E-257 Pool Nation Podcast Best of Pool Nation Podcast: Industry Journeys, Big Wins, and Lessons Learned

From Water Park Worker to Pool Industry Innovator

What happens when a young pool professional gets tired of walking 16 miles a day testing pools at a water park? Sometimes, it leads to revolutionary innovation in the pool industry. In this compelling episode of Pool Nation Podcast, hosts Edgar De Jesus and John "JJ Flawless" sit down with Chris Galvan, the creator of Blu-ray XL, to explore his remarkable journey from burnout to breakthrough.

Chris's story isn't just about product development—it's about recognizing problems in the industry and having the persistence to solve them. His path from exhausted water park employee to successful entrepreneur offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to make their mark in the pool industry.

The Grueling Reality of Early Pool Maintenance

Chris's entry into the pool industry was anything but glamorous. Starting at Wild Rivers Water Park in Irvine, California, at just 19 years old, he was responsible for maintaining 2.5 million gallons of water daily—without the benefit of modern electronic testing systems.

I had to test them and I was so tired all the time trying to figure out what was going on. So I kind of figured out I was walking too much, man. I was walking about 10, 16 miles a day with a pedometer.

— Chris Galvan, Pool Nation Podcast

This grueling experience at the water park highlighted a fundamental problem in pool maintenance: the physical demands and time consumption of traditional testing methods. Every 15 minutes required testing, and with pools spread across a massive facility, Chris was essentially running a marathon every day just to keep the water safe.

The relentless physical demands led Chris to seek alternatives, eventually purchasing his own pool service route with 28 accounts in 2004. However, even with his own business, the challenges persisted—dealing with difficult customers, constant green pool recoveries, and the never-ending cycle of brushing and chemical balancing.

The Burnout That Sparked Innovation

After four years of running his pool service business, Chris reached a breaking point. The combination of demanding customers and labor-intensive maintenance had taken its toll. But instead of simply walking away from the industry, Chris chose to tackle the root causes of his frustration.

I was burnt out after four years. Burnt out, I was ready to get out of it because it was just too much with the customers, with all the green pools, all the brushing you had to do. It was too much. So I kind of wanted to figure out a way to kind of get pools under control.

— Chris Galvan, Pool Nation Podcast

This burnout became the catalyst for innovation. Rather than accepting the status quo, Chris began experimenting with different approaches to pool chemistry. His focus wasn't on creating another chlorine-based product, but on finding a more sustainable, long-term solution to water maintenance challenges.

The key insight that drove his experimentation was simple: there had to be a better way to keep pools clean without the constant battle against algae and bacteria that required intensive manual labor and frequent chemical adjustments.

The Science Behind Blu-ray XL: A Mineral-Based Revolution

Chris's breakthrough came through careful experimentation with mineral-based formulations. His approach was methodical and safety-conscious, focusing on chelated minerals that would remain stable in pool water.

It was a mineral base. It was copper, silver, and zinc based. It was chelated so it could stay in the water. It never comes out of solution.

— Chris Galvan, Pool Nation Podcast

The choice of copper, silver, and zinc wasn't arbitrary. Each mineral plays a specific role in water treatment:

• Copper: Acts as an algaecide, preventing algae growth
• Silver: Provides antimicrobial properties, controlling bacteria
• Zinc: Offers additional antimicrobial benefits and helps with water clarity

The chelation process was crucial to the product's success. Chelated minerals remain dissolved in water rather than precipitating out, ensuring consistent effectiveness over time. This stability means the minerals continue working long after application, reducing the frequency of treatments needed.

What made Chris's formulation unique was its ability to provide long-term water treatment without the harsh chemicals traditionally associated with pool maintenance. This approach aligned with growing consumer demand for more natural, sustainable pool care solutions.

From Personal Solution to Industry Product

The transition from personal experimentation to commercial product happened organically. Chris initially had no intention of starting another business—he was simply trying to solve his own operational challenges.

