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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It’s 30 Under 40! Congratulations to all the 2024 recipients — and if you entered this year and didn’t make the list, please try again next year. Each year we have more entries, and it gets harder to whittle it down to 30. Don’t see this as a rejection but more like being put on a waitlist. For those on the 2024 list, I encourage you to take full advantage of this honor by posting about it and sharing it with your customers, friends and the industry. Part of the reason we do this program is to help recruit a new generation of potential pros — and showing off this accolade is one way we can demonstrate how awesome it is to work in the pool industry!
I have never considered myself a salesperson, and I’m guessing many of you feel the same. There are plenty of negative connotations connected to the word and field.
This year has flown by, partly because I’ve spent so little of it in my office. In addition to attending various trade shows, I had the honor of speaking at the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance’s San Diego Chapter’s Service Symposium and sharing my story on the Pool Nation Podcast.
I lead a team of amazing women, which is one of the reasons it is such a great, personal joy to highlight other women in the industry each year.
A few pool service companies invest in paid marketing, and there are concerns about training and resources for technicians handling sales tasks.