The Deep End with Eric Triplett

On today's episode Eric explores the pervasive nature of fear in business and personal life, particularly among contractors. Drawing inspiration from figures like Jocko Willink, Eric identifies common fears such as fear of judgment, fear of failure, and fear of success, emphasizing how these can prevent individuals from taking necessary risks or seeking help. Personal anecdotes illustrate how over...

This mid-year report from The Pond Digger Podcast offers an overview of the pond industry's current trends and the company's activities. Eric highlights a surge in pond remodels, often driven by new homeowners or a desire for technological upgrades like advanced underwater lighting. He also discusses the expansion of koi collections, potentially influenced by increased time at home, and his person...

In the special Friday the 13th episode "Pond Myths," Eric focusses on various misconceptions surrounding backyard ponds and aquatic life, particularly koi fish. He challenges common beliefs, such as koi only growing to their environment's size or the incompatibility of plants and koi, by providing anecdotal evidence and practical explanations. He also addresses real-world challenges, like pond clo...

In this Friday the 13th podcast," Eric, addresses 13 common reasons why contracting businesses may not be thriving, framing them as "demons" to be overcome. He emphasizes that many contractors fail due to internal issues rather than external market forces. The episode offers practical advice on topics such as understanding business financials, overcoming the fear of raising prices, effective follo...

Today's podcast episode features a discussion between Eric, Jon Neimans, and Tee Cee, focusing on the fascinating world of cold water cichlids and other unique fish suitable for ponds. They share insights into various species, including the golden chenito from Uruguay, highlighting its ability to thrive in colder climates and coexist peacefully with other fish. The conversation also touches upon t...

Today Eric equates business and life challenges to the "Triple Crown" of horse racing. He uses the three races—the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes—to represent the vision, grit, and legacy phases of a contractor's journey. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-belief, seeking mentorship, and continuous training (even when unseen) to overcome obstacles and achieve...

This episode offers crucial advice for homeowners seeking to hire pond contractors, aiming to prevent them from being exploited by unscrupulous individuals. Your host, Eric Triplet, along with his team, outlines ten essential questions homeowners should ask a contractor before engaging their services. These questions cover vital aspects such as licensing, insurance, warranties, project timelines,...

In this episode, Eric interviews Austin Johnson, one of his crew chiefs, about his five-and-a-half-year journey with the company. They discuss Austin's experience, from his first day and past jobs to his career growth, weight loss, and the camaraderie and challenges of working in pond construction and traveling for projects. The conversation also touches on the company's culture, including its app...

Eric's looking to integrate a new app into his business. This episode describes a series of missteps by the salesperson, including being late, failing to introduce himself or acknowledge other decision-makers on the call, and ignoring pre-call notes. Eric contrasts this poor performance with effective sales techniques discussed in training sessions, such as falling on the sword to apologize for mi...

When and why testing pond water is important is Eric's focus today. He shares his decades of experience with fish keeping, arguing that while some professionals emphasize frequent testing, it isn't always necessary in established, healthy ponds. He highlights situations where testing is vital, such as during the cycling of a new pond, when fish are being temporarily housed during renovations, or i...

Drawing a parallel to a scientific test, this business application is presented as a way for contractors to gauge their readiness, alignment, and ability to perform under pressure, particularly when interacting with customers. Eric and his circle's discussion focuses on role-playing with peers as a key method for conducting this test, allowing individuals to receive honest feedback on their commun...

Eric speaks with Lauren Nolan, the new editor of Pond Trade Magazine , a publication for water feature professionals. Lauren discusses her vision for the magazine, which includes honoring the publication's legacy while exploring opportunities for growth and increased industry interaction. She emphasizes the importance of print publications in providing in-depth content and credibility within the i...

Eric and guests share real experiences from their contracting businesses, focusing on problem-solving and sales strategies that actually work in the field. In this episode, you'll hear about: Active Listening as a Sales Tool - Why understanding a client's underlying motivations and problems matters more than jumping straight to solutions or competing on price alone. Client Engagement Stories - Rea...

