Pool Nation Podcast

Pool Nation Podcast Episode 283, a special “best of” style episode packed with real conversations, pool industry insights, and business lessons for pool service, repair, and retail pros. Edgar, John “JJ Flawless,” and Zac “the Pool Boy” kick things off with a quick reset for the new year, including Edgar’s recap from the BioGuard (BioLab) retailer conference in Tulum, Mexico, plus what Pool Pros s...

In Episode 282 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar breaks down why financial clarity—not activity—is what actually creates control in your pool business. If you’ve ever felt stressed, overwhelmed, or unsure why your business feels heavy even when it’s growing, this episode will hit home. Edgar explains the illusion of control that many pool pros live in and walks through the three numbers every pool...

In Episode 281 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus dives into a topic most pool business owners aren’t prepared for - what really happens after you raise your prices. You’ve done the hard part. You ran the numbers. You sent the email. You raised your rates. But then comes the silence… the second guessing… and the fear. This episode focuses on the first 90 days after a price increase, breaki...

In episode 280 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus is joined by co-host Zach “The Pool Boy” Nicholas for Part 5 of the Winter Business Series, where they break down one of the hardest decisions pool service business owners face: how to raise prices with confidence — without losing customers. Raising prices can feel uncomfortable, emotional, and risky — especially when you’ve worked hard to...

In episode 279 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus is joined by co-hosts Zach “The Pool Boy” Nicholas and John “JJ Flawless” for Part 4 of the Winning Business Series, diving deep into one of the most misunderstood — and most important — topics in the pool industry: profit margins. This conversation goes far beyond “raise your prices.” Edgar and Zac break down why margin is the real indicat...

In Episode 278 of Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar and Todd broadcast straight from the AquaStar Studio in Ventura, California, where they sit down with two incredible industry leaders: Michelle Watson (Shell’s Pool & Spa) and Max O’Brien (Ventura Pool Pro & IPSA Region 2 Officer). In this powerful, conversation-driven episode, Michelle and Max open up about their journey as pool professionals,...

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar continues the Winter Business Series with Part 3: uncovering the hidden leaks that silently destroy profitability in your pool service business. If you’ve ever felt like you’re working harder than ever but your bank account doesn’t show it, this episode is for you. Edgar breaks down five of the biggest hidden profit leaks in a pool route: drive tim...

Pool service pricing has changed — and today we break down the number that decides EVERYTHING in your business: your true cost per pool and cost per stop. In episode 275 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar and Zac go deep into the financial side of running a profitable pool service business. We walk through the 5-minute cost-per-pool calculator, the expenses most pros overlook, how to calculate your...

In Episode 274 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar and Zac kick off a new business series by tackling the topic most pool pros feel every day but rarely talk about openly: pricing—and how to build real profit into every single service you offer. Fresh off the Pool Nation Conference, the guys recap the buzz around the $10,000 Pool Pro Challenge, shout out this year’s Pool Guy/Girl of the Year and Roo...

In this episode 273 of the Pool Nation Podcast, John “JJ Flawless”, Zac the Pool Boy Nicholas, and special guests Tim Moore and Jim D’Angelo from US Motors/Nidec dive deep into one of the biggest changes hitting the pool industry — the new DOE pool pump regulation. They break down what it means for pool professionals, how to stay compliant, and how this regulation can actually become a profitable...

In this Episode 272 of the Pool Nation Podcast, we’re bringing together some of the most memorable, powerful, and inspiring moments from across the Pool Nation Podcast. From laughter and lessons to heartbreak and hustle — this episode is packed with real stories from pool pros who are shaping the future of our industry. Hear from Jennifer Melee, Kristen Meow, Megan Hightower, Alicia Rowe, and Case...

In episode 271 of the Pool Nation Podcast — where it’s all pool talk (and we ain’t talking about netting and jetting)! In this Best of Pool Nation special, Edgar, John, Zach, and the Cannonball King himself, Spider, host an action-packed lineup featuring Heritage Pool Supply, Aquastar, and the Pool Nation Hall of Fame inductees. Get ready for a mix of laughs, real stories, industry insight, and a...

Episode 270 Pool Nation Podcast. Welcome to a special Best of Pool Nation Podcast episode! This week, we’re celebrating some of the most inspiring and hardworking professionals in the pool industry — the people who embody what it means to be part of a Nation of Pool Pros. In this special feature, Megan Kendrick from Pool Pro Magazine joins Edgar De Jesus to talk with James Broderick, Aiden Dunn, a...

