Lounger's New AUTOGRAPH, ECHO, and LAZE Collections with Chris Anderson | 25 Apr 2022 | 01:01:46 | |
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:
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| Episode 197: April - News and Notes with Megan Kendrick of Pool Pro Magazine | 18 Apr 2022 | 00:26:25 | |
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:
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| Episode 196: Inflation & The Pool Industry - Don't Work Your Way Out of Business with Augusto & Justin of National Pool Partners | 11 Apr 2022 | 01:13:09 | |
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:
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| Episode 195: Selling a Business vs Selling a Route - Business Tip of the Month with Chad Nikkel of National Pool Partners | 04 Apr 2022 | 00:24:17 | |
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:
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| Episode 194: The Attendant - Unleashing Pool Automation's Potential with Bob, Jennifer, and Stan of Poolside Tech | 28 Mar 2022 | 01:28:11 | |
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:
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| April 28, 2024 Weekly Flash Briefing: Swimming Pools, Industry News, Business & Culture | 29 Apr 2024 | 00:17:51 | |
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| Episode 193: March - News and Notes with Megan Kendrick of Pool Pro Magazine | 21 Mar 2022 | 00:23:00 | |
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:
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| Episode 192: Building Passive Income and Retirement with YouTuber & Pool Pro Coach David Van Brunt | 14 Mar 2022 | 00:42:14 | |
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:
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| Episode 191: De-Risking Your Business - Business Tip of the Month with Justin Kuperberg of National Pool Partners | 07 Mar 2022 | 00:10:26 | |
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:
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| Episode 190: @thep00lguy - TikTok Sensation and Swimming Pool Engineer Miles Laflin | 28 Feb 2022 | 00:59:30 | |
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:
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| Episode 189: February - News and Notes with Megan Kendrick of Pool Pro Magazine | 21 Feb 2022 | 00:24:41 | |
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:
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| Episode 188: What’s it like Selling your Company to National Pool Partners? A New Perspective on Service Industry Consolidation | 14 Feb 2022 | 01:01:02 | |
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:
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| Episode 187: Managing Airbnb's - Business Tip of the Month with Bryan Banta of National Pool Partners | 07 Feb 2022 | 00:26:17 | |
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:
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| Episode 186: SPLASH! - A Look into the Australian Pool Culture and Their Priorities with David and Luke | 31 Jan 2022 | 01:20:17 | |
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:
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| Episode 185: January - News and Notes with Megan Kendrick of Pool Pro Magazine | 24 Jan 2022 | 00:29:17 | |
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:
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| Episode 184: Running Efficient Meetings - Business Tip of the Month with Nathan White of National Pool Partners | 10 Jan 2022 | 00:31:24 | |
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:
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| Becoming a Pentair Heater & Automation Expert by Reading & Warranty Repairs with Matthew Horowitz of Poolponics | 26 Apr 2024 | 01:28:38 | |
Matt Horowitz highlighted the significance of continuous learning and staying updated on new products and technologies in the pool industry. Matt stressed the importance of maintaining close relationships with industry experts like Tish Dibble and Jason Hall from Pentair to stay informed about new products. Actively seeking information on upcoming products and updates ensures that he remains well-versed in the latest advancements. Matt's hands-on experience with Pentair warranty service provided him with valuable insights into various pool equipment, including heaters and automation systems. This practical experience enabled him to understand the intricacies of different products and troubleshoot effectively. By engaging with new technologies and products, Matt expanded his knowledge base and enhanced his expertise in the field. | |||
| Episode 183: @pool_volution - Turning Over a New Leaf and Embracing Positivity with Brandon Reed | 03 Jan 2022 | 01:06:06 | |
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:
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| Episode 182: 2021 Recap - Thank You for Another Amazing Year! | 27 Dec 2021 | 00:37:23 | |
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: Connect with Pool Chasers: | |||
