Pool Nation Podcast

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Pool Nation Podcast

The Pool Nation is a podcast dedicated to the swimming pool service and repair industry.

31/08/2026

Episode 316 Pool Nation Podcast - What happens when 130 women from across the swimming pool industry come together to learn, connect, and grow? In this special episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, guest host Emily Lemenzo Washkovich joins Doreen, Leanne, Sarah, and Spider to recap the unforgettable 2026 Pool Nation Women’s Summit.
The group explores how the summit has evolved from an inspirational event into an intentionally designed leadership-development experience. They discuss overcoming imposter syndrome, building trust, communicating with impact, becoming a “multiplier” instead of a diminisher, and creating a safe environment where women feel empowered to use their voices.
Emily also shares her deeply personal journey with bipolar disorder, burnout, boundaries, and rebuilding a healthier relationship with work. The conversation continues with practical ways pool professionals can use AI as a thought partner, highlights from the summit’s mentor sessions and awards, and a look at how the new Pool Nation headquarters will create year-round opportunities for training, collaboration, and industry growth.
Whether you own a pool service company, lead a team, work for a manufacturer or distributor, or are building your career in the pool and spa industry, this episode is packed with leadership lessons and real-world encouragement you can put into action.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Women’s Summit recap03:00 – Why women need connection and community in the pool industry05:00 – Taking the summit from inspirational to aspirational07:00 – Communicating with impact, building trust, and creating culture08:30 – Multipliers, diminishers, and becoming a better leader11:00 – Creating a safe space where women can find their voices12:00 – The Drive assessment and understanding what energizes you15:00 – Sponsor support and the summit’s surprise-and-delight boxes25:00 – Facilitation training and developing industry educators35:00 – Audience engagement, boundaries, and stepping away from the business43:00 – How the Pool Nation Women’s Summit began and evolved49:00 – Mentor conversations, workplace culture, and industry relationships55:00 – Selecting Emily as the keynote speaker59:00 – Emily’s personal journey with work, mental health, and bipolar disorder01:05:00 – Establishing boundaries and building a healthier relationship with work01:15:00 – Recognizing courageous women and summit award recipients01:25:00 – Using AI and ChatGPT as practical tools for pool professionals01:34:00 – Heritage’s commitment to the Women’s Summit01:35:00 – Year-round leadership development and the Pool Nation headquarters01:37:00 – Final takeaways from the 2026 Women’s Summit01:41:00 – What’s next for Pool Nation leadership programs01:45:00 – Closing thoughts and how to connect with Pool Nation
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
This episode and the Pool Nation Women’s Summit would not be possible without the organizations that invest in education, leadership development, and the future of the pool and spa industry.
A huge thank-you to:
SPPABlueRay XLAquaStar Pool ProductsNatural ChemistryRaypakHeritage Pool SupplyHayward Pool ProductsEncore BrandsPoolside TechPool BrainNidecOnCore Filtration
Special thanks to the partners, mentors, facilitators, volunteers, and team members who helped create such a meaningful experience for the women of the pool industry.
Learn more and connect with Pool Nation at PoolNationPodcast.com, follow Pool Nation on Facebook and Instagram at , and explore industry training and community resources at PoolManUniversity.com.

31/08/2026

Our team had an amazing time at the Pool Nation Women’s Summit! 🥳 We loved connecting with our incredible partners and so many inspiring women in the industry. We’re thankful for all the meaningful conversations and memories made!✨

