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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.

  • 115 Posts
  • 289 Replies
115 Posts
Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie CunninghamSkimmer Verified Partner
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Part 1 What supports you in being a leader, vs just being a manager?

AS A YOUNG GIRL, I was fascinated with why some people had amazing lives and why others failed.Nearly 23 years ago when I began coaching entrepreneurs and business owners, I became intrigued by what distinguished a good business from an extraordinary business. In both growing my own business and coaching my clients, I’ve learned the secret lies in transforming yourself from manager to leader.Your business is either growing or dying; you can’t stay in one place. Building a successful business and team is about evolving. You’re either progressing and expanding, or stalling and contracting. This includes being a leader that focuses on the important things — even in the midst of your busy season.Many leaders struggle with managing (i.e., being a manager) vs. being a leading (being a leader) in their business and at work.I will be creating a series of posts in regards to this topic over the upcoming weeks...I would love to hear your thoughts, ideas (and in particular, actions) that support

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Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie CunninghamSkimmer Verified Partner
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
How do you resolve customer upsets?

One pool and spa/hot tub business client shared with me that a customer had purchased a sauna and was extremely unhappy due to multiple service calls. An employee then drove to the customer’s house before and after work multiple times to get it running the way it should be. Since then, the customer went on to buy a sauna and a hot tub! Studies have been done that prove that we have an opportunity to turn upset customers into raving fans when we are committed to having a heart of service. Teach your service department to resolve customer frustrations by following these simple steps:1) Acknowledge the problem instead of jumping to defend the company or the service tech involved.2) Empathize and apologize regardless of whether they are right or wrong.3) Accept full responsibility to fix the problem in a timely manner.5) Remain in communication with the customer until the issue is fully resolved. What are your personal success stories where you transformed an upset customer into a raving f

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Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie CunninghamSkimmer Verified Partner
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
More ideas for finding great workers in a tight job market!

I received a phone call this week from an employer who is struggling with finding the right employees in today’s job market. I was thinking about some of the suggestions that I shared with him, and I wanted to pass my advice onto all of you! TAKE ON A POSITIVE MINDSET Good people are out there. You will find awesome candidates. If you have this mind-set, you will take more effective and empowered actions than the leader who believes all the good people are taken and no one is out there. Be the kind of leader who finds employees in unique, easy and effortless ways. Though you may have had a position open for a long time, don’t resort to hiring just anyone. You have an obligation to your current staff to hire someone who fits your culture and the job position. Doing otherwise can stir employee Take a moment to consider your ideal employee. Hire more people who fit those qualifications and speak to those ideal qualities in your job listing. MORE QUICK TIPS...  Use local job-servi

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Chlorine King
Skimmer Verified Partner
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
On demand access: The 5 Revenue Stages of Pool Business Growth
On demand access: The 5 Revenue Stages of Pool Business Growth

In this webinar, ​@Casey Graham shares a clear, proven roadmap for taking your business to the next level - whether that means staying lean and profitable, expanding to new markets, or building a company you can eventually sell. Drawing on his experience helping hundreds of pool service owners, Casey will guide you through:Defining your version of success Identifying exactly which stage your business is in Taking the right steps to move forward with confidenceThis session is designed to help you avoid getting stuck, break through common growth barriers, and build a business that works for you—so you can focus on what matters most.Whether you’re a solopreneur, small team, or steady operation looking to become a fully scaled company or a systematized industry, this webinar will give you a step-by-step playbook for successfully reaching your goals without burning out.  If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to check out the ebook co-authored with Casey: From Skimming to Scaling: How To Build

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
BBG Pool Services
General Member
BBG Pool ServicesGeneral Member
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Pool Gallons on new customers

Hi Everyone - is there a pool app out there that can give you the gallon capacity of a current pool when looking to take on a new customer (maybe just an address to punch in to get the figure) - I understand how to calculate from the CPO course I just completed, but thought there may be a quicker way to get the figure - I’m sure alot of these pool owners don’t even know their gallon capacity or they think they do and the figure is incorrect - Just trying to save time and be accurate….. Thank you all in advance - hope you’re having a good work summer - brutally warm down here in SW Florida right now - take care and invest in some “poweraid” when it’s on sale…. Cheers from the rookie “Big Steve - BBG Pool Services”

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Wrassemaster
New Member
mikeamatulli
Skimmer Verified Partner
mikeamatulliSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Is Your Brand As Strong As You Think?
Is Your Brand As Strong As You Think?

