poolchasers

Episode Summary: 

In this episode, we recap all the full-length episodes that came out in 2022. We have had another amazing year on the Pool Chasers Podcast, got past most pandemic-related challenges, and reached over 400,000 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 supporters, 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 on 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 2023! 

Sponsors: 

• Leslie’s 
• Primate 
• Poolside Tech 

Connect with Pool Chasers: 

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the December edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with PoolPro Magazine. 

After touching on the most interesting pool-related news of the month, Megan goes over this year’s PHTA awardees before updating us on the latest product releases and upcoming trade shows! 

Finally, we talk about PoolPro’s latest article on creating a succession plan for your business, “Moving On”, written by Seraine Page. 

Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn: 

• 01:56 - Pool News Stories 
• 08:40 - Pool Industry News and Notes 
• 16:17 - Movers and Shakers 
• 17:00 - Trade Shows 
• 18:14 - Pool Pro Story, “Moving On” 

Connect with Guest: 

• Website 
• Instagram

Episode Summary: 

Today we share a LIVE panel discussion from the 2022 International Pool, Spa, and Patio Expo with the BIG 3 consolidation experts in the industry. 

In this conversation, Megan Kendrick of Pool Pro Magazine moderates a panel consisting of Augusto Titarelli (CEO at National Pool Partners) Gary Crayton (Executive Chairman at Pool Troopers) Fraser Ramseyer (Founder & CEO at SPS PoolCare) Hal Denbar (President at National Pool Partners) Wendy Parker (Business Development at Pool Troopers) and Mike Cohen (Head of Partnerships at SPS PoolCare) as they discuss the current trend of consolidation in the industry and what it means for the service sector. 

Episode Summary: 

Today we share a LIVE panel discussion from the 2022 International Pool, Spa, and Patio Expo with our friends at NPP. 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 with the scale and resources of a national enterprise to better serve their customers, teammates, and partners. 

In this conversation, Tyler moderates a panel of experienced owners of companies with over 1000 pools on route as they discuss their experiences hiring, managing, and leading in the pool service industry in a panel-style Q&A 

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the November edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with PoolPro Magazine. 

After touching on the most interesting pool-related news of the month, Megan goes over a few major local industry announcements as well as notable pool industry awardees, including three individuals highlighted in PoolPro’s very own 30 Under 40. 

Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn: 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we sit down with Justin Reyes and Gavin Chaze of Raypak Pool & Spa, the world’s leading manufacturer of copper finned boilers and heaters and, since 1953, the industry standard for pool heating technology. Justin is the company’s Associate Marketing Manager while Gavin serves as Regional Sales Manager for California. 

Raypak’s state-of- the-art Oxnard facility prepares the company to meet ever-increasing demands as the company continues to grow. They seek not just to provide innovative and intuitive products, but also to serve as an educational resource to pool professionals and even homeowners. 

Listen in as Justin and Gavin dive deep into the multifaceted products and services offered by Raypak. They speak of the company’s early beginnings since its founding in 1947 as purely a manufacturer of boilers and space heaters, before penetrating the pool industry six years later. 

They also discuss how Raypak is leading the industry via its collaboration with innovation insiders on the best way to design products that improve the quality of life of both pool owners and servicers. 

Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn: 

• 01:19 - Justin and Gavin’s journey in the pool industry 
• 10:53 - How Raypak got started 
• 18:32 - Discussion on boilers and space heaters 
• 30:26 - Raypak moves into the swimming pool space 
• 32:58 - The AVIA 
• 43:04

Episode Summary: 

Today, we sit down with Brandon Stephenson, Co-Founder and Program Director at DIY Pools and Spas, a family-run company founded over four decades ago by Brandon’s father Mike Stephenson. 

DIY was created to give families a better and more affordable alternative to hiring a pool company. They offer 3D design, plans, step-by-step coaching, and all the resources you need for “Do It Yourself” pool construction. 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we sit down with Eric Knight, a sales and marketing leader for Orenda, a company which offers a line of eco-friendly water treatments. Orenda also provides free industry-leading tools to pool professionals such as The Orenda Calculator™, and educational resources like Orenda Academy™ and the Rule Your Pool Podcast. 