| Episode 181: Pool Pro's Giving Back - The Scary Christmas House Foundation with Bob Spacy Jr of Superior Pool Solutions | 20 Dec 2021 | 00:24:02 | |
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:
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| Episode 180: Common HR Mistakes - Business Tip of the Month with Jessica Janiszewski of National Pool Partners | 13 Dec 2021 | 00:38:28 | |
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:
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| Episode 179: Journey from Pool Tech to Expert on Heaters and Automation with Pat Burke of @poolin_aroundaz | 06 Dec 2021 | 01:07:05 | |
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:
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| Episode 178: New Product Showcase with Megan Kendrick of Pool Pro Magazine | 29 Nov 2021 | 00:22:20 | |
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:
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| Episode 177: Overcoming Trauma and Transforming Life’s Experiences into a Superpower with Walt McKinley | 22 Nov 2021 | 01:42:01 | |
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:
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| Episode 176: Firing Customers - Business Tip of the Month with Hal Denbar of National Pool Partners | 15 Nov 2021 | 00:29:41 | |
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:
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| Episode 175: Is Your Company Backed by the Google Guarantee? New & Exciting Details by Lorne Sederoff of SearchKings | 08 Nov 2021 | 00:51:16 | |
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:
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| Episode 174: November - News and Notes with Megan Kendrick of Pool Pro Magazine | 01 Nov 2021 | 00:24:27 | |
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:
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| April 21, 2024 Weekly Flash Briefing: Swimming Pools, Industry News, Business & Culture | 25 Apr 2024 | 00:05:18 | |
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| Episode 173: Bryce Sirrine & Zach Singer of Beyond Pool Cleaning, PTG Uniforms, and Sun Pool & Patio | 25 Oct 2021 | 00:54:05 | |
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:
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| Episode 172: Fleet Management - Business Tip of the Month with Eddie Skehan of National Pool Partners | 18 Oct 2021 | 00:13:06 | |
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:
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| Episode 171: Green to Clean TikTok Star Mark Jones (@poolpr0mj) of Blue Street Pools | 11 Oct 2021 | 01:06:11 | |
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:
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| Episode 170: October - News and Notes with Megan Kendrick of Pool Pro Magazine | 04 Oct 2021 | 00:21:42 | |
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:
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| Episode 169: Sutro - The Future of Pool Water Chemistry Controlled by an App & Professional Reagents with Jim Conti | 27 Sep 2021 | 01:03:58 | |
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:
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| Episode 168: Valuing Your Legacy - Business Tip of the Month with Justin Kuperberg of National Pool Partners | 20 Sep 2021 | 00:15:14 | |
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:
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| Episode 167: AquaStar - Vertical Integration, State of The Art Research Facility & VGBA Updates with Todd Pieri & Steve Barnes | 13 Sep 2021 | 01:37:18 | |
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:
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| Episode 166: September - News and Notes with Megan Kendrick of Pool Pro Magazine | 06 Sep 2021 | 00:26:17 | |
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:
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| Episode 165: Leslie's Pro Website with Chad Christensen | 30 Aug 2021 | 00:45:18 | |
Episode Summary: Chad Christensen is the Group Vice President of Wholesale at Leslie’s. Today known as “The World’s Largest Retailer of Swimming Pool Supplies”, Leslie’s had a humble start when it was founded 54 years ago in March 1963 as a small pool supply operation working out of a backyard shed in North Hollywood, California. Leslie’s pool professional customers have always had access to their 925 store locations and over 17 commercial locations; but now, they will be able to enjoy the convenience of being able to shop for all their needs through the brand new Leslie’s Pro website at www.lesliespro.com. Chad explains why Leslie’s decided to launch the website, taking into account rapid changes in consumer behavior in the last 18 months. For pool trade professionals specifically, this new online platform by Leslie’s offers the ability to source and view inventory across their entire store network and the ability to view both wholesale and retail pricing with ease. Overall, convenience and a personalized shopping experience is Leslie’s ultimate goal with the launch of the Leslie’s Pro website. Topics Discussed:
