Is your pool service business making money this summer, or is the summer running your business?

In Episode #313 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar and John "JJ Flawless" break down the 5 mid-season checks every pool professional should be making right now to protect their customers, employees, equipment, routes, and most importantly, their profits.

August is one of the toughest months in the swimming pool industry. Water temperatures are climbing, chlorine demand is increasing, equipment is working harder, technicians are battling extreme heat, customers are using their pools more, and chemical, fuel, labor, and operating costs can quietly destroy your margins.

This episode is a mid-season business checkup for pool service companies.

Edgar and John break down five critical areas:

• Water & Chemistry → Why the chemistry strategy that worked in May may not work in August, how higher water temperatures accelerate demand, and why pool pros have to stay ahead of problems instead of reacting to them.

• Pool Equipment & Filtration → Pumps, filters, salt systems, automation, plumbing, seals, circulation, and other equipment are under maximum stress during the summer. Learn what you should be watching before a small issue becomes an emergency call.

• Route Efficiency → Driving all over town costs more than time. Poor route density, unnecessary drive time, fuel costs, and inefficient scheduling can quietly destroy the profitability of your pool route.

• Your Team → Your technicians are dealing with the same summer heat and pressure you are. Edgar and John discuss workload, heat, burnout, employee retention, leadership, and why taking care of your team becomes even more important during peak season.

• The Profit Check → The check almost nobody wants to do. Are your pools actually profitable? Increased chemical usage, overtime, fuel, callbacks, filter neglect, equipment issues, and extra service time can turn what looks like a profitable account into a pool that is quietly costing you money every week.

They also dive deep into one of the most overlooked parts of summer pool maintenance: filtration.

Putting off filter cleanings doesn't just create water problems. It can lead to increased chemical consumption, algae, callbacks, unhappy customers, longer service stops, lost filter-cleaning revenue, employee frustration, and ultimately lost customers.

John shares a real-world example of how his company has prioritized filter cleanings during peak season and how properly maintaining filtration can create additional revenue while making the route easier to manage.

The bigger lesson?

Summer exposes the weaknesses in your pool service business.

Your systems.

If you own or operate a pool service company, pool cleaning business, pool repair company, pool maintenance route, or swimming pool business, this episode will help you identify the problems that could be costing you money before the season is over.

Edgar and John also share a personal Pool Nation update as Zac "The Pool Boy" Nicholas steps away from Pool Nation to focus on the continued growth of The Pool Boys, his family, employees, and business. The guys reflect on Zac's contribution to Pool Nation and why sometimes business growth requires making difficult decisions and focusing on the opportunity directly in front of you.

Plus, Pool Nation gives an update on upcoming industry training and a major announcement coming August 14 at 4:00 PM Central Time.

00:00 → Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast

The Pool Nation Podcast would not be possible without the companies that continue to support Pool Nation, professional education, and the swimming pool industry.

Thank you to:

SPPA

Your continued support helps Pool Nation provide education, training, resources, events, and conversations designed to help pool professionals Master the Business and Perfect the Craft.

The Pool Nation Podcast is built for swimming pool professionals who want to build better businesses, become stronger leaders, improve their technical knowledge, and become more profitable.

From pool service and repair, water chemistry, filtration, pumps, heaters, automation, and equipment to pricing, leadership, employees, route efficiency, customer retention, business growth, and profitability, Pool Nation is committed to helping pool pros build businesses and lives they are proud of.

It's all pool talk, and we ain't talking about netting and jetting or splashing and dashing.

We're talking about becoming a Nation of Pool Pros.

Master the Business. Perfect the Craft.

Episode # 312 of the Pool Nation Podcast. What if one simple conversation could increase your average ticket by 30-40%?

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and John "JJ Flawless" sit down with Joe Garcia of Lyon Financial to break down one of the most overlooked opportunities in the swimming pool industry: financing.

Whether you're a pool builder, service company, repair technician, remodeler, or equipment installer, financing isn't just for new pool construction anymore.

Joe shares how successful pool companies are using financing to help homeowners upgrade pumps, filters, heaters, automation systems, sanitization equipment, complete equipment pads, backyard projects, outdoor living spaces, and much more.

The conversation goes far beyond loans. You'll learn how financing can increase customer trust, improve your closing percentage, raise your average invoice, and help homeowners invest in better equipment without putting unnecessary pressure on their budget.

