How a Former SWAT Officer Built One of California's Most Successful Pool Companies | Featuring Obie Rodriguez

What happens when a 30-year law enforcement veteran and 15-year SWAT officer decides to build swimming pools instead of chasing criminals?

In episode # 307 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and Ryan Morse from Hayward sit down with Obie Rodriguez, owner of Majestic Pool Construction, to share one of the most inspiring business stories in the swimming pool industry. After two frustrating experiences hiring pool contractors, Obie decided to learn the trade himself. He earned his contractor's license, built his own company from the ground up, and today completes more than 200 custom swimming pool and remodeling projects every year across multiple locations.

This conversation goes far beyond swimming pool construction. It's about leadership, building systems, growing a company, creating a culture that thrives without the owner, using social media to generate qualified leads, and believing in yourself enough to take the leap into entrepreneurship.

Whether you're a pool builder, pool service professional, swimming pool contractor, retailer, distributor, manufacturer, or business owner, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately to grow your business.

In This Episode:

• How two bad pool-building experiences changed Obie's life forever

• Transitioning from SWAT officer to successful pool builder

• Building a swimming pool company that completes more than 200 projects per year

• Creating business systems that allow your company to grow without you

• Leadership lessons from law enforcement that apply to every business

• Why delegation is one of the hardest skills for business owners

• Expanding into multiple locations

• Surviving COVID without sacrificing profits

• The social media strategy that doubled qualified leads

• Why transparency creates better customers

• The future of pool automation and smart technology

• Advice every entrepreneur needs to hear before starting a business

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Pool Nation

01:30 – Meet Obie Rodriguez

04:00 – Family, RV life, and fishing stories

08:45 – Becoming a police officer at 19

10:00 – Fifteen years on SWAT

15:00 – Two terrible pool-building experiences that changed everything

18:00 – Learning the pool industry by working for free

20:00 – Building pools while serving as a police officer

22:30 – Retiring early and betting on himself

24:00 – COVID, supply shortages, and protecting profits

32:30 – Expanding to multiple locations

35:00 – Building systems that allow the business to run without you

41:00 – What today's pool buyers really want

46:00 – The social media strategy that doubled qualified leads

49:00 – Why transparency creates better customers

55:00 – Final advice for entrepreneurs

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

Thank you to our incredible partners for helping Pool Nation educate, inspire, and elevate the swimming pool industry:

• OnCore Filtration

• Hayward Pool Products

• Heritage Pool Supply Group

• The SPPA

• BluRay XL

• AquaStar Pool Products

• Natural Chemistry

• Raypak

• Poolside Tech

• Encore Brands

• Pool Brain

• Nidec / US Motors

The Pool Nation Podcast is the premier podcast for the swimming pool industry, delivering weekly conversations with the industry's top pool builders, service professionals, manufacturers, distributors, educators, and business leaders.

Master the Business. Perfect the Craft.

Subscribe today and join thousands of pool professionals who are growing stronger businesses through education, leadership, and community.

In Episode 306 of the Pool Nation Podcast - The Pool Nation Awards are officially back, and nominations are now open!

In this episode , Edgar and John "JJ Flawless" dive deep into the story behind the Pool Nation Awards, why recognizing pool professionals matters, and how these awards have become one of the most anticipated celebrations in the swimming pool industry.

The guys break down the 2026 award categories, discuss recent changes based on pool pro feedback, explain the nomination and voting process, and share what it takes to stand out as a nominee. They also reflect on the origins of the awards, the legacy of Bob Lowry, the importance of celebrating industry leaders while they're still with us, and why the Pool Nation community continues to elevate the swimming pool industry year after year.

Plus, Edgar and John tease a major industry announcement coming August 7 that they believe will be a game-changer for pool professionals nationwide.

Whether you're a pool service professional, builder, retailer, trainer, manufacturer, distributor, or industry leader, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a reminder of why community matters.

