How a Former SWAT Officer Built One of California's Most Successful Pool Companies | Featuring Obie Rodriguez

What happens when a 30-year law enforcement veteran and 15-year SWAT officer decides to build swimming pools instead of chasing criminals?

In episode # 307 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and Ryan Morse from Hayward sit down with Obie Rodriguez, owner of Majestic Pool Construction, to share one of the most inspiring business stories in the swimming pool industry. After two frustrating experiences hiring pool contractors, Obie decided to learn the trade himself. He earned his contractor's license, built his own company from the ground up, and today completes more than 200 custom swimming pool and remodeling projects every year across multiple locations.

This conversation goes far beyond swimming pool construction. It's about leadership, building systems, growing a company, creating a culture that thrives without the owner, using social media to generate qualified leads, and believing in yourself enough to take the leap into entrepreneurship.

Whether you're a pool builder, pool service professional, swimming pool contractor, retailer, distributor, manufacturer, or business owner, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately to grow your business.

In This Episode:

• How two bad pool-building experiences changed Obie's life forever

• Transitioning from SWAT officer to successful pool builder

• Building a swimming pool company that completes more than 200 projects per year

• Creating business systems that allow your company to grow without you

• Leadership lessons from law enforcement that apply to every business

• Why delegation is one of the hardest skills for business owners

• Expanding into multiple locations

• Surviving COVID without sacrificing profits

• The social media strategy that doubled qualified leads

• Why transparency creates better customers

• The future of pool automation and smart technology

• Advice every entrepreneur needs to hear before starting a business

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Pool Nation

01:30 – Meet Obie Rodriguez

04:00 – Family, RV life, and fishing stories

08:45 – Becoming a police officer at 19

10:00 – Fifteen years on SWAT

15:00 – Two terrible pool-building experiences that changed everything

18:00 – Learning the pool industry by working for free

20:00 – Building pools while serving as a police officer

22:30 – Retiring early and betting on himself

24:00 – COVID, supply shortages, and protecting profits

32:30 – Expanding to multiple locations

35:00 – Building systems that allow the business to run without you

41:00 – What today's pool buyers really want

46:00 – The social media strategy that doubled qualified leads

49:00 – Why transparency creates better customers

55:00 – Final advice for entrepreneurs

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

Thank you to our incredible partners for helping Pool Nation educate, inspire, and elevate the swimming pool industry:

• OnCore Filtration

• Hayward Pool Products

• Heritage Pool Supply Group

• The SPPA

• BluRay XL

• AquaStar Pool Products

• Natural Chemistry

• Raypak

• Poolside Tech

• Pool Brain

• Nidec / US Motors

The Pool Nation Podcast is the premier podcast for the swimming pool industry, delivering weekly conversations with the industry's top pool builders, service professionals, manufacturers, distributors, educators, and business leaders.

Master the Business. Perfect the Craft.

Subscribe today and join thousands of pool professionals who are growing stronger businesses through education, leadership, and community.

In Episode 306 of the Pool Nation Podcast - The Pool Nation Awards are officially back, and nominations are now open!

In this episode , Edgar and John "JJ Flawless" dive deep into the story behind the Pool Nation Awards, why recognizing pool professionals matters, and how these awards have become one of the most anticipated celebrations in the swimming pool industry.

The guys break down the 2026 award categories, discuss recent changes based on pool pro feedback, explain the nomination and voting process, and share what it takes to stand out as a nominee. They also reflect on the origins of the awards, the legacy of Bob Lowry, the importance of celebrating industry leaders while they're still with us, and why the Pool Nation community continues to elevate the swimming pool industry year after year.

Plus, Edgar and John tease a major industry announcement coming August 7 that they believe will be a game-changer for pool professionals nationwide.

Whether you're a pool service professional, builder, retailer, trainer, manufacturer, distributor, or industry leader, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a reminder of why community matters.

👉 Nominate a deserving pool professional today.

00:00 Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast

A huge thank you to our incredible Pool Nation partners and sponsors for supporting education, training, and the future of the swimming pool industry:

Thank you for helping Pool Nation fulfill its mission of helping pool professionals master the business and perfect the craft.

