Nick LaPointe was practically born into the pool industry. His father purchased a pool route in 1990, a time when chlorine gas was still used to treat pools. LaPointe’s mother ran the company out of her home, and LaPointe would help in the summertime and began working on routes when he got his driver’s license.
“Over the years, I have seen new companies come and go, watched the trends and built long-standing relationships,” he says.
After earning a business degree from San Diego State University, LaPointe expanded his education with leadership programs, including the PHTA Executive Leadership and Emerging Leadership courses at Cornell. He is also pursuing certification as a PHTA Certified Master Builder. Though he doesn’t plan to build pools himself, LaPointe sees this as a way to offer clients valuable insights when they undertake construction projects. Additionally, he’s positioning Golden State Pools for the PSATC apprenticeship program, underscoring his commitment to training the next generation of industry professionals.
“One of my core values is growth, and I apply that to all facets of my life,” he says. “I want the technicians who work with and for me to grow and become leaders as well.”
Today, Golden State Pools boasts over 1,300 accounts, servicing more than 30 million gallons of water weekly. For LaPointe, values such as trustworthiness, loyalty and relationship-building drive his business. Many clients have been with him for over 30 years, growing alongside his personal and professional milestones. He views these customers as family, maintaining bonds that transcend typical business relationships.
LaPointe’s favorite aspect of the industry is the opportunity to build connections and experience growth in his career. He’s noticed a significant shift in the industry over the last decade, as education becomes more accessible and the pool trade evolves into a respected profession.
“My goal and dream is that we can push forward even more and create a national licensing requirement for pool service technicians,” he says. “I would also like to make it more difficult for homeowners to DIY their pool. The things I have seen in my 21 years in the industry from unqualified homeowners are shocking.”
LaPointe also hopes to increase collaboration between builders and service providers to help improve the long-term quality of pools. He aims to help shape the next generation of pool professionals.
“I would like to be remembered for being a leader for new technicians I have brought into the industry,” he says. “I want to set a standard for how relationships are made and maintained with customers and not be a person that focuses on rapid scaling of a business.”
