E-190 Pool Nation Podcast - Your Cash Flow: The Game-Changing Billing Strategy Every Pool Pro Must Know

The Reality of Trade Show Recovery: When Pool Pros Need to Recharge

Every pool professional knows the feeling – you've just returned from a major trade show, your head is spinning with new ideas, product launches, and networking connections, but your body is telling a completely different story. This reality hit home in a recent episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, where hosts Edgar DeJazuz, John "JJ" Flalas, and Zach "The Pool Boy" Nicholas got refreshingly honest about the post-trade show struggle.

After taking a couple weeks off following the Western Pool and Spa show, the hosts found themselves dealing with everything from technical difficulties to sleep issues – a reminder that even industry veterans aren't immune to the challenges of maintaining peak performance in a demanding industry.

I think it was like a reality check of my age. I'm finally over the hill in life and I can definitely feel it. The first couple of days were a little interesting for me as far as physically and mentally getting back into the swing of things.

— John Flalas, Pool Nation Podcast

The Mental Game: When Your Brain Won't Shut Off

One of the most relatable discussions in this episode centered around the challenge many pool business owners face – the inability to turn off their minds when it's time to rest. John Flalas opened up about his recent struggles with sleep, describing how his mind races through endless to-do lists and business ideas when he should be resting.

This phenomenon isn't unique to the pool industry, but it's particularly common among service business owners who wear multiple hats – technician, business owner, customer service representative, and everything in between. The constant juggling of responsibilities can create a mental loop that's hard to break.

That's exactly it. And I'm usually able to kind of like throughout the day, my head's always running through things and thinking about things. But lately at night, it's just Nichols bonkers dude. And I'm just thinking of everything that needs to get done and things that I who knows, I'm just thinking of everything.

— John Flalas, Pool Nation Podcast

The hosts discussed practical solutions, including advice from listener Steve Barnes about writing down thoughts to get them out of your head in a way your subconscious will trust. Edgar shared his system of using a digital platform called Miller Note to "dump his brain" and organize ideas with due dates and detailed plans.

Hands-On Education: The RayPac Bootcamp Revolution

Moving beyond personal struggles, the episode highlighted an exciting development in pool industry education – the announcement of a RayPac 201 Bootcamp scheduled for May 17th in Oxnard, California. This isn't your typical classroom-style training session.

The bootcamp will take place in RayPac's "hot room" at their headquarters, where participants will work with live, running heaters that have power flowing through them. This represents a significant step up from the 101 bootcamp classes where participants tear apart non-functioning equipment.

And in this hot room, they have a lot of heaters that are live heaters. They're running. They're live. They've got power. It's the beauty of it. And what's going to happen is we're going to do a bootcamp out there. We're going to do a three hours. It's a 201.

— Edgar DeJazuz, Pool Nation Podcast

This three-hour course will focus on troubleshooting techniques using volt meters and manometers, giving technicians real-world experience with functioning equipment. The hands-on approach reflects Pool Nation's philosophy that practical experience trumps theoretical knowledge when it comes to field work.

Water Chemistry Mastery: Beyond the Basics

Perhaps the most intriguing announcement was the addition of a specialized water chemistry class to be taught by John Flalas himself. This isn't going to be your standard PowerPoint presentation about pH and chlorine levels – it's designed to be an interactive, experimental learning experience.

The chemistry class will focus on a crucial but often overlooked connection: how water chemistry decisions directly impact equipment longevity, particularly heaters. Many pool professionals understand basic water balance, but fewer grasp how their daily chemical dosing decisions can either extend or significantly shorten the life of expensive equipment.

We're big believers in hands on and not just a PowerPoint type of presentation. So we're going to be talking obviously about chemistry, protecting the life of the vessel. Since we're going to be doing the 201 class on heaters, we're going to talk about our responsibility as service technicians in the backyard and what we do and how we dose and how we treat a pool plays a significant part in the lifespan of a heater.

— John Flalas, Pool Nation Podcast

The class will include hands-on testing, experiments, and real-life situational scenarios that technicians encounter in the field. This practical approach aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.

Building Community: The Pool Nation App Success

The episode also highlighted the growing success of the Pool Man University app, which features training videos covering everything from water chemistry to business classes. The app includes a chat feature that has fostered a genuine community among pool professionals.

This community aspect was demonstrated when Matthew Dunn won an ozone system through the app's chat feature during the bootcamp. It's these kinds of interactions that show how digital platforms can supplement in-person training and create lasting professional relationships.

The app represents more than just a training tool – it's becoming a hub where pool professionals can access education on demand, connect with peers, and stay updated on industry developments. For an industry that has traditionally relied on in-person networking and word-of-mouth learning, this digital community represents a significant evolution.

The Future of Pool Industry Education

What emerges from this episode is a clear vision for the future of pool industry education – one that prioritizes hands-on learning, real-world application, and community building. The traditional model of sit-and-listen seminars is being replaced by interactive experiences that mirror the challenges technicians face daily.

The upcoming Pool Nation Conference in November promises to expand on these educational innovations, with the chemistry class serving as a preview of what's to come. This evolution reflects a broader understanding that adult learners, particularly those in technical fields, benefit most from experiential learning opportunities.

The podcast also touched on the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the pool industry. With new products, technologies, and regulations constantly emerging, the most successful pool professionals are those who commit to ongoing education and skill development.

Conclusion: Balancing Growth with Well-being

This episode of Pool Nation Podcast offered a perfect blend of vulnerability and vision – acknowledging the very human challenges that pool professionals face while pointing toward innovative solutions for industry education. The honest discussion about sleep issues and mental overwhelm serves as a reminder that success in the pool industry isn't just about technical knowledge – it's also about managing the mental and physical demands of running a service business.

The educational initiatives announced – particularly the hands-on RayPac bootcamp and experimental chemistry class – represent a significant step forward in how the industry approaches professional development. By focusing on practical, real-world applications rather than theoretical presentations, these programs promise to deliver more immediate value to working technicians.

For pool professionals looking to advance their careers, the message is clear: seek out educational opportunities that offer hands-on experience, build community connections through platforms like the Pool Man University app, and don't forget to take care of your mental and physical well-being along the way. The pool industry's future depends not just on technical competence, but on professionals who can balance continuous learning with sustainable business practices.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties
• 05:00 Post-Trade Show Recovery Struggles
• 12:00 Sleep Issues and Mental Overload Discussion
• 20:00 RayPac 201 Bootcamp Announcement
• 25:00 Water Chemistry Class Preview
• 30:00 Pool Man University App Community Success