EP# 222: Diving into Success: Anthony Farinato's Journey from Apprentice to Blue Mirror Pools Magnate

What makes Anthony Farinato with Blue Mirror Pools a good neighbor?

From high school apprentice to the owner of the flourishing Blue Mirror Pools, Anthony Farinato embodies the true entrepreneurial spirit. Our latest guest takes us along on his remarkable journey, showing us just how much mentorship and resilience can shape a career. Through Anthony's story, listeners will witness the trials, triumphs, and personal growth that come from starting one's own business. He generously peels back the curtain on pool construction misconceptions, especially concerning project timelines, to set realistic expectations for eager homeowners.

It's not all about the grind, though; Anthony gives us a glimpse into his life beyond pools, where the joys of fatherhood and the strength from family ties keep him grounded amidst the whirl of business ownership. He gets candid about one of the most challenging periods for any modern business: navigating the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Anthony's tale is more than just a business narrative—it's an uplifting story of community, dedication, and the impactful role local businesses play in our lives. So pull up a chair, and get ready to be inspired by the story of a man whose commitment to excellence and community is unwavering.

To learn more about Blue Mirror Pools go to:
https://bluemirrorpools.com/

Blue Mirror Pools
(561) 377-7734

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Garfield Bowen.

Speaker 2: 0:14

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Are you in need of a new pool? Well, we have a new pool contractor, maybe closer than you think. So we have the pleasure of introducing your good neighbor, anthony Ferrenato, with Blue Mirror Pools. Anthony, how are you doing today? I'm doing well. Thanks for asking.

Speaker 3: 0:39

Listen, we're excited to learn all about you and your business. Tell us about your company. So we're a small, family owned company, no-transcript. So how did you get into this business? It's kind of a funny story. Started in high school, you know, 16, 14 years ago, got picked up just by a local guy in the neighborhood. He took me to work one day and told me you know, when you graduate high school you want a full-time job. Come on, and it's exactly how my story started Went from knowing zero to running his whole company commercial pools, residential pools, renovation, supervising the whole thing for about four or five years. Then time to go off on my own. He signed off on a license and been running Blue Mirror Pools five years later.

Speaker 2: 1:48

So you know, the big question is right when are you going to pay for it?

Speaker 3: 1:54

Yeah, actually we've remained close and we still do work together on bigger projects when he needs a little bit of help, and I help him with his commercial side. So we're still together. It's been good.

Speaker 2: 2:05

I'm talking about getting that next kid from high school.

Speaker 3: 2:12

Yeah, I think it was a diamond in the rough and somehow he saw it.

Speaker 2: 2:17

So what are some of the myths and misconceptions of new pole construction?

Speaker 3: 2:22

of new pool construction Well being in Florida. You know I feel like a lot of people have heard the stories and know the routine. But I think one of the bigger myths is when you're dealing with certain contractors. You know the project really shouldn't take a year to complete and I feel like that's a common thing that I hear when I go into people's backyards is that the last guy told me it was going to take eight months to a year. Most of the time we're in and out in three to four months.

Speaker 2: 2:55

So, anthony, when you're not busy running your business, what do you like to do for fun?

Speaker 3: 3:02

Well, not being busy is few and far in between, so I'm busy a lot, but when I do get the occasional 12-hour shift of not working, um, we spend time out in stewart on the sandbar. Uh got my first born five months old, so he's been taking up a lot of my time and enjoying it while he's still a baby. So we do sandbar, we do the farmer's market, we we stay close to home, nothing too crazy.

Speaker 2: 3:32

Family keeps you grounded. It keeps you grounded. So let's change gears a little bit. Life often throws us purple. Let's talk about one hardship, one challenge, something that you can look back and say you're better and stronger because of it. What comes to mind?

Speaker 3: 3:49

Probably the same thing that everybody went through when COVID was around and stuff was up in the air and what was going to happen and really was a conversation that me and my wife had a conversation about and just dug our heels in and doubled down and didn't quit what we were doing and it turned out great. You know, we actually were able to grow and get a couple more employees and a couple more trucks on the road and really pushed hard and I don't know if it was so much of a challenge but of just the unknown. It was a little scary.

Speaker 2: 4:19

It made everybody dig deep, dig into the core.

Speaker 3: 4:24

Yeah, yeah, it was a lot of make or break moments, you know.

Speaker 2: 4:27

And a lot of people don't know this, but this is why Good Neighbor podcast started to help the businesses post-COVID reconnect with their target audience. So, Anthony, please tell our listeners one thing, if nothing else, one thing they should remember about Blue Mirror Pools.

Speaker 3: 4:51

examples Oof, one thing, huh, one thing. That's a hard question, you know.

Speaker 2: 5:02

So give me one and a half, then Okay, give me one and a half. One and a half.

Speaker 3: 5:07

You know, I don't know for sure I think one thing that maybe it just comes down to a contractor thing, but one thing that a lot of customers should realize is you need to be interviewing the contractor as a person and not so much as maybe the product that they're pushing on you. So when I like to go to interviews, a lot of times, being a smaller company, people like working with me because, let's face it, pools are pools and you just want to deal with somebody that you're going to be able to get on the phone and ask questions and is going to have time for you. So I think that's probably the biggest thing. You know we're personable, we stay in touch and you need to just interview your contractor rather than just finding a pool company contractor rather than just finding a pool company.

Speaker 2: 5:56

I know many of our listeners here are looking at their own pool. You know, thinking about some family members and friends and uncles, you know which. Either they want to upgrade their pool or they may not have a pool at all and want to put one in. And they have one word on their lips, and that's how how can we get more information on Blue Mirror Pools?

Speaker 3: 6:17

See, that's the easy question. That's a good one. So you can find us online. We're on Google, instagram, facebook, bluemirrorpoolscom Pretty easy to find. We're pretty good rated over here in Port St Lucie, so as soon as you look us up, we should pop up first try.

Speaker 2: 6:35

So as soon as you look us up, we should pop up first try, ok, and for some of our clients that like to push the buttons on the phone, is there nobody like to share?

Speaker 3: 6:42

Yeah, absolutely so. I'll share, you know, we'll share my office line, which, sadly enough, I have to look it up because I don't look at it every single day, but it's going to be five1-377-7734. And now you'll get Danielle on the phone and she can schedule you a consultation.

Speaker 2: 7:03

Well, Anthony, I really appreciate you being on the show. I wish you and your business the very best moving forward.

Speaker 3: 7:07

We appreciate you.

Speaker 1: 7:10

Thank you. Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast Port St Lucie. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpportsaintluciecom. That's gnpportsaintluciecom, or call 772-362-3840.