Pool Nation Podcast

Pool Nation Podcast Episode 323 - What does it take to grow a pool service business from zero to nearly 2,000 pools—and keep customers coming back? Edgar De Jesus and John “JJ Flawless” sit down with Mark Doody, Eric Johnston, and Evan Ferl of California Pool Partners for an honest conversation about buying pool routes, learning the trade, and building a business that can grow without losing its local relationships. The founders share the mistakes, customer conversations, and strategic decisions that changed their approach to pool business growth. From their first acquisition of roughly 240 pools to partnering with established companies like Payan Pools, they explain why getting bigger requires more than adding accounts. In this episode:• Buying your first pool route—and why the seller’s support matters.• Building a partnership around complementary strengths.• Connecting service quality, pricing, employee pay, and profitability.• How customer feedback changed their expansion strategy.• Why five 2,000-pool businesses became a better vision than one 10,000-pool operation.• Supporting local managers with shared resources and clear performance metrics.• How their ownership and funding differ from a traditional private equity model.• What calling former customers revealed about churn—and why consistency matters. Whether you’re starting a pool cleaning business, managing technicians, buying a pool route, or scaling a swimming pool service and repair company, this conversation offers practical lessons in customer retention, leadership, and sustainable growth. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00:00 Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast00:00:41 Introducing California Pool Partners00:01:26 Thank you to our visionary partners00:06:48 Pool Nation Awards and PSP Expo updates00:12:00 Leaving tech and finding the pool industry00:22:16 Building a team around complementary strengths00:31:37 Vision, service quality, and pricing for growth00:38:54 Buying the first pool route: roughly 240 pools00:42:30 Customer calls that changed the growth strategy00:46:47 Five 2,000-pool businesses versus one giant company00:51:18 Expanding through partnerships with local owners00:54:38 The Payan Pools partnership00:58:21 Sponsor break01:05:43 California Pool Partners’ long-term vision01:08:38 Local leadership, shared support, and performance metrics01:16:51 Are they a private equity firm?01:24:26 Customer churn: learning why people really leave01:32:35 Final thoughts, industry collaboration, and connecting01:35:40 Outro and learning resources THANK YOU TO OUR VISIONARY PARTNERS Thank you to SPPA, BlueRay XL, AquaStar Pool Products, Natural Chemistry, Raypak, Heritage Pool Supply, Hayward Pool Products, Poolside Tech, Pool Brain, Nidec / U.S. MOTORS, OnCore Filtration, and Encore Coatings for supporting Pool Nation and helping us educate and elevate pool professionals. CONNECT AND LEARN MORE California Pool Partners:https://californiapoolpartners.com Subscribe to the Pool Nation Podcast and share this episode with a pool pro who’s ready to build a stronger business. Master the Business. Perfect the Craft.

