SpaRetailer

This episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast features an insightful conversation between host Megan Kendrick and AJ Cada from Cada Pools and Spas in St. Charles, Illinois. AJ discusses his journey into the pool and spa industry, which began in 2012, as well as the evolution and growth of his family’s business over 45 years. The discussion covers the challenges and benefits of working in a family-run business, the importance of staying updated with industry trends and technologies, and the strategic […]

Ron Perkins joined Seven Seas Pools and Spas intending to own the business eventually. COVID fast-forwarded that plan and Perkins outlines how he and his boss developed a purchase plan that benefited them both. Read more > Brought to you by:

Mario Maichel, dealer development manager at Watkins Wellness, is passionate about store design. As an addendum to our recent feature on the topic, Maichel chats about the biggest mistakes he sees hot tub retailers make, why he thinks design is so important and the No. 1 habit he says will improve your store. Brought to you by SpaBot

Alex Granlund, product marketing manager for King Technology joins The SpaRetailer Podcast to talk about the company’s latest innovation — FROG @ease for Swim Spas — and how products go from idea to creation. *Sponsored by King Technology

In honor of our ESOP feature in the April/May 2024 issue of SpaRetailer, we revisit an old podcast with Jim Van Fleet. Van Fleet was the first hot tub retailer to convert his company to an employee stock ownership plan back in 2017. Sign up for one of the SpaRetailer ESOP webinars. Sponsored by SpaBot:

Kathi Belcourt rejoins the podcast, this time to discuss the Aqua-Tech Pool, Spa, and Whole Home Renovation journey. In 2021, Aqua-Tech was sold to a private equity firm, Kathi and Megan discuss what that experience has been like as well as the company adding home renovations to its growing list of product and service offerings. Hear Kathi’s other podcast episode here. Brought to you by Strong Spas

Alice Cunningham and Blair Osborn, founders of Olympic Hot Tub, graced the cover of the very first issue of SpaRetailer in 2007. The couple started the business in 1977 and grew to become one of the top sellers of Hot Spring Spas, winning the manufacturer’s top award three times. The couple was inducted into Hot Spring’s Ring of Honor in 2016 . They were stalwarts of the industry, and in 2016 sold Olympic Hot Tub to longtime employee Don Riling. […]

In 1983, Zodiac hired Jean Pierre Parent, an aeronautical engineer, to work in its aeronautics segment. But he eventually made his way to their pool division and has spent the rest of his career in the pool and hot tub industry. Parent now works for Balboa Water Group, a hot tub components supplier subsidiary of Helios Technologies, as its senior vice president and managing director.

Mike Dunn retired in 2021 after 42 years in the hot tub industry, 27 of which were spent at Watkins Wellness. He shares his hot tub history and memories of the industry from his teenage years helping his dad at Hawkeye Spas.

For our 100th episode(!) we chat with J. Michael Coleman about the 2023 Pool | Spa | Patio Expo. Both Megan and Mike were recovering from their post-show illnesses, but we managed to chat about trends we saw at the show and 2024 predictions.