Jonah Gonzales, 39
Owner
San Antonio, Texas
For Jonah Gonzales, the pool industry is both a livelihood and a legacy. In 2012, after years of struggling as a single father, he accepted an offer from his longtime neighbor and mentor, Rick, who owned AllPro Pools. “For years he had been telling me that whenever I was ready to start a [pool] career, he would teach me everything,” Gonzales says. He began as a technician, moving into repairs, and after five years was ready to branch out on his own. Rick gave him his first 10 pools, and Blue Whale Pool & Spa was born.
From that modest start, Gonzales built a thriving business. By 2019, he expanded into commercial accounts, and in 2021, he began offering remodeling services. Today, Blue Whale services more than 200 pools weekly with a team of four full-time technicians. “My favorite part of working for my company is that I am creating a legacy for my family, friends and community,” he says. He also values the industry’s accessibility, noting that it provides a path to success outside of traditional education. Along the way, he has helped friends and family launch businesses of their own.
Family is woven into every aspect of his success. “The proudest moment for me has been seeing my children be involved,” Gonzales says. His teenage daughter has helped clean pools in the summer to save for college, while his wife established billing systems and back-office operations. His younger children help with mailing invoices. “I’m so proud to see how my business has established such a strong entrepreneurial bond within my family,” he says. Landing his first major HOA contract — a 157,000-gallon pool still serviced today — was another career milestone that marked his company’s growth.
Challenges have been part of the journey, from hiring his first technician to stepping in during emergencies. Gonzales recalls when a former employee he had helped start a business broke his foot midseason. With only a day’s notice, Gonzales and his team picked up 30 extra pools for six weeks until the tech recovered. “It was tough, but we made it through,” he says. “My friend and his family were so thankful for the support, and his business continues to thrive, just like mine.”
Gonzales hopes to pass his knowledge and business to his children, helping future generations experience the financial independence he’s built. His long-term goal is to grow Blue Whale to 500 pools while continuing to mentor and share knowledge with others in the trade.
Away from the pool, Gonzales is a lifelong musician, having played guitar professionally since he was 15. He also enjoys playing chess and unwinding with video games like Warzone.