In Episode 322 Pool Nation Podcast More Pools, More Money? The Truth About Growing a Pool Business | Pool Nation Podcast Is growing your pool service business actually making you more money, or just creating more work? In this special Best of Pool Nation Podcast episode, Edgar De Jesus, John "JJ Flawless," and Zac "The Pool Boy" Nicholas revisit some of the most valuable conversations with pool industry professionals, successful business owners, and industry leaders. From building a pool service company and retaining customers for decades to managing employees, improving route efficiency, and creating consistent cash flow, this episode is packed with real-world experiences and business lessons for pool pros. What does it really take to build a successful and profitable pool business? We hear from rising professionals James Broderick, Aiden Dunn, and Nick LaPointe, alongside Pool Pro Magazine's Megan Kendrick, as they share their journeys in the swimming pool industry and discuss the importance of customer relationships, education, and building a reputation that lasts. We also revisit conversations with Pool Nation Awards Sales Rep of the Year nominees Brian Crisan, Johnny Davis, Andrew Ragland, and Daniel Nicholas about the important role manufacturer representatives play in helping pool professionals succeed. Plus, Josh Sandler, CEO of Gold Medal Pools, shares his family's remarkable journey in the pool industry, the challenges of growing a business, and how his company found opportunities during one of the toughest economic periods in recent history. Finally, the Pool Nation crew dives into two critical areas of pool business profitability: route efficiency and getting paid. In this episode, you'll learn: Why adding more swimming pool customers doesn't automatically mean greater profitability. How successful pool professionals build customer loyalty and generate referrals. Why customer education and communication can separate your company from the competition. The importance of building relationships with pool equipment manufacturers and their representatives. What it takes to grow a swimming pool construction or service company. How smarter pool service route planning can reduce drive time, fuel costs, and vehicle expenses. Why automated billing, consistent invoicing, and payment expectations are essential to healthy cash flow. How successful pool business owners approach growth, leadership, and long-term success. Whether you're a one-person pool service company, managing multiple technicians, repairing pool equipment, or building swimming pools, this episode offers valuable lessons to help you build a stronger, more profitable business. Episode timestamps 00:00:00 - Welcome to Pool Nation and what's coming next 00:02:00 - Pool Nation Awards: 30 Under 40 nominees 00:06:00 - James Broderick: Starting a pool service business 00:09:00 - Customer education, pool chemistry, and building trust 00:16:00 - Aiden Dunn: Growing a family pool business 00:22:00 - Nick LaPointe: Decades of customer relationships 00:28:00 - Pool Sales Rep of the Year nominees 00:36:00 - Andrew Ragland: From distribution to Hayward 00:42:00 - Why great manufacturer reps matter to pool pros 00:45:00 - Daniel Nicholas: 30 years in the pool industry 00:56:00 - A word from our sponsors 01:01:00 - Brian Crisan: Building relationships and industry knowledge 01:06:00 - Josh Sandler, CEO of Gold Medal Pools 01:12:00 - The Sandler family's pool industry legacy 01:17:00 - Growing a pool business during the recession 01:20:00 - A word from our sponsors 01:25:00 - Pool business operations and efficiency 01:30:00 - Pool service route planning and profitability 01:33:00 - Hidden costs and wasted time on pool routes 01:36:00 - Billing, invoicing, and getting paid 01:39:00 - Digital payments and improving cash flow 01:42:00 - Building consistent billing systems 01:43:00 - Closing remarks Thank you to our visionary partners A huge thank you to the companies

Episode 321 Pool Nation Podcast. The next generation of pool industry leaders is already here. In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus sits down with Meagan Kendrick, owner of Pool Pro Magazine, and four of the women nominated for the 2026 Pool Nation Awards 30 Under 40. Their paths into the swimming pool industry couldn't be more different. From pool renovations and plaster to commercial pool management, lifeguarding, pool design, landscaping, customer service and leadership, these women show just how many opportunities exist inside the pool and spa industry. Chelsea shares how she went from receptionist to helping lead an operation completing hundreds of pool renovations each year, and why creating a “Disney-level” customer experience has become part of how she approaches the business. Julia takes us inside a side of the pool industry that doesn't get talked about nearly enough: commercial aquatics. She explains what it takes to manage HOA and country club pools, recruit and train hundreds of seasonal lifeguards, maintain safety standards and manage the responsibility that comes with keeping swimmers safe. Courtney