In-season, Offseason planning
Peak season has a way of consuming every hour. But to stay profitable year-round — and enter spring in a stronger position — companies need to already be thinking ahead instead of just surviving the rush.
Megan Kendrick
Joined April 24, 2020
Articles 83
Moving Into Construction Changes the Business, Not Just the Work
For many pool professionals, Memorial Day marks the point when the season shifts. Demand accelerates and the pace of day-to-day work changes almost overnight. At the same time, May is Water Safety Month, which should be a reminder that as activity increases, so does the responsibility that comes with it.
Power Women at Work: Leadership That Can’t Be Fast-tracked
Credibility in the pool service industry is earned, not automatic. The women featured in this issue exemplify that truth.
Plaster matters more than ever
This is our annual plaster edition of PoolPro. Since I started attending the National Plasterers Council Conference in 2019, the world of pool finishes has evolved quickly — from new additives and cement formulations to shifting opinions on start-up methods. Even if you aren’t a plasterer, builders and servicers are deeply affected by the quality of a surface, so it’s worth staying up-to-date.
Celebrating the Next Generation – and Preparing for What’s Ahead
Every year, one of the issues I look forward to most is our 30 Under 40. This feature spotlights the incredible young leaders who are shaping the future of the pool industry. The class of 2025 is no exception — they are builders, service pros, innovators and entrepreneurs who embody the grit that keeps this trade moving forward.
From Start-up Pools to Storefront Leadership
When Jared McEwan learned about his nomination for Fluidra’s International Pool Pro Day contest, he was shocked. “I didn’t even know I was in the running until round three,” McEwan says with a laugh. “Our social media team told me, ‘Hey, you’re up for this award,’ and I thought, ‘Really?’ ”
Commercial pools — profits or pitfall
I really enjoy learning about the commercial side of the pool service industry. It’s probably the area I know the least about, partly because the scope is so vast. A commercial account could be anything from a waterpark or resort to a splash pad or small HOA pool.
Fresh website, more videos
We are deep into the process of selecting our 30 Under 40 winners for 2025. But every year when the list comes out, we hear the same complaint.
The Art of Immersion
In an industry where technical function can overshadow artistry, Allison Gouterman, Livtec designer for Continental Surface Solutions, has carved a niche as a pool liner designer whose work speaks both to aesthetic elegance and engineered excellence.
At the Heart of It All: Stories
What I’ve always loved most about this job is the privilege of telling stories — real stories, rich with nuance, full of grit and heart.
Hats off to the one-polers
For a couple of years, we’ve printed the mentors of our 30 Under 40 recipients on the last page of the magazine (page 70). We do this for a few reasons, and I’m not sure we’ve ever highlighted those. For one, it never hurts to reflect on the people who helped you get where you are today. It’s so easy to feel alone, and remembering that people are willing to help and support you is a great comfort. One of the purposes of 30 Under 40 is to encourage young professionals to grow their careers and stay in the pool industry. Having mentors in the field can help keep people around longer. Showcasing these relationships in PoolPro hopefully will encourage others to seek mentors or become one.
A sustainable workforce through mentoring
For a couple of years, we’ve printed the mentors of our 30 Under 40 recipients on the last page of the magazine (page 70). We do this for a few reasons, and I’m not sure we’ve ever highlighted those. For one, it never hurts to reflect on the people who helped you get where you are today. It’s so easy to feel alone, and remembering that people are willing to help and support you is a great comfort. One of the purposes of 30 Under 40 is to encourage young professionals to grow their careers and stay in the pool industry. Having mentors in the field can help keep people around longer. Showcasing these relationships in PoolPro hopefully will encourage others to seek mentors or become one.