
Hosted by Pool Nation · EN

In episode # 304 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and Zac "The Pool Boy" Nicholas sit down with Jeremy Young and Orlando Gadea from Fluidra to reveal one of the biggest pool industry technology launches in years: the all-new AquaLink Edge platform. This isn't just another automation panel. Fluidra shares how AquaLink Edge is built around edge computing, smarter equipment communication, local processing, enhanced homeowner experiences, and a future ecosystem designed to help pool professionals run more efficient and profitable businesses. The conversation dives deep into automation, connected equipment, wireless communication, AI-driven pool management, smarter service operations, and how Tracker IO is helping transform the way pool companies manage routes, inventory, service calls, and customer experiences. Whether you're a pool service professional, builder, repair technician, retailer, or industry leader, this episode provides an exclusive first look at where pool technology is heading and how it will impact your business over the next decade. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction & Welcome 02:00 Meet Fluidra's Jeremy Young & Orlando Gadella 06:00 Heritage Pro Service Academy & Pool Pro Challenge Updates 08:00 Jeremy's Journey: From Pool Construction to Fluidra Innovation 15:00 Why Education & Training Matter in the Pool Industry 24:00 Orlando's Background in Digital Technology & Why He Joined Fluidra 27:00 The Official AquaLink Edge Reveal 28:00 Edge Computing vs Cloud Computing Explained 30:00 Creating Better Pool Owner Experiences 32:00 New In-Can Display & Home Display Features 35:00 Why Pool Automation Must Work Without Internet 40:00 Built-In Flow Monitoring & Smarter Equipment Control 43:00 Five Years of Development Behind AquaLink Edge 47:00 Easier Setup, Faster Installation & Wireless Communication 52:00 Personalized Access for Homeowners, Service Pros & Airbnb Properties 56:00 Service Mode Improvements & Smart Notifications 01:03:00 Wireless Equipment Discovery & Future Product Ecosystem 01:08:00 Customer Experience vs Traditional Automation 01:15:00 The Future of Connected Pool Equipment 01:19:00 Tracker IO & The Future of Pool Service Management 01:27:00 How Data Will Transform Pool Businesses 01:32:00 Future Integration Between Pool Builders & Service Companies 01:35:00 AquaLink Edge Release Timeline & Launch Plans 01:37:00 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks A special thank you to our Visionary Partners for supporting Pool Nation and helping us elevate the pool industry through education, training, and community: The SPPA BluRay XL AquaStar Pool Products Natural Chemistry Raypak Heritage Pool Supply Group Hayward Pool Products Poolside Tech Pool Brain Nidec / US Motors Encore Brands OnCore Filtration Your commitment to pool professionals helps us continue delivering world-class education and content to the industry.

Episode 303 Pool Nation Podcast is a Best of Episodes. This is a packed three-hour-plus episode with three segments (the Raypak heat pump deep dive, the Women's Summit podcast, and the Pool Nation Awards crew show) Pool heat pumps are the future of pool heating, and in this episode the Pool Nation crew breaks down exactly how they work, why they beat gas heaters on cost, and how to sell them without scaring off your customers. Host Edgar De Jesus sits down with Raypak's Brad Duncan and Akshaya Shekhar for a no-nonsense heat pump deep dive built for working pool service pros. Learn how heat pumps work, why they are becoming increasingly important across the industry, and how to position them as a long-term solution that delivers real value for your customers. Then we hand