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Talking Pools Podcast is a Hit!

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Talking Pools Podcast is a Hit!

Talking Pools podcast recently celebrated a pretty big milestone with their show by reaching #43 on the “How To” section of Apple Podcasts (Chartable.com). The “How To” category typically comprises an audience base of homeowners, and DIY’ers looking for sound advice. Being in the #43 position is an achievement in itself. With over 850,000 podcasts out there, its a good indicator that the show has begun to break through and track with listeners outside of the pool industry.

The team behind Talking Pools are industry professionals Rudy Stankowitz, Andrea Nannini Heather Linton, Kelli Clancy and Dan Lenz. Dedicated to giving back to the industry, the group finds the time for coordinating to record episodes in their off-hours between servicing and maintaining pools.

One of the things which perhaps makes Talking Pools stand out from other pool-related podcasts including our own, is the uniquely spontaneous format of the show. It’s often reminiscent of listening to your favorite radio show on your morning drive to work.

Best-selling author, CPO trainer, and Talking Pools Co-Host Rudy Stankowitz shared his insights as to what their hit new show is all about and why it is fast becoming a favorite among pool industry professionals.

Talking Pools is Uniquely Entertaining

“Talking Pools is about real pool talk. It’s about the sharing of information, the conversations that you would have with another pool pro in the distributor parking lot; that’s what we’re about,” said Stankowitz.

“We have the right hosts in place to ensure a listener doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel; that they can avoid the typical stumbling blocks a service company or builder can face, only one with less than ten years of experience, and two with over thirty years each” explained Stankowitz, “I think I can speak for the five pool pro hosts of the Talking Pools Podcast and say that the goal of this podcast is to benefit the listeners. An occasional interview, but eons from the standard interview podcast format. We mostly talk about our own experiences. Just pool pros talking pools.”

You never know who will stop by Talking Pools – Rudy Stankowitz & Jeff Hampe (Hampe Pools / 14psi Industry Lounge)

In each episode, you’ll hear plenty of witty banter about everyday issues in addition to whatever pool topic du jour is being served up that day. Perhaps, one of the most pleasing aspects is how all of the hosts seem to have a camaraderie and chemistry that resonates and makes the podcast genuinely enjoyable to listen to.

While all of the hosts appear to have their unique areas of expertise, the nature of the podcast and its revolving guest list makes for the type of impromptu back and forth that stimulates thought-provoking dialogue. The unforced and often unplanned approach to the program is often more in line with traditional radio interview formats, which is perhaps the secret behind the show’s success with mainstream audiences.

The fact that you’re listening to a bunch of pool jocks talk shop doesn’t really sink in right away because of the tempo and often entertaining banter between the hosts. That the show has begun generating a buzz is something co-host Kelli Clancy is still trying to wrap her head around.

Kelli Clancy of the Talking Pools Podcast

“I love being a part of the Talking Pools Podcast Network,” said Clancy, “I’m glad we can represent multiple areas of the country while helping our fellow pool pros grow. It’s been amazing seeing the success of our show grow on Apple Podcast. It is a reward to see our hard work appreciated by everyone. I hope we continue to be an influence on our industry members.”

Pool professional Heather Linton is immersed in the construction and remodeling side of the business. This is where she lends her expertise to the Talking Pools Podcast. Since joining the show, she’s received numerous requests from people to cover various subjects of interest.

“I enjoy our team as we all have different ideas and insights and experiences that can be helpful to others,” said Linton, “whether you’re a pool industry professional just starting out or have been in business for years. My focus is pool remodeling, pool construction, and business coaching. I’ve had several people call my office and ask me to do a certain topic or help them with a particular question.”

Andrea Nannini, Heather Linton and Rudy Stankowitz recording live at the Everything Under the Sun Expo

“Being a part of the Talking Pools Podcast has been one of the most fun and rewarding things that has come from my time in the pool industry,” said Co-Host Andrea Nannini, “not only do Rudy and I get to talk to some great people who are involved in all aspects of the swimming pool world, but I also get to learn along with our listeners.”

Andrea, who is often the ying to Rudy’s yang on the show, feels it’s their unique ability to offer their own insights and areas of experience from different sectors of the industry that distinguishes Talking Pools from other pool industry-related podcasts.

In this episode, Andrea interrupts Rudy #swimmingpool #poolcleaner #poolcleaningservice #swimmingpooldesign #swimmingpoolconstruction #swimmingpoolcontractor #podcast #podcasthost #podcastshow

Posted by Talking Pools Podcast on Wednesday, December 22, 2021

“Heather, Kelli, and Dan each bring their own special elements and expertise to their shows,” said Nannini, “I think that having such a great group of people working together to bring people something entertaining and useful is why we made it to the top 50 on Apple podcasts. For me it’s still so amazing that so many people listen and enjoy what we wanted to do for them, and I am so grateful.”

Many of the topics that come up during the course of the show are issues pertaining to what is happening in the pool industry right now. You’ll find a running op-editorial column for Talking Pools right here on Pool Magazine.

4.9/5 - (21 votes)

Marianne Trusty is a Press Correspondent for the pool & spa industry. A published author and social media influencer reaching over 20 million people around the world each day. Contact Marianne about publishing op-editorials, breaking pool news and press releases at [email protected].