👉 Nominate a deserving pool professional today. 👉 Get involved in the Pool Nation Awards. 👉 Celebrate the people who make our industry stronger every day.

00:00 Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 01:00 Today's Topics: Pool Nation Awards & Industry Announcement Tease 02:00 Thanking Pool Nation Visionary Partners 03:00 Baby Watch 2026 with JJ Flawless 08:00 Women's Summit 2026 Update & Sold-Out Event 12:00 August 7 Industry-Changing Announcement Teaser 14:00 Why August 7 Could Change Pool Industry Education 17:00 Hayward Training, Boot Camps & Upcoming Events 18:00 Pool Nation Awards 2026 Overview 20:00 New Award Categories & Industry Feedback 23:00 Trailblazer, Trainer of the Year & Pool Guy/Girl of the Year Discussion 24:00 How to Submit Nominations 26:00 Voting Process & Important Dates 27:00 The Story Behind the Pool Nation Awards 29:00 Bob Lowry's Legacy & Lifetime Achievement Award 32:00 Why Pool Nation Gives Pool Pros a Voice 35:00 Celebrating the Service Industry & Aftermarket Professionals 37:00 Sponsor Break 43:00 Looking Back at the First Pool Nation Awards 46:00 Growth of the Awards & Industry Support 48:00 HASA After Party & Award Night Experience 49:00 Favorite Award Categories & Why They Matter 52:00 Why Pool Guy & Pool Girl of the Year Are Special 55:00 The Brotherhood & Sisterhood of Pool Pros 57:00 Sponsor Break 01:01:00 New Orleans, PSP Expo & Pool Nation Awards 2026 01:02:00 $25,000 Pool Pro Challenge Updates 01:05:00 More Prizes, Bigger Competition & What's Next 01:06:00 Final Thoughts & August 7 Reminder 01:08:00 Industry Talk: The Washington Memorial Pool Project 01:10:00 Closing Remarks

A huge thank you to our incredible Pool Nation partners and sponsors for supporting education, training, and the future of the swimming pool industry:

• BluRay XL
• Natural Chemistry
• Raypak
• Hayward Pool Products
• Poolside Tech (The Attendant)
• Nidec / US Motors
• OnCore Filtration

Thank you for helping Pool Nation fulfill its mission of helping pool professionals master the business and perfect the craft.

Episode # 305 Pool Nation Podcast - What does it take to build a pool service company that lasts for decades, retains top talent, and serves more than 1,000 pools?

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus, John "JJ Flawless," and Zac "The Pool Boy" Nicholas sit down with Nick LaPointe and Ray De Rosa of Golden State Pools to discuss two very different journeys that led to one of Southern California's most respected pool service companies.

From the days of gas chlorine service and hand-written route books to modern operations, service management, technician training, inventory systems, and company leadership, this conversation dives deep into what it really takes to build a sustainable pool business.

Nick shares the story of growing up in the family business, while Ray discusses building his own company before merging with Golden State Pools. Together they reveal the systems, leadership philosophies, employee development programs, and business lessons that have fueled their success.

Most importantly, they share two lessons every pool professional needs to hear: set boundaries and know your value.

Whether you're a solo operator, building your first route, managing technicians, or scaling toward your own pool empire, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experience from pool pros who have lived it.

00:00 Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 01:00 Meet Nick LaPointe and Ray DeRosa of Golden State Pools 06:00 Steak dinner bets, pool industry friendships, and Western Show stories 17:00 Nick's family history in the pool industry 23:00 The early days of gas chlorine pool service 28:00 How 9/11 changed pool sanitation operations forever 31:00 Transitioning from gas chlorine to liquid chlorine systems 34:00 Growing up in the family business and earning a business degree 40:00 How Ray got started in pools and launched his own company 42:00 Merging two companies into Golden State Pools 46:00 From DOS systems and paper invoices to modern software 49:00 Building company culture and leadership partnerships 57:00 Why training matters and Golden State's 8-week technician training program 1:05:00 Employee development, career paths, and retention strategies 1:17:00 Managing repairs, service teams, and operational structure 1:24:00 Inventory management, purchasing power, and warehouse operations 1:33:00 The importance of boundaries as a business owner 1:37:00 Knowing your value and pricing with confidence 1:41:00 Final advice for pool professionals and closing thoughts

