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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.

  • 101 Posts
  • 266 Replies
101 Posts
Coastalbluepool
Rookie Member
CoastalbluepoolRookie Member
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
When Is the Right Time to Expand a Pool Service Team?

Hi everyone,I’m looking for advice on expanding my pool service team. Currently, it’s just me and one employee (who is leaving soon to go back to school after two years). I handle all the repairs myself, but I’m also in the middle of taking over my father’s pool building company, which is taking up a lot of my time. My question is: How do you determine when it’s the right time to hire additional employees for service routes? I know it depends on business finances, but is there a guideline or rule of thumb for knowing how many service routes you should have before pulling the trigger?I want to make sure I grow responsibly while still managing everything effectively. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

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Chlorine King
Skimmer Verified Partner
Jes
Team Skimmer
JesTeam Skimmer
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
On-demand access: From 0 to 1000 Pools in 365 Days Strategies for Growing Your Pool Service Business

When it comes to growing a business, there is a LOT of information out there. And with so many different ideas floating around, it’s hard to know just how to go about it. To give pool pros some actionable ideas to help fuel growth, Skimmer recently chatted with Casey Graham, CEO and co-founder of Yummy Pools, and author of ‘The No BS Small Business Book’ to get his tips for growing your pool service business.In this webinar, Casey covers 5 strategies for growing your pool service business:1. Focus! Do a few things really well2. Don’t be afraid to give up control3. Think creatively about customer acquisition4. Take care of your employees5. Don’t be afraid of technologyWatch the whole webinar to hear Casey’s insights on how to grow. 

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Coastalbluepool
Rookie Member
KerryS
Skimmer Verified Partner
KerrySSkimmer Verified Partner
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Get Ready for 2025: Financial Tips to Boost Your Bottom Line

Happy Holidays, Everyone!As we near the end of 2024, I hope you're feeling that sense of holiday cheer! I know the joy of this season can quickly shift to worries about how your business is doing and how you'll navigate the year ahead. But as I sit here, with the soft glow of white lights twinkling around my office window, I want this read to feel just as warm and inviting as my cozy setup, while also offering you practical tips that you can start using right away.The key to sustained growth and profitability is effective financial management. By streamlining your finances, trimming unnecessary expenses, and planning ahead for seasonal variations, you’ll set yourself up for success in 2025. In this article, I’m sharing four essential tips to help you boost your bottom line and confidently navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.1. Get a Clear Picture of Your Current Financial HealthBefore you can improve your financial position, it’s crucial to understand where you currently st

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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
On-demand access - Harnessing Financial Insights to Maximize Profits in 2025

As we look ahead to 2025, Skimmer’s ​@nikiacosta  sat down with our Pool Deck’s QuickBooks expert ​@sharonburch to discuss how to prepare your financial reporting to improve the tracking of your business performance and success in the new year. They overviewed how these reports will empower you to make strategic, data-driven decisions that will improve your overall financial health.  BONUS—Register now for ​@sharonburch’s hands-on workshops on December 18, 2024, or January 15, 2025, to learn more about setting up your reporting with QuickBooks and Skimmer. Feel free to invite your bookkeeper and accountant so it’s easier to take the next steps together.REGISTER NOW Watch the on-demand recording to learn about:QuickBooks Best Practices: Customize for accurate and actionable reports. Key Metrics You Need: Track profit and loss across services, repairs, and chemical sales. Automated Financial Tracking: Maximize Skimmer’s QuickBooks integration. Tax Season Made Simple: Maximize deductions

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
Happy Pools
General Member
Happy PoolsGeneral Member
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Automating Your Business- What do you do?