shares her journey from studying agricultural science to helping grow Texas Outdoor Oasis from a four-person company into a full-service outdoor living business. She also explains how design, permitting, landscaping and construction all have to work together to deliver a better customer experience. Amanda takes us inside the massive operation behind seasonal commercial pools, including lifeguard recruiting, international staffing, pool openings and closings, inspections, maintenance, customer relationships and overseeing dozens of aquatic facilities. The conversation also gets into something bigger: where the swimming pool industry is headed. Meagan and Edgar discuss how much the industry has changed, the growth of education and collaboration among pool professionals, the opportunities available to the next generation, and why there truly is a place for almost anyone to build a career in the pool industry. If you're a pool service professional, pool business owner, builder, designer, technician, manufacturer, distributor or someone considering a career in the swimming pool industry, this episode gives you a look at just how big this industry really is. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast01:20 - Meet Meagan Kendrick and the 30 Under 40 nominees02:00 - New Orleans and the upcoming pool industry expo10:00 - Getting ready for the PSP Expo12:00 - $25,000 Pool Pro Challenge and Pool Nation Awards14:00 - Chelsea's journey into the pool industry17:00 - Completing hundreds of pool renovations each year18:00 - Creating a Disney-level customer experience23:00 - From receptionist to industry leader28:00 - Julia's journey from competitive swimming to aquatics leadership30:00 - How commercial pool management actually works32:00 - Recruiting hundreds of seasonal employees and lifeguards34:00 - Lifeguard training, safety and liability39:00 - Swim lessons, water safety and the post-COVID swimming gap42:00 - Pool codes, compliance and keeping commercial pools safe46:00 - Sponsor break51:00 - Back with the 30 Under 40 nominees57:00 - Courtney's journey into pool design and construction59:00 - Building a one-stop outdoor living company1:00:00 - Design, permitting and improving operational efficiency1:04:00 - Finding your role as a company grows1:09:00 - Amanda's journey from lifeguard to regional manager1:11:00 - Managing 80 commercial pool facilities1:14:00 - Customer service, problem-solving and leadership1:16:00 - Training the next generation of pool professionals1:17:00 - The lifeguard shortage and international recruiting1:19:00 - What seasonal pool operations really look like1:21:00 - Pool openings, inspections and the spring rush1:23:00 - Leadership, family and relying on your team1:25:00 - The side of the pool industry nobody talks about1:27:00 - Why there is a career for every

In Episode 320 of the Pool Nation Podcast - Your pool route is full. The phone is ringing. You’re working six or seven days a week. So why does it still feel like you’re not making the money you should be making? In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and John “JJ Flawless” break down one of the biggest challenges facing pool service business owners: being incredibly busy without actually building a more profitable, sustainable business. More pools don’t automatically mean more profit. We talk about hidden costs, route efficiency, customer profitability, pricing, burnout, hiring employees, leadership, and why understanding your numbers has to happen BEFORE you try to scale your pool business. We also go inside the vision behind the new Pool Nation Business Group and why Pool Nation is creating monthly meetings where pool business owners and leaders can actually work ON their businesses, not just listen to another presentation. The goal is simple: help pool pros build stronger, more profitable businesses while becoming better owners and leaders. In this episode, we discuss: • Why a full pool route doesn’t necessarily mean a profitable business• Why adding more customers can actually make your problems worse• The hidden cost of windshield time and inefficient routes• Why you need to understand customer profitability• How to know when your business is financially ready to hire• Why hiring your first employee can create MORE chaos• The connection between profitability and burnout• Why pool pros struggle to implement what they learn at training events• How accountability and repetition help business owners actually make changes• The tools Pool Nation is developing to help pool pros understand their businesses• Why leadership becomes critical as your pool company grows• How the Pool Nation Business Group will work• How pool pros, manufacturers, distributors, and industry leaders can participate The first Pool Nation Business Group meeting takes place October 29 at 6:00 PM at Pool Nation Headquarters in Dallas, Texas, with a hybrid option available for those who cannot attend in person. The focus goes beyond financials. We’re talking profitability, leadership, operations, employees, pricing, systems, accountability, and the decisions that determine whether your pool business actually succeeds. Master the Business. Master the Craft. