E-262 Pool Nation Podcast - Inspiring Stories, Rising Leaders & Industry Insights

What does it take to build a thriving pool and landscape business from scratch with no plan, no savings, and no investors? For Haley Tu, owner of Lavender Landscape, it meant leveraging years of experience selling rocks (yes, actual landscaping rocks) and the confidence gained from becoming a top performer in a commission-only environment. Her story, featured in this special 'best of' episode of Pool Nation Podcast, offers invaluable insights for anyone looking to make their mark in the pool and landscape industry.

From Nebraska Farm Girl to Arizona Entrepreneur

Haley's journey began in an unlikely place – a small farming community in Nebraska with just 3,500 residents. As the oldest of three girls, she became her father's 'only son,' spending countless hours working on construction projects on their five-acre property.

I always say I put in my first swimming pool when I was six years old. So I saw that construction happen, got a lot of good pictures of that. Folks were always interested in a construction project. So grew up in them.

— Haley Tu, Pool Nation Podcast

This early exposure to construction would prove foundational to her future success. When it came time for college, Haley's approach was refreshingly direct: she Googled 'biggest school in the country' and ended up at Arizona State University, initially enrolling in interior design with dreams of creating 'living spaces outdoors.'

Her path took an unexpected turn when a studio professor noticed her persistent focus on outdoor projects and introduced her to landscape architecture. This serendipitous moment led to a double major and launched her career in the industry.

The Recession Reality Check: Learning to Sell Rocks

Like many in the construction industry, Haley faced the harsh realities of the 2008 recession. After five years in commercial and private development, she watched her salary get cut repeatedly while her hours increased dramatically. The breaking point came when she realized she was working three times the hours for half the pay.

Her next move might seem unconventional, but it became a masterclass in sales and relationship building. Haley spent two years selling landscape rocks – the decorative stones that replace grass in Arizona's desert landscaping.

That's kind of where I learned to market myself because obviously the product was not there. I didn't have an edge. There was no edge on rocks.

— Haley Tu, Pool Nation Podcast

This experience taught her invaluable lessons about building relationships and selling without having a superior product. She learned to compete on service, personality, and trust – skills that would prove crucial in her future endeavors.

The Commission Sales Breakthrough

Armed with newfound confidence from her rock-selling days, Haley transitioned into residential design-build work on a 100% commission basis. The gamble paid off spectacularly – within eight months, she became the company's number one contracting designer and maintained that position for eight years.

During this period, Haley's personal life flourished alongside her career. She met her husband Tyler, got married, and became a mother to four children. However, as her family grew, she began questioning the work-life balance that commission sales demanded.

When you're working for somebody else, especially in that commission format, it's kind of like the more work you do, the more work you have.

— Haley Tu, Pool Nation Podcast

This realization, combined with multiple encouragements to start her own business, led to a pivotal decision that would change everything.

The Leap of Faith: Starting Lavender Landscape

Haley's entrepreneurial journey began without the typical safety nets most business advisors recommend. No business plan, no savings account, no investors – just determination and years of hard-won experience.

Without a whole lot of preparation, I jumped ship one day. No plan at all. No plan. No savings. No investors. And I just went out on my own.

— Haley Tu, Pool Nation Podcast

This bold move highlights an important truth about entrepreneurship: sometimes the 'perfect' time never comes, and successful business owners are often those willing to take calculated risks based on their skills and experience rather than waiting for ideal conditions.

Lavender Landscape grew from this leap of faith into a successful woman-led company in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Haley's approach combines her technical expertise in landscape architecture with the sales and relationship-building skills honed during her rock-selling days.

Balancing Business Leadership and Family Life

One of the most compelling aspects of Haley's story is how she's managed to build a successful business while raising four children and maintaining her commitment to family time. As a mother of three boys and one girl, she describes herself as 'mostly a boy mom,' engaging in activities like dirt biking, camping, and mountain adventures.

Her daily routine reflects this balance: she starts each morning with fitness activities, describing her preference to 'lift something heavy or punch something hard' to get her day started. This physical preparation seems to fuel both her business leadership and her active family life.

Haley also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, describing herself as 'a forever student' with a passion for business and personal development. This commitment to growth likely contributes to her ability to adapt and thrive in the competitive pool and landscape industry.

Industry Insights and the Complete Backyard Approach

The podcast also touches on the natural evolution from landscaping into pool construction, highlighting how successful companies often expand their services to offer complete backyard solutions. This integrated approach allows businesses like Lavender Landscape to maintain control over entire projects rather than subcontracting major components.

The episode also featured discussions about networking in the pool industry, particularly focusing on opportunities for women in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field. These conversations underscore the importance of building professional relationships and supporting emerging leaders regardless of gender.

Practical Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Haley's story offers several actionable insights for anyone considering starting their own pool or landscape business:

• Develop sales skills in any environment: Even selling a commodity product like rocks can teach valuable lessons about relationship building and customer service.
• Don't wait for perfect conditions: Sometimes the best business opportunities come from taking calculated risks without every detail planned out.
• Leverage your unique background: Haley's combination of technical education and hands-on construction experience from childhood created a powerful foundation.
• Build relationships before you need them: Her years in the industry created a network that supported her entrepreneurial transition.
• Focus on quality of life goals: The desire for better work-life balance can be a powerful motivator for business ownership.

The episode concludes with discussions about industry networking, the Pool Nation Awards, and the importance of supporting emerging leaders in the pool industry. These conversations highlight how success in this industry often depends as much on relationships and community involvement as it does on technical expertise.

Haley Tu's journey from Nebraska farm girl to successful Arizona business owner illustrates that success in the pool and landscape industry can come from unexpected paths. Her story demonstrates that with determination, strong relationships, and willingness to take calculated risks, it's possible to build a thriving business even without traditional startup resources. For anyone considering their own entrepreneurial journey in the pool industry, her experience offers both inspiration and practical guidance for navigating the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Best of Pool Nation
• 02:30 Meet Haley Tu - Background and Early Life
• 08:15 Education Journey and Career Start
• 12:45 Recession Impact and Selling Rocks
• 18:20 Commission Sales Success
• 22:10 Starting Lavender Landscape
• 25:40 Pool Building and Complete Backyard Solutions
• 28:00 Industry Networking and Women's Leadership