I have been working a lot on automating different parts of my business to streamline it. We are pretty small now with 3 techs but as we grow I want to limit the amount of support/admin staff we need, so I’m working on it now. What have been the most impactful things you have done to automate your business??What is one thing you would automate if you could, but haven’t been able to figure out? For me the most impactful has been automating lead follow up. I have workflows scheduled in my CRM to send text messages and emails at certain intervals for the first week after first contact. It has made a big difference because it’s less sporadic and people get followed up with without me having to remember to follow up.  One thing I haven’t been able to figure out is how to automate the entering of receipts into quickbooks. I know there are tools that can enter the general data but I am looking for something that can look at each line item and decide if it’s chemicals, a part, gas, etc. I have

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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 - Proven Paths to Scaling Your Pool Service Business: A Panel Discussion

This week, Skimmer’s own @nikiacosta hosted a panel discussion with three distinguished experts, each with a proven track record of successfully servicing hundreds of pools. Watch the on-demand recording to learn from their experiences and insights and how they are using Skimmer to scale and succeed!The best part is that we can keep the discussion going here in The Pool Deck, as we are lucky to have all three of our panelists as members!So tag our panel in this post with your questions, and let’s keep sharing and learning from one another, as that’s what community is all about ✨Thomas Diaz aka @365Pools_77 , Founder of 365 Pools, serving Brevard County, Florida Chantel Dooley aka @dazzlepools , COO of Dazzle Pools, serving the Fountain Hills area, Arizona Kyle Peter aka @KPeter , Owner of Nevergreen Pools, serving the Sacramento area, California  

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Carter.n.Ash
Rookie Member
Michelle Kavanaugh
Skimmer Verified Partner
Michelle KavanaughSkimmer Verified Partner
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing in 2025: How to Stay Focused and Achieve Your Business Goals

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing in 2025: How to Stay Focused and Achieve Your Business GoalsAs a business owner, you’ve likely heard the phrase, “Keep the main thing the main thing.” But in a world filled with endless distractions, shiny new opportunities, and unexpected challenges, staying focused on your #1 goal can feel like an uphill battle.2025 is the year to change that. It starts with identifying your main thing—your top priority that will move your business forward the most. This could be scaling operations, improving profitability, building a stronger team, or implementing a game-changing system. Once you’ve defined it, make it the cornerstone of your business plan.Why It’s Hard to Stay on TaskMany business owners get sidetracked by the excitement of new ideas or the pressure of juggling day-to-day operations. Without a clear plan, these distractions can pull your energy in countless directions, leaving your most important goals unaddressed. The culprit? A lack of focus

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Michelle Kavanaugh
Skimmer Verified Partner
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
What’s on Your Nightstand? Share Your Favorite Business Reads 📚

I'm curious to learn what business books you've read or are planning to read that have helped you navigate the entrepreneurial challenges of owning a pool service business and inspired a growth mindset, both professionally and personally.One of the most helpful ones I keep going back to is "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. Change can sometimes feel overwhelming, and I really like his framework for how small, consistent changes can lead to significant results over time to improve daily productivity and build better habits that stick. If you can get 1% better each day for one year, you'll end up 37x better by the time you're done!The other classic that still holds up for me is "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek. He breaks things down to a clear, actionable "Golden Circle" framework to help define your "why" and how doing so can transform how you lead your team and connect with customers.Sinek’s model helps to frame your company's future by establishing ground rules & intrinsic purpose fro

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code3pools_ops
Conversation Starter
bradengeis6
New Member
bradengeis6New Member
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Vaccum

What does everyone use for their vac? Riptide or Hammerhead? 

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code3pools_ops
Conversation Starter
nikiacosta
Team Skimmer
nikiacostaTeam Skimmer
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Between Two Stops Episode 3: A New Wave of Opportunity with Derek Callow of Swimply

Episode 3 of Between Two Stops is now available, and this time we’re joined by Derek Callow, the CEO of Swimply! Swimply is a platform that helps homeowners rent out their underutilized home amenities, primarily private swimming pools. This is presenting pool professionals with a new opportunity to create new service offerings to fit the needs of hosts, as safety and water quality are important considerations for hosts and guests. Listen in to find out more about Swimply, and how you can create service offerings to address the growing need for professional pool care of privately owned pools. Learn more about Swimply at https://swimply.com/ Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, or by clicking here: https://betweentwostops.com Or, view the video below! Have an idea for an episode? Drop a comment below or email us 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
QuickBooks reporting workshop—you need to join live to learn!