Listen in as Eric discusses what he has learned from hosting the “Rule Your Pool’ podcast and the importance of approaching water treatment from water’s point of view. In other words, the practitioner will always get more insight by asking, “What does water want?” rather than mindlessly dumping your run-of-the mill chemicals just because that is the unfortunate norm in the industry. 

He also talks about what separates “good” pool companies from “great” ones. It’s not about skill nor intelligence. Rather, truly great companies have a culture which respects and obeys physics instead of trying to fight it—by accepting that they can’t defeat water. This is a company which embraces the reality of problem pools being the norm, and encourages its technicians to speak up about them, all so as to be able to standardize their approach to pool chemistry. 

Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn: 

• 04:50 - About the Rule Your Pool Podcast 
• 11:36 - Using Orenda’s learning resources 
• 17:01 - How Orenda looks at water differently 
• 23:04 - Why to view LSI first, range chemistry second 
• 28:28 - What separates “good” from “great” 
• 33:03 - Getting the

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the October 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 talks about a local merger followed by a list of new product releases by various pool companies. She then highlights this month’s industry movers and shakers. 

Finally, Megan shares Pool Pro Mag’s eye-opening article “Cleaning Versus Disinfecting - Knowing the Difference is Key”, written by Katie Crysdale. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 02:48 - Telehandler forklift falls 
• 04:07 - Chemical spill at Cape Cod 
• 05:20 - Tourists in Iceland avoid taking a showers 
• 09:28 - The 20 best pools in Las Vegas 
• 12:29 - Riverbend Sandler acquires Backyard Paradise 
• 13:09 - New product releases 
• 15:13 - Industry movers and shakers 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we sit down with Harry Geller, former Co-Owner of Magnolia Pool and Spa and NPP’s Vice President of Human Resources. 

After sharing his experience in dealing with the fallout of Hurricane Ian, along with giving some pointers on keeping your pool (and yourself) safe during extreme weather events, Harry dives into the topic of today’s episode: employee engagement. 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we sit down with AQUA Magazine editors Abigail Carpenter and Scott Webb. The pair discuss the story behind the magazine as well as their upcoming AQUA Live Trade Show taking place this October 5-7, 2022 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C. 

Abigail and Scott explain that the trade show is “obvious natural extension” of AQUA’s commitment to bettering the pool space via education. 

They tell us to expect 45 exciting seminars and roundtable discussions featuring industry leaders alongside a variety of exhibits and networking opportunities, all in the same fun and laid-back environment that AQUA is known for. 

Register for the AQUA Live Trade Show at https://www.aquamag.live/ 

Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn: 

• 01:12 - An intro to Abigail and Scott 
• 03:46 - Why AQUA decided to bring back the show 
• 08:09 - Why the team chose to host in Charlotte 
• 10:42 - Where to expect future trade shows 
• 14:30 - Educational resources to expect  
• 20:54 - The trade show’s keynote speaker 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we sit down once again with AquaStar Pool Products COO Todd Pieri and Director of Science and Compliance Steve Barnes. 

In our previous conversation, Todd and Steve gave us a deep dive into their newly launched Pipeline Filters and how its intuitive design sets it apart from the competition. Today, they do the same with another new product, their Pipeline Pumps. 

Listen in as Todd and Steve explain how two years of development has resulted in a pump that maximizes user-friendliness and efficiency for the benefit of service trades, installers, and homeowners. 

Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn: 

• 01:42 - Why AquaStar developed its Pipeline Pumps 
• 03:47 - What went into the pump’s development 
• 09:48 - Version 2.0 is a vast improvement over 1.0 
• 15:23 - How AquaStar’s team goes above and beyond 
• 21:04 - The pump’s permanent magnet motor 
• 24:25 - The pump’s replaceable noncorrosive seal 
• 24:50 - The pump’s four programmable speeds 

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the September 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 talks about market expansion plans by various well-known companies, as well as upcoming trade shows and how to vote for the Pool Nation Award ’ 30 Under 40 rookie of the year this year. She then highlights this month’s industry movers and shakers. 