 Becoming a well-known brand is key in business, and even more important if you want Google to know who you are and recommend you on the first page. In this 8min training I wanted to share exactly how you can audit your own brand name. If you take a look you’ll learn the following:how strong your brand really is what a strong brand looks like in Google’s eyes how to take the first few actionable steps to building your brand online

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mikeamatulli
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie CunninghamSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Are looking for ideas to find great workers in a tight job market?
Are looking for ideas to find great workers in a tight job market?

Many owners and leaders are struggling with finding good workers right now, let alone great workers. I wanted to post a couple of quick ideas to jump start this conversation. I would love to hear from you, in terms of ideas/solutions that have worked for you in your local job market. Please share so all can benefit! People attract like-minded people. Ask your good and great employees if they know anyone who would be interested in working for your business. Advertise to your client/customer email list. Talk to your customers and have your employees mention job listings to customers. Post a fun and engaging sign at your business (using a colorful chalkboard or dry erase board) increasing the possibility of attracting a customer who already believes in your company’s products and services. Overly general, “warm body” job descriptions return just that. Use descriptions conveying excitement about the big things your business is up to, the amazing staff who work there and the fun aspec

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Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
🚨Get your FREE ebook to help you reach the next stage of growth 🚨
🚨Get your FREE ebook to help you reach the next stage of growth 🚨

Running a pool company is tough, and scaling it without burning out is even tougher. That’s why we partnered with ​@Casey Graham, a seasoned entrepreneur who built, scaled, and sold a high-growth pool business, to create this ebook. It will give you the inside scoop on his strategies and plans for each growth stage to guide you and, most importantly, help clarify what you want to achieve.   Without a clear vision for your business and a stage-specific strategy, you risk working longer hours for smaller margins, getting stuck in ‘survival mode,’ and building a company you don’t enjoy running. You’re not alone, and there’s a better way forward!After speaking with over 1,000 pool company owners, reviewing hundreds of financials, and mapping real-world growth journeys, Casey Graham was inspired to write this ebook. He created a 5-stage roadmap to help other pool service owners succeed. In From Skimming to Scaling, you’ll learn: The Owner’s Intent: Define what success looks like for you T

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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 Podcast: Breaking Growth Barriers with Kyle Peter of Nevergreen Pools
Between Two Stops Podcast: Breaking Growth Barriers with Kyle Peter of Nevergreen Pools

What does it really take to scale a service business from 12 pools to 1,300?On the latest episode of Between Two Stops, we sat down with ​@KPeter, founder of Nevergreen Pools, who shares the gritty, unfiltered truth about growing his pool service empire.Kyle opens up about:💡 Breakthrough growth milestones (and the bumps along the way)📊 The power of data-driven decisions & route acquisitions⚡ How Skimmer’s billing solution helped streamline operations🛠️ Why systematizing everything is non-negotiable👥 Hiring the right people at the right time📉 Why margins sometimes shrink before they grow🌐 The changing landscape of pool service marketing, AI, and the importance of reviewsWhether you’re scaling your own pool business or just love a great entrepreneurial story, this episode is a must-listen. Listen and subscribe! The episode is available on your favorite podcast platform! 🎧 Audio: betweentwostops.com▶️ Video: Watch on YouTube 

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nikiacosta
Team Skimmer
G
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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BBG Pool Services
General Member
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...
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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sharonburch
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie CunninghamSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
PART 6: EMPOWER EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY DON'T FOLLOW THROUGH
PART 6: EMPOWER EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY DON'T FOLLOW THROUGH

Thank you for your posts and comments on how to hold employees accountable! Here is our final (6th) tip on employee accountability during your busy season… 6. I EMPOWER TEAM MEMBERS WHEN THEY DON’T FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR WORD. Powerful and effective leaders are coaches at heart. Our job as leaders is to maintain clarity and remain impartial in our beliefs and judgments regarding successes and failures. My team’s game is win or lose. My game as a leader is to develop the people I lead into being high performers. I can’t afford to get stuck in the ups and downs. I’m putting my team in a classroom every time they don’t win. Before I communicate with them, I remind myself, “I’m committed to coaching and empowering this person.” Which is vastly different than the typical approach of “I’m committed to making this person wrong.” As a coach, I am committed to not being disappointed when my team doesn’t achieve their results. Instead, I’m committed to them, growing and developing from the ga

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Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
On demand access: The Future of Pool Service
On demand access: The Future of Pool Service

Hear about the biggest shifts happening in 2025 and beyond! In this webinar replay, you’ll hear from three of the brightest minds in the industry as they bring their perspective and real-world experience about the biggest shifts currently taking place and what that means for the future. You’ll hear insights about what they’re seeing in the industry and how owner/operators can stay ahead. Watch this lively and impactful discussion, including audience Q&A on topics like:What the private equity buying spree means for independents and franchises How businesses are tackling labor shortages and keeping great talent The lasting impact of supply chain disruptions Where AI, robotics, and automation are making a real difference (and where they’re just hype)This is your chance to gain valuable insights and actionable strategies you can use to set your business up for continued success:  As a bonus, here is your link to download Casey Graham’s price increase email template.

