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In this episode, Steve breaks down what the 2025 Canadian Federal Election means for Canadian pool professionals. With Mark Carney now leading a Liberal minority government, we look at what this could mean for housing policy, energy efficiency programs, and the broader pool and spa supply chain.

We’ll dive into how trade tensions with the U.S. and China are influencing prices and availability of key materials like steel, vinyl, fiberglass, and plastics—and what Canadian retailers can do to stay competitive. Plus, I share insights on the growing popularity of heat pumps and smart pool tech, and why products like Hayward’s HeatPro® VS Series are worth paying attention to right now.

Key Takeaways:
✔ What Carney’s housing and trade agenda could mean for pool builders
✔ Why heat pumps and smart tech are gaining ground across Canada
✔ How to use tariffs as a talking point—not a setback
✔ What to do now to position yourself for a stronger 2025 season

Let’s connect:
 💻 www.highburypools.com
📧 [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, please subscribe and share it with someone in the pool and spa industry who needs to hear it.

#Canadavotes #CanadianElection #SwimmingPools #Hayward #HousingPlan #Affordability #Opportunity #Pools #Construction

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In this episode of the PromoMinds Podcast, Steve Leslie returns after a chaotic couple of weeks—ice storms, power outages, and laptop breakdowns—to deliver a much-needed economic update and roadmap for Canadian pool professionals heading into the 2025 season.

With rising mortgage defaults, shifting trade tariffs, and a bear market that’s been quietly unfolding since the pandemic boom, this episode is your no-fluff wake-up call. But it's not doom and gloom. It's about recognizing the opportunity in the chaos.

Drawing from real economic cycles, Steve breaks down how pool companies thrived through the 2008 recession and how you can apply those lessons today. Whether you're a builder, dealer, or service pro, this is your blueprint for staying relevant—and profitable—during uncertain times.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Economic reality check: Canada is entering a rocky economic cycle with paused interest rates, rising mortgage defaults, and growing tension in the real estate and trade sectors.
• History repeats: Pool companies that succeeded in 2008 didn't wait—they marketed smarter, streamlined operations, and leaned into renovation and service.
• Personal brand is key: People don't follow companies—they follow people. Trust is built online before you ever get the call.
• Shift to services and renovations: Homeowners may not be building new pools, but they'll pay for liner replacements, automation upgrades, and reliable service.
• Niche down or get drowned: Specialize in one core service area to attract higher-quality leads and increase perceived expertise.
• Slow season = content season: Use downtime to create helpful online content, answer real customer questions, and improve discoverability through SEO and social media.
• Local supply matters: Highbury Pools' Canadian-sourced materials and local production offer stability during global trade uncertainty.
• Your mindset matters: “What you seek, you shall find.” Focus on opportunity—not fear—to come out ahead.

📣 Call to Action:
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a fellow pool professional, follow Steve on LinkedIn, and reach out to [email protected]. Looking to work with a Canadian manufacturer? Visit www.highburypools.com.

#swimmingpools #highburypools #hayward #pentair #jandy #omnilogic #poolconstruction #linerreplacement #marketing

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In this episode of the PromoMinds Podcast, host Steve Leslie sits down with Chris Rowan from Winnipeg, Manitoba, to dive deep into the transition from being an employee to becoming a successful business owner. Chris shares his inspiring story of starting out in pool maintenance, moving into the building side of the industry, and eventually taking the leap to build his own brand in a highly competitive market. 

✅ Key Highlights: 

• Chris’s transition from employee to business owner
• The challenges he faced while establishing his business
• How he and his business partner built a strong brand in the pool industry
• Insights on navigating competition and staying ahead in the market

Whether you're a pool professional considering starting your own business or looking for tips to thrive in a competitive landscape, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice. Tune in to hear Chris's firsthand experience and learn from his journey.
 
👉 Connect with Steve:
 

• Instagram: @steve.leslie.91
• LinkedIn: The Steve Leslie
• Facebook: Steve Leslie

📚 Recommended Resource:
 

• Book: Scale or Fail by Allison Maslan – A practical guide to growing and scaling your business successfully, perfect for entrepreneurs looking to take their business to the next level.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to the PromoMinds Podcast for more interviews with top industry leaders and professionals!
 

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 The pool industry in Canada is facing some big challenges—U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, the latest Bank of Canada interest rate cut, and even a new Prime Minister. But with every challenge comes opportunity. 

