Have you ever daydreamed of building your own pool? For the true DIYers among us, this might seem like a welcome challenge, but doing it professionally for others presents an entirely different undertaking. Imagine transitioning from your own backyard project to a full-scale business, crafting custom pools for clients. For the founder of California Pools, that courageous first step began what would eventually become a household name in the pool industry. However, for many others, that type of leap requires not just passion, but substantial training and expertise.
California Pools, an industry leader in custom residential swimming pool construction, embodies this dream today. With a focus on comprehensive education, they ensure aspiring pool professionals become confident experts by the time their training is complete. From designing custom pools to the latest construction and maintenance techniques, every phase becomes an opportunity for learning and empowerment.
The Origin of a Dream
To delve deeper into this commitment to education, we spoke with Ryder Steimle, the third-generation CEO of the 70-year-old pool business, about the brand’s dedication to training. Steimle shared insights into why ongoing education is so vital to California Pools’ success and how it fosters a community of knowledgeable pool professionals passionate about creating beautiful custom outdoor living spaces for their customers.
“You probably need to go back several decades to when California Pools first started,” explains Steimle. “The California Pools story really started on a Christmas morning way back in 1952, when my grandfather, Wayne Steimle, wanted to gift his family a swimming pool. At the time, he was a high school physics teacher and wanted a build a pool in his backyard. He figured there weren’t a lot of swimming pool builders or contractors, but he thought, ‘I can do this myself.’ He acquired a swimming pool kit, and the rest is history.”
Wayne Steimle’s determination to build a pool for his family quickly evolved into a thriving business. As he gained confidence in his new craft, he began fulfilling requests from neighbors to build their swimming pools, turning his passion into a thriving business. His hands-on approach and willingness to learn every aspect of the pool construction trade laid the foundation for what would become California Pools. Consequently, the brand has become renowned for its exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and innovative designs.
The Path to Pool Expertise
Today, California Pools’ mission is dedicated to transforming aspiring entrepreneurs into professional pool builders through its comprehensive franchise program. Consequently, they’re committed to ensuring each new branch they bring on is well-equipped to succeed in the competitive pool construction industry.
“Our franchisees are our partners, and we treat them as such from day one,” says Steimle. “Folks who join the California Pools family receive extensive support during the onboarding process, including training materials, operational manuals, and personalized coaching to help them get started.”
Support for Franchise Success
California Pools’ support for its franchisees is thorough and ongoing. The experienced team guides new franchisees through every step of launching their pool construction franchise, including site selection, design, hiring, and marketing. “We understand that starting a new business can be overwhelming,” Steimle explains, “so we provide all the necessary resources for our partners to succeed.”
Technology and Systems for Success
In the journey to build a successful pool construction franchise, having a detailed roadmap powered by accurate data is essential. At California Pools, they provide powerful tools to their partners to ensure success. Their robust accounting system offers real-time financials and detailed reports, enabling franchise partners to make intelligent decisions and maximize profitability. These tools are designed to lead pool installation franchises to success.
When new franchisees join California Pools, they enter a comprehensive training course known as the Grizzly Program. Steimle explains, “With franchisees, there are different needs at different stages of development. When we bring on a new franchisee, their specific needs for training and education will be different from those that have been with us for 5 to 10 years.”
The Grizzly Program focuses on the basics of sales, construction, and business management. “A lot of times, they’re going from not knowing anything to needing to know a lot,” Steimle says. “Our business can be overwhelming, so we make sure to take them through those basics. It’s actually a two-year program because there is just so much to cover.”
California Pools orientation program for new branches utilizes a variety of resources, including PHTA courses, an extensive internal operations manual, video content, routine internal newsletters, and on-site training.
Advanced Training for Experienced Franchisees
For franchisees who have been with California Pools for a few years, eventually, the training approach shifts to more advanced topics. “Once our team members have been with us for more than a couple of years, their needs change,” Steimle explains. “They’ve got the basics down and feel like they have a handle on things. We shift into more advanced ongoing training.”
Advanced level training with experts outside the organization as well as peer-to-peer learning, is part of the education process for more seasoned franchise offices. “We bring in outside professionals and leverage our own experts from within the organization,” Steimle notes. “We have some franchisees that have been with us close to 40 years, so there’s a lot of knowledge to be passed to those that are newer.”
Understanding that the way each person learns can differ, California Pools balances formal education with more practical, hands-on experiences. “We all learn differently,” Steimle acknowledges. “We’ve found that a mix of various tools and resources is the best way to retain information.”
“For newer franchisees, going out to a job site, reviewing different phases of construction, and talking with the superintendent running the project is invaluable,” Steimle says. “Even with experienced franchisees, we’ll do office tours during our annual conferences to provide ideas for improvement.”
Becoming a successful pool professional with California Pools involves more than just a passion for the craft. It requires a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation. As Steimle aptly puts it, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying. Training is crucial to ensure that our franchisees can leverage their skills and knowledge effectively.”
Through comprehensive training programs, ongoing support, and a culture of shared knowledge, California Pools empowers its franchisees to excel in the competitive pool construction industry.
Ready to take a deeper dive?
Listen to our entire conversation with Ryder Steimle, CEO of California Pools on the Pool Magazine podcast.
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