I gave it to my service guy friends. They said, Hey, this stuff works. Can you sell me some? I was like, no, I'm not selling it. Can you make me some? Okay. I'll just, if I have some extra available.

— Chris Galvan, Pool Nation Podcast

This grassroots validation proved invaluable. When fellow pool service professionals—people who understood the daily challenges of pool maintenance—began requesting the product, it confirmed that Chris had developed something truly useful.

The organic demand from peers provided several advantages:

• Real-world testing in diverse pool environments
• Honest feedback from experienced professionals
• Built-in market validation before formal product launch
• Word-of-mouth marketing within the industry

However, Chris initially resisted commercializing the product, instead pursuing other business ventures. It was only after experiencing failure in another industry that he returned to his mineral-based pool treatment, recognizing its true potential.

Lessons for Pool Industry Entrepreneurs

Chris's journey from frustrated pool technician to successful product developer offers several key lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs in the pool industry:

Solve Your Own Problems First: The most successful products often emerge from personal pain points. Chris's daily struggles with pool maintenance gave him intimate knowledge of what the industry needed.

Test Thoroughly and Safely: Chris's emphasis on safe experimentation—specifically noting never to mix chlorine and acid—highlights the importance of responsible product development in an industry dealing with potentially dangerous chemicals.

Listen to Your Peers: The validation from fellow pool service professionals provided crucial market feedback. Industry peers understand the challenges better than anyone and can provide honest assessments of new solutions.

Persistence Pays Off: Chris went through numerous formulations that didn't work before finding success. Innovation in the pool industry requires patience and persistence.

Focus on Long-term Solutions: Rather than creating another quick-fix chemical, Chris focused on developing a product that would provide lasting results, reducing the overall workload for pool professionals.

The Future of Pool Maintenance Innovation

Chris's story represents a broader trend in the pool industry toward more sustainable, efficient maintenance solutions. As pool owners become more environmentally conscious and labor costs continue to rise, products like Blu-ray XL point toward the future of pool care.

The success of mineral-based treatments suggests that the industry is ready for alternatives to traditional chlorine-heavy approaches. These innovations don't necessarily replace chlorine entirely but can significantly reduce the quantities needed and the frequency of application.

For pool service professionals, products like Blu-ray XL offer the potential to:

• Reduce service call frequency
• Minimize chemical-related customer complaints
• Provide more stable water conditions
• Differentiate services in a competitive market

Chris's journey also demonstrates that innovation in the pool industry doesn't require massive research and development budgets or advanced degrees in chemistry. Sometimes, the most effective solutions come from practitioners who understand the daily challenges and are willing to experiment with new approaches.

Key Takeaways for Pool Professionals

The conversation with Chris Galvan reveals several important insights for current and aspiring pool industry professionals. First, recognizing inefficiencies in current practices can lead to breakthrough innovations—Chris's 16-mile daily walks at the water park weren't just personally exhausting; they represented a systemic problem with traditional pool maintenance approaches.

Second, the importance of safety in experimentation cannot be overstated. Chris's careful approach to product development, avoiding dangerous chemical combinations while focusing on stable mineral formulations, should serve as a model for others looking to innovate in the industry.

Finally, the value of peer validation in the pool industry is immense. When experienced pool service professionals begin requesting your solution, it's a strong indicator that you've identified and addressed a real market need. This organic demand is often more valuable than expensive market research.

Chris Galvan's story reminds us that the pool industry continues to evolve, driven by professionals who refuse to accept "that's just how things are done." His journey from burned-out service technician to successful product innovator proves that the next breakthrough in pool technology might just come from someone currently struggling with the same daily challenges that have plagued the industry for decades.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
• 05:30 Chris Galvan's Entry into Pool Industry
• 12:45 Water Park Challenges and Route Business
• 18:20 Burnout and Innovation Motivation
• 25:10 Developing Blu-ray XL Formula
• 32:00 From Personal Solution to Commercial Product