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
RHolly
Rookie Member
RHollyRookie Member
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
What is weekly maintenance?

Recently we’ve been having some discussions about clients and their expectations. Some of our clients seem to think it is our job to deliver a perfect pool all week long. That is definitely our goal, but...is it reasonable?For weekly maintenance, it is our job is show up once a week, and with our expertise measure chems, balance water and if no lightning present net, brush and vacuum your pool. Inspect the equipment and leave your backyard secure. That’s pretty much it for your average week. Obviously notify is there is an equipment issue, etc.Once we’re done, if nothing significant changes in that pool in the next 167 hours until we return, the pool will still likely be crystal clear the following week. However, if the client hosts a huge pool party or just has 5-10 kids in it every dayor there are heavy rains or your lawn service puts a bunch of grass in the pool…you get the point. We cannot anticipate every eventuality and we can’t add so much shock or tabs on their service day to a

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BBG Pool Services
General Member
Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie CunninghamSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
PART 5: COACH TEAM MEMBERS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE
PART 5: COACH TEAM MEMBERS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE

We are continuing our conversation around employee accountability during your busy season… Here is our 5th tip:5. COACH TEAM MEMBERS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.When we think of holding others accountable, we assume it means babysitting them — knowing they don’t want to do something, and that they will resist. Having all my attention on the results does not achieve the results. What causes the results is my willingness to BE the vision as one of the leaders in the business. And if, as a team, we said we would do 10 things and only did three, I’m still committed as a leader, even though we missed the mark. When my team doesn’t hit the bulls-eye, I ask myself, “Who am I being as a leader that led us to miss the mark?” and then to coach my team members from the perspective of, “Who are my team members being that led them to miss the mark?”Feel free to answer any or all of the questions below...3 Questions for you:What is an accountability conversation that you had recently with one of your team mem

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Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie CunninghamSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Part 3: Recognize That Many Employees Want to Avoid Accountability
Part 3: Recognize That Many Employees Want to Avoid Accountability

A high number of pool and spa and service-industry leaders and owners that I’m coaching right now have shared how they are struggling with holding their employees accountable during their busy season. They hold back from having tough conversations because their employees are already stressed out and working at maximum capacity. They fear that their employees will simply quit if they give them feedback and hold them accountable to a higher standard of performance.As a result, many leaders avoid hard accountability conversations, and instead, opt to do the work themselves. However, this will only result in resentment and ultimately burn out.Engaging in accountability conversations is both a science AND an art.Which leads us to step 3 in engaging hard conversations… 3. RECOGNIZE THAT MANY EMPLOYEES (AND OURSELVES, AT TIMES) WANT TO AVOID ACCOUNTABILITY. We avoid accountability because we are afraid of failing; of looking bad; of being judged by others. We’re afraid of being punished if th

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Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
mikeamatulli
Skimmer Verified Partner
mikeamatulliSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Video Tip: Reputation Management Best Practices
Video Tip: Reputation Management Best Practices

 Hey everyone! I wanted to share a short video I recorded on some of the best ways to ask for and get reviews from customers. Consistently getting new reviews causes a positive ripple effect on your business: improves your online visibility, builds your brand/trustworthiness, increases CTR (click-through-rate) and conversions, & more.And I know how hard it is to get reviews, even after you ask and the customer says they’ll do it and never actually do. Any questions or further explanation on anything shared in the video feel free to reach out.

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mikeamatulli
Skimmer Verified Partner
mikeamatulli
Skimmer Verified Partner
mikeamatulliSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
New Resources for Digital Marketing and Growing Your Business
New Resources for Digital Marketing and Growing Your Business

My 2 Favorite Tips For Expanding Your Google Presence I just wanted to share two quick tips I always share with people — easy things you can do to make a real difference online: 1. Take Photos or Videos on the JobOne of the things I always tell business owners: if you're out on a job, take a quick photo or video, and upload it right from the job site using your phone.It doesn’t have to be fancy — just showing before-and-after shots or progress can go a long way. Posting those consistently helps your business stay active online and gives future customers something real to look at. 2. Focus on Review Quality, Not Just QuantityYes, you want more reviews — but the quality of the review is just as important.Encourage people to leave detailed reviews. For example, if someone had a green pool that got cleaned, a review that includes a before-and-after photo is gold.Little touches like that add extra credibility and visibility to every review you get. They tell a fuller story — and that helps

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mikeamatulli
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie CunninghamSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
4. INSPIRE OTHERS WITH A FUTURE THAT CREATES DESIRED RESULTS.
4. INSPIRE OTHERS WITH A FUTURE THAT CREATES DESIRED RESULTS.

