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Pinch A Penny Title Sponsor of Florida High School Swimming & Diving State Championships

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Pinch A Penny Title Sponsor of Florida High School Swimming & Diving State Championships

CLEARWATER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 4, 2022 / Pinch A Penny, the nation’s largest swimming pool retail and backyard services franchise, will be the presenting sponsor of the Florida High School Swimming & Diving State Championships.

The Florida High School Swimming & Diving State Championships presented by Pinch A Penny will take place at the Sailfish Splash Waterpark and Aquatics Center in Stuart, FL. The Class 3A Championships will be held on Friday, November 4 and the 4A Championships will take place Saturday, November 5. The Class 1A Championships will be on November 11 and the 2A Championships will take place on November 12.

Pinch A Penny is the top pool supply store in the country, providing customers with best-in-class pool chemicals, equipment, repair parts, and accessories. In addition to pool supply retail, Pinch A Penny offers ongoing maintenance and repair services, like water testing and pool service, as well as pool renovations, pressure washing, landscape lighting and more.

Earlier this year, Pinch A Penny served as a sponsor for teams from Texas and Florida teams in the Special Olympics USA Games, where more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean competed across 19 sporting events. It was part of Pinch A Penny’s charitable giving program, Be the Splash, which is a long-time partner of the Special Olympics organization.

Florida High School Athletic Association - FHSAA

“Pinch A Penny is excited to extend its longtime partnership with the Florida High School Athletic Association by once again sponsoring the Swimming & Diving State Championships,” said Kendall Large, Pinch A Penny’s Vice President of Marketing. “Pinch A Penny has a tremendous presence across Florida, and we’re committed to supporting the communities we serve. We look forward to a great competition in Stuart over the next two weekends and wish all of the athletes the best of luck!”

For more information about Florida High School Swimming & Diving State Championships presented by Pinch A Penny, please visit https://fhsaa.com/.

About Pinch A Penny Pool Patio Spa

Founded in 1975, Pinch A Penny Pool Patio Spa has grown from one store to nearly 270 locations across the Southeastern U.S. and Texas. Pinch A Penny has developed a reputation for delivering best-in-class customer service and expertise in pool care while offering the highest quality in products and supplies. These qualities have earned Pinch A Penny inclusion in top industry rankings, such as the 2021 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Business Review Top 200, Franchise Gator Top 100, and Franchise Times Top 200+, as well as Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchises for Women and Top Franchises for Veterans. Additionally, Pinch A Penny was selected as the silver winner for Franchise Update’s prestigious STAR Award for Franchisee Satisfaction and named one of the Top 50 Recession-Proof Franchises by Franchise Business Review.

Taking a family approach to business, Pinch A Penny provides its customers, franchisees, and employees with all the necessary resources to carry on its tradition of quality, reliability, and expertise in a fun, family-oriented atmosphere. The brand also provides customers a one-stop-shop for all their pool and spa supply needs with complete lines of pool chemicals, equipment, as well as maintenance parts and accessories.

For more information about Pinch A Penny, please visit https://pinchapenny.com/.

Media Contact:

Kevin Behan
(919) 459-3595
[email protected]

SOURCE: Pinch A Penny

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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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Pool Service News

Raising Prices For Pool Service Is Never Easy

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Raising Prices For Pool Service Is Never Easy

In recent years, the cost of pool products has been steadily increasing, causing concerns for both pool professionals. This trend has been attributed to a variety of factors, including global supply chain disruptions, increased demand, and rising manufacturing costs.

The pool industry, like many others, has experienced rising prices due to various factors such as inflation and increasing interest rates. These economic influences have had a direct impact on the cost of materials, labor, and other expenses associated with pool construction, renovation, and the service and maintenance sector.

As a result of these increased costs, pool builders and service technicians are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their profit margins. Many are being forced to raise their prices in order to keep up with the rising costs of materials and labor. This, in turn, is leading to higher prices for consumers who are looking to have a pool built or serviced.

The costs of everyday goods have gone up dramatically in the past few years. For those who have managed to maintain pricing structures, a cost increase may just be inevitable. In the wake of the pandemic, the average price of a new vehicle has surged to nearly $49,000, marking a significant increase of approximately $10,000 compared to pre-pandemic times. Between January and June of 2022, the cost of regular motor gasoline experienced a notable surge of 49%, while the price of diesel fuel witnessed a slightly higher increase, reaching 55% (Bureau of Transporation). Consequently, just keeping a pool service fleet on the road has become exorbitantly more expensive.