The episode also dives into:

• The biggest financing myths in the pool industry

• Why every pool professional should offer financing

• The difference between secured and unsecured loans

• Questions every contractor should ask a financing partner

• Hidden fees and fine print many contractors never discuss

• Why acceptance rate matters more than approval rate

• How financing can increase equipment upgrades and overall profitability

Joe also shares his unique career journey from Verizon and Bank of America to entrepreneurship, running a successful formal wear business, and ultimately becoming one of the industry's leading educators in pool financing.

If you're looking to grow your pool business, increase average ticket size, improve customer experience, and sell more premium equipment, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

00:00 Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast

02:00 Summer service stories and life in the field

11:45 Upcoming events

17:00 Hayward Training preview

24:00 Meet Joe Garcia

29:45 From Verizon and dark fiber to banking leadership

34:30 Entrepreneurship, leadership and the quinceañera business

44:00 Leadership vs. management

46:00 Sponsor Break

50:00 What Lyon Financial actually does

57:00 Financing beyond pool construction

1:00:00 Secured vs. unsecured financing explained

1:04:00 Hidden financing fees every contractor should understand

1:10:00 Why financing matters for pool service companies

1:15:00 How financing increases average ticket size

1:23:00 Final business lessons and closing thoughts

A huge thank you to our partners for supporting Pool Nation and helping us educate the swimming pool industry.

Episode #311 Pool Nation Podcast What really makes one pool filter better than another?

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and John "JJ Flawless" sit down with Rich Medina, Engineering Leader at OnCore Filtration, to take one of the deepest dives we've ever done into pool filtration.

Rich brings over 34 years of engineering and pool industry experience, sharing how cartridge filters are designed, how filtration media actually works, why point-bonded media outperforms traditional materials, and how proper filtration directly impacts water chemistry, customer satisfaction, equipment longevity, and profitability.

Whether you're a pool service company, builder, retailer, manufacturer, or simply want to better understand what separates premium filters from inexpensive alternatives, this episode is packed with practical knowledge that will immediately improve the way you think about water quality.

• Why filtration is the foundation of crystal-clear water

• How cartridge filters actually work

• What "point bonded" filter media means

• Why cheap cartridge filters often fail

• Injection molded cores vs. PVC cores

• Why filter bands matter more than you think

• Proper cartridge cleaning techniques

• Common mistakes pool professionals make

• When filters should actually be replaced

• Why turnover rate may be more important than PSI

• How engineering decisions impact your customer's pool

If you've ever wondered why some pools stay crystal clear while others constantly struggle, this episode explains the science behind it.

00:00 Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast

01:00 Meet Rich Medina from OnCore Filtration

05:45 Rich's engineering background and military experience

12:00 How Rich entered the swimming pool industry

27:00 Building filtration technology through engineering

36:30 Why filtration is the foundation of water quality

44:00 How cartridge filtration actually works

50:00 Filter media explained: point bonded vs. flat bonded

59:45 Injection molded cores vs. PVC cores

1:07:00 Why filter bands matter

1:12:30 The correct way to clean cartridge filters

1:17:00 When should pool filters be replaced?

1:20:00 Creating a maintenance schedule that saves customers money

1:22:00 Why turnover rate matters more than pressure

1:25:00 Final thoughts and takeaways

A huge thank you to the incredible companies helping us educate and elevate the swimming pool industry.

• 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

• OnCore Filtration

Your continued support allows Pool Nation to bring free education to pool professionals across the world.

Episode 310 Pool Nation Podcast

What does it take to build a pool company that lasts nearly six decades?

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus is joined by Ryan Morson from Hayward along with Ken and Sandy Barthman of Dunrite Pools, a second-generation family business that has been building swimming pools on Long Island for over 58 years.

From starting in the business as a teenager to now constructing more than 125 pools every year, Ken and Sandy share what it takes to build a lasting reputation, work together as husband and wife, and prepare the next generation to carry the company forward.

The conversation dives deep into the unique challenges of vinyl liner pools, high water table construction, dewatering systems, custom liner measurements, heat pumps, customer service, online reviews, company culture, and why reputation remains the most valuable asset any pool company can have.

Whether you're a pool builder, service professional, business owner, or simply passionate about the swimming pool industry, this episode is packed with practical lessons on leadership, craftsmanship, family business, and building a legacy that lasts.

