What happens when three tech industry veterans decide to get into the pool service business? They learn the hard way, from answering customer calls and cleaning pools to watching YouTube repair tutorials in customers' backyards.

In this episode of Between Two Stops, host Niki Acosta sits down with Eric Johnston, Evan Ferl, and Mark Doody of California Pool Partners to discuss their unconventional journey into the pool industry and their approach to building successful pool service businesses through strategic partnerships and acquisitions.

From the challenges of scaling from 200 to 1,000+ pools to the growing role of AI and technology, the conversation explores what it really takes to build a profitable, sustainable business without sacrificing service quality, company culture, or customer relationships.

In this episode, we cover:

• How three tech veterans found their way into pool service
• What breaks when a pool business grows from 200 to 1,000 pools
• Why bigger doesn't always mean better
• What makes a pool service business attractive to potential buyers
• How California Pool Partners approaches acquisitions differently
• Why technology and AI are only as effective as the processes behind them
• How to scale while protecting employees, customers, and local brands

Whether you're running 50 pools, managing 1,000+, or considering your next phase of growth, this episode offers practical insights on building a business that's designed to last.

Visit California Pool Partners website: https://www.californiapoolpartners.com/

Subscribe to the CPP Newsletter, The Waterline: https://the-waterline.beehiiv.com/subscribe

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