the microphone over to the women of Pool Nation for a powerful recap of the Third Annual Pool Nation Women's Summit. Hear firsthand stories about leadership, authenticity, confidence, mentorship, and what it takes to thrive in a traditionally male-dominated industry. We also take a deep dive into the Pool Nation Awards, discuss why nominations matter, spotlight some of the industry's rising stars, and share inspiring stories from pool pros who are making an impact every day. Whether you're a one-person operation, a growing service company, a repair technician, or a business owner looking to scale, this episode is packed with practical takeaways, business lessons, and industry insights. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Pool Nation: Meet the Hosts & Guests 02:00 Why Heat Pumps Are the Future of Pool Heating 05:00 Meet Brad Duncan & Akshaya Shekhar from Raypak 08:00 Heat Pump Deep Dive Begins 09:00 How a Pool Heat Pump Actually Works 10:30 Heat Pump Performance by Climate & the 80/80/80 Rule 13:00 Can a Heat Pump Heat a Spa? 14:30 COP vs Gas Heater Efficiency Explained 17:00 Why Combining Heat Pumps & Gas Heaters Changes Everything 19:30 Heat/Cool Models: Turning Hot Pools Into Profit Centers 21:00 Initial Investment vs Long-Term Savings 24:00 Selling Heat Pumps Without Scaring Customers 25:00 The Maserati vs Beetle Explanation Every Pool Pro Should Know 26:00 Pool Nation Women's Summit Special Begins 27:30 Women's Summit Recap & Industry Updates 32:00 Meet Janie Flawless & Jeanette Horn 39:00 The Growth of the Women's Summit 46:00 Finding Your Voice & Being Your Authentic Self 53:00 Leadership Lessons & Personal Growth 59:00 Sponsor Break 1:04:00 Pool Nation Live Returns 1:11:00 Pool Nation Awards Nominations Recap 1:18:00 Why Pool Nation Awards Matter 1:24:00 Recognizing Pool Pros Who Make a Difference 1:33:00 Pool Nation Conference & Heritage Event Updates 1:36:00 Education Funds & Industry Opportunities 1:43:00 30 Under 40 Spotlight: James Broderick 1:52:00 Customer Education & Building Trust 2:03:00 30 Under 40 Spotlight: Aiden Dunn 2:08:00 Growing a Business & Right-Sizing Your Route 2:16:00 30 Under 40 Spotlight: Nick LaPoint 2:25:00 Competition vs Community in the Pool Industry 2:33:00 Using Data to Build a Better Pool Company 2:40:00 Final Thoughts & Sponsor Break 2:46:00 Lessons From the Next Generation of Pool Pros 2:51:00 Inside the New Training Headquarters 2:54:00 Gold Medal Pools: The Origin Story 2:59:00 Surviving the 2008 Economic Crash 3:02:00 Building Massive Commercial Water Features 3:11:00 The Dallas Cowboys Connection 3:13:00 Closing Thoughts 🔥 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE How pool heat pumps actually work The 80/80/80 efficiency rule COP vs gas heater efficiency Heat pump operating costs and ROI Why hybrid heating systems are becoming more popular Cooling pools with heat/cool heat pumps Selling premium equipment to customers Leadership lessons from the Women's Summit The importance of authenticity in business Why industry recognition matters Building a successful pool company Customer education strategies Growing through economic downturns Creating long-term business relationships Building community within the pool industry 🙏 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors and visionary partners who make the Pool Nation Podcast possible: ✅ Encore Brands ✅ The SPPA ✅ BlueRay XL ✅ AquaStar Pool Products ✅ Natural Chemistry ✅ Raypak ✅ Heritage Pool Supply Group ✅ Hayward Pool Products ✅ Poolside Tech (The Attendant) ✅ Pool Brain ✅ Encore Brands ✅ OnCore Filtration ✅ Nidec / US Motors Your support helps us continue our mission of building a nation of pool pros through education, community, and industry advancement.

