Ideas & inspiration for business owners

What separates a million-dollar pool company from everyone else? It's not longer hours, a bigger market, or being the cheapest. So what is it?We sat down with Hal Denbar, who went from one-poler to running a national operation he sold to private equity to break down what high-performing pool companies do differently, and how you can do the same at any size. Companies that cross a million dollars aren't grinding harder. They've built systems that capture every opportunity, create visibility across the team, scale without chaos, and keep cash moving to fund growth. As Hal put it, "you can run out of profit many times, but you can only run out of cash one time." Watch the replay👇  What you’ll learn about how million-dollar businesses operate differently👇Capture every opportunity:  85% of pool owners won't call back after they hit voicemail, and documented repair recommendations win more approvals, while most of your hidden revenue is already sitting inside the customers you have. Create

 Artificial Intelligence is quickly becoming one of the biggest technology shifts the pool industry has seen in years.On a recent podcast with Niki Acosta and Hal Denbar from Skimmer, we discussed how AI is beginning to impact pool service companies, customer communication, operational efficiency, and business growth.One of the most interesting takeaways was that many pool companies are still losing customers simply because they can't answer every phone call. Research across home service industries consistently shows that customers often hire the company that responds first—not necessarily the cheapest company or the one with the most reviews.With new tools like AI Phone Agents, pool companies can now answer calls 24/7, capture lead information, route urgent issues appropriately, and ensure fewer opportunities slip through the cracks.We also discussed how AI is helping pool companies:• Analyze business data using natural language questions• Improve customer communication• Forecast chem

In this first video of the AI series, I walk through how I’d set up Claude from scratch for a pool business and use it as a real operational tool, not just a novelty.I show how to start with a simple interview-style prompt so Claude can learn your business, services, tools, and workflow. From there, you can begin using it for things like upsell scripts, missed call and voicemail text replies, review responses, weekly Google Business Profile posts, and even winter revenue ideas.The bigger goal is to train AI to understand your business well enough to help save time, tighten operations, and support growth.I also touch on why it matters to feed Claude more context over time, including your writing style, customer communication patterns, and even real text or email examples so it can sound more like you.If you’re a pool pro who wants to start using AI in a practical way, this is a great place to begin. Create a free account at https://claude.ai. Watch the full video for the exact framework

What does it really take to run a tight operation when you're at full capacity? We sat down with Sarah Hoopes, Director of Operations at AE Pool Services, and a 10-year pool industry veteran who helped grow one company from 300 pools to 700+,  to talk through the real-world systems and habits that keep businesses running smoothly when things get crazy. Sarah has spent a decade in the pool industry, including 7 years helping grow a company from 300 pools and 9 employees to 700+ pools and 23 employees, and has held just about every role in a pool service business. The big idea she kept coming back to: efficiency isn't about working harder. It's about building systems that work for you — in the field, in the office, and with your team — so that growth doesn't just mean more chaos. Watch replay👇   We covered:Know your numbers — building a break-even model, understanding your true cost of service, and why cash flow (not P&L profit) is what actually keeps the lights on Price your servic

AI is rapidly changing how homeowners search for pool service companies — and the businesses adapting fastest are gaining a serious advantage.In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Johnson and Ed Shahbazyan of Pool Profits (AKA ​@PoolProfits1) to talk about the future of pool service marketing, including SEO, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), AI-powered search, customer acquisition costs, and what pool pros need to do now to stay competitive online.They break down:✅ How AI tools like ChatGPT are changing customer search behavior✅ Why traditional SEO alone is no longer enough✅ The future of AI-driven booking and pricing searches✅ How to structure your website to generate more leads✅ Real marketing budgets and customer acquisition costs✅ Why answering the phone quickly still matters✅ Common mistakes pool companies make with marketing✅ How to think about ROI, CAC, and long-term growthWhether you're an owner-operator or scaling a large route business, this episode is packed with pra

Busy season is here, and we know keeping your team going strong through it is one of the hardest parts of running a pool service business.Our team dug into the research and put together a post on what actually causes burnout, and more importantly, what you can do about it before peak season peaks.  👉 Read here 👈 What's your go-to for keeping your team (or yourself) from burning out during the busy months? Drop it below 👇

The pool companies that come out of the busy season ahead aren’t always the biggest. They’re the most organized. Join us for a free live webinar featuring Sarah Hoopes, Director of Operations at AE Pool Services, who will share the operational systems she uses to run a 725-pool, 23-employee operation efficiently under pressure. From go-back reduction and route optimization to cross-training and daily communication, this session is built for pool pros who want real answers about:Operational changes that save time at every stop Go-back reduction through training and inventory management Route optimization for efficiency and profitability Cross-training technicians to build resilient teams Communication and time management workflows for busy seasonLive Q&A included. Recording sent to all registrants.👉 Register now! About our guest:‍Sarah Hoopes is the Director of Operations at AE Pool Services, bringing 10 years of industry experience — including hands-on leadership of a company that

In this episode, I sit down with a familiar face in The Pool Deck, ​@Justine, Skimmer’s Director of Community!We explore why community might be the most underrated growth lever in the pool service industry. From her roots in the beer industry to building one of the most engaged communities in the pool service industry, Justine brings a fresh perspective on what real connection can do for your business and how that’s amplified with an in-person experience at the Skimmer Pro Summit.🎧 In this episode, you'll learn:Why community is a game-changer for business owners What makes the Skimmer Pro Summit different from traditional trade shows How real conversations with you peers lead to real growth The value of networking, mentorship, and shared experiences What to expect at this year's Skimmer Pro Summit in San Antonio (October 16-17!)Whether you're a solo operator or scaling your business, this conversation is a reminder that connection, not just technology, can take your business to the ne