Episode # 305 Pool Nation Podcast - What does it take to build a pool service company that lasts for decades, retains top talent, and serves more than 1,000 pools?

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus, John "JJ Flawless," and Zac "The Pool Boy" Nicholas sit down with Nick LaPointe and Ray De Rosa of Golden State Pools to discuss two very different journeys that led to one of Southern California's most respected pool service companies.

From the days of gas chlorine service and hand-written route books to modern operations, service management, technician training, inventory systems, and company leadership, this conversation dives deep into what it really takes to build a sustainable pool business.

Nick shares the story of growing up in the family business, while Ray discusses building his own company before merging with Golden State Pools. Together they reveal the systems, leadership philosophies, employee development programs, and business lessons that have fueled their success.

Most importantly, they share two lessons every pool professional needs to hear: set boundaries and know your value.

Whether you're a solo operator, building your first route, managing technicians, or scaling toward your own pool empire, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experience from pool pros who have lived it.

00:00 Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast

A huge thank you to our Pool Nation partners and sponsors who continue supporting pool professionals across the industry:

Your support helps us continue educating, elevating, and empowering pool professionals everywhere.

In episode # 304 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and Zac "The Pool Boy" Nicholas sit down with Jeremy Young and Orlando Gadea from Fluidra to reveal one of the biggest pool industry technology launches in years: the all-new AquaLink Edge platform.

This isn't just another automation panel. Fluidra shares how AquaLink Edge is built around edge computing, smarter equipment communication, local processing, enhanced homeowner experiences, and a future ecosystem designed to help pool professionals run more efficient and profitable businesses.

The conversation dives deep into automation, connected equipment, wireless communication, AI-driven pool management, smarter service operations, and how Tracker IO is helping transform the way pool companies manage routes, inventory, service calls, and customer experiences.

Whether you're a pool service professional, builder, repair technician, retailer, or industry leader, this episode provides an exclusive first look at where pool technology is heading and how it will impact your business over the next decade.

00:00 Introduction & Welcome

02:00 Meet Fluidra's Jeremy Young & Orlando Gadella

06:00 Heritage Pro Service Academy & Pool Pro Challenge Updates

08:00 Jeremy's Journey: From Pool Construction to Fluidra Innovation

15:00 Why Education & Training Matter in the Pool Industry

24:00 Orlando's Background in Digital Technology & Why He Joined Fluidra

27:00 The Official AquaLink Edge Reveal

28:00 Edge Computing vs Cloud Computing Explained

30:00 Creating Better Pool Owner Experiences

32:00 New In-Can Display & Home Display Features

35:00 Why Pool Automation Must Work Without Internet

40:00 Built-In Flow Monitoring & Smarter Equipment Control

43:00 Five Years of Development Behind AquaLink Edge

47:00 Easier Setup, Faster Installation & Wireless Communication

52:00 Personalized Access for Homeowners, Service Pros & Airbnb Properties

56:00 Service Mode Improvements & Smart Notifications

01:03:00 Wireless Equipment Discovery & Future Product Ecosystem

01:08:00 Customer Experience vs Traditional Automation

01:15:00 The Future of Connected Pool Equipment

01:19:00 Tracker IO & The Future of Pool Service Management

01:27:00 How Data Will Transform Pool Businesses

01:32:00 Future Integration Between Pool Builders & Service Companies

01:35:00 AquaLink Edge Release Timeline & Launch Plans

01:37:00 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

A special thank you to our Visionary Partners for supporting Pool Nation and helping us elevate the pool industry through education, training, and community:

Your commitment to pool professionals helps us continue delivering world-class education and content to the industry.

Episode 303 Pool Nation Podcast is a Best of Episodes. This is a packed three-hour-plus episode with three segments (the Raypak heat pump deep dive, the Women's Summit podcast, and the Pool Nation Awards crew show)

Pool heat pumps are the future of pool heating, and in this episode the Pool Nation crew breaks down exactly how they work, why they beat gas heaters on cost, and how to sell them without scaring off your customers.

Host Edgar De Jesus sits down with Raypak's Brad Duncan and Akshaya Shekhar for a no-nonsense heat pump deep dive built for working pool service pros. Learn how heat pumps work, why they are becoming increasingly important across the industry, and how to position them as a long-term solution that delivers real value for your customers.

