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Ideas & inspiration for business owners

Discuss ideas and opportunities with other business owners and dive into topics like financial management, marketing, hiring, team engagement, and more.

  • 92 Posts
  • 248 Replies
92 Posts
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General Member
Garrett_BrevikGeneral Member
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
pool pro chem costs

Hey Skimmer Community,I’m in Beaumont, California, planning a career change by purchasing a pool route next year. I’m researching costs and profit potential, leaning toward a service-plus-chemicals pricing model, and exploring products like PoolRx, BlueRay XL, and Orenda enzymes. As a newbie, I need help understanding wholesale chemical pricing (since many distributors only sell to established pros) and how to integrate these specialty products effectively. Your insights would mean the world!Here’s what I’m curious about:•  Wholesale Pricing: How do you find typical wholesale prices for chemicals like liquid chlorine, Cal hypo tablets, pH balancers, or algaecides? Are there beginner-friendly suppliers in Beaumont/Southern California or online options for new pros getting licensed? What’s a ballpark monthly chemical cost for a 10,000–15,000-gallon residential pool?•  Service+Chem Billing: How do you bill for the service-plus-chemicals model? Do you itemize service and chemicals separate

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S
General Member
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Listen now: Part Two of the Pool Owner insights that are changing how pros price and deliver service🎧

Here's the link for part TWO of ​@DavidSPL conversation with ​@nikiacosta  from The Pool Guy Podcast Show🎙️ as they dive deeper into how to stand out in a competitive market through exceptional service.This episode covers the growing trend of charging for chemicals separately (and transparently), how to handle auto billing feedback, and proven ways to turn service quality into a customer loyalty engine.You'll discover how to refine your operations while boosting your bottom line—and why the best pool pros are doing more than just maintaining water clarity.Listen now → Questions or insights from the episode? Drop them below and let's keep the conversation going 🎯PS – Missed Part One? 👉 Listen now →     

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
What's your summer sanity saver?

Summer’s almost officially here, and we know it comes with its own brand of chaos—scorching heat, last-minute customer requests, team juggling, and trying to keep your sanity intact—it’s a lot to manage!That’s why we’re calling on our members to share their best tips, tricks, and sanity-saving hacks for surviving the summer crunch! Whether it’s something that keeps your schedule flowing, your team on point, or just how you stay cool in the chaos—drop it in the thread below, or share a video post for more chances to win!🎉 Every post = 1 entry🎥 Video post = 3 entries We’ll be doing a random draw on June 20 — and trust us, you’ll want in on this prize pack PRIZE PACK VALUE IS OVER $900!!!3 lucky winners will each receive this high-value prize pack:Skimmer swag bundle – Skimmer buff, shirt, stickers, lip balm, & water bottle 60-minute strategy session with ​@Michelle Kavanaugh  (Value: $250) – Build a personalized plan for growth, boost efficiency, or tackle your biggest business cha

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
nikiacosta
Team Skimmer
nikiacostaTeam Skimmer
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Between Two Stops Episode 8: Building a pool company from scratch

In this episode of Between Two Stops, I sat down with Todd Gustafson, founder of Cool Pool People, a top-tier pool service company in Frisco, Texas, managing over 1,000 pools each month. Todd shares his journey of growing a successful business from the ground up, the importance of customer care, and how fostering a strong team culture has been key to his success.He also reveals valuable lessons, like why saying no is crucial for business focus, and how technology has transformed service efficiency and team communication. Don't miss this episode packed with insights for pool pros looking to scale their business!Listen (and subscribe) on your favorite podcasting platform by clicking here, or watch the video on YouTube Podcasts here.  Have a topic you want to know more about? Want to be a guest? Email me at podcast@getskimmer.com 

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nikiacosta
Team Skimmer
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Tune in: Pool owner insights that will change how you price your services 🎧

Listen to ​@DavidSPL’s latest episode of The Pool Guy Podcast Show with Skimmer's ​@nikiacosta  as they break down the most actionable insights from the Pool Owners report.Part 1 focuses on value, price point, and cost expectations—unpacking what pool owners are willing to pay for, how "fair pricing" perceptions are shifting, and how service companies can leverage this data to add real value to their business.In less than 20 minutes, you will learn how to sharpen your competitive edge and build customer trust through transparency.Part 2 coming soon!Listen now → If you have any questions or comments, add them below, and let’s keep the conversation going 🎯

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
Coach Leslie
Skimmer Verified Partner
Coach LeslieSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
This 1 simple question can double your profits this year