A huge thank you to our Pool Nation partners and sponsors who continue supporting pool professionals across the industry:

• The SPPA
• BluRay XL
• AquaStar Pool Products
• Natural Chemistry
• Raypak
• Heritage Pool Supply Group
• Hayward Pool Products
• Poolside Tech
• Pool Brain
• Nidec / US Motors
• OnCore Filtration

Your support helps us continue educating, elevating, and empowering pool professionals everywhere.

In episode # 304 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus and Zac "The Pool Boy" Nicholas sit down with Jeremy Young and Orlando Gadea from Fluidra to reveal one of the biggest pool industry technology launches in years: the all-new AquaLink Edge platform.

This isn't just another automation panel. Fluidra shares how AquaLink Edge is built around edge computing, smarter equipment communication, local processing, enhanced homeowner experiences, and a future ecosystem designed to help pool professionals run more efficient and profitable businesses.

The conversation dives deep into automation, connected equipment, wireless communication, AI-driven pool management, smarter service operations, and how Tracker IO is helping transform the way pool companies manage routes, inventory, service calls, and customer experiences.

Whether you're a pool service professional, builder, repair technician, retailer, or industry leader, this episode provides an exclusive first look at where pool technology is heading and how it will impact your business over the next decade.

00:00 Introduction & Welcome

02:00 Meet Fluidra's Jeremy Young & Orlando Gadella

06:00 Heritage Pro Service Academy & Pool Pro Challenge Updates

08:00 Jeremy's Journey: From Pool Construction to Fluidra Innovation

15:00 Why Education & Training Matter in the Pool Industry

24:00 Orlando's Background in Digital Technology & Why He Joined Fluidra

27:00 The Official AquaLink Edge Reveal

28:00 Edge Computing vs Cloud Computing Explained

30:00 Creating Better Pool Owner Experiences

32:00 New In-Can Display & Home Display Features

35:00 Why Pool Automation Must Work Without Internet

40:00 Built-In Flow Monitoring & Smarter Equipment Control

43:00 Five Years of Development Behind AquaLink Edge

47:00 Easier Setup, Faster Installation & Wireless Communication

52:00 Personalized Access for Homeowners, Service Pros & Airbnb Properties

56:00 Service Mode Improvements & Smart Notifications

01:03:00 Wireless Equipment Discovery & Future Product Ecosystem

01:08:00 Customer Experience vs Traditional Automation

01:15:00 The Future of Connected Pool Equipment

01:19:00 Tracker IO & The Future of Pool Service Management

01:27:00 How Data Will Transform Pool Businesses

01:32:00 Future Integration Between Pool Builders & Service Companies

01:35:00 AquaLink Edge Release Timeline & Launch Plans

01:37:00 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

A special thank you to our Visionary Partners for supporting Pool Nation and helping us elevate the pool industry through education, training, and community:

• The SPPA
• BluRay XL
• AquaStar Pool Products
• Natural Chemistry
• Raypak
• Heritage Pool Supply Group
• Hayward Pool Products
• Poolside Tech
• Pool Brain
• Nidec / US Motors
• Encore Brands
• OnCore Filtration

Your commitment to pool professionals helps us continue delivering world-class education and content to the industry.

Episode 302 of the Pool Nation Podcast

What if your pool business has been warning you about bigger problems... and you just haven’t been listening?

In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus, John “JJ Flawless,” and Zac “The Pool Boy” Nicholas dive deep into one of the most important business conversations pool pros can have: the signals your business sends you every single day.