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why Pool Nation is launching Business Groups06:00 – PSP Expo, hands-on training and business education13:00 – Why financial success is Pool Nation’s first foundational principle17:00 – Working ON your pool business, not just IN it20:00 – Why the Business Group is more than a networking event22:00 – Your route is full, so why aren’t you making money?25:00 – Why doing more pools isn’t always the answer26:00 – The mistake pool companies make when trying to grow28:00 – Fixing profitability problems before you scale30:00 – What does financial success actually mean?32:00 – When can you afford to hire your first employee?35:00 – Learning from other pool business owners37:00 – Sponsor break44:00 – Why great ideas from training rarely get implemented46:00 – The problem with traditional business education49:00 – Accountability, repetition and actually doing the work52:00 – Pool Nation’s new business tools and software54:00 – How route inefficiency destroys profit55:00 – Calculating the real cost of windshield time56:00 – The 13-step business journey58:00 – When a $200 pool is really a $20 pool1:00:00 – Turning information into action1:01:00 – Why profitability alone isn’t enough1:03:00 – Why hiring an employee can create MORE chaos1:06:00 – Training, managing and developing employees1:09:00 – Building leadership skills as your company grows1:10:00 – How to participate in the Pool Nation Business Group1:12:00 – Why manufacturers and distributors belong in the room1:19:00 – Final thoughts on the future of Pool Nation Business Groups1:22:00 – Making the commitment t

Episode # 319 Pool Nation Podcast. What if your highest-paying pool account is earning you less than one that pays a fraction of the price? In this best-of Pool Nation Podcast episode, we revisit the hidden costs that can quietly drain a pool service business’s profits. Edgar De Jesus, John “JJ Flawless,” and Zac discuss pool route efficiency, drive time, customer profitability, and why adding more accounts doesn’t always mean building a better business. Hear how one $500-a-month account earned less than a $150 account once time, chemicals, and service demands entered the picture. We also revisit a conversation with 2023 Pool Nation Hall of Fame inductees Terry Arko and Steve Barnes about education, pool safety, and recognizing the people who have shaped the swimming pool industry—including the legacy of Bob Lowry. Then Leanne De Jesus, Janie Flawless, and Jeanette “The Pool Girl” Horn share lessons from the 2024 Women’s Summit on leadership, confidence, understanding business financials, and finding your voice. Whether you’re building your first pool route, managing technicians, or growing an established pool company, these conversations will challenge you to think differently about your time, your customers, and your business. Topics Covered Pool service business profitability Pool route planning and optimization Drive time and operating costs Customer account profitability Pool technician pay and retention Pool repair opportunities and productivity Pool Nation Hall of Fame Terry Arko, Steve Barnes, and Bob Lowry Women in the swimming pool industry Leadership, confidence, and customer communication Pool Nation Women’s Summit Episode Timeline Approximate timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Pool Nation Best Of01:00 Terry Arko and Steve Barnes and the Hall of Fame12:00 Steve Barnes on education and pool safety15:00 Remembering Bob Lowry18:00 Behind the scenes of Pool Nation Awards planning26:00 Business efficiency and partner acknowledgments34:00 Pool route planning and the cost of growing too fast40:00 The $500 account that earned less than a $150 account43:00 Reviewing routes and reducing drive time46:00 Repair opportunities and the value of minutes saved48:00 Technician pay, retention, and route efficiency51:00 Sponsor Break56:00 Women in the pool industry and the 2024 Women’s Summit1:09:00 Building community through the Women’s Summit1:16:00 Authenticity, confidence, and finding your voice1:21:00 Customer conversations and understanding your numbers1:24:00 Personality styles and better communication1:28:00 Productivity and accountability1:29:00 Closing and Pool Nation resources Sponsors A huge thank-you to our visionary partners for supporting Pool Nation and helping us bring education, business conversations, and community to swimming pool professionals: SPPABlueRay XLAquaStar Pool ProductsNatural ChemistryRaypakHeritage Pool SupplyHayward Pool ProductsEncore BrandsPoolside TechPool BrainNidecOnCore Filtration Thank you also to Encore Coatings, featuring KOOL for pools, and U.S. Motors, featuring the Neptune variable-speed motor, for supporting this episode. Follow Pool Nation for more conversations about growing your pool business, and share this episode with a pool pro who could use a more profitable, productive workday. This best-of episode includes previously recorded conversations. Event announcements and dates reflect the original recordings.