E-323 Pool Nation Podcast From ZERO to Nearly 2,000 Pools - What These Tech Guys Figured Out

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 Podcast 00:00:41 Introducing California Pool Partners 00:01:26 Thank you to our visionary partners 00:06:48 Pool Nation Awards and PSP Expo updates 00:12:00 Leaving tech and finding the pool industry 00:22:16 Building a team around complementary strengths 00:31:37 Vision, service quality, and pricing for growth 00:38:54 Buying the first pool route: roughly 240 pools 00:42:30 Customer calls that changed the growth strategy 00:46:47 Five 2,000-pool businesses versus one giant company 00:51:18 Expanding through partnerships with local owners 00:54:38 The Payan Pools partnership 00:58:21 Sponsor break 01:05:43 California Pool Partners’ long-term vision 01:08:38 Local leadership, shared support, and performance metrics 01:16:51 Are they a private equity firm? 01:24:26 Customer churn: learning why people really leave 01:32:35 Final thoughts, industry collaboration, and connecting 01:35:40 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.