A big, huge hello to all of you! I’m Leslie Cunningham, an award-winning leadership and teamwork development expert, with over 25 years of experience in executive coaching and organizational dynamics with owners, leaders and their teams. I coach people-caring and people-committed business owners to achieve extraordinary breakthrough results in their businesses.Please watch my short video above (it’s just 4-minutes long) to discover a breakthrough business tip and leadership pearl that will take your business the next level and double your impact and profits.After you watch the video, please post your response to this question… If you were to show up in a NEW way as a leader (versus your past identity as an “owner” or your current role/title) what would be the breakthrough result/new future that you would cause to happen in 2025 in your business? I look forward to hearing from you and reading your responses!A bit more about me and my background…For those of you who are interested in mor

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Coach Leslie
Skimmer Verified Partner
J
Rookie Member
JoeRookie Member
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Marketing by Pool Monopoly

Considering using Pool Monopoly.  Does anyone here use them?  What’s been your experience?

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J
Rookie Member
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
On demand access + BONUS MATERIALS: How to Compete on Value Instead of Price for Maximum Profit

If you're tired of being undercut by lowball competitors, you're not alone—and there IS a better way forward! In this webinar replay, you’ll learn from veteran sales trainer Steve Hasenmueller how to win better customers and charge what you’re actually worth. Discover battle-tested strategies to break free from the price war trap and position your business as the premium choice in your market.You’ll learn how to:Differentiate yourself from low-cost competitors Confidently raise your rates without fear of losing clients Build lasting relationships based on trust and expertise Create a brand that commands respect and higher marginsStop leaving money on the table. Start building the profitable business you deserve. Click the links below to access all of the BONUS resources:  Steve’s Presentation Mapping Guide Presentation Slide Deck ‘Never Split the Difference’ by Chris Voss Sign up for Steve's newsletter  Download the 2025 Pool Owner Report  

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
Blue Refuge Pool Services
Rookie Member
Blue Refuge Pool ServicesRookie Member
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
When to hire my first tech?

Hey everyone! I'm new to the pool business. I purchased my first route here in the Atlanta area back in January.  I currently have 36 clients. I really want to expand my business.I have a couple of questions:1. When should I start looking to hire a technician?Do I try and double my existing route before I hire?2. How much should you pay a technician, part time and full time?

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poolcrew
New Member
Blue Refuge Pool Services
Rookie Member
Blue Refuge Pool ServicesRookie Member
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Whats the best Vaccum?

Im new to owning a pool business and I invested in a riptide.  It's great for picking up leaves and such, but definitely not effective for dirt as it creates a cloud. I have been using a regular hose to Vaccum for that. Are there any vacuums out there that can pretty much pick anything? What the best effective Vaccum for c

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Blue Refuge Pool Services
Rookie Member
J
General Member
jpandlGeneral Member
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Pricing Presentation and Structure Matters/Change My Mind

     I think that the way that you present the pricing to a customer matters. Specifically, in recurring services here in Florida. The two services here that have very dominate price presentation “ways of doing it’’ are lawn mowing and pool maintenance. Just look at the Skimmer Service Rate Index and you can see that 94.1% of all skimmer users are presenting with a monthly flat rate with chemicals included. Here in Florida when a customer asks you for your price on mowing or pool services, they are already expecting to receive a monthly flat rate number, with no asterisks or caveats. I like to think that this is happening in a Pavlovian way. Meaning that the customer has been trained or conditioned to expect the price presented in a specific way.     I am not concerned with the “how we got here” in this situation, rather I wanted to discuss the history only so that we can solve the problem of how to fix the problem of flat rate pricing in pool service.     I am new to the pool industry

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
J
New Member
John NelsonNew Member
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Cash or Accrual?

Do you guys typically look at your P&L on a cash basis or accrual basis? Also, do you pay sales tax on a cash basis or accrual basis? Thanks!  

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KerryS
Skimmer Verified Partner
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Virtual owner meet-ups — it’s always a great use of an hour!