Last week, we had our first series of QuickBooks workshops with ​@sharonburch, and the feedback from those who could join us was extremely positive, as they all had practical takeaways they could start using immediately.​Reminder: These are only offered as live events; no on-demand recording is available. So, if you missed the November date, don’t worry—more are coming up in December and January, so register now using the links below. And, if you aren’t sure if this workshop is a valuable use of your time, then check out this video for a summary of what we cover: To save your seat, choose a session from the options below and register using that link👇 All registrants will automatically be sent an email confirmation with the Zoom link, and don’t forget to add the workshop to your calendar 📅 Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024​​​​​​Session Options: 1. Per visit invoice (chemicals added) - invoiced in arrears Time: 2:30 - 3:15 PM ET / 1:30 - 2:15 PM CT / 11:30 - 12:15 PM CLICK HERE TO REG

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sharonburch
Skimmer Verified Partner
A
General Member
AtlasPoolsGeneral Member
asked in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Building your own direct mail list

Kudos to Skimmer for doing so much for the industry, not just in the product, but the webinars and other resources available. One marketing option that doesn’t seem to get much detail on is direct mail. My highest return has been in quality postcards sent to a very highly targeted, self generated list. Using software like Propstream (built for real estate investors), you can target exactly where and who you want to be talking to and create a list specific to your business. In my case, I’m looking for homes worth $850k+, with pools, in specific zip codes. You can be more precise and even draw out your target area if desired. I download that info, do some spreadsheet magic to dumb it down for Vistaprint then design a postcard and send out about 2500 pieces per mailing using Vistaprint’s inhouse mailing system. Not the cheapest way to go, but it is easy and relatively fast. Typical cost is $100 per month for Propstream (if you want to generate new lists often, otherwise buy a month then c

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T
Conversation Starter
nikiacosta
Team Skimmer
nikiacostaTeam Skimmer
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Between Two Stops Episode 2: Building a Great Business with Eric Fotenberry of JobTread

In this new Between Two Stops episode, we chat with JobTread CEO Eric Fotenberry. Eric shares how JobTread was started and offers tips on building a great business through efficient processes, driving productivity, fostering transparency and communication, and knowing when and how to make necessary changes.  About JobTread: JobTread empowers pool builders and rennovation pros with simple yet powerful project management and construction estimating software to help tackle projects more efficiently. Get organized, complete your projects on time, and increase your profits. Learn more at www.jobtread.com.Between Stops is available in video format on Youtube and via audio-only 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
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
On-Demand Access: Level Up Your Operation with Automation

In this webinar, ​@nikiacosta and our friends at Pentair joined forces to help you create a plan to leverage pool automation to grow your business.Here’s an overview of topics covered during their discussion:The importance of pool automation for the modern pool owner What automation solutions are available from Pentair Leveraging IntelliCenter® Upgrade kits to grow your business A Technical Introduction: parts and installation preview And much more!Click play to learn from the best and get some ideas and inspiration about how to take your pool service business to the next level 🍿  Scroll down for links to the rest of the resources and feel free to drop your questions in the thread below👇  

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nikiacosta
Team Skimmer
sharonburch
Skimmer Verified Partner
sharonburchSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Which QuickBooks Workshop Should You Choose?

Hey there!Last week @Justine launched my upcoming workshop series where I'll guide you on automating QuickBooks for real-time reporting and how to use your monthly intel to inform decision-making in your pool service business. There are two workshop options to choose from: 1. Monthly flat rate invoicing (chemicals included)  - invoiced in advance2. Per visit invoice (chemicals added) - invoiced in arrears So check out this video if you’re not sure which one to sign up for:  To save your seat, choose a session from the options below and register using that link👇 All registrants will automatically be sent an email confirmation with the Zoom link, and don’t forget to add the workshop to your calendar 📅 Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024​​​​​​Session Options: 1. Monthly flat rate invoicing (chemicals included)  - invoiced in advance Time: 2:30 - 3:15 PM ET / 1:30 - 2:15 PM CT / 11:30 - 12:15 PM CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 2. Per visit invoice (chemicals added) - invoiced in arrears Time: 4 - 4

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sharonburch
Skimmer Verified Partner
KerryS
Skimmer Verified Partner
KerrySSkimmer Verified Partner
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Dive into Profits: Make 2025 Your Splashiest Year Yet!

