Adam Aguirre, 28
Owner
Los Angeles, California
Adam Aguirre started servicing a few neighborhood pools for extra cash his senior year of high school in 2015. What began as a weekend side hustle evolved into a career path. Over the years, Aguirre honed his skills as a subcontractor for companies like La Roca Pools, A&M Pools and California Poolmen Inc., learning everything from plumbing and inspection requirements to his personal specialty — electrical work. By his early 20s, he had secured his contractor’s license and officially launched his own business, California Poolman.
Today, Aguirre operates a thriving one-stop shop covering service, repairs, remodels and new construction. His favorite part of running his company is watching its growth — from $80-per-month service accounts at age 18 to a $400,000 backyard build at age 27. He loves bringing clients’ visions to life through construction while maintaining the steady, recession-resistant service side of the business. “The happy smiles on my clients’ faces are truly priceless,” he says.
Aguirre overcame self-doubt early in his career. His very first pool build was a complex, high-end negative-edge design with features he had never installed before. Though initially overwhelmed, he pushed past imposter syndrome and earned the client’s trust. The result was a masterpiece pool delivered on time — and a defining moment in his career. “No one will believe in you unless you first believe in yourself,” he says.
As with many business owners, finding and keeping the right employees is tough. Early on, Aguirre faced setbacks with unreliable staff that threatened his service route. By personally reaching out to clients, offering complimentary service and recommitting to quality, he rebuilt relationships and stabilized the business. Over time, he’s built a stronger team, though he acknowledges staffing will always be a test of leadership.
Aguirre wants to expand his company’s service base from 150 accounts to more than 700, while continuing to grow his reputation in high-end residential and commercial construction. He has already completed remodels for major hotel brands like Hilton and Best Western, as well as HOAs and apartment complexes across Southern California. Long-term, his goal is to help shift the narrative around pool contractors, proving that legitimacy, trust and professionalism can redefine how the industry is perceived.
Outside of pools, Aguirre has pursued passions in acting and bodybuilding. He has appeared in commercials, an episode of “NCIS” and even a feature film alongside Amy Poehler. He also competes in men’s physique bodybuilding and has built a strong following on social media, where his TikTok pool-building content has earned nearly 10,000 followers and his fitness reels have surpassed 1 million views.
