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Foreign. Let's do this. I think it's take three or four. We're gonna get it right this. Hey there, everyone. My name is Eric Triplett, but my friends call me the Pond Digger. You see, I've been in the aquatics business for over 25 years. I'm a professional water feature construction and instructional specialist. I'm passionate about aquatics, and I'm talking from ponds to koi, goldfish, waterfalls and fountains and turtles and frogs, aquariums, and quite frankly, anything that relates to ponds and. Or water in your garden. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, I seriously have to pinch myself, because the crazy thing is, I actually get paid because of my passion for aquatics. A funny backstory here is about 35 years ago, when I was in high school, I took a career assessment aptitude test that would help me pinpoint the future of my professional career. The seriously funny thing about this was the test identified that I would be a teacher when I grew up. And that was straight comedy to me. It was laughable because, you know, quite frankly, I didn't even really enjoy school, and I thought how ridiculous this test was to identify me that way. And I thought, like, what's the future of all these students when the test is actually pushing people in the wrong direction? You know what I'm saying? And yet here I am, 35 years later with the leading channel in the world on YouTube, specializing in tutorials and instructional videos on water features in koi. And that's why I say I'm a water feature construction and instructional specialist. It's funny because I thought I was going to be a rock star when I grew up, you know, playing guitar, lead guitar for a rock band I thought was gonna be a rock star. I. I guess, kind of, in a way, because of my YouTube channel, I became a rock star in a sense, but, you know, using granite boulders to build waterfalls instead of, like, playing these crazy riffs on guitar. The cool thing is, my journey in aquatics has led me into becoming a contractor and a businessman, a pond equipment manufacturer, an entrepreneur, and it's led me into a beautiful marriage with a woman of my dreams. I realized many, many years ago in communicating and working with my clients, designing ponds across the country and communicating with these people and teaching people how to do things like, you know, from videos and. Or Skype messages and telephones and stuff. The people that I was communicating with were so interested in my job, and they basically would tell me, like, hey, I do this for a living, but what you do for a living and building ponds is like, this dream. And it took me a little bit of time to realize, like, wow, what I'm doing is really cool. And people aspire to do that. In fact, I have a lot of really close friends now that are in the business that were just clients in the beginning. They wanted to build their own pond. They watched the video, you know, they had me help them design them with a pond, and then they built it, and then they started their own company, and they would call me and ask me questions about how to start their business and so forth. So it's like, that became really cool to me. And so since that time, I've worked really hard to just share my experiences on all the different social media platforms and so forth. But with that being said, my goal on this podcast is to share my experiences in both successes and failures in not only the construction, maintenance, and installation of all the different types of water features, but also share some insights of the highs and lows of running a family business in a field that's ultimately my hobby. And did I mention that my wife and kids actually helped me run the daily operations of my company? So while you can regularly expect Pond Pro tips and tricks from this podcast, the tips won't always be about, you know, specifically about ponds or water features. Sometimes you're just going to get some tips from me as a. As a pond Pro, sharing my experiences about being an entrepreneur or a cancer survivor or the trials and tribulations and the rewards of running a business with my wife and kids. I plan on sharing some crazy, ridiculous, funny stories about some of my clients and my employees over the years in my career that we all, we can all learn from these stories. And I have no doubt that I'm going to organize some interviews that are going to provide some serious learning experiences. One thing that I'm going to guarantee you is I will always, and I mean always, respect your time. And I'm working really, really hard to drop the content with context and value. So hit that subscribe button, hit the notifications tab, and let's get this audio experience it.
The Pond Digger Podcast: Episode EP00 - Start Here
Release Date: October 22, 2018
In the inaugural episode of The Pond Digger Podcast, host Eric Triplett—fondly known as The Pond Digger—sets the stage for what listeners can expect from his show. With over 25 years of experience in the aquatics business, Eric positions himself as a professional water feature construction and instructional specialist. His passion for everything related to water features, from ponds and koi to fountains and turtles, is evident from the outset.
Notable Quote:
“Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, I seriously have to pinch myself, because the crazy thing is, I actually get paid because of my passion for aquatics.”
— Eric Triplett [00:30]
Eric shares a personal anecdote about his teenage years, revealing how a career assessment test inaccurately predicted he would become a teacher—a career path he found laughable given his disinterest in school. This story underscores the unpredictability of career trajectories and the importance of following one's passion.
Notable Quote:
“The test identified that I would be a teacher when I grew up. And that was straight comedy to me.”
— Eric Triplett [02:00]
He humorously reflects on his childhood dream of becoming a rock star, juxtaposing it with his current status as a "rock star" in the pond industry through his successful YouTube channel, where he builds waterfalls using granite boulders instead of shredding on a guitar.
Eric delves into how his work has not only fulfilled his personal aspirations but also empowered others. Initially assisting clients in designing their own ponds, many have gone on to establish their own businesses, seeking Eric's guidance as they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. This ripple effect highlights the communal and educational focus of his work.
Notable Quote:
“A lot of really close friends now that are in the business that were just clients in the beginning.”
— Eric Triplett [05:30]
He emphasizes the joy derived from sharing his knowledge and experiences, aiming to help others shorten their learning curves in the water feature industry.
The primary objective of The Pond Digger Podcast is to offer listeners an inside look into the intricacies of water feature construction, maintenance, and installation. Eric is committed to sharing both his successes and failures, providing a balanced perspective that aims to educate and inspire.
Notable Quote:
“My goal on this podcast is to share my experiences in both successes and failures in not only the construction, maintenance, and installation of all the different types of water features…”
— Eric Triplett [09:45]
Eric highlights the integral role his family plays in his business operations. His wife and children actively assist in the daily functions of the company, illustrating a harmonious blend of family life and entrepreneurship. This segment offers insights into managing a family-run business and the support systems that contribute to its success.
Notable Quote:
“My wife and kids actually helped me run the daily operations of my company.”
— Eric Triplett [11:20]
While the core focus is on water features, Eric broadens the podcast's scope to encompass a variety of life lessons and personal experiences. He intends to share stories about entrepreneurship, surviving cancer, and the everyday challenges and rewards of running a business with family support. These narratives aim to provide relatable and valuable lessons beyond the technical aspects of pond digging.
Notable Quote:
“Sometimes you're just going to get some tips from me as a pond Pro, sharing my experiences about being an entrepreneur or a cancer survivor…”
— Eric Triplett [14:00]
Eric outlines his plans for future episodes, including interviews designed to offer serious learning experiences and entertaining stories about clients and employees. He assures listeners of his commitment to delivering content rich in context and value, emphasizing respect for their time.
Notable Quote:
“I will always... respect your time. And I'm working really, really hard to drop the content with context and value.”
— Eric Triplett [16:45]
He concludes by encouraging listeners to subscribe and engage with the podcast, signaling the start of an informative and engaging journey into the world of water features.
Episode EP00 serves as a comprehensive introduction to Eric Triplett and The Pond Digger Podcast, blending personal anecdotes with professional insights. Listeners are positioned to gain a deep understanding of Eric's expertise in aquatics, his journey as an entrepreneur, and the multifaceted content they can expect in future episodes. Whether you're a hobbyist or a professional in the water feature industry, Eric's blend of technical knowledge and personal storytelling promises a rich and engaging listening experience.