Then we hand the microphone over to the women of Pool Nation for a powerful recap of the Third Annual Pool Nation Women's Summit. Hear firsthand stories about leadership, authenticity, confidence, mentorship, and what it takes to thrive in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

We also take a deep dive into the Pool Nation Awards, discuss why nominations matter, spotlight some of the industry's rising stars, and share inspiring stories from pool pros who are making an impact every day.

Whether you're a one-person operation, a growing service company, a repair technician, or a business owner looking to scale, this episode is packed with practical takeaways, business lessons, and industry insights.

00:00 Welcome to Pool Nation: Meet the Hosts & Guests

02:00 Why Heat Pumps Are the Future of Pool Heating

05:00 Meet Brad Duncan & Akshaya Shekhar from Raypak

08:00 Heat Pump Deep Dive Begins

09:00 How a Pool Heat Pump Actually Works

10:30 Heat Pump Performance by Climate & the 80/80/80 Rule

13:00 Can a Heat Pump Heat a Spa?

14:30 COP vs Gas Heater Efficiency Explained

17:00 Why Combining Heat Pumps & Gas Heaters Changes Everything

19:30 Heat/Cool Models: Turning Hot Pools Into Profit Centers

21:00 Initial Investment vs Long-Term Savings

24:00 Selling Heat Pumps Without Scaring Customers

25:00 The Maserati vs Beetle Explanation Every Pool Pro Should Know

26:00 Pool Nation Women's Summit Special Begins

27:30 Women's Summit Recap & Industry Updates

32:00 Meet Janie Flawless & Jeanette Horn

39:00 The Growth of the Women's Summit

46:00 Finding Your Voice & Being Your Authentic Self

53:00 Leadership Lessons & Personal Growth

59:00 Sponsor Break

1:04:00 Pool Nation Live Returns

1:11:00 Pool Nation Awards Nominations Recap

1:18:00 Why Pool Nation Awards Matter

1:24:00 Recognizing Pool Pros Who Make a Difference

1:33:00 Pool Nation Conference & Heritage Event Updates

1:36:00 Education Funds & Industry Opportunities

1:43:00 30 Under 40 Spotlight: James Broderick

1:52:00 Customer Education & Building Trust

2:03:00 30 Under 40 Spotlight: Aiden Dunn

2:08:00 Growing a Business & Right-Sizing Your Route

2:16:00 30 Under 40 Spotlight: Nick LaPoint

2:25:00 Competition vs Community in the Pool Industry

2:33:00 Using Data to Build a Better Pool Company

2:40:00 Final Thoughts & Sponsor Break

2:46:00 Lessons From the Next Generation of Pool Pros

2:51:00 Inside the New Training Headquarters

2:54:00 Gold Medal Pools: The Origin Story

2:59:00 Surviving the 2008 Economic Crash

3:02:00 Building Massive Commercial Water Features

3:11:00 The Dallas Cowboys Connection

3:13:00 Closing Thoughts

A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors and visionary partners who make the Pool Nation Podcast possible:

✅ Encore Brands

✅ Encore Brands

Your support helps us continue our mission of building a nation of pool pros through education, community, and industry advancement.

Episode 302 of the Pool Nation Podcast

What if your pool business has been warning you about bigger problems... and you just haven’t been listening?

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus, John “JJ Flawless,” and Zac “The Pool Boy” Nicholas dive deep into one of the most important business conversations pool pros can have: the signals your business sends you every single day.

From burnout and busy work to growth plateaus, employee problems, customer issues, and financial blind spots, the guys break down why so many pool companies mistake movement for progress. This episode sets the stage for a powerful multi-part conversation on how to recognize the warning signs before they become major business problems.

They also discuss:

If you’re a pool service professional trying to scale your company, improve profitability, build a stronger team, or simply avoid burnout, this episode is packed with real talk and business insight from three pool pros who have lived it.

00:00 – Pool Nation Podcast Intro

A huge thank you to our sponsors and partners who continue supporting the pool industry and Pool Nation:

→ SPPA

Your continued support helps us educate, inspire, and elevate pool professionals everywhere.

