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:

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. […]

Business coach, author and SpaRetailer columnist Martin Holland joins us to discuss open book management. What is it and how should a hot tub retailer go about implementing it? Read Martin’s SpaRetailer columns. The Great Game of Business* The Profit Problem: They Say I Make Money, So Why Don’t I Have Any?* *Affiliate links

Jacque Johnson saw a need in the industry for better customer education, so she went out and created it herself. Known as The Hot Tub Lady, Johnson’s YouTube channel, podcast and now book are helping thousands of hot tubbers better enjoy their spa. Hear about her journey in the industry, what’s she’s going to do next and how The Hot Tub Lady can help your business. We also talk about the new IQ system from Hot Spring Spas. Hot Tub […]

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.

Mallory Bjekich-Wachowski has always had a passion for education, she just didn’t realize she’d be educating pool and spa professionals. Along with Jane Merritt, Wachowski has developed Toolbox for Excellence, a business that helps busy businesses better train and develop their staff (along with a lot of other things)!

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.

One of our 2023 Retail Stars, Paradise LeisureScapes in Saskatchewan Canada is always on the hunt for the best products and next hot thing. Brought to you by Strong Spas

One of our 2023 Retail Stars, Atlas Spas and Swim Spas is growing across Texas. Brought to you by MAAX Spas

Shawna Mesher may be a new name to some, but she could be who you get your next big business tip from. Mesher, a long-time employee at Oregon Hot Tub, has joined Evosus and will soon be launching a webinar series helping hot tub retailers manage their business by the numbers. Brought to you by Strong Spas.

There were several paths that Bob Lauter could have taken in the hot tub industry, but he chose entrepreneurship and started Master Spas. Lauter retired at the end of 2021 — and this summer joined us to reflect on his career, the growth of the industry and signing the greatest swimmer of all time. Brought to you by Watkins Wellness

Selling Hot Tubs on the Big Island with Brad Weinmann When biking and sailing enthusiast Brad Weinmann began selling hot tubs, the Kona Sports Center quickly became Hawaii Spas & Outdoor. Weinmann shares the unusual challenges of selling spas on an island.

Episode #94, Hot Tub History with Dan Friedman Dan Friedman delves into the 50-year history of The Hot Tub Store and the hot tub industry in Northern California.

What a great episode to end this season of The SpaRetailer Podcast! Vince Wuebker from HotSpring Spas & Pool Tables 2 in North Dakota, schools us all on how to sell the amazing wellness benefits of a hot tub or sauna. Don’t miss more on Wuebker and his store in the next issue of SpaRetailer! Rhonda Park’s “Found My Fitness” podcast episodes on saunas: #73 Sauna Benefits Deep Dive and Optimal Use with Dr. Rhonda Patrick & MedCram #67 Dr. Ashley Mason […]

Michael Boswell, owner of Signs and Displays Direct Michael Boswell, owner of Signs and Displays Direct, works with several hot tub manufacturers and retailers to improve and provide visual merchandising plans and products. Boswell joins us on the podcast to talk about the biggest mistakes he sees spa retailers make in their merchandising, when to seek an expert and how use visual merchandising as a sales tool. The 22 Immutable Laws of Visual Merchandising The Fletch Mysteries by Gregory McDonald […]

Business coach Martin Holland from Anneal Business Coaching continues his series on knowing, understanding and running your business based off your books. Read Holland’s column on the same topic here.