In this episode, I break down:
 ✅ The back-and-forth tariff battle between Canada and the U.S. and how it’s impacting pool professionals
 ✅ The latest Bank of Canada announcement and what lower interest rates mean for the industry
 ✅ Why mindset plays a key role in how pool pros navigate uncertain times
 ✅ How to market and promote your business effectively—even when the economy is unpredictable
 ✅ Key strategies for making the most of home shows, financing options, and digital marketing 

If you want to stay ahead of the competition and position yourself for success despite the uncertainty, this episode is for you. 

🎧 Listen now and get the insights you need to thrive in 2025.  

Steve Leslie is a Sales and Marketing Manager at Highbury Pools, located just outside London, Ontario, Canada.

Connect with Steve:
Instagram: @steve.leslie.91
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.leslie.52
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-steve-leslie/
Email: [email protected]

#tariffs #canadiansteel #canadianpools #phtcc #swimmingpools

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In this episode of the PromoMinds Podcast, Steve Leslie discusses the impact of the Trump tariffs on the Canadian pool and spa industry in 2025. With new 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada to the U.S. set to take effect on March 4, Steve provides an analysis based on past trends, current economic conditions, and what swimming pool professionals can expect moving forward.

Key Discussion Points:

• Background on Tariffs:
  • A 25% tariff on Canadian imports was confirmed in an article from the Financial Post, released on March 2, 2025.
  • Similar tariffs were imposed on Canadian steel and aluminum in 2018, which led to an oversupply in the Canadian market, temporary price drops, layoffs, and eventual price increases.
  • The previous tariffs were lifted in 2019 after renegotiations between Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
• Potential Industry Impact:
  • The tariffs may lead to new trade routes as Canada seeks alternative export markets.
  • Steel price fluctuations could influence the cost of materials for pool construction.
  • Unlike 2018, the current economy is weaker, with a lower GDP and concerns over mortgage renewals and delinquencies.
  • Higher costs could eventually drive up pool and spa prices, making early investments more attractive.
• Economic Factors at Play:
  • Rising inflation and higher costs for Canadian consumers.
  • The weakening Canadian dollar makes U.S. travel more expensive, potentially keeping more spending within Canada.
  • Increased focus on backyard renovations as an alternative to expensive vacations.
• Strategic Opportunities for the Pool & Spa Industry:
  • Creating Urgency: Encouraging customers to invest in pools now before prices rise further.
  • Promoting Backyard Investments: Emphasizing the long-term value of enhancing outdoor living spaces instead of spending on international travel.
  • Monitoring Government Support: Possible financial assistance or stimulus measures could provide relief or incentives for homeowners.

Follow Steve:
Instagram: @steve.leslie.91
LinkedIn: Steve Leslie
Facebook: Steve Leslie

#tariffs #swimmingpools #canada #construction #trump #canadiansteel

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In this milestone episode celebrating the first anniversary of The PromoMinds Podcast, host Steve Leslie reflects on a year of podcasting and introduces exciting updates, including his upcoming speaking gig at the Canadian Pool & Spa Expo in December. Steve also dives into branding, sharing personal stories and practical strategies on how to reshape how others perceive you, emphasizing the importance of consistent messaging and content sharing. The episode highlights how you can use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to build and humanize your personal brand, connecting with your audience in meaningful ways. Steve also begins the show by talking about the latest Bank of Canada announcement in regards to interest rates.

Key Takeaways:

1. Consistency is Key – Regular posting on social media can shift and strengthen how people perceive your personal brand.
2. Branding is About Perception – Your brand is defined by what your customers or audience say about you, not just what you promote.
3. Leverage Social Platforms – Utilize personal stories and visual content like selfies and videos to connect with your audience on a deeper, more human level.