We are continuing our conversation around employee accountability during your busy season… Here is our 4th tip: 4. INSPIRE OTHERS WITH A FUTURE THAT CREATES DESIRED RESULTS. Powerful leaders inspire their employees. They share their vision in a way that allows people to own that vision for themselves. Their invitation asks, “Are you willing to commit yourself to creating a new and different outcome?” Support team members by being the vision in action, and structure their schedules and circumstances in a way that expresses the shared vision. Intentional leaders use accountability and measure results over time, encouraging team members to live out the vision.  Essentially, this means taking the time to create a broader vision or mission that inspires your employees and team members. Here are some examples from leaders and businesses I’ve worked with: “Exceeding expectations,” “Impacting lives always,” and “Creating meaningful connections.” The important thing to keep in mind is this:

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Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
sharonburch
Skimmer Verified Partner
sharonburchSkimmer Verified Partner
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Do you order supplies from Amazon? Check out the Amazon Business App integration with QuickBooks

 Connect the Amazon Business App in QuickBooks to simplify tracking Amazon business expenses.By connecting your Amazon business account to QuickBooks, you can easily view each transaction listed by item, making it straightforward to categorize your expenses correctly. This feature eliminates the hassle of manually checking orders for business-related purchases. Remember, this integration only works with Amazon business accounts!

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sharonburch
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie CunninghamSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Part 2: Unaddressed Employee Accountability
Part 2: Unaddressed Employee Accountability

We’ve been talking about employee accountability and how it can help address AND prevent busy season burnout. To create an accountability workplace culture at your business, the second step (out of 6) you need to take is to: 2. HONOR YOUR WORD AND COMMITMENTS. Often, when we have an accountability conversation and ask an employee who didn’t do what they said they would do, many employees default to sharing their reasons why they couldn’t follow through and/or complete a project. It’s important to keep in mind that when an employee says,  “I couldn’t because...,” they’ve given their power to the circumstances, explanations, reasons, and excuses. One way of honoring our word is to create an extraordinary vision or future for our business that inspires us personally AND makes a difference for others — and then commit to it. We then declare what is possible, take action, and account for our results. Instead of allowing circumstances to limit what is possible. We do this over and over unt

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Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
What's your summer sanity saver?
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
Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
Leslie CunninghamSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Busy season burnout: Is it a symptom of unaddressed employee accountability?
Busy season burnout: Is it a symptom of unaddressed employee accountability?

 We just had a training with Skimmer last week with over 120 registrations called, “How to Have Hard Conversations And Build Resilient Teams”. Because so many of you requested additional tips on how to increase employee follow through during your busy season… I decided to share 1 tip every couple of days to support you.  Please respond to each post and let me know how these resonate for you… And to also share your thoughts on what IS working for you as well! 1 (out of 6) little known tips to boosting employee follow-through 🎯 MANY LEADERS, from large organizations to small businesses, often feel uncomfortable holding their employees and team members accountable for results. As a leader, I have discovered that to hold others accountable, I must also hold myself accountable. That means I am actively looking at my results, or lack thereof. I view the world of results as a big mirror that reflects my own real intentions, both conscious and unconscious. Because I am highly committed to win

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Leslie Cunningham
Skimmer Verified Partner
A
New Member
Adam at Gregg's Pool WorksNew Member
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
What is everyone doing to manage inventory?

Hey fellow pool pros!I was curious what everyone out there is doing to manage their inventory? Does anyone have any good solutions or systems that work for them that they would be able to share? Thanks! 

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B
New Member
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
🥳 Birthday promo offers from our partners 🥳
🥳 Birthday promo offers from our partners 🥳

One of the things that is helping our expanding knowledge hub grow is the incredible group of industry professionals who generously share their expertise. These partners have been actively invested since we launched The Pool Deck, helping our members build, scale, and run more profitable businesses! Whether you're getting QuickBooks advice from ​@sharonburch , learning new marketing tips from ​@Ryan, diving into employee safety and training with ​@Lauren Broom , getting ideas on business strategy and planning from ​@Michelle Kavanaugh , or learning about all things with running a pool service business with ​@DavidSPL , I want to thank each of you for your time, expertise, and genuine commitment to this community.    🥳 ​​Birthday celebration bonus: To help us celebrate The Pool Deck's first birthday, our partners are sharing exclusive offers just for members. These aren't just discounts - they're investments in your success from professionals who want to see you thrive! Space Coast Poo

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team

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