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Pool Nation Podcast Culture

E-283 Pool Nation Podcast – Marketing with Crystal Lengua, Algae Fixes with Alicia Stephens, and Hir

📅 January 12, 2026 ⏱️ 1:15:41 🎤 Edgar de Jesus, John Flawless, Zach Nicholas, Crystal Lengua, Alicia Stephens, Josh Sherwood, Leanne, Megan Kendrick

Chapters

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  • 0:00
    Introduction
    Edgar de Jesus, John Flawless, and Zach Nicholas introduce the Pool Nation Podcast and the special guests for the episode.
  • 0:47
    Crystal Lengua Interview
    Crystal Lengua discusses her 24 years in the industry, the importance of marketing in the pool and spa sector, and her role as VP for SMP and Ultralyft.
  • 1:50
    Her Companies & Role
    Crystal explains the distinct business models of SMP (metal distribution) and Ultralyft (hot tub cover lifters) and her multifaceted responsibilities as VP.
  • 2:39
    Algae Fixes with Alicia
    Alicia Stevens joins to discuss common algae problems, particularly green and yellow algae, and effective solutions for pool professionals.
  • 5:05
    Green Algae Treatment
    Alicia details various methods to combat green algae, including chlorine, polyquad algicides, and copper-based solutions, emphasizing preventative measures.
  • 6:29
    Josh Sherwood's Giveaway
    Josh Sherwood talks about his journey into the pool industry and his unique backyard and pool giveaway initiative, including nomination details.
  • 7:45
    From Sod to Pools
    Josh shares his entrepreneurial path from starting a sod installation business to expanding into landscaping and eventually pools.
  • 8:47
    HR Legal Aspects
    Leanne provides crucial advice on navigating the legal complexities of HR for pool professionals, including resources and defense strategies.
  • 11:24
    Megan Kendrick Interview
    Megan Kendrick, owner of Pool Pro Magazine, shares insights on industry trends, the '30 under 40' initiative, and experiences from recent photoshoots.

Speakers

E
Edgar de Jesus
Host
J
John Flawless
Host
Z
Zach Nicholas
Host
C
Crystal Lengua
VP of SMP and Ultralyft
A
Alicia Stephens
J
Josh Sherwood
Sherwoods Outdoors
L
Leanne
M
Megan Kendrick
Owner of Pool Pro Magazine

Key Takeaways

Prioritize foundational marketing strategies, as they are universally applicable across different business types within the pool industry.

Leverage the emotional appeal of pools (relaxation, family, memories) in your marketing to connect deeply with customers and differentiate your services.

Utilize digital marketing tools and social media to create a cohesive brand and effectively reach your target audience, even with limited resources.

Implement preventative algicides to extend chlorine effectiveness, reduce algae issues, and save on costly reactive treatments, especially during peak seasons.

Invest in HR resources, whether through Chamber of Commerce guides or outsourced HR companies, to ensure legal compliance and proper handling of employee-related matters.

Be adaptable and willing to learn new skills or delegate tasks; recognizing your strengths and weaknesses is key to sustained business growth.

Continuously educate yourself on industry changes and legal requirements; laws and best practices evolve, requiring ongoing attention to stay current and protected.

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