BOI, Insta Sensation: Pete Paloalto (Tip of The Day), and Dingleberries

If you're a pool service professional, chances are you've been juggling more than just chemical balances and equipment repairs lately. Between new regulations, social media marketing, and the daily grind of keeping pools crystal clear, there's always something demanding your attention. In this week's episode of Talking Pools Podcast, host Rudy Stankiewicz tackles some of the most pressing issues facing pool pros today, from mandatory government filings to building your brand on Instagram.

The BOI Filing Dilemma: What Pool Pros Need to Know

One of the most significant regulatory changes affecting small business owners is the Beneficial Owner Information (BOI) filing requirement. This new mandate has caught many pool service professionals off guard, and for good reason – the penalties for non-compliance are steep.

So what does this mean for us, the small business owners? First, let's talk about what they're looking for. If you have a beneficial owner, that is someone who owns at least 25% of your company or exercises significant control over it, you need to report.

— Rudy Stankiewicz, Talking Pools Podcast

The filing requires detailed information including full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, and unique identifiers like government-issued ID numbers. While this might seem straightforward, the devil is in the details. Any changes to your business structure require prompt updates to your BOI filing.

The stakes are high. As Rudy warns, failing to file, filing late, or submitting inaccurate information could result in fines around $591 per day. However, the timeline for compliance has been fluid, with deadlines shifting due to court challenges.

Remember, I'm a pool guy, damn it, not a financial professional... Hunt one down. Ask them if it applies to you, how it applies to you, when it applies to you, when the due date is, if there's a due date.

— Rudy Stankiewicz, Talking Pools Podcast

Florida's Contractor License Controversy

The pool industry has been buzzing about a controversial situation in Florida, where a new contractor has been systematically researching pool companies across the state to identify those potentially operating outside their licensing parameters. This individual has been reporting companies to state regulators if their websites advertise services that might require a contractor's license.

This raises important questions for pool service businesses: If you offer repairs but subcontract the work, can you legally advertise repair services on your website? Should there be industry policing of licensing compliance? These questions highlight the complex regulatory landscape pool professionals must navigate.

From 350 to 5,000: Pete's Instagram Success Story

One of the episode's highlights is an interview with Pete 'Tip of the Day' Paloalto from Coachella Valley Pools, who has become an Instagram sensation in the pool industry. His journey from a modest 350 followers to nearly 5,000 is a testament to consistency and valuable content creation.

Pete's "Tip of the Day" series started almost by accident. Working alongside an employee named Joseph, Pete would create small instructional videos about pool maintenance. Joseph suggested he formalize these into daily tips, but it was a challenge from John at Pool Nation podcast that really sparked the commitment.

John said, here's my tip of the day. I bet you don't do one every day because you're going to run out of things to say. That's my tip of the day for you. And I took it as a challenge. I was like, I'm going to do one every single day, every single day. I'm going to wake up and do one.

— Pete Paloalto, Coachella Valley Pools

Pete committed to creating 365 consecutive daily tips, filming them right from his work truck – his mobile office. The authenticity and practical value of his content resonated with fellow pool professionals, leading to exponential growth in his following.

The Power of Consistent Content Creation

Pete's success story offers valuable lessons for pool professionals looking to build their brand and share knowledge within the industry. His approach was strategic yet organic – he focused on following and engaging with other pool companies and professionals, building a community rather than just collecting random followers.

The key to Pete's success wasn't flashy production or expensive equipment. He used his everyday work environment and shared practical, actionable advice that other pool professionals could immediately implement. This authenticity created genuine engagement and built trust within the pool community.

His content strategy demonstrates that consistency trumps perfection. By committing to daily content creation, Pete established himself as a reliable source of information, even when – by his own admission – coming up with fresh ideas became challenging after several months.

Industry Equipment Innovations

The episode also highlights several equipment innovations that could improve efficiency for pool professionals. From RayPac's Nitec technology offering superior strength and maximum efficiency in residential pool heating with 900% more nickel compared to traditional cupro nickel, to Aquastar's new pipeline cartridge filters featuring patented double locking systems for faster, safer filter cleanings.

These innovations address real pain points for pool professionals – reducing maintenance time, improving system longevity, and enhancing safety during routine operations. The emphasis on ease of use and efficiency reflects the industry's focus on helping professionals work smarter, not harder.

Building Community Through Humor

True to form, Rudy's episode includes his signature humor with an elaborate linguistic exploration of the word "dingleberry." While seemingly frivolous, this segment actually serves a deeper purpose – building community through shared experiences and inside jokes that bring pool professionals together.

My challenge to you is simple. Work the word dingleberry into your sentences three times today. For example, stop messing with my chlorine tester, you dingleberry, or the pool's going to turn into Shrek's swamp.

— Rudy Stankiewicz, Talking Pools Podcast

This playful challenge encourages listener engagement while creating memorable content that sets the Talking Pools Podcast apart from more sterile industry communications.

Navigating Regulatory Compliance

The episode underscores the importance of staying informed about regulatory changes that could impact pool service businesses. Whether it's BOI filing requirements, licensing compliance, or other regulatory developments, pool professionals must remain vigilant and proactive.

The recommendation to consult with legal and financial professionals isn't just good advice – it's essential protection for your business. The complexity of modern business regulations means that well-intentioned business owners can easily run afoul of requirements they didn't even know existed.

As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, pool professionals need reliable sources of information and professional guidance to ensure compliance while focusing on serving their customers effectively.

This episode of Talking Pools Podcast delivers a perfect blend of practical business guidance, inspirational success stories, and community building that makes it essential listening for pool industry professionals. From Pete's Instagram success to crucial compliance updates, it provides the information and inspiration pool pros need to thrive in an increasingly complex business environment.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Florida Licensing Controversy
• 05:30 BOI Filing Requirements for Pool Businesses
• 15:45 Equipment Sponsor Segments
• 22:30 The Dingleberry Challenge
• 35:00 Interview with Pete 'Tip of the Day' Paloalto
• 45:15 Pete's Instagram Success Story
• 52:00 Building Community Through Content