Join us in Van Nuys, California for the Heritage Pro Service Academy powered by Pool Nation.

Hands-on training includes:

Registration is FREE thanks to the Heritage Education Fund.

Visit PoolNation.com to register today.

Think you’ve found the dirtiest pool filter in the industry?

Submit your worst filter photos and videos for a chance to win cash and prizes from Encore Filtration.

In Episode 301 of the Pool Nation Podcast, we bring you a special “Best Of Pool Nation” compilation featuring some of the most impactful conversations, emotional moments, business lessons, and industry insights from the podcast.

From pool business growth strategies and operational efficiency to powerful conversations about water safety, leadership, and industry innovation, this episode highlights why Pool Nation continues to be the leading voice for pool professionals across the country.

You’ll hear incredible discussions with industry leaders from Heritage Pool Supply, AquaStar Pool Products, Terry Arko, Steve Barnes, and more as we dive into topics that every pool pro, service company owner, repair technician, and industry professional can relate to.

This episode covers:

If you're a pool service company owner, pool technician, builder, retailer, or manufacturer looking to grow your business and stay connected to the pulse of the swimming pool industry, this episode is packed with valuable insight and inspiration.

00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast

A huge thank you to all of our incredible sponsors and visionary partners who continue to support Pool Nation, pool industry education, and the growth of pool professionals across the country. Your partnership helps us continue building the #1 platform for swimming pool service, repair, business, and leadership education.

→ Heritage Pool Supply Group

In Episode 300 of the Pool Nation Podcast Edgar and John sit down with Mike from Quick Shop Pools and Bellafina Outdoors to talk about the future of pool construction, pool design, and pool business mentorship. If you are a pool service pro, pool builder, or pool business owner looking to grow, this is the pool podcast episode you cannot miss.

Mike spent 20 years in law enforcement working federal fugitive task forces, including the team that helped apprehend Whitey Bulger, before going all in on the pool industry. Today, he runs one of the most innovative pool construction companies and pool design showrooms in the country out of Huntington Beach, California. Pool pros who have walked through Bellafina Outdoors are calling it the Disneyland of pool design.

We also welcome Luz, Director of Operations at Bellafina, who brings over 20 years of brand and marketing experience into the pool industry, plus Thomas from PAL Lighting and Michelle from Heritage Pool Supply for a full Pool Nation studio conversation on pool builder education, customer experience, and elevating the pool trade for the next generation of pool pros.

IN THIS POOL NATION PODCAST EPISODE:

POOL NATION PODCAST TIMESTAMPS:

THANK YOU TO OUR POOL NATION PODCAST SPONSORS:

In Episode 299 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar, John “JJ Flawless,” and Zac “The Pool Boy” break down one of the most important conversations every pool pro needs to hear — the signals your business is sending you every single day.

From pricing mistakes and route inefficiencies to hiring too late and chasing the wrong growth, this episode dives deep into the real challenges pool service companies face — and how to fix them.

But that’s not all…

🚨 BIG NEWS: The Pool Pro Challenge just leveled up — now officially a $20,000+ competition (and pushing toward $25K) thanks to industry partners like BioLab and ProGuard.

If you’re serious about scaling your pool business, increasing profitability, and building something sustainable — this episode is a must-listen.

00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast

A huge thank you to our incredible partners who make this podcast possible:

👉 Want to grow your business faster?

In Episode 298 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar and Zac are joined by industry experts Robbie Walker and Michael Viegas from Solenis to break down one of the most misunderstood areas in the pool industry — spa, hot tub, and cold plunge water chemistry.

If you’ve ever treated a spa like a pool… this episode will change everything.

We dive deep into:

This is a must-listen for pool service pros, repair techs, and anyone looking to level up their understanding of water chemistry — especially in smaller bodies of water like spas and hot tubs.

👉 Bottom line: If you're not treating spas differently, you're doing it wrong.

00:00 – Intro: Welcome to Pool Nation Podcast

A huge thank you to our Visionary Partners for supporting the Pool Nation Podcast:

We appreciate your continued support in helping us grow the pool industry and build a nation of pool pros.