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Talking Pools Podcast
If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.
Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact.
Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day. And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities.
Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster. That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.
If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird.
Talking Pools Podcast
The Importance of Community in The Pool Business
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode, Lee and guest host Peter Legaz discuss significant changes in the pool industry, including leadership transitions within Spasa and the impact of these changes on the industry. They explore the importance of community engagement, the challenges of staff management, and personal experiences that shape their business insights. The conversation emphasizes the need for adaptability and the value of personal connections in business. The conversation delves into the pressing staffing challenges faced by the swimming pool and spa industry, emphasizing the need for effective training and development initiatives. The speakers discuss the importance of investing in staff to enhance their skills and empower them, ultimately leading to a more competent workforce. They highlight the significance of clear expectations in training and the value of allowing employees to learn from their experiences. The discussion concludes with a call to action for ongoing training opportunities to foster growth within the industry.
takeaways
- Peter Legaz has been in the pool industry for 30 years.
- Family personas in business can enhance customer connection.
- Leadership changes can bring fresh perspectives to an industry.
- The importance of unity in industry associations.
- Recognition of pool service technicians as a trade is a significant achievement.
- Making tough staffing decisions is essential for business health.
- Hiring slowly and firing quickly can prevent prolonged issues.
- Personal experiences can lead to valuable business insights.
- Building personal relationships with clients is crucial.
- Adaptability is key in navigating industry changes. Staffing issues have worsened since COVID-19, impacting business operations.
- An academy for training new talent in the industry is needed.
- Investing in staff training leads to better employee retention.
- Empowering employees enhances their sense of value and contribution.
- Training programs should be industry-specific to ensure relevance.
- Clear expectations are essential for effective training outcomes.
- Allowing employees to learn from mistakes fosters growth.
- Training can significantly enhance employee skills and confidence.
- Investing in staff is crucial for long-term business success.
- Ongoing training opportunities are vital for industry development.
Sound Bites
- "Customers love that family persona."
- "It's great to see a woman at the helm."
- "Unity brings strength in our industry."
- "We need to make the hard decisions."
- "Hire slow and fire fast."
- "When one door closes, another opens."
- "Let them learn from their mistakes."
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Guest Introduction
04:01
Industry Changes and Leadership Transitions
08:13
The Impact of Leadership on Industry Growth
11:55
Navigating Staff Changes and Business Dynamics
16:02
Personal Experiences an
BufferZone has been created by a frustrated pool maintenance company
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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com