Can you remember where you were on New Year’s Eve? It feels like just yesterday when the countdown filled the room, and at the stroke of midnight, cheers and hugs erupted in my small family gathering. I even indulged in TWO mini dairy-free Dipped Mocha Frozen Dessert Bars before deciding to go on a diet! Yet here we are, with less than 90 days left in 2024.As the year speeds by, it’s the perfect moment to pause and assess your financial strategies. To set yourself up for a successful and profitable 2025, I want to share three essential financial moves tailored specifically for pool service professionals. These steps will help you optimize your pricing, enhance cash flow management, and maximize your tax deductions, ensuring you finish the year strong.Optimize Your PricingI start here because proper pricing can lead to increased sales volume and improved cash flow. This enables you to invest in opportunities and manage operational expenses more effectively. Setting the right price ensur

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KerryS
Skimmer Verified Partner
sharonburch
Skimmer Verified Partner
sharonburchSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
If I'm using Skimmer, why do I need QuickBooks?

Greetings!I specialize in setting up QuickBooks for pool service business owners and bookkeepers to track financial transactions and provide the reports needed to make informed business decisions. In The Pool Deck, I’ll share information to help you learn new tips and tricks for running your business more efficiently with your software.I am going to start my first post with one of the most frequently asked questions I get from clients - “If I’m using Skimmer, do I even need QuickBooks?” The answer is YES! This question is typically asked due to frustration with using QuickBooks. They gave up trying to use it or ended up spending more money than expected to have someone else clean it up. If this sounds familiar, here are a few reasons why it’s worth taking another look. So, why do you need QuickBooks?  The answer is simple. It’s the easiest way to know the true financial health of your business. Yes, you can still send invoices from Skimmer (and should) and see the cost of your chemical

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rhett hartsfield
New Member
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
On-Demand Access: Seven Operational Habits of Highly Successful Pool Service Companies

Want to find out what the fastest-growing pool service companies are doing to fuel their success?  In this webinar, Skimmer’s @nikiacosta @FlaviaSwims  share seven operational practices that the most successful pool service companies apply to boost efficiency, improve profitability, and scale their operations.  Here’s an overview of topics covered during their discussion:Streamlining processes to increase efficiency and drive consistency  The KPIs (key performance indicators) you need to track to stay on top Managing cash effectively to drive growth and reduce costs   Upselling and diversifying services to improve growth Leveraging the power of AI to enhance your operations And much more! Click play to learn from the best about how to take your pool service business to the next level 🍿 Access the valuable FREE resources, templates, and sample AI prompts discussed in the webinar here. Feel free to drop your questions for Niki and Flavia in the thread below 👇  

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
teresa
Team Skimmer
teresaTeam Skimmer
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
How open are you to change?

There are countless books, articles, and TED talks about why change is hard and how the law of diffusion influences change across organizations and populations. One of my favorite thought leaders is Simon Sinek, who always finds a way to break down theories like this and make them understandable and actionable.Check his short overview about navigating and embracing change: I was prompted to share this video about taking a risk to make a change and having "an infinite mindset" after reading our team's feedback from a customer who recently switched over to Skimmer Billing."OH MY STARS!!!!!I cannot believe how much faster my billing session was. I am absolutely dumbfounded that it took me so long to get on board with Skimmer Billing. I should be slapped! Even with the extra time required to eliminate work orders already billed through QBO, it was unbelievably fast—only two hours! Most of that time was spent double-checking and triple-checking because I could not believe I was done! It was

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GreySharkPools
Conversation Starter
Michelle Kavanaugh
Skimmer Verified Partner
Michelle KavanaughSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
The Importance of a Customer Loyalty Program