From burnout and busy work to growth plateaus, employee problems, customer issues, and financial blind spots, the guys break down why so many pool companies mistake movement for progress. This episode sets the stage for a powerful multi-part conversation on how to recognize the warning signs before they become major business problems.

They also discuss: → The illusion of success in the pool industry → Why growth without systems creates chaos → The importance of listening to your numbers and team → How experienced business owners identify patterns before disasters happen → Why “one pool at a time” thinking can limit long-term growth → Pool Nation Boot Camps and the $25,000 Pool Pro Challenge → Encore Filtration’s Dirty Filter Contest → The Heritage Pro Service Academy in Van Nuys, California

If you’re a pool service professional trying to scale your company, improve profitability, build a stronger team, or simply avoid burnout, this episode is packed with real talk and business insight from three pool pros who have lived it.

00:00 – Pool Nation Podcast Intro 01:00 – Zac gets Edgar sick 03:00 – John talks family, graduation season & podcast studio plans 07:30 – International Swimming Hall of Fame experience 12:00 – The hidden importance of pool pros in the swimming industry 16:30 – Heritage Pro Service Academy announcement 18:00 – $25,000 Pool Pro Challenge qualifiers 20:00 – Pool Nation Awards updates & category changes 21:00 – Encore Filtration Dirty Filter Contest 24:00 – Edgar’s AI-generated “Smokey and the Bandit” John photo 29:30 – Sponsor break 34:30 – Zac discusses rebuilding and refining The Pool Boys brand 36:30 – Why successful businesses never stop evolving 39:00 – Your business is talking to you every day 41:00 – Listening to the warning signs in your company 44:00 – Fixing problems vs solving root causes 49:00 – The illusion of success in pool service businesses 52:00 – Why busy does not equal productive 54:00 – The danger of comparing your business to others 56:00 – Scaling too fast and losing control 57:00 – Final thoughts on business growth and self-awareness 01:07:00 – Closing remarks

A huge thank you to our sponsors and partners who continue supporting the pool industry and Pool Nation:

→ SPPA → BlueRay 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 helps us educate, inspire, and elevate pool professionals everywhere.

Join us in Van Nuys, California for the Heritage Pro Service Academy powered by Pool Nation.

Hands-on training includes: → Heater installation & troubleshooting → Automation setup → Variable speed motor training → Pump installation → Cool deck application → Live Pool Pro Challenge qualifiers

Registration is FREE thanks to the Heritage Education Fund.

Visit PoolNation.com to register today.

Think you’ve found the dirtiest pool filter in the industry?

Submit your worst filter photos and videos for a chance to win cash and prizes from Encore Filtration.

In Episode 301 of the Pool Nation Podcast, we bring you a special “Best Of Pool Nation” compilation featuring some of the most impactful conversations, emotional moments, business lessons, and industry insights from the podcast.

From pool business growth strategies and operational efficiency to powerful conversations about water safety, leadership, and industry innovation, this episode highlights why Pool Nation continues to be the leading voice for pool professionals across the country.

You’ll hear incredible discussions with industry leaders from Heritage Pool Supply, AquaStar Pool Products, Terry Arko, Steve Barnes, and more as we dive into topics that every pool pro, service company owner, repair technician, and industry professional can relate to.

This episode covers: → Pool route efficiency and operational growth → Building stronger pool businesses → Leadership and mentorship in the pool industry → Water safety awareness and Every Child A Swimmer → Pool industry innovation and training → Pool Nation Hall of Fame stories → Business systems, scaling, and profitability → The future of pool industry education

If you're a pool service company owner, pool technician, builder, retailer, or manufacturer looking to grow your business and stay connected to the pulse of the swimming pool industry, this episode is packed with valuable insight and inspiration.