Finally, Megan shares Pool Pro Mag’s newest article “Dress for Success” 

Topics Discussed: 

• 02:50 - Pool News Stories 
• 09:42 - Pool Industry News and Notes 
• 14:29 - Movers and Shakers 
• 18:07 - Upcoming Trade Shows 
• 21:40 - Pool Pro story, “Dress for Success” 

Connect with Guest: 

• Website 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we sit down with Danny Wang of DW Design & Build, a firm based in Orange County and Los Angeles. Danny was born and raised in Taiwan and came to the U.S. at ten years old. 

In his teenage years, he developed an appreciation for the trades doing odd jobs for his father, who owned a landscaping business. Today, Danny has over 15 years of experience in the world of design. 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we sit down once again with Chad Christensen the Group Vice President of Wholesale at Leslie’s. 

Listen in as Chad breaks down the three main pillars that Leslie aims to be for the pool trade professional: to help them save time, to save money, and to serve as a valuable resource. That convenience lies in the fact that Leslie’s now has over 915 retail stores, 50 pro stores, and over 17 commercial centers. As Chad proudly says, “We are where the pool routes are.” 

Chad speaks on Leslie’s advantage to all pool professionals and how the company has prepared itself as a valuable resource even in trying economic times. As the episode comes to a close, Chad speaks on Leslie’s recent collaboration with Hayward and how they aim to provide value to professionals in the industry. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 02:24 - What Leslie has to offer pool trade professionals 
• 07:55 - How to save money with Leslie’s 
• 14:48 - Leslie’s advantage for pool trade professionals 
• 19:53 - Leslie’s WSR team members 
• 23:10 - Planning your business with Leslie’s 
• 29:10 - Projecting for next season 
• 32:12

Episode Summary: 

Today’s special episode is the August 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 gives her thoughts on Q2 earnings reports and other industry news. She then highlights this month’s new products. 

Finally, Megan shares Pool Pro Mag’s newest article “Small Solutions”, which tells the story of precast concrete pools and plunge pools increasing in popularity 

Topics Discussed: 

• 02:07 - Pool Related News 
• 09:02 - Earnings Reports 
• 12:07 - Pool Industry News 
• 16:11 - New Products 
• 24:27 - Pool Pro Article 

Connect with Guest: 

• Website 
• Instagr

Episode Summary: 

Today, we sit down once again with Skimmer CEO Jack Nelson and Bryce Sirrine of Beyond Pool Cleaning and Sun Pool and Patio and brand ambassador for Skimmer. 

Listen in as our guests talk about their experiences in navigating common roadblocks and barriers to growing your business, whether you run a one-man-show or a large company. They break the journey down to the very beginning as you work your way up to 100 accounts, then 250, followed by 400, and finally beyond 500. 

Episode Summary: 

In this edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by Laura Dunbar, Co-Founder of Patriot Pool & Spa alongside her husband Hal. 

Listen in as Laura shares her hiring best practices. She explains why the best way to make a good impression on candidates is not only to have them prove themselves as a fit for the role, but also for you to prove why your company is a fit for their career goals. 

She gives her thoughts on streamlining your hiring and onboarding process, and what to consider when hiring younger versus more experienced professionals. 

Laura also talks about the importance of documenting every step of that process and ensuring that your company continually works to improve on its culture in order to attract and retain top talent. 

Topics Discussed: 

• 03:38 - Finding talent at Patriot and NPP 
• 05:00 - Making a good impression on candidates 
• 07:36 - Conducting effective interviews 
• 11:20 - How candidate goals have changed over time 
• 12:23 - Training new hires 
• 14:05 - Hiring experienced vs younger professionals 

Episode Summary: 

Today, we speak with Steve Crowley, President of Crowley Pool Service. Steve initially did not choose to work in the pool industry; yet, 15 years later, he has achieved considerable success throughout his career and holds many certifications and awards including being featured as Pool Pro Magazine’s 30-under-40 Pool Industry Leaders. 

Through the years Crowley Pool Service has grown into one of the area’s largest pool service companies. It offers a wide variety of services for both above-ground and in-ground swimming pools. During the winter months, Crowley Pool Service specializes in commercial and residential snow management.