Episode 302 of the Pool Nation Podcast What if your pool business has been warning you about bigger problems... and you just haven’t been listening? In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus, John “JJ Flawless,” and Zac “The Pool Boy” Nicholas dive deep into one of the most important business conversations pool pros can have: the signals your business sends you every single day. From burnout and busy work to growth plateaus, employee problems, customer issues, and financial blind spots, the guys break down why so many pool companies mistake movement for progress. This episode sets the stage for a powerful multi-part conversation on how to recognize the warning signs before they become major business problems. They also discuss: → The illusion of success in the pool industry → Why growth without systems creates chaos → The importance of listening to your numbers and team → How experienced business owners identify patterns before disasters happen → Why “one pool at a time” thinking can limit long-term growth → Pool Nation Boot Camps and the $25,000 Pool Pro Challenge → Encore Filtration’s Dirty Filter Contest → The Heritage Pro Service Academy in Van Nuys, California If you’re a pool service professional trying to scale your company, improve profitability, build a stronger team, or simply avoid burnout, this episode is packed with real talk and business insight from three pool pros who have lived it. Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Pool Nation Podcast Intro 01:00 – Zac gets Edgar sick 03:00 – John talks family, graduation season & podcast studio plans 07:30 – International Swimming Hall of Fame experience 12:00 – The hidden importance of pool pros in the swimming industry 16:30 – Heritage Pro Service Academy announcement 18:00 – $25,000 Pool Pro Challenge qualifiers 20:00 – Pool Nation Awards updates & category changes 21:00 – Encore Filtration Dirty Filter Contest 24:00 – Edgar’s AI-generated “Smokey and the Bandit” John photo 29:30 – Sponsor break 34:30 – Zac discusses rebuilding and refining The Pool Boys brand 36:30 – Why successful businesses never stop evolving 39:00 – Your business is talking to you every day 41:00 – Listening to the warning signs in your company 44:00 – Fixing problems vs solving root causes 49:00 – The illusion of success in pool service businesses 52:00 – Why busy does not equal productive 54:00 – The danger of comparing your business to others 56:00 – Scaling too fast and losing control 57:00 – Final thoughts on business growth and self-awareness 01:07:00 – Closing remarks Special Thanks to Our Valued Sponsors & Visionary Partners A huge thank you to our sponsors and partners who continue supporting the pool industry and Pool Nation: → SPPA → BlueRay XL → AquaStar Pool Products → Natural Chemistry → Raypak → Heritage Pool Supply → Hayward Pool Products → Poolside Tech → Pool Brain → Nidec / US Motors → OnCore Filtration → Encore Brands Your continued support helps us educate, inspire, and elevate pool professionals everywhere. Heritage Pro Service Academy Join us in Van Nuys, California for the Heritage Pro Service Academy powered by Pool Nation. Hands-on training includes: → Heater installation & troubleshooting → Automation setup → Variable speed motor training → Pump installation → Cool deck application → Live Pool Pro Challenge qualifiers Registration is FREE thanks to the Heritage Education Fund. Visit PoolNation.com to register today. Encore Filtration Dirty Filter Contest Think you’ve found the dirtiest pool filter in the industry? Submit your worst filter photos and videos for a chance to win cash and prizes from Encore Filtration. #PoolBusiness #PoolService #PoolNation #PoolPro #PoolServiceBusiness #PoolIndustry #Entrepreneurship #PoolCleaning #PoolRepair #BusinessGrowth #PoolRoute #SwimmingPoolIndustry #PoolTech #ServiceBusiness #PoolNationPodcast

In Episode 301 of the Pool Nation Podcast, we bring you a special “Best Of Pool Nation” compilation featuring some of the most impactful conversations, emotional moments, business lessons, and industry insights from the podcast. From pool business growth strategies and operational efficiency to powerful conversations about water safety, leadership, and industry innovation, this episode highlights why Pool Nation continues to be the leading voice for pool professionals across the country. You’ll hear incredible discussions with industry leaders from Heritage Pool Supply, AquaStar Pool Products, Terry Arko, Steve Barnes, and more as we dive into topics that every pool pro, service company owner, repair technician, and industry professional can relate to. This episode covers: → Pool route efficiency and operational growth → Building stronger pool businesses → Leadership and mentorship in the pool industry → Water safety awareness and Every Child A Swimmer → Pool industry innovation and training → Pool Nation Hall of Fame stories → Business systems, scaling, and