Pool Chasers Podcast

Today, we sit down with Thurman and Torrence Thomas of Tankproof, a nonprofit that gives free, accessible swimming lessons to youth in under-served communities. From providing quality swim instruction to feeding hundreds on their neighborhood food routes, Tankproof have had the opportunity to impact multiple cities nationwide since their founding in 2011 in Baton Rouge. Listen in as the twins refl...

Today, we sit down with Jennifer Kourouglos and Samantha Moore of real estate listing company AZ Luxury Home Group and the brokerage Launch Real Estate. Since partnering eight years prior, their business has grown from solely doing resale for buyers and sellers to representing builders and developers. They have also recently started buying and flipping their own properties together. Listen in as w...

Greg kicks off 2023 with an introduction to Pool Chasers’ newest co-host (and popular recurring guest on the show), Justin Bowie, President at JMax Companies! We start the conversation going down memory lane as Justin recalls his early days in the trades and, later on, getting his start in the pool industry from the very bottom as a plumber. An entrepreneur to the core, he took over his employer’s...

Episode Summary:   In this episode, we recap all the full-length episodes that came out in 2022. We have had another amazing year on the Pool Chasers Podcast, got past most pandemic-related challenges, and reached over 400,000 downloads!    To our awesome guests, thank you for sharing your valuable time to record with us and sharing your knowledge with the industry. To our sponsors and Patreon sup...

Episode Summary:   Today’s special episode is the December edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with PoolPro Magazine .   After touching on the most interesting pool-related news of the month, Megan goes over this year’s PHTA awardees before updating us on the latest product releases and upcoming trade shows!   Finally, we talk about PoolPro’s latest article on creating a succe...

Episode Summary:   Today we share a LIVE panel discussion from the 2022 International Pool, Spa, and Patio Expo with the BIG 3 consolidation experts in the industry.   In this conversation, Megan Kendrick of Pool Pro Magazine moderates a panel consisting of Augusto Titarelli (CEO at National Pool Partners) Gary Crayton (Executive Chairman at Pool Troopers) Fraser Ramseyer (Founder & CEO at SPS...

Episode Summary:   Today we share a LIVE panel discussion from the 2022 International Pool, Spa, and Patio Expo with our friends at NPP. National Pool Partners. Officially launched in January 2021, the multi-regional pool service company has changed the game by partnering with local businesses to provide them with the scale and resources of a national enterprise to better serve their customers, te...

Episode Summary:   Today’s special episode is the November edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with PoolPro Magazine .   After touching on the most interesting pool-related news of the month, Megan goes over a few major local industry announcements as well as notable pool industry awardees, including three individuals highlighted in PoolPro’s very own 30 Under 40.   Here’s a G...

Episode Summary:   Today, we sit down with Carl Spinnler, the former owner of BluTex, a West Houston-based residential swimming pool maintenance and repair company based in West Houston established in 2012.   Carl got his “start” in the industry when he got his first job as a lifeguard at the age of 15, after which he began doing winter maintenance for local commercial pools. A friend eventually r...

Episode Summary:   Today, we sit down with Justin Reyes and Gavin Chaze of Raypak Pool & Spa, the world’s leading manufacturer of copper finned boilers and heaters and, since 1953, the industry standard for pool heating technology. Justin is the company’s Associate Marketing Manager while Gavin serves as Regional Sales Manager for California.   Raypak’s state-of- the-art Oxnard facility prepar...

Episode Summary:   Today, we sit down with Brandon Stephenson, Co-Founder and Program Director at DIY Pools and Spas, a family-run company founded over four decades ago by Brandon’s father Mike Stephenson.   DIY was created to give families a better and more affordable alternative to hiring a pool company. They offer 3D design, plans, step-by-step coaching, and all the resources you need for “Do I...

Episode Summary:   Today, we sit down with Eric Knight, a sales and marketing leader for Orenda, a company which offers a line of eco-friendly water treatments. Orenda also provides free industry-leading tools to pool professionals such as The Orenda Calculator™, and educational resources like Orenda Academy™ and the Rule Your Pool Podcast.   Listen in as Eric discusses what he has learned from ho...