• How Dunrite Pools has remained successful for over 58 years

• What it's really like running a pool company as husband and wife

• Building approximately 125 vinyl liner pools each year

• How dewatering works in high water table construction

• Why accurate liner measurements are critical

• Heat pumps vs. gas heaters in northern markets

• Preparing your business for multi-generational leadership

• Managing customer expectations and protecting your online reputation

• Why family businesses continue to thrive in the pool industry

• The importance of building trust one customer at a time

00:00 Introduction

02:00 Meet Ken & Sandy Barthman of Dunrite Pools

05:45 Pool construction on Long Island

08:45 Hayward's "Power of Us" initiative

10:00 How Ken & Sandy met and built a life together

15:00 The history of DunritePools

18:00 Dewatering explained

23:00 Building 125 vinyl liner pools every year

26:00 Heat pumps vs. gas heaters

30:00 Custom vinyl liner measurements

33:00 The complete vinyl liner installation process

40:00 Running a family business together

43:00 Building a multi-generation company

47:00 Protecting your reputation through customer service

49:00 Life outside the pool industry

52:00 Final thoughts and legacy

A huge thank you to our visionary partners for helping us educate and elevate the swimming pool industry:

• SPPA

• BluRay XL

• AquaStar Pool Products

• Natural Chemistry

• Raypak

• Heritage Pool Supply

• Hayward Pool Products

• Poolside Tech

• Pool Brain

• Nidec / US Motors

• OnCore Filtration

• Encore Brands

Your continued support allows us to provide free education to pool professionals across the industry.

If you enjoyed this episode:

✔ Subscribe to Pool Nation

✔ Leave us a 5-star review

✔ Share this episode with another pool professional

✔ Join thousands of pool pros who are committed to mastering the business and perfecting the craft.

Episode # 309 of the Pool Nation Podcast - What does a true partnership between manufacturers and pool professionals actually look like?

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus, John "JJ Flawless," and Zac "The Pool Boy" Nicholas sit down with Todd Pieri of AquaStar Pool Products for one of the most honest conversations we've had about the future of the swimming pool industry.

From pricing strategies and manufacturer transparency to product innovation, warranties, and building trust with pool professionals, this episode dives into the issues that affect every builder, service company, retailer, and distributor.

Todd explains why AquaStar believes consistency matters more than promotions, why they reduced prices on multiple products in 2026 instead of raising them, and how listening to pool pros has driven some of their biggest product innovations.

The team also tackles one of the industry's hottest topics—constant manufacturer price increases—and discusses how those decisions impact builders, service companies, homeowners, and the long-term health of the pool industry.

If you're serious about growing your business, protecting your profits, and staying ahead of where our industry is headed, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

• Why consistency builds stronger partnerships than rebates and promotions

00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast

A huge thank you to our incredible Visionary Partners for helping us continue to educate, inspire, and elevate the swimming pool industry:

• The SPPA

Your support allows us to continue providing free education and resources to thousands of pool professionals around the world.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another pool professional.

For more education, events, certifications, and business training, visit Pool Nation and become part of the fastest-growing community in the swimming pool industry.

Master the Business. Perfect the Craft.

Episode 308 Pool Nation Podcast - What does it take to grow from a few referrals into a company with 50 employees, three locations, hundreds of service accounts, retail stores, remodels, and new construction?

In this special Hayward Spotlight episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus is joined by Ryan Morson from Hayward and special guests Kyle and Stephanie Burns, owners of Emerald Custom Pools and Emerald Pool Care in Fort Worth, Texas.

Kyle shares how his career as a firefighter shaped the way he plans for the future, manages risk, builds systems, and prepares his company for challenges before they happen. Stephanie explains how disciplined financial management, detailed job costing, and accountability have helped them build a profitable business while raising four children together.

This conversation is packed with practical advice for pool builders, service companies, retailers, and anyone looking to build a stronger business in the swimming pool industry.

In this episode you'll learn:

• How Emerald Custom Pools grew from a home-based startup into a multi-division company.

Whether you're a pool builder, service professional, retailer, business owner, or industry leader, this episode is filled with real-world strategies you can immediately apply to your business.

00:00 – Introduction & Meet Kyle and Stephanie Burns

A huge thank you to our incredible Pool Nation partners for making this episode possible:

The SPPA • BluRay XL • AquaStar Pool Products • Natural Chemistry • Raypak • Heritage Pool Supply Group • Hayward Pool Products • EnCore Brands • Poolside Tech • Pool Brain • Nidec / US Motors • OnCore Filtration

Because of your continued commitment to education, innovation, and supporting pool professionals, we're able to continue delivering conversations that help elevate the swimming pool industry.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another pool professional. Every share helps us continue our mission of improving the financial well-being of pool pros through education.

Pool Nation — Master the Business. Perfect the Craft.

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.