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?’ ”

McEwan walked away as this year’s winner — a recognition of his 25 years in the pool industry, his commitment to customer education and the way he’s built both businesses and people along the way. But the path wasn’t always smooth.

Early in his career, a bounced payroll check signaled McEwan’s previous industry job was nearing collapse. A mentor, his brother Mike, introduced him to pool care, selling him his first 28 service accounts in Southern California.

“I didn’t want to be the typical pool guy who just picked up a net and thought he knew what he was doing,” McEwan says. “So, I spent a year riding along, learning the business.”

From there, he built a 150-account service company, handled Jandy warranty work and became known for his love of start-ups. After taking Greg Garrett’s renowned plaster and water chemistry course, he went on to perform 250 start-ups in a year. “My favorite part about the start-up is teaching the customer,” he says. “There’s a big gap between the builder being finished with the project and then the homeowner knowing how to operate the pool.”

Education and family

Education has been a through line in McEwan’s career. From early days in California trade shows to his current role as general manager of Clearwater Pool Supply in St. George, Utah, he has taken every opportunity to learn and share.

At Clearwater, he’s known as “the pool professor,” hosting free monthly pool schools for homeowners. “One of the best compliments I ever got was from a homeowner who told me, ‘You empowered me to take care of my own pool,’ ” McEwan says, adding that giving the homeowner that knowledge helps them decide if they can properly care for their pool themselves or if they need to hire a pro.

His mentorship hasn’t been limited to customers. Former employees have started their own successful pool businesses, and McEwan finds that legacy just as meaningful as his own achievements.

Over the years, all five of McEwan’s children have joined him on routes, learning the value of problem-solving and hard work. His two oldest, now a nursing school graduate and a college student, credit their time in the industry for shaping their careers. His youngest daughter still cleans filters for neighbors, proudly carrying on the family’s tradition of hustle.

“The pool industry has blessed my family for 25 years,” McEwan says. “And I hope for 25 more.”

McEwan has helped Clearwater launch a thriving retail presence, with more stores planned in the coming years. Still, for McEwan, success isn’t about titles or prizes. It’s about waking up every day to do work he loves. 

“Zig Ziglar used to say you can have anything you want if you help enough people get what they want,” McEwan says. “People want a pool they don’t have to worry about. If I can help them get that, then I’ve done my job.”