The Deep End with Eric Triplett

Eric records a live episode at Pod House in Kentucky alongside Mr. Producer during the Equip Expo. The conversation explores the evolving landscape of podcasting, emphasizing how creators must maintain technical redundancy and leverage video platforms to build authentic connections and secure brand partnerships. Furthermore, the discussion touches upon the darker aspects of online visibility, incl...

interviews Joe Raboine , the vice president of design at Oldcastle APG, to discuss the intersection of water features and hardscaping. Raboine shares insights from his background as a former contractor, highlighting how industry trends are shifting toward blending natural water features with clean, formal hardscape lines. The conversation explores the advantages of utilizing Belgard products for o...

Live from the bustling floor of Equip Expo, host Eric Triplett sits down with Lauren Nolan, owner and publisher of POND Trade Magazine. Approaching her two-year mark leading the publication, Lauren shares what it takes to honor the rich legacy built by founder Lori while infusing fresh energy, cross-industry partnerships, and community-driven storytelling into the watershaping world. In this episo...

Landscape SEO expert Luke Truetken discusses how effective marketing and authentic branding are essential for growing landscaping businesses. He emphasizes that companies must address consumer pain points and build trust through video sales letters and genuine client testimonials rather than merely competing on price. Strategic tracking is highlighted as a critical tool for measuring return on inv...

Eric interviews Cole Chestnut, product manager at the  Vermeer Corporation , to discuss the company's culture, history, and innovative manufacturing practices. Chestnut shares how his background as a division-one collegiate track athlete and his upbringing on a family farm instilled a strong work ethic and competitive drive that translates into his current career. The conversation highlights the s...

Podcasters and business owners gather in Louisville, Kentucky, for the Equip Expo and LCR Summit, transforming a rented penthouse into a collaborative content creation hub called Pod House. During the discussions, Mike Garvey highlights his success as a New Jersey dealer for KRESS, explaining how the company's advanced robotic mowers and battery-powered equipment are modernizing the landscaping in...

Eric shares how he utilized a clever guerrilla marketing strategy by placing humorous political signs around town during election seasons. Rather than promoting direct sales with traditional contact information, his campaign for waterfall commissioner relies on a no-close touch approach designed simply to make commuters smile and build lasting brand recognition. These playful advertisements contra...

Eric Triplet and Mike Garvey discuss the importance of cultivating a five-star service culture and generating authentic Google reviews to build business reputation. The conversation highlights how shifting from impersonal automated texts to meaningful, in-person interactions helps technicians take pride in their work and address customer issues proactively. Furthermore, the speakers explore creati...

Eric reflects on a cherished career memory from a  moonlight pond tour featuring glowing jack-o'-lanterns that he originally hosted over two decades ago. Inspired by a new team member named Brian who suggested a trunk-or-treat event, Triplett initially focused on the logistical obstacles and challenges of hosting a large gathering. However, this sparked a collaborative brainstorming session where...

Eric interviews Alyssa from the Pet Advocacy Network , an organization that represents the interests of pet owners and the professional pet care community. She explains that her primary role involves lobbying government officials to ensure that regulations concerning animals are based on scientific data rather than pure emotion. Throughout the conversation, Alyssa warns against the efforts of acti...

Kris Kiser, President & CEO, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, OPEI, joins Eric to discuss the Equip Exposition , an expansive 43-year-old trade show for the outdoor and landscape industry. Rather than a traditional indoor display, the event focuses on experiential learning, offering 30 acres of outdoor space where contractors can test machines in real-world conditions. Kiser emphasizes the impor...

Expert aquatic specialist Eric Triplet discusses the evolving relationship between residential water features and local wildlife, specifically focusing on the rise of bear encounters in Southern California. He observes that while bears were rarely a concern for much of his thirty-year career, recent environmental shifts and massive wildfires have driven these animals into suburban backyards more f...

Today's episode features sixteen-year-old Kristen Ye, a young entrepreneur and conservationist who discusses her lifelong passion for the aquarium hobby and her family business, Festae Factory . She shares how she invented a fluidized bed filter using recycled materials for a third-grade project, which has since evolved into a successful product sold at aquatic trade shows. The conversation highli...