Our February meet-ups were packed with insightful and actionable convos and lasting connections — lots of idea-sharing, problem-solving, and open exchange of industry experience and business wisdom. By request, we’re bringing everyone back together for the next quarterly installment! If you’re already part of a regional group, hit the link below to save your spot. We can’t wait to see some familiar faces — and hopefully meet a few new ones this time!Not in a group yet? No problem. Now’s a perfect time to plug in and grow your local network 👉 Click here to check out the regional groups 🗓️ Virtual Meet-Up Lineup Texas – Monday, May 12, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM CT Oklahoma – Monday, May 12, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM CT Northeast – Tuesday, May 13, from 3:00–4:00 PM EDT Florida – Wednesday, May 14, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM EDT Midwest – Friday, May 16, from 3:00–4:00 PM CT Arizona – Wednesday, May 21, from 2:00–3:00 PM MDT Northern California – Tuesday, May 20, from 2:00–3:00 PM PDT Sou

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
Michelle Kavanaugh
Skimmer Verified Partner
Michelle KavanaughSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Overcoming the Fear of AI: Embracing Technology as a Powerful Business Tool

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a concept from science fiction; it’s a reality shaping the way we live and work. Yet, despite its growing presence in our daily lives, many people still feel hesitant or even fearful of AI. The common concern is that AI will replace jobs, control too much of our decisions, or operate in ways beyond our control. These fears, while understandable, often stem from a misunderstanding of how AI can be used positively, especially in the business world. AI is a ToolAt its core, AI is a tool designed to make processes more efficient, optimize tasks, and provide insights we might otherwise miss. It’s not here to replace human jobs, but rather to enhance them. Think of AI as a powerful assistant that can handle repetitive tasks, analyze vast amounts of data quickly, and automate processes that allow humans to focus on more creative and strategic work.For example, businesses are already using AI to:Automate marketing: AI tools can track customer behaviors

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kris2024
Conversation Starter
nikiacosta
Team Skimmer
nikiacostaTeam Skimmer
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Between Two Stops Episode 7: Digital Marketing, Private Equity, and More with Ryan Flannery of Pool Monopoly

From rising digital marketing costs to private equity entering the space, the pool service industry is rapidly changing. In this episode, we chatted with ​@Ryan Flannery of digital marketing agency Pool Monopoly. Ryan shared his insights what he’s seeing on the digital marketing front, thoughts on private equity entering the space, route acquisition, and more. This is definitely an episode worth a listen, especially if you’re looking to grow! Listen (and subscribe) on your favorite podcasting platform by clicking here, or watch the video on YouTube Podcasts here.  Have a topic you want to know more about? Want to be a guest? Email me at podcast@getskimmer.com 

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nikiacosta
Team Skimmer
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
On demand access + BONUS MATERIALS: Hire, Train, Retain: Building a Rockstar Pool Service Team

As many of you know, hiring, training, and keeping great employees is one of the toughest challenges in the pool service industry. Kyle Peter started as a single poler and has since grown his business to service 1,000 pools— watch this replay to learn how he did it. Kyle (AKA ​@KPeter) is also a member of The Pool Deck community, so if you have questions on any of these topics that he discusses with ​@nikiacosta please add them to the thread below to keep this conversation going ⬇️How to attract, train, and develop employees for long-term success How to scale from solo to a larger team Best practices for team structure and setting expectations Ways to boost engagement and retention How technology improves efficiency and reduces hiring need Click the links below to access all of the BONUS resources: Presentation Slide Deck Sample Employee Agreement Sample Onboarding Checklist Sample Employee Handbook Sample Pool Technician Interviewing Guide Sample Technician Levels & Advancement Pa

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
sharonburch
Skimmer Verified Partner
sharonburchSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Should you use Automated Payout Syncing with QuickBooks? YES!!! Here's why and how...

Thank you, Skimmer! Automated Payout Syncing with QuickBooks is a game changer! Skimmer's new payout syncing update automatically syncs with QuickBooks, creating both an invoice and payment record AND creating a bank deposit that reconciles with the payout. The reconciliation is 98% done for you! So, how do you set it up?Set up the QuickBooks integrations settings as shown below or in the video above.Payout syncing setup in Skimmer  Choose 'undeposited funds' for payment deposit account in QuickBooks for the Skimmer Payouts Choose ‘banking/credit card merchant fees’ expense account in QuickBooks for the skimmer payout feesHere’s why: 💳 Online Payment Processing Skimmer uses Stripe for processing online credit/debit card payments Stripe takes a fee for processing credit cards, debit cards, and ACH online The new payout syncing feature helps reconcile the difference between invoice amount and actual deposit Example: Customer pays $100 - $2 processing fee = you receive $98 🏦 Quick

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R
Rookie Member
R
New Member
rmgaskillNew Member
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Services other than Pool Cleaning

Does anyone use the program for housekeeping? Any tips or tricks? 

