E-272 Pool Nation Podcast - 35 Years, 5 Guests, 1 Epic Episode — Pool Nation Unplugged

The pool industry has always been more than just maintenance and chemicals—it's about building a community of professionals who support each other through thick and thin. In a special anniversary episode of Pool Nation Podcast, five remarkable women came together to share their stories, challenges, and triumphs in an industry that continues to evolve and inspire.

What makes this episode particularly special isn't just the celebration of 35 years of poolside wisdom, but the fact that all five guests were nominated for Pool Girl of the Year at the Pool Nation Awards. Their diverse experiences, from hurricane recovery to business growth, paint a picture of an industry filled with resilient, innovative professionals who never stop pushing forward.

The Power of Inspiration and Momentum

Sometimes the best business advice comes from the most unexpected places. When Mr. Zacharias returned from his trip, he experienced something every business owner dreams of—that surge of motivation that transforms into immediate action.

I'm so fired up. I've accomplished more in two days since getting back here than I have in the last five weeks and you'd get a kick out of it. I bought a boom box for the shop... I've now have to write a policy on how to properly use a boom box.

— Mr. Zacharias, Pool Nation Podcast

This enthusiasm led to practical improvements: warehouse lights that had been sitting in boxes for a year were finally installed, multiple team meetings were held, and the entire operation got energized. The lesson here is powerful—sometimes stepping away from the daily grind and gaining new perspectives can unleash a wave of productivity that benefits the entire business.

The ripple effect of leadership energy is real. When business owners return with renewed vision and excitement, it naturally spreads throughout the organization, even if employees don't know the exact source of the motivation.

Navigating Natural Disasters in the Pool Industry

Perhaps no story was more impactful than Jennifer's account of dealing with the aftermath of recent hurricanes in Florida. Her experience highlights the unique challenges pool professionals face when natural disasters strike their service areas.

Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, it's bad. Clearwater, St. Pete's pretty devastated. Some of our pools are gone. The houses are destroyed. They've got to tear them down.

— Jennifer, Pool Nation Podcast

The practical challenges extended far beyond pool maintenance. Basic necessities became difficult to obtain, with grocery stores operating limited hours, gas stations running empty, and power outages lasting weeks. Jennifer's team had to get creative, with her husband making 1:30 AM runs to find fuel for their service trucks.

What's particularly striking is how these disasters affect mental health and community morale. The constant visual reminder of destruction, combined with the practical challenges of daily operations, creates a prolonged stress environment that goes far beyond the immediate physical damage.

For pool professionals, this serves as a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness, both for business operations and for supporting clients who may face property damage or displacement.

Regional Differences and Seasonal Adaptations

The conversation revealed fascinating insights about how location dramatically impacts the pool service experience. From extreme heat in Las Vegas to unexpected observations about traffic and seasonal business patterns, these professionals deal with vastly different operational realities.

Megan's experience in Las Vegas showcases the extreme conditions pool professionals face in desert climates. When temperatures reach 122 degrees, traditional work methods become not just uncomfortable but potentially dangerous.

My mother-in-law got me this vest and you freeze these little ice pouches and you put them in the vest. So you're wearing like ice in your vest and it's great. Amazon, that thing is a game changer.

— Megan, Pool Nation Podcast

Meanwhile, Kristen's trip to New Jersey revealed interesting contrasts with her South Carolina base. Despite expectations, she found New Jersey traffic more manageable than South Carolina's, though she was puzzled by the seasonal closure of boardwalk restaurants even in pleasant 75-80 degree weather.

These regional differences highlight how pool professionals must adapt their services, equipment, and even work schedules to local conditions. What works in San Diego's mild climate may be completely inadequate in Las Vegas's extreme heat or Florida's hurricane season.

Personal Milestones and Work-Life Integration

The personal side of running pool businesses came through clearly in the conversations about family milestones and life changes. Megan celebrated her daughter becoming a teenager, while Jennifer shared that she and her husband had become empty nesters when their son moved to Omaha for construction work.

These personal transitions often coincide with business evolution. Empty nesters may find themselves with more time to focus on business growth, while parents of teenagers discover new scheduling challenges and different family dynamics.

Alicia's bathroom renovation project illustrated another common experience among successful business owners—the ability to invest in home improvements and the decision-making process that comes with increased discretionary income.

We figured if we're going to do it, if you're going to do it, you might as well get everything you want in it. But you say, oh, we'll just do this and we'll add this later. And then you never do.

— Alicia, Pool Nation Podcast

This philosophy applies to business investments as well. Often, the most cost-effective approach is to make comprehensive improvements rather than piecemeal changes that may never be completed.

Recognition and Industry Community

The fact that all five guests were nominated for Pool Girl of the Year speaks to the strength and diversity of women in the pool industry. This recognition isn't just about individual achievement—it represents the growing acknowledgment of women's contributions to an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated.

The Pool Nation Awards serve as more than just recognition events; they create networking opportunities, inspire others to pursue excellence, and help build the community connections that make the industry stronger. For Alicia, being nominated in her first year of eligibility demonstrates that newcomers can quickly make significant impacts when they bring dedication and innovation to their work.

The casual, supportive tone of the conversation among these professionals illustrates how the pool industry fosters relationships that extend beyond mere business connections. These are colleagues who genuinely care about each other's success and well-being.

Looking Forward: Lessons from Experience

What emerges from these conversations is a picture of an industry filled with adaptable, resilient professionals who support each other through challenges while celebrating successes together. Whether dealing with extreme weather, equipment failures, or family transitions, these pool professionals demonstrate the kind of problem-solving mindset that builds sustainable businesses.

The diversity of experiences—from hurricane recovery to desert heat management, from family milestones to business growth—shows that success in the pool industry requires flexibility, creativity, and strong community connections. Each challenge becomes an opportunity to develop better systems, stronger relationships, and more resilient operations.

For newer pool professionals, these stories provide both inspiration and practical guidance. The importance of investing in proper equipment (like cooling vests for extreme heat), building strong team relationships, maintaining perspective during difficult times, and celebrating achievements along the way all emerge as key themes.

As the pool industry continues to evolve, the experiences of these five women demonstrate that success comes not just from technical knowledge, but from building strong communities, adapting to local conditions, and maintaining the energy and enthusiasm that drives continuous improvement. Their nominations for Pool Girl of the Year represent not just individual achievement, but the collective strength of an industry that values excellence, innovation, and mutual support.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 05:00 Post-Trip Energy and Business Momentum
• 12:00 Regional Experiences and Travel Insights
• 18:00 Hurricane Impact and Recovery Stories
• 25:00 Extreme Weather and Equipment Solutions
• 32:00 Personal Milestones and Family Updates
• 38:00 Home Renovations and Investment Philosophy
• 42:00 Pool Girl of the Year Nominations Discussion