E-210 Pool Nation Podcast - Operational Efficiency to scale your business

When pool service professionals gather to talk shop, the conversation inevitably turns to one critical question: How do you scale your business without losing your sanity? In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, hosts Edgar DeJazuz, JJ Flawless, and the newly returned Zach "Pool Boy" Nicholas dive deep into operational efficiency strategies that can transform a struggling pool business into a thriving enterprise.

After a brief hiatus due to hurricane season disruptions, the team is back with fresh perspectives on business growth, team building, and the systems that separate successful pool companies from those that remain stuck in the daily grind of "netting and jetting."

The Foundation of Efficient Operations: Personal Systems and Discipline

Before you can efficiently run a business, you need to efficiently run yourself. Zach's recent transformation highlights this principle perfectly. After weeks away from the podcast due to hurricane season chaos, he returned with a complete personal overhaul that's directly impacting his business operations.

I've gone through like this revamping of myself phase where it was just like gotta get back to my bedtime and so I don't know if y'all have noticed. Yeah I'm back to my bedtime. I'm getting up early, hitting the gym. No energy drinks so I'm feeling really good.

— Zach Nicholas, Pool Nation Podcast

This personal discipline creates a ripple effect throughout the entire operation. When business owners maintain consistent schedules, prioritize their health, and eliminate dependencies on quick fixes like energy drinks, they model the systematic approach that successful businesses require.

The connection between personal efficiency and business efficiency isn't coincidental. Pool service is a physically demanding industry that requires early mornings, problem-solving under pressure, and the stamina to maintain quality service throughout long days. Owners who neglect their personal systems inevitably find their business systems suffering as well.

Strategic Hiring: The Service Manager Game-Changer

One of the most significant operational efficiency breakthroughs discussed in this episode is Zach's recent hire of a service manager. This decision represents a crucial scaling milestone that many pool service businesses struggle to navigate effectively.

We hired a service manager so that's been a huge step for us and we've been working on the onboarding of her and getting her in tune with our processes and so far really kicking butt and I'm excited about that.

— Zach Nicholas, Pool Nation Podcast

Hiring a service manager isn't just about adding another employee—it's about creating a buffer between the owner and day-to-day operations. This role serves multiple efficiency functions:

• Quality Control: Ensures consistent service delivery across all routes and technicians
• Customer Communication: Handles service issues, scheduling, and customer concerns professionally
• Team Development: Trains new technicians and maintains company standards
• Owner Liberation: Frees the owner to focus on business development, strategic planning, and growth initiatives

The onboarding process Zach mentions is critical. Many pool service companies fail at this stage by throwing new managers into positions without proper training on company processes, customer expectations, or quality standards. Successful onboarding requires documented procedures, clear expectations, and gradual responsibility transfer.

Equipment Investment: The Right Tools for Scaling

Operational efficiency often comes down to having the right equipment at the right time. Zach's truck saga, while providing entertaining podcast content, illustrates important lessons about equipment decisions in growing pool businesses.

Finally got a truck. Yes.

— Zach Nicholas, Pool Nation Podcast

While the team had fun ribbing Zach about his truck's immediate need for engine replacement, the underlying message is serious: equipment investments are crucial for operational efficiency, but they need to be made thoughtfully. Consider these factors when making equipment decisions:

• Capacity Planning: Will this equipment support your projected growth over the next 2-3 years?
• Total Cost of Ownership: Factor in maintenance, repairs, and operational costs, not just purchase price
• Reliability Impact: How will equipment failures affect customer service and technician productivity?
• Brand Consistency: Does your equipment reflect the professional image you want to project?

For pool service businesses, vehicles are mobile billboards and essential tools. The right truck with proper organization, reliable performance, and professional appearance can significantly impact both operational efficiency and customer perception.

Community Building and Industry Recognition

One of the most powerful efficiency strategies discussed is the role of industry community and recognition programs. The Pool Nation Awards nominations, which closed just before this episode's recording, demonstrate how community engagement can drive business improvement.

It's awesome. Dude, it's like the same thing. It's every year we have the same conversation and we say, wow, we can't believe the type of turnout that we've had. And then each and every year we don't just barely beat it but we just blow away the previous year's participation, attendance and nominations.

— Edgar DeJazuz, Pool Nation Podcast

This growth in participation reflects a broader industry trend toward professionalization and excellence recognition. For individual businesses, participating in these programs creates multiple efficiency benefits:

• Benchmarking: Exposure to best practices from award-winning companies
• Motivation: Team members work more efficiently when they feel recognized and valued
• Marketing: Award recognition provides third-party validation that improves sales efficiency
• Networking: Connections with other professionals can lead to operational insights and partnerships

Systems Documentation and Process Standardization

While not explicitly detailed in this episode, the discussion of onboarding new team members highlights the critical importance of documented systems. Efficient operations require that processes be standardized, documented, and trainable.

The most efficient pool service companies operate with clear procedures for:

• Customer onboarding and communication protocols
• Service route optimization and scheduling
• Chemical testing and treatment procedures
• Equipment maintenance and replacement schedules
• Quality control and follow-up processes
• Pricing structures and service agreements

When these systems exist in writing rather than just in the owner's head, new team members can be trained effectively, service quality remains consistent, and the business can scale without constant owner intervention.

The Role of Industry Events in Operational Learning

The upcoming Pool Nation Conference and Women's Summit represent more than networking opportunities—they're efficiency investments. Attending industry events provides access to operational insights that can save months of trial-and-error learning.

The next thing that we have coming on, which is actually next week is the Women's Summit. I can't believe it's just today's Thursday. It's a week away next Thursday.

— Edgar DeJazuz, Pool Nation Podcast

Progressive pool service owners understand that investing time and money in professional development pays efficiency dividends. These events provide:

• New technology demonstrations and training
• Operational case studies from successful businesses
• Vendor relationships that can improve supply chain efficiency
• Peer networks for ongoing problem-solving support

Practical Takeaways for Pool Service Efficiency

The conversation in this episode, while casual and entertaining, reveals several actionable strategies that pool service businesses can implement immediately:

Start with Personal Systems: Like Zach's morning routine overhaul, business efficiency begins with personal discipline. Establish consistent schedules, prioritize health, and model the systematic approach you want throughout your organization.

Hire Strategically: Don't just add employees—add roles that multiply your effectiveness. A service manager can handle quality control, customer communication, and team development, freeing owners for strategic work.

Document Everything: If your processes exist only in your head, your business can't efficiently scale. Create written procedures for all major operational areas.

Invest in Professional Development: Industry events, training programs, and peer networks provide efficiency insights that can transform operations quickly.

Plan Equipment Decisions: Consider total cost of ownership, reliability, and professional image when making equipment investments. The cheapest option often isn't the most efficient long-term choice.

Operational efficiency in pool service isn't about working faster—it's about working smarter. By implementing systems, hiring strategically, and continuously learning from industry peers, pool service businesses can scale effectively while maintaining the quality that keeps customers satisfied and teams motivated. As the Pool Nation Podcast team demonstrates, success in this industry comes from combining professional expertise with systematic operations and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Welcome Back and Team Updates
• 05:00 Personal Systems and Business Discipline
• 10:00 Strategic Hiring and Service Manager Success
• 15:00 Equipment Decisions and Truck Adventures
• 20:00 Pool Nation Awards Nomination Success
• 25:00 Upcoming Industry Events and Conferences