Episode 318 Pool Nation Podcast. Six years ago, we turned on the microphones to have the conversations pool pros needed. We never imagined those conversations would grow into boot camps, the Pool Nation Awards, the Women’s Summit, and a headquarters built for the pool pro community.

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and John “JJ Flawless” look back at how it all started, the moments that made the work worth it, and the lessons learned along the way. From the early days of Instagram Live to earning the industry’s trust, we share what it has taken to keep showing up—and why listening to pool pros continues to shape everything we do.

We get personal about the sacrifices behind the scenes, talk honestly about mistakes and partnerships, and discuss why growing a mission takes the right people, consistency, and a willingness to change direction. We also share updates on Heritage’s training at Pool Nation headquarters, the Pool Nation Awards, and the $25,000 Pool Pro Challenge.

To everyone who has listened, attended a training, shared an idea, or trusted us to be part of their journey: thank you. You are the reason we are Pool Nation.

Master the business. Perfect the craft. Make an impact.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome and celebrating six years of Pool Nation 03:00 – Remembering September 11 07:00 – Heritage MIT training and a home for pool pros 13:00 – Pool Nation Awards, training, and Pool Pro Challenge updates 16:00 – Looking back: How Pool Nation began 20:00 – From helping pool pros to launching a podcast 27:00 – How the original vision evolved 30:00 – Bob Lowry and the inspiration behind the Pool Nation Awards 34:00 – Building a space and a voice for every pool pro 38:00 – The moments that showed us we were making a difference 42:00 – The Women’s Summit and ideas born from the community 45:00 – Sponsor break 50:00 – Back from the break 52:00 – Earning the industry’s trust through consistency 59:00 – Going all in while running a business and raising a family 1:03:00 – The work and personal sacrifices behind the scenes 1:07:00 – Mistakes, partnerships, and lessons learned 1:10:00 – Building the team and learning to change direction 1:13:00 – Rethinking coaching and reaching more pool pros 1:15:00 – Sponsor break 1:20:00 – JJ’s netting skills and pool service pet peeves 1:22:00 – Finding purpose in teaching and giving back 1:25:00 – Setting up the next conversation: Where is the industry headed? 1:27:00 – Thank you, Pool Nation, and the mission moving forward

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Visionary Partners

A huge thank-you to 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, and OnCore Filtration for helping us bring education, training, and conversations like this to the pool industry.

Episode 317 Pool Nation Podcast - What does it take to grow a family-owned pool business from a backyard shed into three retail locations, 70 employees, and a customer database of 17,000?

This week on the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and guest co-host Ryan Morrison welcome Tara Soto of Rising Sun Pools in Raleigh, North Carolina, for a Hayward Spotlight conversation about pool business growth, customer loyalty, and carrying a family legacy forward.

Founded by Tara’s father, Charlie, in 1972, Rising Sun Pools has grown into a full-service swimming pool company offering pool construction, service, maintenance, and retail. Tara shares how the business evolved—and what it takes to keep customers coming back across generations.

Hear how her team connects seasonal pool openings with recurring maintenance and in-store water testing, why they expanded into vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete pools, and how personal customer service helps distinguish their stores from larger competitors.

Tara also opens up about taking over after her father’s unexpected passing, navigating business decisions with her siblings, and earning respect as a woman in the pool industry. Plus, she explains how Rising Sun Pools is approaching online competition through customer rewards, a planned website overhaul, and delivery options—and why social media engagement doesn’t always translate into sales.

Whether you’re a pool service professional, swimming pool builder, retailer, or family business owner, this episode offers practical lessons in building customer relationships, managing growth, and marketing to the people who actually buy.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Growing a pool company across construction, service, and retail • Turning seasonal pool openings into ongoing customer relationships • Pool heat pumps, winterization, and customer education • Managing a family business and preparing the next generation • Women in the pool industry and the importance of being heard • Competing with online retailers through convenience and service • Focusing pool business marketing on customers instead of likes