00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 01:00 – Heritage Pool Supply leadership and behind-the-counter perspectives 10:00 – Transitioning into the pool industry and learning the business 18:00 – Retail management, distribution, and customer relationships 24:00 – AquaStar partnership and Every Child A Swimmer initiative 42:00 – Casey’s emotional water safety story and drowning prevention awareness 52:00 – AquaStar’s mission and pool safety innovation 58:00 – Pool Nation Hall of Fame special segment with Terry Arko & Steve Barnes 1:10:00 – Industry recognition, education, and legacy building 1:24:00 – Pool business operational efficiency discussion 1:33:00 – Route optimization and maximizing profitability 1:41:00 – Time management and scaling a pool service business 1:44:00 – Closing thoughts and Pool Nation community updates

A huge thank you to all of our incredible sponsors and visionary partners who continue to support Pool Nation, pool industry education, and the growth of pool professionals across the country. Your partnership helps us continue building the #1 platform for swimming pool service, repair, business, and leadership education.

→ Heritage Pool Supply Group → AquaStar Pool Products → Raypak → Natural Chemistry → BlueRay XL → Hayward Pool Products → US Motors → SPPA → Poolside Tech → Pool Brain → OnCore Filtration → Encore Brands

In Episode 300 of the Pool Nation Podcast Edgar and John sit down with Mike from Quick Shop Pools and Bellafina Outdoors to talk about the future of pool construction, pool design, and pool business mentorship. If you are a pool service pro, pool builder, or pool business owner looking to grow, this is the pool podcast episode you cannot miss.

Mike spent 20 years in law enforcement working federal fugitive task forces, including the team that helped apprehend Whitey Bulger, before going all in on the pool industry. Today, he runs one of the most innovative pool construction companies and pool design showrooms in the country out of Huntington Beach, California. Pool pros who have walked through Bellafina Outdoors are calling it the Disneyland of pool design.

We also welcome Luz, Director of Operations at Bellafina, who brings over 20 years of brand and marketing experience into the pool industry, plus Thomas from PAL Lighting and Michelle from Heritage Pool Supply for a full Pool Nation studio conversation on pool builder education, customer experience, and elevating the pool trade for the next generation of pool pros.

IN THIS POOL NATION PODCAST EPISODE: - How Mike built a pool construction business from the ground up - The real story behind the Whitey Bulger fugitive apprehension - How the 2008 crash shaped a new vision for the pool industry - Why pool builder mentorship is the missing piece in pool construction - The Bellafina Pro Academy and the future of pool builder education - How to deliver a true pool design experience to homeowners - Why collaboration beats competition in the pool industry - Heritage Pool Supply's quarterly open house partnership with Bellafina

POOL NATION PODCAST TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 02:00 Thank you to our Pool Nation sponsors and partners 08:30 Meet Mike from Quick Shop Pools and Bellafina Outdoors 10:30 Heritage Pro Service Academy pool boot camp June 6 in Van Nuys 14:30 From law enforcement to the pool industry 16:30 The Whitey Bulger story behind one of America's biggest fugitive captures 21:30 Surviving the 2008 crash and launching a new pool design model 25:00 Why mentorship for younger pool builders matters 30:00 Inside the Disneyland of pool design showrooms 38:00 Why healthy competition makes the entire pool industry stronger 46:00 Industry tea: big changes coming to the pool industry 47:30 Luz on bringing fresh marketing talent into the pool world 58:00 Thomas from PAL Lighting on pool and landscape lighting design 01:08:00 The Outdoor Plus partnership and the tower of fire bowls 01:13:00 Introducing the Bellafina Pro Academy for pool builders 01:17:30 Heritage Pool Supply quarterly open house at Bellafina 01:24:30 Final thoughts for pool pros

THANK YOU TO OUR POOL NATION PODCAST SPONSORS: SPPA, Blueray XL, AquaStar Pool Products, Natural Chemistry, Raypak, Hayward Pool Products, EnCore Brands Heritage Pool Supply Group, Pool Brain, Poolside Tech, Nidec OnCore Filtration