Megan KendrickEditor in chief Megan grew up in North Dakota but escaped the cold to attend college in Phoenix. She went on to get her master’s in journalism from Northwestern University and got her first post-graduate job at Bigfish Publications in 2008. In 2018 she bought PoolPro and SpaRetailer from Bigfish and started Kendrick Content….
I was fortunate enough to get to Dallas for the Pool | Spa | Patio Expo and had meetings with others on the PHTA’s national builders council, as well as networked with many other swimming pool professionals. Everyone I discussed pool construction with are already sold out at least a year if not two years….
In the digital age, customers and pool professionals can interact in more ways than ever before. Website building, marketing and general media play significant roles for many pool service and supply companies. One way pool pros can support their customers and the health of their business is through how-to videos. Kelly Skelton, director of marketing…
With Fluidra launching its new Jandy VersaTemp Heat/Chill Pump lineup, this year is off to an innovative start. The VersaTemp’s intention is to provide solutions for pool professionals or owners who seek the dual benefits of pool heating and cooling. All units in the VersaTemp lineup come standard as both heat and cool models, which…
The pool industry lost an iconic figure on November 17, 2021. Bob Lowry, 75, was broadly known in the pool and hot tub world as an instructor, author and innovator of many specialty pool and spa chemicals. On the night of his passing, I was honored to accept on his behalf the Lifetime Achievement Award…
Service-based pool companies often rely on contractors. Instead of having an employee clean pools and providing them with a vehicle, tools, insurance and paying out the appropriate taxes, they hire 1099 contractors, who need to provide their own transportation and equipment and are responsible for their own taxes. When the status for contractors changes by…
Swimply: A potential pool service nightmare Pool service pros who maintain vacation homes in destination cities know these accounts require two to three visits a week. Abuse of these pools leaves them looking rough, even on a good day. Treat these like a typical once-a-week residential, and now you’re hating life. This is not something…
Many suppliers become frustrated when their commercial swimming pool bids are unsuccessful because they lack an understanding of the nuances and complexity to the decision-making process. The process is intentionally antiseptic and impersonal (nepotism and favoritism are crimes in the public sector), but transparent and fair if you learn the factors at play. Let’s say…
The goal for reconfiguring how Manning Pool Service in Houston, Texas, loaded and organized its service trucks was three-fold: maximize efficiency, safety and vehicle longevity. The project, now called the Manning Pool Service Truck Planogram, began in spring 2021 when managers were discussing how the service trucks’ branded wraps looked great, but the inside of…
Since the pandemic began, countless more people have seen the value in having a pool in their own backyard, and this trend doesn’t show signs of slowing. Jacob Beninati, owner of Beninati Pool and Spa in Utica, Michigan, says his company is prepping all customers by telling them upfront about the increasing costs of building…
I’ve been to a lot of trade shows — and after a while, they all start to run together. Exhibiting is a ton of work, even for a small booth like ours. In the past, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with trade shows: I love to be there and see everyone, and I have some…
Rick Woemmel left his computer science job to start Bi-State Pool & Spa in 1994. Like most small business owners, back then he was the president, CEO, janitor and technician. Now, Woemmel can focus on leading, supporting and teaching his employees, making sure they develop within his company and in the industry. A longtime PHTA…