Episode Title: Building Bridges – The Power of Business Networking

In episode 220 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar, John, and Zac discuss the importance of business networking and how building relationships can lead to opportunities and personal growth. They also share their own experiences, preparation for the upcoming Pool Nation Awards and Conference, and humorous anecdotes about interactions with clients. The conversation emphasizes the value of stepping out of your comfort zone to foster genuine connections in the industry.

Time Stamps:

• 0:00 - 6:20: Introduction and host welcome; discussion of event preparations and logistics for the Pool Nation Awards.
• 6:21 - 16:30: Zach’s health update and handling pre-awards stress; insights on balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
• 16:31 - 28:00: John reflects on personal growth and maintaining business readiness; importance of teamwork.
• 28:01 - 33:00: Edgar introduces the Pool Nation Conference and highlights the new Business Bar concept.
• 33:01 - 45:00: The value of networking at the Heritage Pool Pro Appreciation Event and fostering industry connections.
• 45:01 - 55:00: Shout-outs to sponsors and prize announcements for the Pool Nation Awards.
• 55:01 - 1:05:00: Humorous client communication stories from John; examples of handling customer inquiries.
• 1:05:01 - 1:17:00: Final thoughts on networking, building trust, and responses to listener interactions.

Episode 219 of the Pool Nation Podcast, where we dive deep into the pool industry’s latest updates, trends, and professional journeys. Join hosts Edgar de Jesus, John JJ Flawless, and Zach "the Pool Boy" Nicholas as they talk with special guests Jennifer Melee, Kristen Mello, Megan Hightower, and Alicia Rowe. These remarkable women share their inspiring journeys, industry insights, and experiences as nominees for Pool Girl of the Year at the Pool Nation Awards.

Episode Breakdown:

• [00:00:00] – Intro Edgar introduces the Pool Nation podcast and welcomes guests Jennifer, Kristen, Megan, and Alicia. Shoutouts to podcast visionary partners and a fun banter with Zach about his productivity surge.

• [00:05:00] – Kristen Melo’s Journey Kristen shares her career path in the pool industry, her emphasis on education, and the company growth achieved through training and certifications. The importance of standing out in the industry is highlighted.

• [00:24:00] – Megan Hightower’s Story Megan explains how she joined her partner Jordan in the pool industry, from the initial challenges to her passion for building and growing their business together in Nevada.

• [00:37:00] – Jennifer Mele’s Pool Nation Family Connection Jennifer recounts her journey with her husband, Chris, in the industry, emphasizing the support from the Pool Nation family and the motivation to provide high-quality pool service.

• [00:47:00] – Alicia Rowe’s Background Alicia discusses her transition from the equine industry to pool service ownership, her experiences managing a commercial-focused business, and her goals for the company’s future.

• [01:02:00] – Awards and Final Thoughts Edgar reminds everyone about the upcoming Pool Nation Awards, and the team discusses the significance of industry recognition and the supportive community of pool professionals.

• [01:08:00] – Sponsors and Pool Nation Conference Details Details about the upcoming Pool Nation Conference and the special hands-on learning opportunities it will offer, along with a thank-you to sponsors supporting the podcast and conference.

Don't miss this inspiring conversation filled with laughter, learning, and heartfelt reflections on the pool industry. Catch the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts, and see you at the Pool Nation Conference in Dallas, Texas!

In episode 218 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar, John, and Zach dive deep into important industry topics, answer listener questions, and introduce new concepts for the upcoming Pool Nation Conference. They discuss the pros and cons of starting a pool service business from scratch versus buying into a franchise, offering valuable insights for those considering entrepreneurship in the pool industry. John also shares his experience with providing pool cleaners as part of the service package and how it impacts business efficiency. Edgar offers a sneak peek into the innovative Poolman University platform, which is designed to standardize training for pool professionals. As always, the hosts share exciting updates about the Pool Nation Conference, Awards, and much more.

• [00:00] - Intro: Edgar, John, and Zac kick off the podcast with a warm welcome and industry updates.
• [02:30] - Listener shout-outs and Edgar’s latest ideas: Shout-outs to Jeanette and Lindsay, with Edgar sharing a new idea that sparks conversation.
• [10:00] - John’s busy season update: John talks about preparing pools as customers arrive for the winter season and how business picks up in October.
• [15:45] - Franchise vs. independent pool business: The team answers a listener’s question about whether to start a pool business from scratch or buy a franchise. Edgar shares insights from a conversation with Andrew Kidd, CEO of Poolworks.
• [30:15] - Pool cleaners: John explains his approach to providing pool cleaners for clients, how it improves service efficiency, and whether cleaners should be provided or sold to customers.
• [45:00] - Poolman University sneak peek: Edgar reveals exciting details about Poolman University, a training platform for pool professionals to onboard and train their teams efficiently, complete with quizzes and progress tracking.
• [52:00] - Pool Nation Conference and Awards: The hosts provide updates on the upcoming Pool Nation Conference, Heritage Pool Pro Appreciation event, and a growing list of Pool Nation Award nominees.
• [57:00] - Shout-outs and closing: Final thoughts and thanks to the podcast’s visionary sponsors, including Ultimate Pool Tools, Raypak, AquaStar, and more.

Join us for this informative episode packed with practical tips, insights, and the latest happenings in the pool industry!