Episode # 312 of the Pool Nation Podcast. What if one simple conversation could increase your average ticket by 30-40%?

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and John "JJ Flawless" sit down with Joe Garcia of Lion Financial to break down one of the most overlooked opportunities in the swimming pool industry: financing.

Whether you're a pool builder, service company, repair technician, remodeler, or equipment installer, financing isn't just for new pool construction anymore.

Joe shares how successful pool companies are using financing to help homeowners upgrade pumps, filters, heaters, automation systems, sanitization equipment, complete equipment pads, backyard projects, outdoor living spaces, and much more.

The conversation goes far beyond loans. You'll learn how financing can increase customer trust, improve your closing percentage, raise your average invoice, and help homeowners invest in better equipment without putting unnecessary pressure on their budget.

The episode also dives into:

• The biggest financing myths in the pool industry

• Why every pool professional should offer financing

• The difference between secured and unsecured loans

• Questions every contractor should ask a financing partner

• Hidden fees and fine print many contractors never discuss

• Why acceptance rate matters more than approval rate

• How financing can increase equipment upgrades and overall profitability

Joe also shares his unique career journey from Verizon and Bank of America to entrepreneurship, running a successful formal wear business, and ultimately becoming one of the industry's leading educators in pool financing.

If you're looking to grow your pool business, increase average ticket size, improve customer experience, and sell more premium equipment, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

• Pool financing for service companies
• Pool builder financing
• Equipment pad upgrades
• Variable speed pumps
• Pool automation
• Pool heaters
• Heat pumps
• Pool filters
• Outdoor living financing
• Sales training for pool companies
• Growing a pool service business
• Pool business marketing
• Leadership
• Customer communication
• Homeowner financing
• Lion Financial

00:00 Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast

02:00 Summer service stories and life in the field

11:45 Pool Nation HQ opening announcement and upcoming events

17:00 Hayward Hands-On Boot Camp preview

24:00 Meet Joe Garcia

29:45 From Verizon and dark fiber to banking leadership

34:30 Entrepreneurship, leadership and the quinceañera business

44:00 Leadership vs. management

46:00 Sponsor Break

50:00 What Lion Financial actually does

57:00 Financing beyond pool construction

1:00:00 Secured vs. unsecured financing explained

1:04:00 Hidden financing fees every contractor should understand

1:10:00 Why financing matters for pool service companies

1:15:00 How financing increases average ticket size

1:23:00 Final business lessons and closing thoughts

A huge thank you to our partners for supporting Pool Nation and helping us educate the swimming pool industry.

• SPPA
• BlueRay XL
• AquaStar Pool Products
• Natural Chemistry
• Raypak
• Heritage Pool Supply Group
• Hayward Pool Products
• Poolside Tech
• Pool Brain
• Nidec / US Motors
• Encore Coatings
• Pool Invoice
• OnCore

Episode #311 Pool Nation Podcast What really makes one pool filter better than another?

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and John "JJ Flawless" sit down with Rich Medina, Engineering Leader at OnCore Filtration, to take one of the deepest dives we've ever done into pool filtration.

Rich brings over 34 years of engineering and pool industry experience, sharing how cartridge filters are designed, how filtration media actually works, why point-bonded media outperforms traditional materials, and how proper filtration directly impacts water chemistry, customer satisfaction, equipment longevity, and profitability.

Whether you're a pool service company, builder, retailer, manufacturer, or simply want to better understand what separates premium filters from inexpensive alternatives, this episode is packed with practical knowledge that will immediately improve the way you think about water quality.

• Why filtration is the foundation of crystal-clear water

• How cartridge filters actually work

• What "point bonded" filter media means

• Why cheap cartridge filters often fail

• Injection molded cores vs. PVC cores

• Why filter bands matter more than you think

• Proper cartridge cleaning techniques

• Common mistakes pool professionals make

• When filters should actually be replaced

• Why turnover rate may be more important than PSI

• How engineering decisions impact your customer's pool

If you've ever wondered why some pools stay crystal clear while others constantly struggle, this episode explains the science behind it.

00:00 Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast

01:00 Meet Rich Medina from OnCore Filtration

05:45 Rich's engineering background and military experience

12:00 How Rich entered the swimming pool industry

27:00 Building filtration technology through engineering

36:30 Why filtration is the foundation of water quality

44:00 How cartridge filtration actually works

50:00 Filter media explained: point bonded vs. flat bonded

59:45 Injection molded cores vs. PVC cores

1:07:00 Why filter bands matter

1:12:30 The correct way to clean cartridge filters

1:17:00 When should pool filters be replaced?

1:20:00 Creating a maintenance schedule that saves customers money

1:22:00 Why turnover rate matters more than pressure

1:25:00 Final thoughts and takeaways

A huge thank you to the incredible companies helping us educate and elevate the swimming pool industry.

• SPPA

• Blue Ray XL

• AquaStar Pool Products

• Natural Chemistry

• Raypak

• Heritage Pool Supply

• Hayward Pool Products

• Encore Brands

• Poolside Tech

• Pool Brain

• Nidec / U.S. Motors

• OnCore Filtration

Your continued support allows Pool Nation to bring free education to pool professionals across the world.

Episode 310 Pool Nation Podcast

What does it take to build a pool company that lasts nearly six decades?

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus is joined by Ryan Morson from Hayward along with Ken and Sandy Barthman of Dunrite Pools, a second-generation family business that has been building swimming pools on Long Island for over 58 years.

From starting in the business as a teenager to now constructing more than 125 pools every year, Ken and Sandy share what it takes to build a lasting reputation, work together as husband and wife, and prepare the next generation to carry the company forward.

The conversation dives deep into the unique challenges of vinyl liner pools, high water table construction, dewatering systems, custom liner measurements, heat pumps, customer service, online reviews, company culture, and why reputation remains the most valuable asset any pool company can have.

Whether you're a pool builder, service professional, business owner, or simply passionate about the swimming pool industry, this episode is packed with practical lessons on leadership, craftsmanship, family business, and building a legacy that lasts.

• How Dunrite Pools has remained successful for over 58 years

• What it's really like running a pool company as husband and wife

• Building approximately 125 vinyl liner pools each year

• How dewatering works in high water table construction

• Why accurate liner measurements are critical

• Heat pumps vs. gas heaters in northern markets

• Preparing your business for multi-generational leadership

• Managing customer expectations and protecting your online reputation

• Why family businesses continue to thrive in the pool industry

• The importance of building trust one customer at a time

00:00 Introduction

02:00 Meet Ken & Sandy Barthman of Dunrite Pools

05:45 Pool construction on Long Island

08:45 Hayward's "Power of Us" initiative

10:00 How Ken & Sandy met and built a life together

15:00 The history of DunritePools

18:00 Dewatering explained

23:00 Building 125 vinyl liner pools every year

26:00 Heat pumps vs. gas heaters

30:00 Custom vinyl liner measurements

33:00 The complete vinyl liner installation process

40:00 Running a family business together

43:00 Building a multi-generation company

47:00 Protecting your reputation through customer service

49:00 Life outside the pool industry

52:00 Final thoughts and legacy

A huge thank you to our visionary partners for helping us educate and elevate the swimming pool industry:

• SPPA

• BluRay XL

• AquaStar Pool Products

• Natural Chemistry

• Raypak

• Heritage Pool Supply

• Hayward Pool Products

• Poolside Tech

• Pool Brain

• Nidec / US Motors

• OnCore Filtration

• Encore Brands

Your continued support allows us to provide free education to pool professionals across the industry.

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