In Episode 269 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus sits down with Megan Kendrick from Pool Pro Magazine and the incredible female nominees from the Pool Nation Awards 30 Under 40 — Nelly Allen, Katie Morrissey, Maddy Vandiver, and Sarah Hoopes. These powerhouse women share their journeys, challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned while shaping the pool industry’s future. From leadership a...

In Episode 268 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar, Zac, and Spider sit down with Alicia Stephens and Ted Lawrence from BioLab to uncover what really goes into developing the pool products we all use. From the first spark of an idea to the science labs, testing pools, and final packaging, you’ll hear how innovation happens in the world of pool chemistry. Discover how products like phosphate removers...

Today in Episode 267 of the Pool Nation Podcast we drop a big announcement: Pool Nation and SPPA are partnering to unite more than 7,200 pool pros under one roof — the largest member-based program our industry has ever seen. Edgar and Zac sit down with Danielle, CEO of SPPA, to unpack what this means for you: a revamped Pool Man University platform, a Pool Nation Water Chemistry Certification path...

In Episode 266 of the Pool Nation Podcast Edgar John dig in with Aquastar, Poolside Tech, and Raypak on how open collaboration (not vendor lock-in) is unlocking smarter automation, safer equipment, and real freedom of choice for pool pros and builders. We talk best-in-class integration (pump + filter + automation + heater), remote diagnostics that prevent truck rolls, why being privately held matt...

In episode 265 of the Pool Nation Podcast, we sit down with Scott Frost, who recently joined Heritage after more than 30 years in the pool industry. From building pools and running service routes to leadership roles in manufacturing and now distribution, Scott brings one of the most complete perspectives in the industry. We dive deep into: His career journey and lessons learned Leadership values a...

In this week’s Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar, John, and Zac are joined by Meagan MAGAÑA, Show Manager of the PSP/Deck Expo, to give you the ultimate insider guide to the 2025 PSP Expo in Las Vegas (Oct 22–24). We break down everything—from education tracks and new keynote sessions to networking parties, the $10,000 Pool Pro Challenge, and the Pool Nation Awards. If you’ve ever wondered how to maximiz...

In episode 263 of the Pool Nation Podcast, we break down what to expect at the Pool Nation Conference at the PSP/Deck Expo in Las Vegas (Oct 24–25): a full day of truly hands-on training (pump wiring, automation, heater tear-downs, and variable-speed motor installs) and Day 1 of the Business Track focused on financial mastery (pricing for profit, key metrics, cost of service, cash flow, and exit p...

Pool Nation Podcast E-262 - In this special Best of Pool Nation Podcast episode, we highlight some of the most inspiring conversations from past shows. From women leaders breaking barriers in pool building, to next-generation innovators making their mark, and the people shaping the future of our industry, this episode is packed with stories you won’t want to miss. You’ll hear: Hailey Tu, owner of...

In Episode 261 of the Pool Nation Live Podcast, Edgar De Jesus, John “JJ Flawless,” and Zac “The Pool Boy” Nicholas dive into Part 2 of the Roadmap to Profitability series. This episode unpacks the biggest profit killers in the pool service business, the pricing mindset traps that hold pool pros back, and the math that proves why profitability must come first. The team discusses: Why paying yourse...

In episode 259 of the Pool Nation Podcast, hosts Edgar De Jesus, John “JJ Flawless”, and Zac the Pool Boy sit down with Tim Moore and Jim D’Angelo from US Motors / Nidec to discuss the upcoming DOE pool pump regulations and what they mean for pool service professionals nationwide. They explain how the new rules will phase out single-speed pool pump motors and why the Neptune Variable Speed Motor i...

In Episode 259 of Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and John "JJ Flawless" dive deep into a critical safety topic in the pool industry: Equipotential Bonding. They’re joined by Dallas Thiesen from the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) and John Ritenour, VP of Engineering at SunSmart Engineering, to break down the findings from a landmark bonding study conducted by the Pool Industry Counci...

Pool Nation Podcast E-258 - In this landmark episode, the Pool Nation team takes you behind the scenes of the brand-new AquaStar Studios in Ventura, California. We’re the very first to record inside this industry-changing facility—and we’re bringing you the full experience, streaming live on Instagram and Restream for the first time ever! Join Edgar, John, and Zac as they tour the state-of-the-art...