In today's competitive market, a well-designed customer loyalty program can be a game-changer, providing numerous benefits for both your business and your clients. Here’s why you should consider implementing one and some tips on how to get started. Why Have a Customer Loyalty Program?Enhances Customer Retention: Loyalty programs encourage repeat business, ensuring that your customers return to you for all their pool service needs. Increases Referrals: Satisfied customers are more likely to refer your services to friends and family, helping you expand your client base. Boosts Revenue: Loyal customers tend to spend more over time, increasing your overall revenue. Strengthens Relationships: Building a loyalty program helps create a stronger bond between you and your customers, fostering trust and long-term relationships.Tips for Developing a Customer Loyalty ProgramUnderstand Your Customers: Know what your customers value most. Do they appreciate discounts, free services, or exclusive off

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WWPNSS
Rookie Member
sharonburch
Skimmer Verified Partner
sharonburchSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Auto Pay + Auto Invoicing = Auto Cash $$ in the bank

How to set it up, the importance of testing, and key features like auto-generating invoices for pool service. Remember, it's a game-changer, so take the time to set it up right, and test, test, test.Auto Invoicing SettingsHave you tried it out? Need help?Comment below or send a message. 

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sharonburch
Skimmer Verified Partner
ClearPoolPartners
New Member
ClearPoolPartnersNew Member
posted in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Customer Tags

Do you take advantage of Skimmer tags? As a person behind the scenes and someone who loves systems, I have found them vital in creating specific customer lists.I would love to hear how you guys use tags and which tags have been your favorite to use!

320
ClearPoolPartners
New Member
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
On-Demand Access: Route to Success - Strategies & Considerations for Buying and Selling Pool Routes

Are you looking to grow your pool service business through route acquisitions or wondering how to position your routes for a profitable sale? Check out this webinar hosted by Skimmer’s @nikiacosta and members of The Pool Deck @KPeter @twalsh to learn practical tips on how to grow your pool service business through route acquisitions and sell routes for maximum profit from these two seasoned professionals.Here’s an overview of the topics covered during their discussion:How to determine the value of a pool route  Key considerations for a smooth transaction The pros and cons of route brokerage services Legal and financial tips for a successful dealClick play to learn from the best about how to take your pool service business to the next level 🍿After watching, if you have any questions for our panelists, ask in the thread below👇 

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M
New Member
sharonburch
Skimmer Verified Partner
sharonburchSkimmer Verified Partner
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
Are you struggling with Skimmer Payouts reconciling in QuickBooks? Steps I use

 How I reconcile, or match, Skimmer Online payments to QuickBooks This is my step-by-step process on how to manage payouts when the processing fee is deducted.Here’s how I match payouts, handle processing fees, and reconcile payments in both Skimmer and QuickBooks. If you've been struggling with this process, I hope this helps you out.  Skimmer Billing Report - Payouts Received SummaryClick on Payouts Received Summary - Highlight and copy the payout line that you plan to match in QuickBooksQuickBooks+ New - in the upper left corner of QuickBooks Bank Deposit  - Select the bank account where the payout was deposited at the top and use the date that matches the payout date. Paste the Skimmer payout data in the memo box at the bottom left of the Bank Deposit. Add the payout processing fee in the bottom section as shown in the video. Return to Skimmer in a different browser window.Skimmer Billing Report - Payouts Received DetailPayouts Received Detail Select dates at the top and search fo

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sharonburch
Skimmer Verified Partner
Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team
JustineThe Pool Deck Community Team
published in Ideas & inspiration for business owners
On-demand access: Transforming Your Pool Service Business with Skimmer

This week, Skimmer’s own @nikiacosta @jcmedrano @sarahrd  hosted a discussion about how Skimmer can optimize every aspect of your pool service business:Simplify scheduling and route planning so you can focus on servicing more pools. Improve communication with your customers to build trust and loyalty. Get paid faster with automated invoicing and online payments. Boost efficiency with new features and resources.Watch the on-demand recording to learn from Skimmer experts who know the platform inside and out!The best part is if you have any questions or want more information, ask our presenters in the thread below👇 

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Justine
The Pool Deck Community Team

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