The Deep End with Eric Triplett

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...

Eric uses the Kentucky Derby as a powerful metaphor for entrepreneurial persistence and personal growth. He highlights the story of a horse named Golden Tempo and its trainer, the first woman to win the race, to demonstrate that a poor starting position does not dictate one's ultimate success. Triplet argues that contractors and business owners often feel defeated by current hardships, but he insi...

Eric talks with Naylor Taliaferro about the hidden "blind spots" that prevent contractors from achieving growth. Taliaferro shares his journey from a soul-crushing corporate career to finding fulfillment by building a successful lawn care business and mentoring others in the industry. The conversation highlights the importance of mindset, specifically debunking the myth that "time is money" to hel...

Eric explores the dynamic between push and pull motivation, emphasizing the power of a compelling future vision to drive business growth. He argues that most entrepreneurs are merely pushed by immediate stressors like bills, whereas a defined, long-term goal acts as a gravitational force that attracts opportunities and accountability. To illustrate this transition, Eric discusses his own objective...

Eric talks with his friend Zoe Asher about building intentional adult friendships. They explore the idea of a "friendship audit," the loneliness many people are facing, especially men, and why vulnerability is key to real connection. Zoe encourages listeners to stop waiting for meaningful friendships to happen and instead become the kind of friend they hope to find. Key Takeaways: Perform a friend...

In this episode, Eric uses Justin Bieber's career trajectory to provide motivational insights for contractors and entrepreneurs. He frames Bieber's recent live performances as a masterclass in resilience and self-awareness, emphasizing how the artist successfully navigated public failure to launch a calculated comeback. Triplet parallels these celebrity struggles with the financial and personal ha...

Eric, Tyson, and Slayer explore the four levels of money and the subjective nature of personal value. They discuss the challenges of scaling a business, balancing rising overhead costs with the need to pay employees a living wage. The crew critiques the "copout" mindset that money is unimportant, arguing instead that financial success is necessary for survival, freedom, and legacy. Through anecdot...

This interview features Melissa, the co-owner of Escape Craft Brewery , discussing the history and operations of her family business in Redlands. She explains the origin of their Sakura beer, a unique brew inspired by cherry blossom green tea, which has become a year-round staple. The conversation covers the technical challenges of brewing, such as maintaining consistency despite natural variation...