In episode 268 of the Pool Nation Podcast , host Edgar de Jesus – along with co-host John JJ Flawless and Zac the Pool Boy – dives deep into the journey of transforming a small pool service business into a full-scale empire. The conversation covers the ups and downs of growth, from early hustle to mastering delegation, leadership, and team building in the “empire phase.” Listeners get a mix of valuable business insights, personal anecdotes (yes, even about aging and the perils of old man glasses!), and a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and rewards of scaling a pool business.

Chapters & Timestamps:

• [00:00] Intro & Welcome Meet Edgar, John, and Zac as they kick off the episode with a warm welcome and a lighthearted introduction to the pool pros lifestyle.

• [00:01] Meet the Hosts Edgar introduces himself as the reigning champion of Marco Polo and brings on John – the fastest netter in the West – and Zac the Pool Boy, setting the tone for a candid, fun discussion.

• [00:02 – 00:05] Banter & Personal Stories The hosts share humorous insights on aging, new glasses, and everyday struggles, giving a personal touch that resonates with anyone balancing business growth and life changes.

• [00:11] Upcoming Events & Bootcamp Details Edgar outlines the upcoming Heritage Bootcamp in Dallas and previews the 10,000 Pool Pro Challenge, offering details on hands-on training sessions, business strategy classes, and qualification events for pool pros.

• [00:19 – 00:25] The Business Growth Journey A deep dive into the evolution of a pool business—from the foundational phase to the balancing act and scaling stages, culminating in the empire phase. The hosts discuss the transition from doing everything yourself to strategically building a team.

• [00:26 – 00:33] Overcoming Leadership Challenges Conversation turns to the critical elements of successful delegation, empowering employees, and the importance of trust and structured systems to keep the business thriving as it grows.

• [00:38 – 00:42] Leadership Lessons & Final Thoughts Reflecting on personal experiences and drawing inspiration from leadership legends, the discussion emphasizes learning from mistakes and nurturing employee growth without micromanaging.

• [00:55] Outro & Next Steps Edgar wraps up the episode with reminders about bootcamp registrations, the Pool Pro Challenge, and upcoming live Instagram sessions, inviting listeners to join the community and keep the conversation going.

Throughout the episode, the hosts balance humor with hard-hitting advice on managing growth, fostering a strong team culture, and stepping back from day-to-day tasks to focus on long-term business strategy. Whether you’re a seasoned pool pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you elevate your game.

Episode 236 of the Pool Nation podcast—your ultimate resource for pool service, pool repair, and the latest pool industry insights. In this action-packed episode, hosts Edgar de Jesus, John JJ Flawless, and Zac the Pool Boy share insider tips on scaling your pool business, optimizing pool software, and excelling in technical repairs. Get the scoop on the upcoming $10K Pool Pro Championship, hands-on pool bootcamps in Texas and California, and innovative strategies to boost efficiency and safety in your work. Whether you’re a seasoned pool technician or just starting out in the pool service industry, this episode is packed with actionable advice, expert insights, and a community-driven passion for pool excellence. Tune in now to learn how to make waves in the pool repair and service world!

Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction: Welcome to the Pool Nation podcast with an overview of today’s pool industry topics. 00:01:00 – Championship Announcement: Details on the $10K Pool Pro Championship and how pool pros can join the competition. 00:02:00 – Lighting & Tech Setups: Behind-the-scenes insights into on-air lighting challenges and professional pool tech setups. 00:03:00 – Live Banter: Candid moments and humorous exchanges that make this podcast a must-listen for pool professionals. 00:07:00 – Bootcamp Details: Essential information about the Heritage Bootcamp in McKinney, Texas for pool repair training. 00:09:00 – Business & Software Insights: Discussion on scaling your pool business with innovative routing and billing software solutions. 00:11:00 – Pool Brain Demo: In-depth look at cutting-edge pool management software designed specifically for the pool service industry. 00:17:00 – Facility Walkthrough: Preview of Gold Medal Pools and hands-on training sessions that sharpen your pool repair skills. 00:20:00 – Oxnard Bootcamp Announcement: Details about the follow-up bootcamp event in Oxnard, California, for further pool training. 00:21:00 – Championship Registration: Step-by-step guide on registering for the Pool Pro Championship and qualifying rounds. 00:27:00 – Competition Rules & Safety: Overview of strict safety guidelines, standardized tools, and the scoring system for fair play. 00:31:00 – Qualifier Rounds: Explanation of the elimination rounds designed to ensure top-quality pool repair skills. 00:40:00 – Final Challenge Preview: Introduction to the mystery challenge that tests adaptability and precision in pool repairs. 00:43:00 – Sponsor Spotlight: Key messages from top industry sponsors, including SPPA, Pool Invoice, Blu ray XL, Aquastar, Natural Chemistry, Raypak, and Hayward. 00:47:00 – Championship Strategy: Final thoughts on balancing speed, accuracy, and safety to excel in pool repair competitions. 00:55:00 – Registration Reminder: Important details on securing your spot for the championship and upcoming pool training events. 01:00:00 – Final Sponsor Messages: Last sponsor highlights and a recap of the latest pool service innovations. 01:05:00 – Final Thoughts & Next Steps: Closing insights from the hosts and a preview of future pool industry events and training sessions. 01:09:00 – Outro: Thank you for listening! Stay connected with Pool Nation for more expert pool repair tips and industry news.

Dive in, subscribe, and make waves in your pool service and repair career with Pool Nation!