profitability → The future of pool industry education If you're a pool service company owner, pool technician, builder, retailer, or manufacturer looking to grow your business and stay connected to the pulse of the swimming pool industry, this episode is packed with valuable insight and inspiration. Time Stamps: 00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 01:00 – Heritage Pool Supply leadership and behind-the-counter perspectives 10:00 – Transitioning into the pool industry and learning the business 18:00 – Retail management, distribution, and customer relationships 24:00 – AquaStar partnership and Every Child A Swimmer initiative 42:00 – Casey’s emotional water safety story and drowning prevention awareness 52:00 – AquaStar’s mission and pool safety innovation 58:00 – Pool Nation Hall of Fame special segment with Terry Arko & Steve Barnes 1:10:00 – Industry recognition, education, and legacy building 1:24:00 – Pool business operational efficiency discussion 1:33:00 – Route optimization and maximizing profitability 1:41:00 – Time management and scaling a pool service business 1:44:00 – Closing thoughts and Pool Nation community updates Special Thanks To Our Visionary Partners & Sponsors A huge thank you to all of our incredible sponsors and visionary partners who continue to support Pool Nation, pool industry education, and the growth of pool professionals across the country. Your partnership helps us continue building the #1 platform for swimming pool service, repair, business, and leadership education. Thank You To: → Heritage Pool Supply Group → AquaStar Pool Products → Raypak → Natural Chemistry → BlueRay XL → Hayward Pool Products → US Motors → SPPA → Poolside Tech → Pool Brain → OnCore Filtration → Encore Brands

In Episode 300 of the Pool Nation Podcast Edgar and John sit down with Mike from Quick Shop Pools and Bellafina Outdoors to talk about the future of pool construction, pool design, and pool business mentorship. If you are a pool service pro, pool builder, or pool business owner looking to grow, this is the pool podcast episode you cannot miss. Mike spent 20 years in law enforcement working federal fugitive task forces, including the team that helped apprehend Whitey Bulger, before going all in on the pool industry. Today, he runs one of the most innovative pool construction companies and pool design showrooms in the country out of Huntington Beach, California. Pool pros who have walked through Bellafina Outdoors are calling it the Disneyland of pool design. We also welcome Luz, Director of Operations at Bellafina, who brings over 20 years of brand and marketing experience into the pool industry, plus Thomas from PAL Lighting and Michelle from Heritage Pool Supply for a full Pool Nation studio conversation on pool builder education, customer experience, and elevating the pool trade for the next generation of pool pros. IN THIS POOL NATION PODCAST EPISODE: - How Mike built a pool construction business from the ground up - The real story behind the Whitey Bulger fugitive apprehension - How the 2008 crash shaped a new vision for the pool industry - Why pool builder mentorship is the missing piece in pool construction - The Bellafina Pro Academy and the future of pool builder education - How to deliver a true pool design experience to homeowners - Why collaboration beats competition in the pool industry - Heritage Pool Supply's quarterly open house partnership with Bellafina POOL NATION PODCAST TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 02:00 Thank you to our Pool Nation sponsors and partners 08:30 Meet Mike from Quick Shop Pools and Bellafina Outdoors 10:30 Heritage Pro Service Academy pool boot camp June 6 in Van Nuys 14:30 From law enforcement to the pool industry 16:30 The Whitey Bulger story behind one of America's biggest fugitive captures 21:30 Surviving the 2008 crash and launching a new pool design model 25:00 Why mentorship for younger pool builders matters 30:00 Inside the Disneyland of pool design showrooms 38:00 Why healthy competition makes the entire pool industry stronger 46:00 Industry tea: big changes coming to the pool industry 47:30 Luz on bringing fresh marketing talent into the pool world 58:00 Thomas from PAL Lighting on pool and landscape lighting design 01:08:00 The Outdoor Plus partnership and the tower of fire bowls 01:13:00 Introducing the Bellafina Pro Academy for pool builders 01:17:30 Heritage Pool Supply quarterly open house at Bellafina 01:24:30 Final thoughts for pool pros THANK YOU TO OUR POOL NATION PODCAST SPONSORS: SPPA, Blueray XL, AquaStar Pool Products, Natural Chemistry, Raypak, Hayward Pool Products, EnCore Brands Heritage Pool Supply Group, Pool Brain, Poolside Tech, Nidec OnCore Filtration