The episode centers on the inaugural Miami Koi Show , a high-end event designed to foster koi culture and education in South Florida. The organizers detail unique attractions, such as a banquet hosted on a yacht and a venue specifically engineered for aquatic displays, to highlight the "Miami flavor" of the competition. They address the logistical hurdles of launching a new show while expressing a...

Eric and Drew talk about the intersection of craftsmanship and digital strategy. The discussion highlights the limitations of platforms like Yelp, where strict review policies can hinder a business's reputation, and emphasizes the complexity of Google's advertising ecosystem. Ainscough explains how businesses can optimize their sales funnels by integrating social media presence with targeted perfo...

Gareth Scott, the founder of Real Reef Rock , talks with Eric during the LA Pet Fair. The conversation highlights how the company developed a sustainable, man-made alternative to harvesting live rock from natural coral reefs, which was once the industry standard. Scott explains the transition from importing Tonga branch rock to manufacturing calcium-based substrates in the USA to prevent environme...

Eric and Mike Garvey discuss the essential transition from simply owning a job to building a scalable business that can eventually be sold. They contrast their professional backgrounds, highlighting how strategic systems and team empowerment allow an entrepreneur to step away from daily labor while maintaining a profitable legacy. The conversation emphasizes the importance of high-level coaching a...

Evan Johnson, the founder of the nonprofit Ivan the Angelfish , shares how he provides natural aquariums to senior living facilities to combat depression and isolation among residents and staff. He cites specific research showing that observing fish can significantly lower stress hormones and improve mental health metrics like the PHQ-9 survey. Beyond the scientific benefits, the conversation high...

Eric and Mike Garvey from The Side Hustle Squad Podcast discuss the complexities of scaling a company when the founder serves as the primary personal brand. He recounts how his business, The Pond Digger, evolved from a solo identity into a team-oriented culture by intentionally highlighting his employees' diverse personalities. Triplett emphasizes that while being the face of a brand builds initia...

This episode explores the enduring legacy of a water feature designed and constructed by Eric Triplett for his friend Shad Dixon twenty-five years ago. While many homeowners initially install ponds for aesthetic beauty or relaxation, the conversation reveals how these aquatic ecosystems become integral characters in a family's life story. Over two decades, the pond remained a constant through majo...

Eric Triplett and Mike Garvey discuss the complex transition from a side hustle to a legitimate business. Eric reflects on his decision to pause a coaching venture to refocus on his primary passion for aquatic ecosystem design and filtration technology. The conversation contrasts their professional journeys, highlighting how Mike built a business while serving as a state trooper, whereas Triplett...

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes debrief from "The Deep End" podcast, where host Eric Triplet and his crew discuss their experience at the LA Pet Fair. The team explores the preparation and logistics required for the event, highlighting the transition from napkin sketches to handcrafted wooden plant displays. They credit the booth's success to a high-energy atmosphere, tropical soundscapes, and the cente...

In this podcast, Eric and Mike Garvey explore the transformative philosophy that scaling a business is fundamentally about scaling people. He recounts his professional evolution from a solo entrepreneur to the leader of a team, emphasizing that investing in employees is the only way to achieve a $50 million vision. Triplett explains how empowering staff to handle sales and technical decisions remo...

Eric interviews his twenty-year-old apprentice, Jacob Orduno, as part of a series titled "Look Inside the Machine." The conversation highlights Jacob's exceptional work ethic and "old soul" demeanor, attributes that have allowed him to thrive in a demanding construction and ranching environment. They explore the importance of clear expectations and personal accountability, contrasting Jacob's dedi...

Eric is back with guest Mike Garvey discussing the challenges of managing multiple businesses. Triplet reflects on his own professional journey, explaining how excessive diversification across construction, manufacturing, and coaching began to dilute his brand's impact. The conversation highlights the importance of focus, referencing advice from business leaders like Warren Buffett to eliminate di...