Eric interviews Craig McBride and Ana Arntsonfrom the Pond Professionals Alliance (PPA). They discuss the organization's recent successes, highlighting a large-scale swim pond build at an expo and thanking the numerous sponsors and manufacturers who donated products and support. The conversation then shifts to the challenges the PPA faces, particularly administrative overwhelm and the need for mor...

Today's show captures one of Eric's coaching calls focused on personal and professional growth for contractors, introduced through the metaphor of a fire triangle with fuel, oxygen, and heat representing key elements for success. Participants share their struggles with finding and maintaining motivation, identifying what fuels their drive and what provides the necessary oxygen and heat, which can...

Tyson and Slayer once agian join Eric to talk about their experiences in Las Vegas, specifically a memorable night involving gambling at a roulette table. They reflect on the excitement and camaraderie found in moments outside of their typical work environment, highlighting different approaches to risk and how shared leisure activities can deepen relationships and provide insights into personaliti...

Eric's s special guest is Dave Duensing. Their conversation touches on Duensing's long career in the landscape and aquatic construction industry, his artistic approach to using natural materials like rock, and his philosophy on business and education. They discuss notable projects, including a large waterfall built under a tight deadline for a college football stadium, and his approach to estimati...

Eric highlights the parallels between the song ("The Mockingbird and the Crow" by Hardy) and the journey of contractors in business. He analyzes the song's structure and lyrics to illustrate the duality faced by contractors: being a skilled worker (the "mockingbird") versus becoming a successful business owner (the "crow"). Participants in the discussion reflect on this analogy, sharing personal e...

Tyson Matyas and Ron "Slayer" Yelenich join Eric to discuss The Pond Digger's recent experience holding a large-scale job fair for their pond building business. They share insights and reflections on the hiring process, the types of candidates they encountered, and the challenges of finding qualified and suitable employees, particularly in the construction field. Topics include candidate preparedn...

Tyson Matyas interviews Eric Triplet, the inventor of the Helix Pond Skimmer, about the new Helix 2.0 model. Triplet explains the genesis of the original skimmer, driven by a need to address problems with existing products, and the challenges he faced as an "accidental manufacturer." They discuss the features and benefits of the new 2.0 model, which is smaller, easier to install, and more user-fri...

Eric discusses the difference between a high-status contractor and a low-status contractor, using a personal anecdote about encountering another contractor with a dilapidated vehicle at a client's affluent home. The Pond Digger emphasizes the importance of professional appearance, proper pricing, and customer communication as key factors in achieving success and moving beyond merely surviving in t...

Eric explores the 60/40 principle in business, highlighting that a 60% failure rate in areas like sales calls or email open rates can still represent significant success when viewed through the lens of a low batting average in baseball or email marketing metrics. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of tracking numbers and constantly evaluating processes like pricing and sales training, w...

Eric interviews Elaine Begley, an ambassador for the Sacramento Aquarium Society. The conversation explores the benefits of joining aquarium clubs, highlighting the opportunity for fish enthusiasts to connect and share their passion, especially for those whose families and friends may not share the same level of interest. Elaine discusses the inclusive nature of the Sacramento Aquarium Society, em...

Eric shares strategies for improving client interactions. The core focus is on viewing client communication through a "prospect's lens," emphasizing the importance of tone, questions, and professionalism to build trust and clarity. The conversation uses the analogy of an ophthalmologist fitting different lenses to illustrate how contractors can change how clients perceive them. Several members of...

Eric talks with Andy and Jaden, from Festae Factory. The conversation centers on Jaden's entrepreneurial venture selling a unique, homemade fish filter he designed and manufactured, spurred by his father's inspiration and a desire to earn money after a successful prior year at a similar event. They also discuss their family business, specializing in breeding cichlids, and touch upon their involvem...