In Episode 299 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar, John “JJ Flawless,” and Zac “The Pool Boy” break down one of the most important conversations every pool pro needs to hear — the signals your business is sending you every single day. From pricing mistakes and route inefficiencies to hiring too late and chasing the wrong growth, this episode dives deep into the real challenges pool service companies face — and how to fix them. But that’s not all… 🚨 BIG NEWS: The Pool Pro Challenge just leveled up — now officially a $20,000+ competition (and pushing toward $25K) thanks to industry partners like BioLab and ProGuard. If you’re serious about scaling your pool business, increasing profitability, and building something sustainable — this episode is a must-listen. 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why more pools doesn’t always mean more profit The hidden cost of poor route density and wasted drive time How growth exposes every weak system in your business When to hire (and why waiting can cost you thousands) How to build additional revenue streams right in your customers’ backyards Why branding builds trust — not just recognition The real reason most pool businesses plateau How top pool pros are scaling to hundreds (even thousands) of pools 🚀 Industry Updates & Announcements: The Pool Pro Challenge Prize Pool jumps to $20K+ (on the way to $25K) Upcoming Heritage Pro Service Academy hands-on training event Launch of Pool Nation certifications New Pool Nation Spotlights featuring real pool pros scaling their businesses ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 01:00 – What your business is really telling you 02:30 – AI, technology, and adapting in today’s world 05:00 – Real talk: health, burnout, and the grind 12:30 – Heritage Pro Service Academy announcement 15:00 – Creating new revenue streams (cool deck, services, upsells) 19:00 – 🚨 Pool Pro Challenge hits $20K+ 23:00 – Why this prize money is a game changer 31:00 – Pool Nation Spotlights: real growth stories 45:00 – Top 10 lessons from successful pool pros 54:00 – Route density and profitability breakdown 57:00 – Hiring mistakes and the cost of bad employees 01:00:00 – Scaling vs staying small: choosing your path 01:05:00 – Final thoughts and key takeaways 01:17:00 – Outro 🙌 Special Thanks to Our Visionary Partners A huge thank you to our incredible partners who make this podcast possible: SPPA BlueRay XL AquaStar Pool Products Natural Chemistry Raypak Heritage Pool Supply ONCore Hayward Pool Products Poolside Tech Pool Brain Neodeck Encore Filtration 👉 Want to grow your business faster? Visit PoolNation.com and get plugged into training, events, and the community that’s changing the industry.

In Episode 298 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar and Zac are joined by industry experts Robbie Walker and Michael Viegas from Solenis to break down one of the most misunderstood areas in the pool industry — spa, hot tub, and cold plunge water chemistry. If you’ve ever treated a spa like a pool… this episode will change everything. We dive deep into: Why hot water chemistry behaves completely differently The truth about biofilm, bacteria, and “human juice” in spas The real differences between chlorine, bromine, and biguanide systems How aeration, temperature, and bather load destroy your chemistry Why your sanitizer disappears overnight The rise of cold plunges and wellness systems And how pool pros can turn spas into a profitable service category This is a must-listen for pool service pros, repair techs, and anyone looking to level up their understanding of water chemistry — especially in smaller bodies of water like spas and hot tubs. 👉 Bottom line: If you're not treating spas differently, you're doing it wrong. ⏱️ Podcast Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Welcome to Pool Nation Podcast 02:30 – Meet the Guests: Robbie Walker & Michael Viegas (Solenis) 06:45 – Why Spa Chemistry is NOT Pool Chemistry 10:20 – History of Spas: From Romans to Modern Hot Tubs 15:30 – The Rise of Cold Plunges & Wellness Trends 20:10 – The 3 Biggest Differences in Spa Water Chemistry 25:40 – Bather Load: The Truth About “Human Juice” 30:15 – Chlorine vs Bromine vs Biguanide (What Actually Works Best) 38:20 – Why Your Sanitizer Disappears in Hot Water 42:10 – Aeration, Jets & pH Drift Explained 47:30 – Shocking & Oxidation: What You SHOULD Be Doing 52:45 – Biofilm: The Hidden Problem in Every Spa 58:10 – Drain, Purge & Refill: The Right Maintenance Schedule 1:03:20 – Enzymes, Borates & Supplements (What’s Worth It?) 1:08:15 – Ozone, UV & Mineral Systems (Do They Replace Chlorine?) 1:12:30 – Final Thoughts: The Future of Spa & Wellness Industry 🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors A huge thank you to our Visionary Partners for supporting the Pool Nation Podcast: The SPPA Blu-Ray XL AquaStar Pool Products Natural Chemistry Raypak Heritage Pool Supply Hayward Pool Products Poolside Tech Pool Brain Nidec OnCore Filtration EnCore Brands We appreciate your continued support in helping us grow the pool industry and build a nation of pool pros.

