E-262 Pool Nation Podcast - Inspiring Stories, Rising Leaders & Industry Insights

Pool Nation Podcast E-262 - In this special Best of Pool Nation Podcast episode, we highlight some of the most inspiring conversations from past shows. From women leaders breaking barriers in pool building, to next-generation innovators making their mark, and the people shaping the future of our industry, this episode is packed with stories you won’t want to miss.

You’ll hear:

• Hailey Tu, owner of Lavender Landscape, on building a women-led company and her journey from design to pool construction.

• Janie, sharing their experiences in service, networking, and industry growth.

• Michael “Spider” Kraus, nominee for Pool Pro of the Year, with his signature “two thumbs up” attitude.

• Megan Kendrick, owner of Pool Pro Magazine, on the importance of recognizing young professionals with the 30 Under 40 Awards.

• Alyssa & Lindsay, rising leaders nominated for the Rookie of the Year, sharing their passion for pools, leadership, and building businesses.

• Plus, a conversation with PSP/Deck Expo director Kris and marketing lead Megan Magna on what’s ahead for the biggest pool & spa show of the year.

This episode is a celebration of pool professionals who inspire, innovate, and elevate the entire industry.

⏱️ Chapter Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Intro – Welcome to the Best of Pool Nation Podcast

• [00:01:00] Hailey Tu – Building a women-led pool company & journey into landscape/pools

• [00:09:00] Spider Kraus – Living the “two thumbs up” lifestyle & Pool Pro of the Year nominee

• [00:11:00] Janie – Networking, service, and building lasting impact

• [00:18:00] Janie – Running 60 pools a week, wiring panels & embracing electrical work

• [00:24:00] Megan Kendrick – The story behind Pool Pro Magazine & the 30 Under 40 Awards

• [00:35:00] Alyssa – From Puerto Rico to building 7-8-7 Serrano Construction in El Paso

• [00:46:00] Lindsay – Digital leadership at Hayward & pool marketing innovation

• [00:56:00] PSP/Deck Expo with Kris & Megan Magna – Behind the scenes of the industry’s biggest show

• [01:15:00] Closing & Outro

A huge thank you to our Pool Nation Visionary Partners & Sponsors who make this podcast possible and continue to support pool professionals everywhere:

• The SPPA – Leaders in tailored liability insurance for pool pros (thesppa.com)

• US Motors Neptune Variable Speed Motor – Upgrade any pump to variable speed without replumbing (hayward.com)

• Heritage Pool Supply
• SPPA
• Poolside Tech