Alan Smith Pools: Forever a Pool Finisher
Work ethic, diversification and thinking ahead prime Alan Smith Pools for success
Banishing the Swamp Monster
When Tony Lawrence, owner of TLC Pools in La Mesa, California, gets a call from potential customers, he says it’s typically because they have a pool algae problem and have tried everything with no results. “They normally call me at their wits’ end,” Lawrence says. “They can hardly believe it when I say, ‘Trust me,…
Layers of Safety
It’s not an uncommon concern, but pool safety doesn’t often become a priority for homeowners until they’re brought face-to-face with tragedy or the scare of a lifetime. Mike Tellegen, owner of The Pool & Spa Medic in Molalla, Oregon, recalls the time he received a call from a mother who, after finding a door ajar…
Visualize That
Picture it: A new customer contacts your pool company looking to put a pool in her backyard, but she’s uncertain what will fit and look the best. Your best designer spends what could be hours helping her visualize it. He measures, spray paints where the pool borders would be on the grass and meticulously creates…
Google It
Our tech-heavy culture has a tendency to turn nouns into verbs, not the least of which is ‘Google.’ As powerful as Google is, when it comes to customers finding your business listing on the search engine — managed through a free Google My Business account — is not something you want to leave unmonitored. “In…
Symbiotic B2B
Misty Knight, technical sales manager for Zodiac Pool Systems, says her customers become like extended family. Bryan Banta, owner of B&B Pools in Pompano Beach, Florida, can attest to that. “Misty answers the phone when others don’t,” he says. “She’s available to me when I need her.” Establishing a strong B2B relationship between pool professional…
What a Way to Grow
Photography by Thao Nguyen Patriot Pool & Spa in Austin, Texas, services nearly 800 pools a week and has more than 35 employees — but owner Hal Denbar still remembers how hard it was to hire the first one. “Everything about that, mentally and emotionally, was much harder than anything else I’ve encountered [with this…
Meet The Crew
The pool industry is full of people from all walks of life. Some fell into the industry by accident and never left. Others grew up in a family pool business and knew from an early age that’s all they wanted to do. Whatever may have brought them here, pool professionals are eclectic and vast, providing…
At Her Service
Photography by Austin Mullen Two years ago, Natalie Scott’s friend from junior high school posted an ad for a pool tech position with his company — a position he was willing to train. At the time, Scott was working in the hotel industry, trying to establish a new normal after a divorce and several office…
A Houzz Full of Leads
If a backyard renovation is on the agenda, homeowners will look for pictures of completed projects to start brainstorming for their own. And with more than 40 million unique users a month, Houzz has become a highly popular platform for design and renovation photos. “People invest in pools for [a certain] lifestyle, and nothing communicates…
Full House
Photography by Doug Melillo John and Lisa Morgillo own the place. Their daughter, Lia, heads the marketing and sales department while Lia’s boyfriend learns construction. Lisa’s brother, Al, is the project manager for in-ground installations. Sue, Al’s wife, runs the front-end cash registers for the store. Doreen and Paul, John’s sister and brother-in-law, do sales…
Pick a Side
Everyone has a preference in competitive markets: Burger King versus McDonald’s, Walmart versus Amazon — and in this industry, the brand of pool equipment you install and the sanitizer you recommend to customers. In the world of chlorine versus bromine, the competition is likewise fierce. What’s the difference? You can’t have a good matchup without…