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Landslide Damages Homes, Destroys Swimming Pool in California

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Landslide Destroys Home, Damages Swimming Pool in California

A landslide wreaked havoc in Sherman Oaks early Wednesday morning, causing millions in damage and virtually destroying one homeowner’s swimming pool. The catastrophe unfolded at around 3 a.m. following reports from residents in the 3700 block of North Ventura Canyon Avenue, who noticed downed power lines and a large tree fallen into a backyard, as detailed in a press release by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a significant portion of the hillside had shifted downward, endangering at least three homes and inflicting heavy damage on another under construction. Video footage captured by OnScene.TV revealed a gaping crack splitting through the backyard of one residence, with a section of the home visibly tilting to one side.

While no injuries were reported, several individuals were evacuated from at least one home, with firefighters resorting to pumping water out of a swimming pool to alleviate additional strain on the hillside. Unfortunately, part of the pool and home ultimately collapsed down a 30-foot cliff destroying another residence that was still under construction.

Responding to the crisis, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety initially deemed one home unsafe, red-tagging the structure. However, their assessment later extended to two homes deemed unsafe and a third severely damaged, marked with a yellow tag. Ongoing drone surveys by firefighters aim to assess the extent of the damage and potential risks.

At present, the exact cause of the landslide remains undetermined, according to LAFD spokesperson Nicholas Prange. Requests for comment from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety went unanswered.

Authorities seized the opportunity to remind residents of the necessity for year-round emergency preparedness, emphasizing the looming threats posed by wildfires and heavy rainstorms capable of triggering landslides.

The unfortunate incident follows March’s heavy precipitation in Southern California, with Sherman Oaks experiencing 1.95 inches of rainfall over March 6th and 7th, as reported by the National Weather Service.

4.9/5 - (12 votes)

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BofA Downgrades Latham Group Citing Weak Pool Construction Market

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BofA Downgrades Latham Group Citing Weak Pool Construction Market

Latham Group (NASDAQ: SWIM), a prominent player in residential swimming pool construction, faced a setback as Bank of America downgraded its stock due to concerns over sluggish new pool construction and increased decrementals.

With the downgrade, SWIM’s stock plummeted by 23.78% during pre-market trading on Wednesday, settling at $2.50, marking an 11% dip below its 200-day simple moving average.

Bank of America revised its recommendation on Latham Group stock to Underperform, slashing the price target from $4.50 to $2.60.

In its 2024 guidance announcement, SWIM projected revenues between $490M and $520M, falling short of the consensus estimate of $533.09M. Similarly, adjusted EBITDA guidance ranged from $60M to $70M, representing an 8% to 35% decrease compared to previous expectations.

The downgrade stems from a sluggish start to 2024, subdued projections for new pool construction, operational challenges leading to deleverage, and constrained free cash flow.

Management anticipates a 15% year-over-year decline in new pool construction for 2024.

These developments contrast with the optimistic sentiment among some sell-side analysts, who maintain a Buy rating on SWIM with an average price target of $3.54.

Scott Rajeski, President and CEO, stated, “Latham navigated a very difficult market environment in 2023. We successfully implemented cost reduction programs and lean manufacturing initiatives that structurally reduced our cost basis, while maintaining our investments in future growth. These cost reduction programs improved margins as the year progressed and we expect they will enable us to considerably expand margins and overall profitability once volumes recover. At the same time, we increased productivity and efficiency for our dealers, developed new fiberglass pool models, and invested in digital tools that have enhanced the consumer’s pool buying experience. As a result of these actions, Latham is positioned for meaningful market share gains as overall industry conditions improve.”

5/5 - (7 votes)

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Fluidra Launches €20 Million Venture Capital Fund – Fluidra Ventures

The company will invest €20 million in tech-based startups that offer emerging solutions that can enhance the pool and wellness sector.

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Fluidra Ventures

Fluidra, a global leader in connected equipment and solutions for the pool and wellness sector, is launching Fluidra Ventures, a €20 million corporate venture capital fund (CVC) investment to lead innovation in the sector.

The CVC will invest in each startup with the potential to revolutionize the industry on a global scale through their solutions, with a special focus on the United States and Europe. The goal of this first three-year phase is to build a solid portfolio of startups through investing in innovative companies.

The CVC will target startup initiatives that enhance efficiency, connectivity, sustainability and safety in the swimming pool and wellness business, leveraging IoT, computer vision and robotic solutions. It is looking for startups that add value to the pool and wellness sector with innovative business models, fostering direct customer interaction through sales, subscriptions and other channels. The CVC has already invested in Coral Smart Pool, a technology company aiming to transform the pool experience through Artificial Intelligence (AI) with an initial focus on pool safety.  

Fluidra Ventures will also invest in companies that innovate in engineering and science to advance materials and products that deal with swimming pool manufacturing, efficiency and maintenance.

Four segments and eight strategic guidelines

The fund is focused on four different segments — Commercial, Residential, Wellness and Mass Market—and has an investment thesis that covers eight strategic guidelines, from connected pools, resource optimization, digital platforms, innovative materials, security systems, personalized experiences, robotics and innovative consumable products.

Fluidra Ventures is fueled by Fluidra Lab, Fluidra’s open innovation division, and any startups that want to submit their proposals can send their investment pitch decks to [email protected]. Offering more than just investments, Fluidra aims to leverage this initiative to become the top strategic collaborator for the most innovative startups with the tremendous benefits that being an industry leader brings, such as: resources, scale successful business models, expertise, experience, and sales options.

“This initiative joins several others that we have at Fluidra to promote innovation in our industry. This is why here at Fluidra Ventures we’re excited about the transformative potential that this venture will have for the pool and wellness industry, driving forward innovation, sustainability and technological advancement”, said Eloi Planes, Fluidra’s Executive Chairman.

5/5 - (12 votes)

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