E-318 Pool Nation Podcast - Six Years of Pool Nation: The Stories, Sacrifices, and People Behind It

Episode 318 Pool Nation Podcast. Six years ago, we turned on the microphones to have the conversations pool pros needed. We never imagined those conversations would grow into boot camps, the Pool Nation Awards, the Women’s Summit, and a headquarters built for the pool pro community. In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and John “JJ Flawless” look back at how it all started, the moments that made the work worth it, and the lessons learned along the way. From the early days of Instagram Live to earning the industry’s trust, we share what it has taken to keep showing up—and why listening to pool pros continues to shape everything we do. We get personal about the sacrifices behind the scenes, talk honestly about mistakes and partnerships, and discuss why growing a mission takes the right people, consistency, and a willingness to change direction. We also share updates on Heritage’s training at Pool Nation headquarters, the Pool Nation Awards, and the $25,000 Pool Pro Challenge. To everyone who has listened, attended a training, shared an idea, or trusted us to be part of their journey: thank you. You are the reason we are Pool Nation. Master the business. Perfect the craft. Make an impact. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome and celebrating six years of Pool Nation 03:00 – Remembering September 11 07:00 – Heritage MIT training and a home for pool pros 13:00 – Pool Nation Awards, training, and Pool Pro Challenge updates 16:00 – Looking back: How Pool Nation began 20:00 – From helping pool pros to launching a podcast 27:00 – How the original vision evolved 30:00 – Bob Lowry and the inspiration behind the Pool Nation Awards 34:00 – Building a space and a voice for every pool pro 38:00 – The moments that showed us we were making a difference 42:00 – The Women’s Summit and ideas born from the community 45:00 – Sponsor break 50:00 – Back from the break 52:00 – Earning the industry’s trust through consistency 59:00 – Going all in while running a business and raising a family 1:03:00 – The work and personal sacrifices behind the scenes 1:07:00 – Mistakes, partnerships, and lessons learned 1:10:00 – Building the team and learning to change direction 1:13:00 – Rethinking coaching and reaching more pool pros 1:15:00 – Sponsor break 1:20:00 – JJ’s netting skills and pool service pet peeves 1:22:00 – Finding purpose in teaching and giving back 1:25:00 – Setting up the next conversation: Where is the industry headed? 1:27:00 – Thank you, Pool Nation, and the mission moving forward Thank You to Our Sponsors and Visionary Partners A huge thank-you to SPPA, Blue Ray XL, AquaStar Pool Products, Natural Chemistry, Raypak, Heritage Pool Supply, Hayward Pool Products, EnCore Brands, Poolside Tech, Pool Brain, Nidec / U.S. MOTORS, and OnCore Filtration for helping us bring education, training, and conversations like this to the pool industry.