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 — Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 02:00 — Meet Tara Soto and Rising Sun Pools 03:00 — Thank you to our visionary partners 09:00 — Why Tara returned to the family pool business 11:00 — How Rising Sun Pools began in 1972 13:00 — Three stores and three types of inground pools 15:00 — Pre-scheduling, repeat customers, and seasonal demand 17:00 — Connecting pool openings, maintenance, and retail 19:00 — Heat pumps and extending the swimming season 21:00 — Freeze preparation and customer communication 22:00 — Sponsor messages 28:00 — Handshake deals, early buys, and old-school pool marketing 33:00 — Building service expertise and supplier relationships 35:00 — “Everything under the sun” for the backyard 37:00 — Expansion, 30 trucks, and 70 employees 38:00 — Family business leadership and the next generation 41:00 — Taking over after the loss of the founder 44:00 — Building loyalty through personal customer service 46:00 — Earning respect as a woman in the pool industry 49:00 — Sponsor messages 54:00 — Meet Ryan “The Muscle” Morrison 55:00 — Competing with Amazon: rewards, online ordering, and delivery plans 57:00 — Why engagement doesn’t always equal sales 60:00 — Closing thoughts and shout-outs 62:00 — Where to connect with Pool Nation

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

A huge thank-you to our visionary partners: SPPA, BlueRay XL, AquaStar Pool Products, Natural Chemistry, Raypak, Heritage Pool Supply, Hayward Pool Products, OnCore Brands, Poolside Tech, PoolBrain, Nidec / U.S. MOTORS, and OnCore Filtration. Thank you also to Encore Coatings / KOOL for Pools, featured in this episode’s sponsor messages.

Your continued support helps Pool Nation bring pool professionals together through education, industry conversations, and community.

Enjoyed the episode? Follow the Pool Nation Podcast, leave a review, and share this conversation with a pool pro or business owner who’s building something that lasts.

Follow us on Instagram: @pool.nation @poolnationpodcast

Episode 316 Pool Nation Podcast - What happens when 130 women from across the swimming pool industry come together to learn, connect, and grow? In this special episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, guest host Emily Lemenzo Washkovich joins Doreen, Leanne, Sarah, and Spider to recap the unforgettable 2026 Pool Nation Women’s Summit.

The group explores how the summit has evolved from an inspirational event into an intentionally designed leadership-development experience. They discuss overcoming imposter syndrome, building trust, communicating with impact, becoming a “multiplier” instead of a diminisher, and creating a safe environment where women feel empowered to use their voices.

Emily also shares her deeply personal journey with bipolar disorder, burnout, boundaries, and rebuilding a healthier relationship with work. The conversation continues with practical ways pool professionals can use AI as a thought partner, highlights from the summit’s mentor sessions and awards, and a look at how the new Pool Nation headquarters will create year-round opportunities for training, collaboration, and industry growth.

Whether you own a pool service company, lead a team, work for a manufacturer or distributor, or are building your career in the pool and spa industry, this episode is packed with leadership lessons and real-world encouragement you can put into action.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Women’s Summit recap 03:00 – Why women need connection and community in the pool industry 05:00 – Taking the summit from inspirational to aspirational 07:00 – Communicating with impact, building trust, and creating culture 08:30 – Multipliers, diminishers, and becoming a better leader 11:00 – Creating a safe space where women can find their voices 12:00 – The Drive assessment and understanding what energizes you 15:00 – Sponsor support and the summit’s surprise-and-delight boxes 25:00 – Facilitation training and developing industry educators 35:00 – Audience engagement, boundaries, and stepping away from the business 43:00 – How the Pool Nation Women’s Summit began and evolved 49:00 – Mentor conversations, workplace culture, and industry relationships 55:00 – Selecting Emily as the keynote speaker 59:00 – Emily’s personal journey with work, mental health, and bipolar disorder 01:05:00 – Establishing boundaries and building a healthier relationship with work 01:15:00 – Recognizing courageous women and summit award recipients 01:25:00 – Using AI and ChatGPT as practical tools for pool professionals 01:34:00 – Heritage’s commitment to the Women’s Summit 01:35:00 – Year-round leadership development and the Pool Nation headquarters 01:37:00 – Final takeaways from the 2026 Women’s Summit 01:41:00 – What’s next for Pool Nation leadership programs 01:45:00 – Closing thoughts and how to connect with Pool Nation

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

This episode and the Pool Nation Women’s Summit would not be possible without the organizations that invest in education, leadership development, and the future of the pool and spa industry.

A huge thank-you to:

SPPA BlueRay XL AquaStar Pool Products Natural Chemistry Raypak Heritage Pool Supply Hayward Pool Products Encore Brands Poolside Tech Pool Brain Nidec OnCore Filtration

Special thanks to the partners, mentors, facilitators, volunteers, and team members who helped create such a meaningful experience for the women of the pool industry.

Learn more and connect with Pool Nation at PoolNationPodcast.com, follow Pool Nation on Facebook and Instagram at @poolnationpodcast, and explore industry training and community resources at PoolManUniversity.com.