The PromoMinds Podcast
"Promote Your Brand, Transform Your Business"
Welcome to The PromoMinds Podcast, your business boosting companion. If you are a solopreneur or small business owner who is looking for creative marketing strategies, or wants to learn from other entrepreneurs on how to overcome challenges and build a thriving business, then this podcast is for you.
There are many reasons people dive into entrepreneurship; some have exceptional skills, others take the plunge out of necessity. Regardless, a crucial aspect of building any business will rely on how well you can promote and sell your product or service.
That's where The PromoMinds Podcast steps in to help.
Meet your host, Steve Leslie, a sales and marketing maestro of a B2B Manufacturing and Distribution business in the swimming pool industry. Beyond corporate triumphs, Steve has conquered ultramarathons, epic hikes (like Angel's Landing) and cross-border real estate investing. With over 8 years of crafting creative marketing campaigns, Steve empathizes with your customer's journey, enabling him to compete in ways where others can't or won't.
Join us on a journey of motivation, entrepreneurship, and success. Delve into the mysteries of marketing, mindset, and goal-setting, with actionable insights to help you overcome the challenge of how to market yourself. PromoMinds isn't just about promoting your brand; it's your roadmap to business transformation and a redefined success story.
Ready to take the leap? Tune in to The PromoMinds Podcast, and let's embark on this exciting adventure together.
Let's Connect:
Instagram: @steve.leslie.91
YouTube: @PromoMinds & @Steve Leslie Hikes
LinkedIn: the-steve-leslie
The PromoMinds Podcast
Ep 041: Tariffs, Interest Rates, & Defaults - Why Now is STILL a Time to Grow in the Canadian Pool Industry
In this episode of the PromoMinds Podcast, Steve Leslie returns after a chaotic couple of weeks—ice storms, power outages, and laptop breakdowns—to deliver a much-needed economic update and roadmap for Canadian pool professionals heading into the 2025 season.
With rising mortgage defaults, shifting trade tariffs, and a bear market that’s been quietly unfolding since the pandemic boom, this episode is your no-fluff wake-up call. But it's not doom and gloom. It's about recognizing the opportunity in the chaos.
Drawing from real economic cycles, Steve breaks down how pool companies thrived through the 2008 recession and how you can apply those lessons today. Whether you're a builder, dealer, or service pro, this is your blueprint for staying relevant—and profitable—during uncertain times.
📌 Key Takeaways:
- Economic reality check: Canada is entering a rocky economic cycle with paused interest rates, rising mortgage defaults, and growing tension in the real estate and trade sectors.
- History repeats: Pool companies that succeeded in 2008 didn't wait—they marketed smarter, streamlined operations, and leaned into renovation and service.
- Personal brand is key: People don't follow companies—they follow people. Trust is built online before you ever get the call.
- Shift to services and renovations: Homeowners may not be building new pools, but they'll pay for liner replacements, automation upgrades, and reliable service.
- Niche down or get drowned: Specialize in one core service area to attract higher-quality leads and increase perceived expertise.
- Slow season = content season: Use downtime to create helpful online content, answer real customer questions, and improve discoverability through SEO and social media.
- Local supply matters: Highbury Pools' Canadian-sourced materials and local production offer stability during global trade uncertainty.
- Your mindset matters: “What you seek, you shall find.” Focus on opportunity—not fear—to come out ahead.
📣 Call to Action:
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a fellow pool professional, follow Steve on LinkedIn, and reach out to promominds@gmail.com. Looking to work with a Canadian manufacturer? Visit www.highburypools.com.
#swimmingpools #highburypools #hayward #pentair #jandy #omnilogic #poolconstruction #linerreplacement #marketing