Episode Summary:   Today’s special episode is the October edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine .   After touching on the most interesting pool-related news of the month, Megan talks about a local merger followed by a list of new product releases by various pool companies. She then highlights this month’s industry movers and shakers.   Finally, Megan share...

Episode Summary:   Today, we sit down with Harry Geller, former Co-Owner of Magnolia Pool and Spa and NPP’s Vice President of Human Resources.   After sharing his experience in dealing with the fallout of Hurricane Ian, along with giving some pointers on keeping your pool (and yourself) safe during extreme weather events, Harry dives into the topic of today’s episode: employee engagement.   Harry...

Episode Summary:   Today, we sit down with AQUA Magazine editors Abigail Carpenter and Scott Webb. The pair discuss the story behind the magazine as well as their upcoming AQUA Live Trade Show taking place this October 5-7, 2022 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C.   Abigail and Scott explain that the trade show is “obvious natural extension” of AQUA’s commitment to bettering the...

Episode Summary:   Today, we sit down once again with AquaStar Pool Products COO Todd Pieri and Director of Science and Compliance Steve Barnes.   In our previous conversation, Todd and Steve gave us a deep dive into their newly launched Pipeline Filters and how its intuitive design sets it apart from the competition. Today, they do the same with another new product, their Pipeline Pumps.   Listen...

Episode Summary:   Today’s special episode is the September edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine .   After touching on the most interesting pool-related news of the month, Megan talks about market expansion plans by various well-known companies, as well as upcoming trade shows and how to vote for the Pool Nation Award ’ 30 Under 40 rookie of the year this...

Episode Summary:   Today, we sit down with Danny Wang of DW Design & Build, a firm based in Orange County and Los Angeles. Danny was born and raised in Taiwan and came to the U.S. at ten years old.   In his teenage years, he developed an appreciation for the trades doing odd jobs for his father, who owned a landscaping business. Today, Danny has over 15 years of experience in the world of desi...

Episode Summary:   Today, we sit down once again with Chad Christensen the Group Vice President of Wholesale at Leslie’s.   Listen in as Chad breaks down the three main pillars that Leslie aims to be for the pool trade professional: to help them save time, to save money, and to serve as a valuable resource. That convenience lies in the fact that Leslie’s now has over 915 retail stores, 50 pro stor...

Episode Summary:   Today’s special episode is the August edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine .   After touching on the most interesting pool-related news of the month, Megan gives her thoughts on Q2 earnings reports and other industry news. She then highlights this month’s new products.   Finally, Megan shares Pool Pro Mag’s newest article “Small Solutio...

Episode Summary:   Today, we sit down once again with Skimmer CEO Jack Nelson and Bryce Sirrine of Beyond Pool Cleaning and Sun Pool and Patio and brand ambassador for Skimmer.   Listen in as our guests talk about their experiences in navigating common roadblocks and barriers to growing your business, whether you run a one-man-show or a large company. They break the journey down to the very beginn...

Episode Summary:   In this edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by Laura Dunbar, Co-Founder of Patriot Pool & Spa alongside her husband Hal.   Listen in as Laura shares her hiring best practices. She explains why the best way to make a good impression on candidates is not only to have them prove themselves as a fit for the role, but also for you to prove why your company is a fit...

Episode Summary:   Today, we speak with Steve Crowley, President of Crowley Pool Service. Steve initially did not choose to work in the pool industry; yet, 15 years later, he has achieved considerable success throughout his career and holds many certifications and awards including being featured as Pool Pro Magazine’s 30-under-40 Pool Industry Leaders.   Through the years Crowley Pool Service has...

Episode Summary:   Today’s special episode is the July edition of our “News & Notes” series, in partnership with Pool Pro Magazine .   After touching on the most interesting pool-related news of the month, Megan gives her thoughts on today’s turbulent stock market and what it could all mean for the pool space moving forward. She then highlights this month’s industry movers and shakers.   Final...

Episode Summary:   Today, we sit down with Aaron Witt, CEO of BuildWitt, a media, and software company dedicated to telling stories of life in the dirt world.   Aaron believes that construction and the trades as a whole can be—and are —as exciting as sports if only more people knew the stories behind the people in the industry. He has dedicated his career to telling those stories in an insightful...