E-211 Pool Nation Podcast - Women's Summit Special - Reflecting on the 2024 Pool Nation Women's Summit

In a refreshing twist on the usual format, the Pool Nation Podcast recently flipped the script entirely. Host Leanne DeJesus took over hosting duties from her husband Edgar, joined by two powerhouse women in the pool industry for a special post-Women's Summit reflection episode. What resulted was an authentic, unfiltered conversation about business, family, and the unique challenges women face in this traditionally male-dominated field.

Breaking Traditions: Women Take the Mic

The episode opened with a playful role reversal that immediately set the tone for something different. As Leanne explained to listeners:

Do me a favor, don't adjust your volume. You're hearing correctly this is a female podcast... This is a new tradition that we've started at Pool Nation. Once we follow the women's summit, we are doing a podcast for women by women and we've kicked all the boys out.

— Leanne DeJesus, Pool Nation Podcast

The men weren't completely banished—they were relegated to what Leanne dubbed "the boo couch," present but silent observers to the women's discussion. This symbolic gesture represented something larger: creating space for women's voices to be heard without interruption or overshadowing.

Meet the Powerhouse Pool Professionals

The conversation featured two remarkable women who exemplify success in the pool industry while juggling significant family responsibilities. Janie Flawless, co-owner of J&J Flawless Pool Service in California, manages a comprehensive pool business alongside her husband John while raising four children ranging from 14 to 21 years old.

Jeanette Horn brings a different perspective as a solo business owner of Horn Family Pools in East Texas. With 27 years in the industry and running her own operation since 2011, she manages 80 pools on service while serving as a warranty station for major manufacturers and holding secretary positions in two industry organizations.

What struck listeners most wasn't just their professional accomplishments, but their candid discussion of personal priorities. When Jeanette spoke about her granddaughter, the pride was unmistakable:

Her curls are perfect. Oh, she's going to be two. She's going to be two years old already. She's just perfect. I just every chance I get to be with her, I roll up in the morning. I'm like, hey, can you bring the baby out?

— Jeanette Horn, Pool Nation Podcast

The Reality of Running a Family Business

One of the most compelling aspects of the conversation was how naturally these women integrated discussion of family life with business operations. Janie's approach to involving her children in the family business offers a model for other pool professionals:

Bobby is also a pool guy. He comes with me to work multiple times a week. And he's been doing that for how many years you've been doing that? No, it's been more than two years. Probably three, maybe four... I used to drag him along every summer or when there's no school. I'm like, you're working.

— Janie Flawless, Pool Nation Podcast

This approach demonstrates how family businesses can serve as training grounds for the next generation while addressing immediate workforce needs. It's particularly relevant in an industry facing labor shortages and an aging workforce.

Building Community Beyond Business

The episode revealed how industry events like the Women's Summit create connections that extend far beyond professional networking. The casual mention of post-event activities—bowling, dining, and conversations that stretched late into the evening—illustrated the importance of informal relationship building in business success.

These connections prove valuable in unexpected ways. As Leanne noted about the after-event socializing:

It's amazing how much when you do these after events, how many more people that you end up meeting and talking to... We had some great conversations and it turned into business conversations and planning and strategy for next time.

— Leanne DeJesus, Pool Nation Podcast

This organic networking approach often yields more meaningful business relationships than formal networking events, particularly for women who may feel more comfortable in relaxed, social settings.

Authenticity as a Business Strategy

What made this episode particularly engaging was the hosts' willingness to share authentic moments—from post-bowling limps to late-night texts from college-aged children dealing with dorm flooding. These personal touches didn't detract from their professional credibility; instead, they enhanced it by showing how successful businesswomen navigate real-life challenges.

The conversation also highlighted different business models within the pool industry. Janie and John's partnership approach contrasts with Jeanette's solo operation, yet both have found success by staying true to their circumstances and strengths.

Looking Forward: Continuing Traditions

The episode represented more than just a recap of a women's summit—it established a new tradition for Pool Nation. By creating an annual platform specifically for women's voices in the industry, they're addressing a gap that many female pool professionals have felt for years.

The format also demonstrated the value of diverse perspectives in industry discussions. While the regular male hosts provide valuable insights, this female-led episode covered topics and approached subjects in ways that offered fresh perspectives for all listeners, regardless of gender.

As the pool industry continues evolving, creating spaces for underrepresented voices becomes increasingly important for innovation, problem-solving, and business growth. This episode showed that when women in the pool industry are given the microphone, they have plenty of valuable things to say.

The success of this format suggests that other industry podcasts and events might benefit from similar approaches—not as token gestures toward inclusion, but as genuine opportunities to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience that exists across all demographics in the pool industry.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Role Reversal
• 05:00 Meet the Female Pool Professionals
• 15:00 Janie's Business and Family Balance
• 25:00 Jeanette's Solo Operation Success
• 35:00 Women's Summit Reflections
• 45:00 Building Industry Community