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| Episode 164: Growth Mindset - Business Tip of the Month with Chad Nikkel of National Pool Partners | 23 Aug 2021 | 00:11:32 | |
Episode Summary: Today’s special episode is the third in a new series we’re calling “Business Tip of the Month” in partnership with National Pool Partners. Listen in as Chad offers his thoughts on nurturing a growth mindset as a pool professional. He explains why it is important to constantly be working at refining your customer base and why market saturation gives you an edge over your competition. Your brand message ultimately consists of your core competencies. Chad encourages business owners to embrace their particular niche in the industry and to be unafraid of refining or tweaking their brand in response to market changes. Finally, Chad explains why it pays to always be hiring and how hiring helps you keep a pulse on the market. Topics Discussed:
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| April 14, 2024 Weekly Flash Briefing: Swimming Pools, Industry News, Business & Culture | 16 Apr 2024 | 00:08:47 | |
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| Episode 163: Farley Pool Designs - Creating Outdoor Transformations Encompassing Client Lifestyles with Mike Farley | 16 Aug 2021 | 01:18:59 | |
Episode Summary: Mike Farley founded Farley Pool Designs in 2013 and exclusively serves the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in partnership with construction team Claffey Pools. As a designer, Mike has produced over 300 YouTube videos where he offers information on the design and construction process of one-of-a-kind swimming pool and outdoor living projects. He is the co-founder of the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge with Reid Schindler. This yearly project stages the ultimate design challenge which is open to anyone and provides fellow pool designers the opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences and an up-close-and-personal look at different solutions to the same design challenge. Mike has written over 100 articles with Watershapes to help provide educational resources for those in the pool industry and for over 20 years has been one of the most popular instructors at International and Regional Pool shows on design. Listen in as Mike shares how he made the transition from landscape architecture to pool and outdoor living design, his unique approach to designing pools and where his best ideas come from, and why he developed the Million Dollar Pool Challenge. Topics Discussed:
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| Episode 162: August - News and Notes with Megan Kendrick of Pool Pro Magazine | 09 Aug 2021 | 00:26:09 | |
Episode Summary: Today’s special episode is the first in a new series we’re calling “News & Notes” in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine. We kick things off by sharing our thoughts on some notable pool-related stories—from the recent success of the company known as the “AirBnB” for pools to Will Smith trying out the world’s deepest swimming pool in Dubai, to an arrest made in Florida of a woman who snuck into a retiree’s yard to swim naked in their pool. Megan then goes over recent industry news, including a rising trend of pool companies going public as well as acquisitions being made in the industry, the long-awaited apprenticeship program that is finally being launched by the PSATC, BioLab rebuilding their facility, and movers and shakers in the industry. Finally, we highlight two of our favorite Pool Pro articles from the latest issue. Topics Discussed:
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| Episode 161: Revolutionizing Pool Service Through Partnership with Augusto, Eddie, and Hal of NPP (National Pool Partners) | 02 Aug 2021 | 01:24:27 | |
Episode Summary: Today we do a deep dive into the recently established National Pool Partners. Officially launched in January 2021, the multi-regional pool service company has changed the game by partnering with local businesses to provide them the scale and resources of a national enterprise to better serve their customers, teammates, and partners. In this conversation, we sit down with National Pool Partner CEO Augusto Titarelli, VP of Operational Excellence Eddie Skehan, and President of Texas Hal Denbar. All three of our guests are founding partners of the company. Even with over 10,000 accounts under its belt already, NPP strives to maintain a kind of relationship with its partners typically only formed between local businesses and local customers. It does just this through its heavy involvement with the business of local brands and doing everything it can to nurture direct relationships with customers, elevate the standard of living of its employees, and support the front line. Listen in as Augusto, Eddie, and Hal explain how their paths crossed—leading to the groundbreaking consolidation of pool companies in the form of NPP—and where they plan to take the brand from here on out. Topics Discussed:
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