24/08/2026

In episode 314 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and Ryan Morson sit down with Jake Riggs and Stuart Lockhart of Hot Springs Pools & Spas and PoolGoods.com for a powerful conversation about building and scaling a swimming pool business, family-business succession, pool construction, service, retail, e-commerce, marketing, AI, leadership, and creating opportunities for the next generation.
Hot Springs Pools & Spas started in 1989 with Jake's father and uncle and has grown from selling hot tubs into a business spanning nearly every vertical of the pool industry. Today, the company has four locations with a fifth on the way, more than 100 employees, builds approximately 400 pools per year, and operates PoolGoods.com, an e-commerce platform shipping to 48 states.
Jake and Stuart share how they're taking the foundation the previous generation built and combining it with new technology, better marketing, e-commerce, data, content, and new ways of thinking about the customer experience.
One of the biggest conversations in this episode is about the changing way customers find pool companies. Stuart shares how Hot Springs tracks marketing attribution across Facebook, Instagram, Google and other channels, and reveals that customers are already discovering the company through ChatGPT and other AI platforms, including a customer who purchased an approximately $25,000 hot tub after finding them through ChatGPT.
This episode is about more than growth. It's about building a business that creates opportunities for employees, serves customers for the entire life of their pool, and leaves something stronger for the generation that comes next.
IN THIS EPISODE
00:01:00 – Meet Jake Riggs & Stuart Lockhart and the Hot Springs Pools & Spas story
00:07:00 – Jake's journey from growing up in the family business to building his own path
00:10:00 – Stuart's path from commercial and residential sales to retail, service and marketing
00:12:00 – How PoolGoods.com was born and why convenience changed their strategy
00:15:00 – Building multiple pool business verticals: construction, service, retail and e-commerce
00:20:00 – Content, SEO, AI and why pool companies can't assume customers know who they are
00:23:00 – Why e-commerce can strengthen and protect your brick-and-mortar pool store
00:31:00 – Taking an old-school family pool business into the next generation
00:34:00 – HubSpot, marketing attribution, Facebook, Instagram and tracking where leads really come from
00:35:00 – The ChatGPT effect: how AI is already driving customers and high-ticket sales
00:40:00 – The future of Hot Springs, finding great people and expanding into new markets
00:42:00 – Building a pool business ecosystem where retail, service, construction and e-commerce feed each other
00:49:00 – Advice for young pool professionals and the next generation entering a family business
00:53:00 – Legacy, leadership and what Jake wants to leave behind
00:57:00 – Why money alone won't build a successful or fulfilling business
KEY TAKEAWAY
There isn't one single blueprint for building a great pool business.
Jake and Stuart's story shows what can happen when you respect the foundation that was built before you while still being willing to challenge old ways of doing things.
Whether you're running a pool service route, building pools, operating a retail store, selling online, or trying to grow into multiple revenue streams, the lesson is the same:
Know your customer. Build great people. Tell your story. Use the data. And never stop looking for ways to make the business better.
For second and third-generation pool professionals, there's another important message: respect the people who paved the way, but don't be afraid to bring new ideas to the table. Come prepared with the data, the plan, and the willingness to put in the work.
And ultimately, build something that's bigger than you.
THANK YOU TO OUR VISIONARY PARTNERS
The Pool Nation Podcast is made possible by the companies that continue to invest in pool pros and the future of the swimming pool industry.
Thank you to:
SPPABlueRay XLAquaStar Pool ProductsNatural ChemistryRaypakHeritage Pool SupplyHayward Pool ProductsEncore BrandsPoolside TechPoolBrainNidec / U.S. MotorsOnCore Filtration
Thank you for continuing to support Pool Nation and our mission to help pool professionals grow their businesses, strengthen their teams, and elevate the industry.
If you're a pool service professional, pool builder, pool retailer, business owner, or anyone looking to grow in the swimming pool industry, this is an episode you don't want to miss.
🎧 Listen now, subscribe to the Pool Nation Podcast, and share this episode with another pool pro.
Master the Business. Perfect the Craft.

22/08/2026

We talk to Emily, Leanne, Doreen and Sarah about the 2026 Women's Summit

20/08/2026

We had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with an incredible group of women during the Pool Nation DRiV Experience. They showed up ready to learn more about themselves, challenge the way they think, connect with one another, and continue growing as leaders.

Then we came together for Pool Nation Awards Nominations Night, where we had the chance to celebrate the people, companies, products, and leaders who continue pushing our industry forward.

One of my favorite parts of the night was looking around the room and seeing so many incredible women who are helping shape the future of the pool industry.

Women who lead.

Women who build businesses.

Women who mentor others.

Women who aren't waiting for a seat at the table. They're helping build a bigger table.

And this is only the beginning.

Today, we officially kick off the 2026 Pool Nation Women's Summit: Ignite Your Impact. 🔥

To every woman who joined us for DRiV and Nominations Night, thank you for showing up, being vulnerable, sharing your experiences, supporting one another, and being part of this community.

The energy in the room was something special.

Now it's time to IGNITE YOUR IMPACT. 🔥

20/08/2026

Pool Nation Spills the Tea

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