Ideas & inspiration for business owners

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

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:

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?

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 ret

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.b

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:

It’s that time of year again… the start of POOL SEASON! Along with that usually comes hiring and training new staff to prep for the season ahead. My question to you is what do you do for hiring and training employees?? The video above is a cliff notes version of my successes and failures with hiring new staff. There’s been a lot of growing pains with this topic to figure out what we are looking for as a company and how to find them. The team I have now is the best I’ve ever had. Some luck is involved, some is “knowing” someone and the rest is just sifting through hundreds of applications to find the right fit. I’ve hired a lot of bad eggs along the way before I found the solid team I have now. So it’s not all unicorns and rainbows when wanting to grow. Believe me on that one! 

Tune in for an in-depth discussion with our friends at AQUA Magazine about The State of Pool Service 2025 industry report. This live discussion covers key insights, priorities, and challenges from the report findings that can help you thrive in 2025, including:How pool professionals are navigating economic challenges such as inflation and labor shortages Strategic pricing tactics to remain competitive in 2025 Insights into the growing influence of private equity in the industry Changes in marketing strategies over the past year The gradual adoption of the "plus chems" pricing model This is an excellent opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and enhance your knowledge in the pool service industry. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out, there will be valuable takeaways for everyone 🍿  

In this episode, we speak to Jordan and Maria Thiessen, makers of the Cyclone Filter Cleaner, an innovative product designed to make cleaning filters faster, easier, and with less mess. The best pros use the best tools, and this is one you'll definitely want on your truck! Learn more about the Cyclone Filter Cleaner at cyclonefiltercleaner.com and use code POOLPRO to get 10% off your order! Like and subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform! Audio Podcast: www.betweentwostops.comYoutube Video/Podcast: https://youtu.be/uzL4gjD5_TQ Want to be a guest on our podcast? Email us at podcast@getskimmer.com and tell us what you’d like to discuss!

​We launched Groups in The Pool Deck to connect members with other entrepreneurs in their surrounding community to discuss topics related to owning a pool service business specific to their region. So, it's time to gather our group members, make introductions, and start having discussions to share learnings, collaborate on new ideas, and solve some challenges. If you have already joined your regional group, respond to the meet-up post in your group forum to save your seat and join this industry brain trust's initial gathering. If you haven’t joined your regional group yet, connect now so you don’t miss this opportunity to expand your local network – click here to check out the current groups. Virtual Meet-Up Dates Arizona on Monday, February 3rd