The SpaRetailer Podcast

Mario Maichel, dealer development manager at Watkins Wellness, is passionate about store design. As an addendum to our recent feature on the topic, Maichel chats about the biggest mistakes he sees hot tub retailers make, why he thinks design is so important and the No. 1 habit he says will improve your store. Brought to you by SpaBot https://sparetailer.com/feed/podcast/

Alex Granlund, product marketing manager for King Technology joins The SpaRetailer Podcast to talk about the company’s latest innovation — FROG @ease for Swim Spas — and how products go from idea to creation. *Sponsored by King Technology https://sparetailer.com/feed/podcast/

In honor of our ESOP feature in the April/May 2024 issue of SpaRetailer, we revisit an old podcast with Jim Van Fleet. Van Fleet was the first hot tub retailer to convert his company to an employee stock ownership plan back in 2017. Sign up for one of the SpaRetailer ESOP webinars. https://sparetailer.com/feed/podcast/ Sponsored by SpaBot:

In honor of our ESOP feature in the April/May 2024 issue of SpaRetailer, we revisit an old podcast with Jim Van Fleet. Van Fleet was the first hot tub retailer to convert his company to an employee stock ownership plan back in 2017. Sign up for one of the SpaRetailer ESOP webinars. Sponsored by SpaBot: https://sparetailer.com/feed/podcast/

Kathi Belcourt rejoins the podcast, this time to discuss the Aqua-Tech Pool, Spa, and Whole Home Renovation journey. In 2021, Aqua-Tech was sold to a private equity firm, Kathi and Megan discuss what that experience has been like as well as the company adding home renovations to its growing list of product and service offerings. Hear Kathi’s other podcast episode here. Brought to you by Strong Spas https://sparetailer.com/feed/podcast/

Alice Cunningham and Blair Osborn, founders of Olympic Hot Tub, graced the cover of the very first issue of SpaRetailer in 2007. The couple started the business in 1977 and grew to become one of the top sellers of Hot Spring Spas, winning the manufacturer’s top award three times. The couple was inducted into Hot Spring’s Ring of Honor in 2016 . They were stalwarts of the industry, and in 2016 sold Olympic Hot Tub to longtime employee Don Riling. Watkins Wellness also honored Cunningham by naming the manufacturer’s Alice Cunningham Marketing & Promotions  Award after her. Cunningham joins The SpaRetailer Podcast to share her journey in the industry. More about Olympic: Olympic Hot Tub 2014 Retail Star Q&A with Don Riling https://sparetailer.com/feed/podcast/

Business coach, author and SpaRetailer columnist Martin Holland joins us to discuss open book management. What is it and how should a hot tub retailer go about implementing it? Read Martin’s SpaRetailer columns. The Great Game of Business* The Profit Problem: They Say I Make Money, So Why Don’t I Have Any?* *Affiliate links https://sparetailer.com/feed/podcast/

Jacque Johnson saw a need in the industry for better customer education, so she went out and created it herself. Known as The Hot Tub Lady, Johnson’s YouTube channel, podcast and now book are helping thousands of hot tubbers better enjoy their spa. Hear about her journey in the industry, what’s she’s going to do next and how The Hot Tub Lady can help your business. We also talk about the new IQ system from Hot Spring Spas. Hot Tub Clarity Logbook for chlorine Logbook for saltwater https://sparetailer.com/feed/podcast/

In 1983, Zodiac hired Jean Pierre Parent, an aeronautical engineer, to work in its aeronautics segment. But he eventually made his way to their pool division and has spent the rest of his career in the pool and hot tub industry. Parent now works for Balboa Water Group, a hot tub components supplier subsidiary of Helios Technologies, as its senior vice president and managing director. https://sparetailer.com/feed/podcast/

Mike Dunn retired in 2021 after 42 years in the hot tub industry, 27 of which were spent at Watkins Wellness. He shares his hot tub history and memories of the industry from his teenage years helping his dad at Hawkeye Spas. https://sparetailer.com/feed/podcast/