In this session, ​@nikiacosta  and ​@joeshiraz  cut through the noise on one of the biggest topics in business right now — and answer the question most pool pros actually want answered: what's worth my time? AI is everywhere. But for pool service operators running routes, managing techs, and chasing invoices, the learning curve can feel steep and the payoff unclear. This session is a no-hype, practical breakdown of where AI is actually showing up in pool service businesses today — and how to build a simple plan for using it without wasting time on tools that don't fit your workflow.Watch the replay 👇  What we covered:The AI landscape, plain and simple — a side-by-side look at today's major tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more), how they differ, and which tends to work best for different use cases so you're not guessing The AI maturity curve — a simple framework for honestly assessing where your business sits today, from total beginner to actively building, and identifying your cle

Is AI actually worth your time as a pool pro? Join us for a live webinar with ​@joeshiraz and ​@nikiacosta  who will cut through the noise with insights from a recent survey of pool professionals, a clear look at today’s top AI tools, and practical use cases from pool pros already putting AI to work — from pricing research and customer communication to technician training and field support. In this session, you’ll learn how to:Understand how today’s major AI tools compare — and which one fits your workflow Address the real concerns around privacy, accuracy, and customer trust (with honest answers) See practical use cases from pool pros already using AI in their businesses Walk away with an adoption plan you can start this weekPlus, get a first look at how Skimmer is building AI directly into the platform, and live Q&A. 📅 Tuesday, April 28 | 3PM ET | 2PM CT | 12PM PST. Can’t make it live? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording. 👉 Register now!

AI is one of the hot topics in the industry right now, so our team dug in to find out what's actually happening to better understand what companies are trying and succeeding with.Check out this blog for all the details on what we uncovered, including real data on how pool pros are thinking about AI, where they're using it, and where they're drawing the line.BONUS: There’s an audio version built right in if you want to listen on the go, so click the play button and in under 12 minutes, you'll be able to download all this useful intel. 👉 Read (or listen) here Are you using AI in your business yet? What's working, or what's making you hesitant? Drop it below and let’s share some learnings in The Pool Deck👇

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Mischik of Painless Pool Care (Phoenix/Scottsdale) to talk about how mastering LSI completely transformed his business. Joe was Skimmer’s very first customer and is a self-proclaimed “chemistry nerd” that has found a niche with high-end clients. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why LSI is the missing piece in pool chemistry How Joe reduced chemical usage AND improved results The truth about chlorine, CYA, and water balance How he built a premium client base (doctors, athletes, luxury homes) The secret to maintaining black interior pools Why confidence is your biggest competitive advantage And drainless acid washes! Joe also shares his incredible personal journey—from overcoming a childhood stutter to becoming one of the most respected voices in pool chemistry.If you want to level up your service, charge more, and truly understand your water… this one’s a must-watch.👍 Like, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments—we’ve got more expert co

In this session, ​@nikiacosta  sits down with Ryan Marcinik, founder of Happy Pool & Spa on Florida's Space Coast, where he's built the largest pool service operator in Brevard County in under two years, to walk through the financial moves that separate high-margin pool companies from ones that stay busy but struggle to get ahead.Ryan has acquired 16 routes and businesses over the past year. One of the most common themes? Operators who weren't making money, and in some cases, were effectively earning less than minimum wage when they actually did the math. This session is about making sure that's not you heading into busy season. Watch the replay 👇  We covered:Know your numbers and build your financial foundation — building a simple break-even model, understanding your true cost of service (gas, chems, insurance, payroll taxes, overhead), and why cash flow — not just P&L profit — is what actually pays your bills Price your services right — the critical difference between markup

There have been a lot of conversations lately on how to handle the jump in fuel prices without absorbing unsustainable expenses or surprising customers.The most common solution we're hearing is to notify customers that you're adding a temporary fuel surcharge so that the communication and plan are transparent, straightforward, and easy to remove once prices stabilize.Customers understand that fuel costs affect route-based businesses. A simple, honest explanation goes a long way. To make this easier to implement, here is a sample email you can customize and send to your customers, along with instructions for adding the temporary fee and deploying it in bulk in Skimmer.Learn how to add a bulk line item fee in Skimmer  Learn how to use Broadcast Emails in Skimmer  (NOTE: this feature is available on Scaling Up & Skimmer for Enterprise tiers)Copy, paste, and customize this email copy to fit your plan and brand voice: Dear Valued Customer,We want to keep you informed about a temporary c

Our latest workshop on chemical pricing and margin protection was such an eye-opener for everyone who joined. So we're sharing the recording and resources to help more members benefit from this knowledge. If your chemical costs have felt unpredictable lately, this post will help you start making changes. The big takeaway: clarity beats complexity! You don't need to overhaul your pricing model overnight. What matters most is understanding your true cost to serve and putting simple guardrails in place so chemical usage doesn't quietly eat your margin.As ​@cshalli  said during the session: "It's not about knowing the most chemistry, it's about knowing your cost per pool." 1. Watching the workshop recording Learn how to:Build hybrid chemical models that work in the real world Identify where you're unintentionally absorbing chemical risk Spot high-demand pools that need intentional pricing Use AI and reporting to see true margin per pool 2. Use these 3 resources to get started (attached at