How To Approach Raising Prices

While raising prices is never an easy decision, it is often necessary in order to maintain the quality of service and products that customers expect. Pool builders and service technicians must balance the need to stay profitable with the need to provide affordable and accessible services to their clients.

As the cost of pool products continues to rise, pool companies are faced with the challenge of maintaining profitability while still providing quality service to their customers. This can be especially difficult for small businesses who rely heavily on customer loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals.

After notifying customers of a price increase, be prepared to address their concerns.
After notifying customers of a price increase, be prepared to address their concerns.

Treat Customers Like People

To address this issue, pool companies should approach rising prices with transparency and communication. It’s important to explain to customers why prices are increasing and how it will affect their pool maintenance and repair services. This includes discussing the specific pool products that have risen in cost and how that impacts the overall cost of pool maintenance.

Communication should also include offering alternative solutions to help customers manage costs. This could include providing a range of pool product options that vary in price, or offering discounts for pre-booking services or signing up for a maintenance package.

Ultimately, being upfront and honest with customers about rising prices is key to maintaining trust and loyalty. By providing education and alternatives, pool companies can help customers navigate the increasing costs while still delivering quality pool services.

The template letter below serves as a useful tool for pool companies to notify their customers about an upcoming price increase for their services. While price increases can be a sensitive topic for customers, the template provides a professional and clear explanation of why the change is necessary. It can be customized to reflect the specific needs and circumstances of each company, allowing them to communicate the information in a way that is both transparent and respectful of their customers’ needs. By using this template letter, pool companies can approach price increases in a thoughtful and effective way, maintaining the trust and loyalty of their customers.

Raising Prices Template Letter For Pool Companies

Dear Valued Customer,

We hope this letter finds you well. At [Company Name], we take pride in providing top-notch pool cleaning and maintenance services to our clients. We appreciate your trust in us and want to take a moment to address a recent change in the pool industry that has affected our pricing.

Over the past few years, we have seen a steady increase in the cost of pool cleaning products and equipment. Unfortunately, this trend is expected to continue, and we must adjust our prices to reflect these changes. We understand that price increases can be difficult to accept, and we want to assure you that we have taken great care to keep our rates as competitive as possible while still providing the quality service you deserve.

Our company remains committed to providing exceptional service and will continue to strive for excellence in all that we do. We appreciate your understanding and want to thank you for your continued business. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you, [Your Name] [Company Name]

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Pool Service News

Pool Girl Pro To The Rescue – Women-Led Training & Networking

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Pool Girl Pro To The Rescue - Women-Led Training & Networking

Wall-to-wall automation controls from Fluidra, Hayward, and Pentair lined the Folsom Eagles Lodge walls in preparation. After a while, a woman’s voice announced that training would begin. The snap-to-attention allowed one to hear a DPD tab drop. This was the beginning of the hands-on training session on wiring automation that quickly gained the attention of the manufacturing giants. What made this event a focus for the “Big 3”? This long overdue initiative in continuing education tackled a grossly underserved niche head-on.

Creating a Program Geared Towards Women

In a predominately male industry, only 9% of pool technicians in the United States are women (Zippia.com, September 2022). In sectors such as education and manufacturing women are the majority, but in this field, female pool contractors and service techs are still the minority. Despite full-time careers and entrepreneurship; we’re not given a pass on the culturally expected duties of being a woman, such as juggling children, spouses, and household management.

These added responsibilities, combined with a societal view that still leans toward women being less competent in skilled labor trades, make the traditional means of gaining education even more of a challenge. Sadly, women in co-ed environments often feel intimidated by their male peers. Not all, but a few wet tablets can make an entire bucket stink at a meeting.

Pool Girl Pro Industry Training Group

The solution? Twice a year, the PGP (Pool Girl Pro) Industry Training Group meets for in-depth and highly comprehensive master programs designed to build technical acumen for the women in the pool industry. Janet Reed and I formed PGP for just those reasons. All people, regardless of gender, should be free of ridicule in asking basic questions regarding technical installation, operation, and troubleshooting. With a primary focus on specialized hands-on training, Janet and I will strive to ensure those goals are met for those who find an all-female attendance more conducive to education.

