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 services right — the difference between markup and margin, why owner-operators should charge a premium, and how to handle pushback without flinching
- Track the KPIs that matter — the metrics that tell you whether your business is actually healthy, and why measuring something is often enough to make it improve
- Cut go-backs before they happen — how equipment setup, route structure, and cross-trained techs reduce the fires you're putting out every day
- Build systems that scale — standardized notes, clear delegation, and consistent customer communication so growth doesn't just mean more chaos
- Protect yourself from burnout — how to recognize the warning signs early, and why busy season prep starts in the off-months
Additional resources👇
📚 Resource Hub: Get a service agreement template, employee hiring template, and the Skimmer Pro templates & toolkits
📲 Call +1 (978) 510-3860 to try AI phone, Skimmer's built-in answering tool that captures leads, answers common questions, and handles calls 24/7 so you don't have to. Don’t let another lead go to voicemail this busy season!
🛠 AI phone enablement kit has everything you need to get started
Keep the conversation going:
What's been your biggest efficiency booster? What is your biggest operational struggle during busy season?
If you have a topic you'd like us to explore in a future webinar, please leave a comment below and let us know. Thank you for being part of The Pool Deck community. 🙌