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R
New Member
nikiacosta
Team Skimmer
nikiacostaTeam Skimmer
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Between Two Stops episode drop 🎧

In this episode of Between Two Stops, I’m chatting with a familiar face in The Pool Deck community ​@sharonburch! We discuss the intricacies of managing a pool service business and focus on the importance of setting up QuickBooks correctly for financial reporting and decision-making.Sharon also shares her expertise in bridging the gap between pool service owners and accountants, emphasizing the need to accurately track income and expenses. We also explore pricing strategies, the significance of preparing for business transitions, and the essential reports every pool business should maintain for effective management.You can watch the video OR listen to the audio-only version of Between Two Stops on all major podcast platforms.  To subscribe, visit http://www.betweentwostops.com.Have an idea or want to be a guest? Drop a comment below👇 

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nikiacosta
Team Skimmer
Michelle Kavanaugh
Skimmer Verified Partner
Michelle KavanaughSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
The Hidden Cost of Neglecting Marketing: Why Pros Can’t Afford to Put It on the Back Burner

The Hidden Cost of Neglecting Marketing: Why Pros Can’t Afford to Put It on the Back BurnerIn the world of pool service, you're often juggling a dozen responsibilities at once—scheduling routes, managing staff, handling equipment issues, and keeping customers happy. It’s no wonder that marketing often gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. But here’s the truth: if you’re not marketing your business consistently, you’re missing out on growth, revenue, and long-term stability.The Problem: Why Marketing Is Often IgnoredMany small business owners, especially in the service industry, operate under the mindset that “good work sells itself.” While great service is essential, word-of-mouth alone won’t grow your business at the pace or consistency you need, especially in a competitive market.Here are the most common reasons pool service professionals put marketing on the back burner:Time Constraints: Daily operations take priority, leaving little time to plan or execute marketing strategi

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Michelle Kavanaugh
Skimmer Verified Partner
Chlorine King
Skimmer Verified Partner
Chlorine KingSkimmer Verified Partner
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
All About The New "Schedule" Feature Skimmer Just Released! You're Missing Out If You're Not Using It!!!

 Skimmer just released a brand new feature that is very impactful and very efficient. From the desktop you’ll notice a new tab named “Schedule”. That tab is what this post is all about! If you click into it you’ll see your entire business for the month right before your eyes and there is so much you can do with it. There’s a lot of great features packed into this one tab, but let me point out some highlights that I love about it! Like I say in the video I loathe the word “Game changer” but it really is. You get to choose where you want to focus. When you click into schedule you’ll see three main features on the top part of the page Scheduled - What is currently scheduled Unscheduled - What is unscheduled  Map - See where all your stops for the company are that week In this section you can choose what you want to see. Just check or uncheck the box next to the option and you can see everything at a glance or really focus on what you want to see. Everything is drag and drop. You can dra

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Chlorine King
Skimmer Verified Partner
RR Pool Pros
Specialist
RR Pool ProsSpecialist
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Benefits vs Salary Increases

Does anyone offer benefits, ie health, vacation, retirement, etc? Over the past few years we started offering all of these to attract employees when it was difficult to find reliable employees. Now I’m seeing employees aren’t as interested in benefits and would rather have better hourly pay or salary. This mostly applies to the field technicians and not office staff or managers. What are your thoughts on taking benefits away and raise pay? 

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A
New Member
Travis
Team Skimmer
TravisTeam Skimmer
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Storm Clean Up Fee?

Given the storms that are making their way across parts of the country, curious how you all deal with clean ups.  Do you charge extra for post storm clean up? If so, how much? 

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A
New Member
Chlorine King
Skimmer Verified Partner
Chlorine KingSkimmer Verified Partner
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Thoughts and Ideas for This Video Format???

Hey Everyone,I decided to try a different style of content creation and I’m curious to hear what you guys think about it. I think it adds a unique and entertaining perspective to the videos when shooting in this format.I call it “Walkin’ Talkin’ Pools” and essentially I have my drone follow me as I talk about pool related topics. The thought is to be a “me to you” type of conversation that is unscripted and have some scenery to enjoy as I walk about and talk about pools or answer questions from others. I’d like to go to different places to shoot these videos so it’s always different.Thoughts?What are some ideas for topics you’d like covered in these? Here is the first one I just did. I’m curious for your input. Have a great weekend everyone.  

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Chlorine King
Skimmer Verified Partner
K
Rookie Member
Kim HardacreRookie Member
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
QBO and Skimmer synching

When payments are recorded as outside of Skimmer, they import into QB as bank deposits instead of undeposited funds.  So on the QB side of things, when we have a deposit to post, we need to post it against the “payment” but it’s already on the register as a deposit so I can’t match it.  Can you help with this?  

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O
Rookie Member

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