In Episode 297 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus, John “JJFlawless,” and Zac “The Pool Boy” sit down with Jose Perez, founder of Encore Filtration also now officially known as The Duke of Dirty Filters. This episode goes deep into one of the most overlooked yet critical components of pool service: filtration and why it directly impacts water quality, efficiency, customer trust, and profitability. Jose shares his journey from air filtration into the pool industry, why most pool pros are losing money on filters without realizing it, and how innovation, pricing strategy, and protecting the service professional are reshaping the industry. This isn’t just a product conversation it’s a business conversation about margins, competition from online retailers, and what it really takes to build a sustainable pool service company. If you’re a pool pro, service company owner, or industry professional this episode will change how you think about filtration, pricing, and long-term growth. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 01:30 – Introducing Jose Perez (Encore Filtration) 04:15 – Why filtration is overlooked in the pool industry 08:20 – Jose’s background: From air filtration to pool innovation 13:45 – Taking the leap into entrepreneurship (no customers, no guarantees) 18:30 – The biggest gaps in the pool filtration market 23:10 – The real problem: Online pricing vs. service profitability 29:40 – Why protecting pool pros matters (and why most manufacturers don’t) 36:15 – The truth about margins, pricing, and customer trust 42:00 – Innovation beyond the product: thinking differently 48:20 – The FIT Kit concept (solving real field problems) 54:10 – How to build loyalty through customer experience 59:30 – The future of filtration & industry standards 1:05:20 – Technology center & raising the bar in testing 1:10:45 – Why “good is not good enough” in business 1:15:30 – Final thoughts & lessons for pool pros 1:18:00 – The birth of “The Duke of Dirty Filters” 💥 Key Takeaways Filtration isn’t just maintenance it’s a profit center Competing with online pricing is one of the biggest threats to pool pros Innovation isn’t just products it’s customer experience + business strategy The companies that win will be the ones that protect the trade If you’re not improving, you’re falling behind good is not good enough 🎙️ Thank You to Our Sponsors We want to thank our amazing Pool Nation Visionary Partners for making this podcast possible: The SPPA Blu-Ray XL AquaStar Pool Products Natural Chemistry Raypak EnCore Brands Heritage Pool Supply Hayward Pool Products Poolside Tech Pool Brain Nidec Encore Filtration 📲 Connect with Pool Nation Follow us for more content, training, and industry insights: Website: PoolNation.com Instagram: @PoolNationPodcast Podcast: Pool Nation Podcast

In Episode 296 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar breaks down the pool service business systems that help companies scale without losing control. This is Part 2 of the series and it moves from the problem to the solution. If you want to know how to scale a pool service business, this episode walks through the systems that protect profit, improve consistency, and make growth sustainable. Edgar covers the real structure behind pool business growth, including chemical systems, route structure, service consistency, repairs, customer communication, and the numbers every pool pro needs to know. If your company is adding pools but still feels chaotic, these pool business systems can help you create repeatable results and build a stronger operation. This episode is for pool service business owners who want better route efficiency, stronger margins, improved customer retention, and a clearer path to scaling. If you are trying to grow your pool service company without breaking your operations, this episode gives you a