PGP Industry Training Group had its first in-person, hands-on, all-women training in January 2020 at Leisure Supply Sacramento. This was right before the pandemic hit the world hard! Eight women from the Great Sacramento Area, Bay Area, and Central California attended a Fluidra-led training session on automation controls, variable speed pumps, and pool sweeps. During this first inaugural session, we noticed many men embracing a program that two women had developed. We welcomed them with open arms and exclusion was a non-issue. Many responded excitedly, supporting a group that their wives and daughters could attend to boost their skills without fear of harassment.

Reaching The Women of The Industry

During the pandemic, PGP was fortunate to continue offering in-person, hands-on training and webinars. We reduced the seat numbers during that timeframe to follow local social distancing regulations but provided live streaming of the events for those who could not attend in person. The streaming option allowed our group to reach more women across the country than ever before.

“I love the option to attend a virtual women’s training and gain knowledge from other women in our industry! It’s a great experience to be surrounded by other confident and determined women!” – Lindsay Brown, Oasis Pool Management, Florida.                    

Pool Girl Pro Industry Training Group Session
Pool Girl Pro Industry Training Group Session

Over the past couple of years, PGP events evolved to include networking and mentorship. The ladies would talk amongst each other at each in-person training, and afterward, in social settings, we would go out to dinner with presenters. This afforded us the opportunity to talk shop, family, and discuss life with each other and the vendor support system. This began the infield assistance network our group members enjoy today.

Finally, after three years, PGP is able to offer women-taught training. Our in-person and online attendees are learning the basics of wiring and automation control subpanel. They leavie our comprehensive program eager to employ those new skills in the field.

“The [wiring automation] training was delightful and well prepared. I felt the class catered to a diverse audience and was low-pressure, a factor of comfort I appreciated. I thought it to be a cohesive learning environment and the type everyone would feel welcomed to come to expand their knowledge, ask questions, and feel encouraged to pursue working in this industry.”  – Reina Arrostuto, Ohana Family Pools

Pool Girl Pro Industry Training Group is currently in the process of becoming a non-profit organization. The 501(c)(3) status will permit us the ability to provide additional quality educational opportunities, an increased number of training locations, and even more ability to support the advancement of women in the industry. Ultimately, we want to provide quality educational opportunities, more in-person training locations, and support women’s progress in the industry.

“In a sea of men, the Pool Girl Pro is a long-awaited group of women dedicated to a career in the swimming pool and spa industry and each other,” said Timber Vincent of Blue Dolphin Pool and Spa in Danville, CA. “We support one another; questions can be asked without the fear of judgment; we champion each other to be our best, and hands-on education is offered and encouraged. And together, we hope to make the industry nongender-specific. These gals are the modern Rosie the Riveter of the pool industry.”

Women can join PGP Industry Training Group on Facebook, where they can find training announcements, educational posts, and a place to ask questions when needed. To connect with women who they can consult and support on an international level. If you would like to join the group or get involved, you can find them on Facebook or email [email protected]

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Cleaning and Service Equipment and Supplies

IPSSA Expands & Adds New Awards

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IPSSA Expands & Adds New Awards

The Independent Pool and Spa Service Association (IPSSA) continues to grow and has created more opportunities for its members and chapters to earn recognition and prizes.  IPSSA now offers three awards designed specifically for service professionals that are members.

The newest of these awards is called The Pool Professional of Tomorrow Award to be awarded to any member that demonstrates a commitment to the growth and future of the pool service industry through the activities within their chapter and community.  Designed specifically for newer members, applicants must be active in the industry for less than 10 years. The winner receives a $500 prize and travel accommodations to the annual Weekend of Inspiration event in 2024. 

Additionally, the Independent Pool and Spa Service Association has expanded its well-known Terry Cowles Lifetime achievement award. Established in 2006, the award for individuals was established for those with over 10 years of active service in IPSSA and provides a cash award and complimentary tickets to the annual banquet event.  The new Chapter of the Year Award provides a first, second and third place award that includes cash funds for the chapter as well as complimentary tickets and hotel accommodations for chapter members to the organization’s Weekend of Inspiration event. 

IPSSA - Independent Pool & Spa Service Association, Inc.

Those interested in applying for these awards, please contact Rose Smoot ([email protected]) for details on the nomination criteria.  Submissions must be received by September 1, 2023 to be considered for the awards.  Since its inception in 1988, IPSSA was established to promote educational opportunities and provide business support and resources to its members.  These awards are part of the organizations continued desire to engage members and the criteria reflect the organization’s core values of community, education and support of all IPSSA members.  More information about how to join a chapter can be found on their website, the official Facebook page, or by calling 888-360-9505.

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