Canadian Pool & Spa Expo:

Catch Steve Leslie speaking at the Canadian Pool & Spa Expo, happening from December 2nd to 5th. Don’t miss his presentation on December 4th at 3:30 PM, where he’ll share tips on “How to Build a Brand with No Spare Time.” This is a must-attend event for professionals looking to grow their business in the pool and spa industry!

https://www.poolandspaexpo.ca/

#PromoMindsPodcast #BrandingTips #SocialMediaStrategy #PoolIndustry #CanadianPoolExpo #ContentCreation #PersonalBranding #BusinessDevelopment #PoolAndSpa #socialmedia #SocialMediaMarketing

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In this solo episode of the PromoMinds podcast, host Steve Leslie shares valuable insights tailored for solopreneurs and small business owners on effectively generating leads with limited budgets. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the sales funnel, particularly the stages of awareness, interest, consideration, and decision. Through a practical example involving an acupuncturist, Steve illustrates how creating targeted landing pages can significantly enhance lead capture and conversion by ensuring that potential customers find relevant information that aligns with their initial inquiries. This episode serves as a guide for entrepreneurs looking to optimize their marketing strategies without overwhelming jargon.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the sales funnel is crucial for effective lead generation, focusing on the stages of awareness, interest, consideration, and decision.
• Creating specific landing pages that align with marketing campaigns can prevent potential customers from feeling lost and increase engagement.
• Simple adjustments in outreach strategies, such as sending targeted letters or using social media, can lead to significantly better results in capturing leads.

Want to connect? Please send me an email [email protected]

#PromoMindsPodcast #LeadGeneration #SalesFunnel #MarketingTips #Solopreneur #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship

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In this episode of The PromoMinds Podcast, host Steve Leslie discusses the importance of building a personal brand and crafting one's unique story. He shares his journey in the swimming pool industry and how he leveraged his interests, such as running and real estate, to create a distinctive brand identity. Steve mentions influential figures like Andy Andrews, Jesse Itzler, David Goggins, and Terry Fox, drawing inspiration from their stories and mindsets. He emphasizes the value of self-reflection, identifying personal strengths, and consistently sharing one's passions to establish a memorable brand presence.

Top 3 key takeaways:

1. Identify your unique experiences, skills, and interests to craft a compelling personal brand.
2. Consistently share your passions and interests, even without immediate engagement, to build brand recognition.
3. Focus on a core message that you want people to associate with your brand, and be willing to discuss topics that set you apart.

Steve Leslie will be doing a speech on December 4th at the Canadian Pool & Spa Expo, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at the Enercare Center, entitled "How To Build A Brand with No Spare Time". Be sure to register for the upcoming Canadian Pool & Spa Expo happening from December 2nd to December 5th 2024!

https://www.poolandspaexpo.ca/

#PersonalBranding #StoryTelling #Entrepreneurship #UltraRunning #MindsetMatters #BusinessGrowth #SocialMediaMarketing #PoolIndustry #SelfReflection #BrandIdentity #swimmingpools #phtcc #promominds

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Guess who's back, back again,
Randy's back! Tell a friend!

Randy Chaffee, aka The Hybrid Road Warrior, joins the podcast once again to discuss his approach to economic down turns and recessions over his 4+ decades in the roofing industry (which is closer to 5 as we find out in this episode).

Find out how a manufacturer's sales rep truly approaches a recession. Is it all "doom and gloom" or does this mean "opportunity"? Tune in to find out!

We also find out how Randy's book is coming along, as well as the challenges that he's overcome during this new process.

Check out Randy Chaffee on all social media platforms, or simply go to:
www.IBuyFromRandy.com

Randy Chaffee is also the host of the Building Wins podcast, which you can find on almost every platform.

#HybridRoadWarrior #roofingindustry #swimmingpools #poolbuilding #poolandspa #construction #contractor #builders #b2b #selling #sales #marketing #recession #economy #manufacturing #manufacturer #salesrep

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In 2021, I had an article published as the feature in Pool & Spa Marketing Magazine's "State Of The Industry" edition. I spoke on the underlying economy and what may be happening beneath the chaos. Today, we take a look back at this article, and how it aligns with today's markets. I also speak on the Repo Markets in the Canada and the US. Full disclosure, I am not an economist, just someone actively learning from those way smarter than myself, such as Jim Rickards, Robert Kiyosaki, and even Peter Schiff.

Find the article from Pool & Spa Marketing Magazine here: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/publications/de/202104/index.html

For any questions or comments, please email [email protected]

#stockmarket #repomarket #economy #realestate #construction #ontariorealestate #poolconstruction #interestrates #cad #usd #ontario #housingcrisis #ontariohousingmarket #canadianrealestate #canadianrealestateinvestor #mortgagerates #financialmarkets #stockmarket #bondmarket #recession #recession2024 #promominds