practical roadmap. Timestamps 00:00 Intro and Part 2 overview 03:00 What systems really mean in a pool business 07:30 Why operations break before money 12:00 Chemical systems and hidden profit leaks 20:30 How to control chemical creep 28:00 Route structure and profit 36:00 Drive time and margin loss 44:00 Service consistency and reputation 52:00 SOPs and repeatable results 59:00 Repairs and captured profit 1:08:00 Customer communication and trust 1:17:00 The numbers every pool pro must know 1:26:00 What real scaling looks like 1:34:00 Building one system at a time 1:41:00 Final thoughts and Matrix invite Sponsor Section Special thanks to our Pool Nation Visionary Partners for supporting the podcast and the pool industry. SPPA Blu-Ray XL AquaStar Pool Products Natural Chemistry Raypak Heritage Pool Supply Hayward Pool Products Poolside Tech Pool Brain Nidec Oncore Filtration EnCore Brands

E-295 Pool Nation Podcast. If you’ve ever felt like your pool business is growing… but somehow getting harder, more stressful, and less profitable—this episode is for you. In this episode, Edgar breaks down one of the biggest problems in the pool industry: why companies break when they try to grow. And more importantly, what you need to fix before it happens to you. This isn’t about working harder. It’s about understanding what growth actually does to your business. Because growth doesn’t fix your business… 👉 Growth reveals your business. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why adding more pools can actually make your business worse The critical mistake most pool pros make between 50–100 pools How poor structure leads to burnout, callbacks, and lost profit Why not knowing your cost per pool is killing your business The pricing mistake that keeps you stuck and underpaid How repairs are the hidden profit engine you're walking past every day The mindset shift from technician to true business owner If you’re serious about scaling your pool business the right way—and actually making money doing it—this episode will change how you think about growth forever. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. In Part 2, we’ll break down the systems and operational structure you need to scale the right way. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Podcast Intro & Welcome 01:00 – Why Pool Companies Break When They Grow 03:30 – The Illusion of Growth (Why More Pools Feels Right) 06:00 – The Most Important Stage in Your Business (And Why You Skip It) 09:00 – The Breaking Point: 70–90 Pools 11:00 – When Everything Starts to Feel Heavy 13:00 – How Small Decisions Turn Into Big Problems 15:00 – The Hidden Cost of Rushing (Chemicals, Time, Profit Loss) 17:00 – You Didn’t Fail—You Grew Without Structure 19:00 – The Most Important Question: Cost Per Pool 22:00 – Why Most Pool Pros Don’t Know Their Numbers 24:00 – Route Inefficiency & Profit Leaks 26:00 – When Growth Makes the Math Worse 27:00 – Sponsor Break 31:00 – The Pricing Problem (Why Matching Competitors Fails) 34:00 – The 3 Things Your Price Must Cover 36:00 – The “More Pools” Trap 38:00 – Why More Work Doesn’t Fix a Broken System 40:00 – The Repair Opportunity You’re Missing 44:00 – Turning Pools Into Profit Centers 46:00 – Technician vs Business Owner Mindset 49:00 – Why Most Pool Pros Stay Stuck 50:00 – The Power of Knowing Your Numbers 52:00 – Sponsor Break 56:00 – Key Takeaways: Fix the Foundation Before You Grow 57:30 – What’s Coming in Part 2 (Systems & Scaling) 59:00 – Outro 🤝 SPONSOR THANK YOU A huge thank you to our Pool Nation Visionary Partners for making this podcast possible: SPPA Blu-Ray XL AquaStar Pool Products Natural Chemistry Raypak Heritage Pool Supply Group Hayward Pool Products Poolside Tech EnCore Brands Pool Brain Nidec OnCore Filtration These companies are investing in the future of pool pros and helping us build a stronger industry.