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Author: Rudy

This author has written 133 articles
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Read more about the article Laci Davis: The Art of Grit

Laci Davis: The Art of Grit

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:August 31, 2025
  • Post category:Pool News

On the west coast of Florida, in the small community of Hudson, there’s a business with a name that sounds more like a mantra than a company: The Grit Game.…

Continue ReadingLaci Davis: The Art of Grit
Read more about the article Que Hales and the Ripple Effect of Mentorship

Que Hales and the Ripple Effect of Mentorship

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:August 24, 2025
  • Post category:Talking Pools Podcast

Tucson, Arizona isn’t just cactus and sunsets—it’s also home to one of the sharpest and most stubbornly curious minds in swimming pool chemistry. Que Hales, co-founder of OnBalance and longtime…

Continue ReadingQue Hales and the Ripple Effect of Mentorship
Read more about the article Greg Beard – The Poolside Philosopher

Greg Beard – The Poolside Philosopher

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:August 17, 2025
  • Post category:Talking Pools Podcast

In the chlorine-scented world of pool service, where long days blur into hot afternoons and precision matters down to the decimal, a few names carry real weight. One of them…

Continue ReadingGreg Beard – The Poolside Philosopher
Read more about the article Top 10 Finalists Named for 2025 Mentor of the Year Award

Top 10 Finalists Named for 2025 Mentor of the Year Award

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:August 5, 2025
  • Post category:Talking Pools Podcast

Top 10 Finalists Named for Talking Pools Podcast 2025 Mentor of the Year Award 🔍 Behind the Process: How We Chose the Top 10 Mentors of the Year in the…

Continue ReadingTop 10 Finalists Named for 2025 Mentor of the Year Award
Read more about the article 2025 Mentor Awards Finalists and Sponsorship Lineup

2025 Mentor Awards Finalists and Sponsorship Lineup

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:July 19, 2025
  • Post category:Pool News

Talking Pools Podcast Announces 2025 Mentor Awards Finalists and Sponsorship Lineup July 19, 2025 – Gainesville, Florida – The Talking Pools Podcast is proud to announce the 2025 Mentor of…

Continue Reading2025 Mentor Awards Finalists and Sponsorship Lineup
Read more about the article Peeing in Pools: The Chemical Reactions

Peeing in Pools: The Chemical Reactions

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:April 13, 2025
  • Post category:Water Chemistry

When someone decides "Peeing in Pools" is ok and it's time to take a little "bathroom break" (because apparently, that's just fine), a chain of chemical reactions starts to unfold…

Continue ReadingPeeing in Pools: The Chemical Reactions
Read more about the article Preparing Your Pool for a Hurricane

Preparing Your Pool for a Hurricane

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:October 16, 2024
  • Post category:Pool News/Home Owner Pool Care/Pool Operator Talk News/Pool Service Tips

Hurricane Damage courtesy of Hurricane Helene

Continue ReadingPreparing Your Pool for a Hurricane
Read more about the article Understanding Piecework Pay for Pool Service Technicians

Understanding Piecework Pay for Pool Service Technicians

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:September 28, 2024
  • Post category:Employees

In the world of pool service companies, figuring out how to compensate technicians is a frequent topic of discussion. As a business owner, you’ve likely wondered about the best way…

Continue ReadingUnderstanding Piecework Pay for Pool Service Technicians
Read more about the article Employee or Contractor? The High-Stakes Choice That Could Make or Break Your Pool Business

Employee or Contractor? The High-Stakes Choice That Could Make or Break Your Pool Business

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:September 20, 2024
  • Post category:Employees

Should you classify your workers as W-2 employees or 1099 contractors? It's a decision that can significantly impact your business. The Department of Labor (DOL) recently introduced a new rule…

Continue ReadingEmployee or Contractor? The High-Stakes Choice That Could Make or Break Your Pool Business
Read more about the article How Pool Service Social Media Can Transform Your Business

How Pool Service Social Media Can Transform Your Business

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:September 14, 2024
  • Post category:Marketing

  The Power of Social Media Social media has evolved far beyond being just a place to post pictures of cats and puppies. Today, it's one of the most powerful…

Continue ReadingHow Pool Service Social Media Can Transform Your Business
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Read Rudy's Column in AQUA Magazine
Talking Pools Podcast
Talking Pools Podcast

If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.

Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact. 

Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day.  And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities. 

Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster.  That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.

If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird. 

Talk to your insurance agent before big projects
byRudy Stankowitz

Pool Pros text questions here

In this episode, Steve Sherwood interviews Pat Grignone from California Pool Association to explore how pool service professionals can optimize their business operations, partnerships, and insurance strategies to grow profitably and sustainably.

Keywords

pool service, business growth, partnerships, insurance, pool renovation, subcontracting, liability, pool industry

Key Topics

  • Business capacity and scaling in the pool industry
  • Partnering with subcontractors and specialists
  • Managing insurance and liability for large projects
  • Streamlining operations for profitability
  • Best practices for pool renovation and startup

Guest Name

Pat Grignone

Sound Bites

  • ”Control the entire renovation and startup process”
  • ”Talk to your insurance agent before big projects”
  • ”Check in with your insurer when business changes”

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:15
Steve's Personal Pool Industry Story

01:09
Challenges of Scaling a Pool Service Business

02:01
Balancing Service, Repairs, and Billing

02:54
Strategies for Managing Growth and Capacity

04:02
Partnering with Subcontractors and Vendors

08:31
Pricing and Profitability in Renovations

09:23
Managing Renovation and Startup Processes

10:45
Controlling Quality and Long-term Service

11:37
Partnerships with Leak Detection and Plaster Companies

12:35
The Cost of Equipment and Building a Large Company

13:45
Controlling the Entire Pool Renovation Process

14:25
Advice for Companies Outsourcing Jobs

15:16
Financial and Insurance Considerations for Large Jobs

16:11
Tax and Insurance Implications of High-Value Jobs

18:01
Monitoring Revenue and Insurance Changes

18:55
Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Support the show

Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Tik Tok

Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

Talk to your insurance agent before big projects
Talk to your insurance agent before big projects
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Floc Around and Find Out – Mondays Down Under
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  • CPO Class Schedule
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    • U.S. Public Swimming Pool Codes👮
      • Florida’s CPO Certification Requirement for Public Pool Service Technicians
      • Georgia CPO Certification requirement
      • Louisiana CPO Certification Requirement
    • Test Kit Store
    • Pool Merchandise
  • Online Pool Pro Classes
  • AFT&C news🗞️
  • Talking Pools Podcast🎧
  • Keynote & Professional
    • Rudy’s AQUA Column
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