Episode 151: How Leslie’s is Committing to Trade Professionals Through their Pro Partner Program
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Episode Summary
Leslie’s was founded in March 1963 as a one-man pool supply operation working out of a backyard shed in North Hollywood, California. 54 years later, the company had grown to become “The World’s Largest Retailer of Swimming Pool Supplies”.
We speak with Leslie’s Brian Agnew and Chad Christensen. Brian has been with the company for almost two decades and currently serves as Senior Vice President of Commercial and Wholesale. Chad joined Leslie’s in late 2016 and today is the company’s Group Vice President of Commercial Sales and Operations.
Listen in as Brian and Chad discuss what Leslie’s has learned from its acquisitions of NPS and Warehouse Pool Supplies and how they are committing to the pool trade professional through various new initiatives, including a push for more wholesale partners and its new enhanced PRO Partner Program.
Topics Discussed
01:06 - An introduction to Brian Agnew and Chad Christensen
04:45 - Chad’s ASU quarterback days
09:47 - How Leslie’s got started
15:42 - Everybody plays a role in order to have a successful team
17:44 - Leslie’s emphasis on customer experience
20:23 - Why Leslie’s has not aggressively gone after wholesale customers
29:42 - How Leslie ensures that customers have great experiences at their retail stores
34:25 - Respect and trust are earned through action
39:05 - What pool trade professionals can expect from shopping at a Leslie’s store
41:01 - Leslie’s priority service, rebate program, and extended warranty’s
42:34 - Drop off your cleaners and dry end of the pump
47:35 - Leslie’s new enhanced PRO Partner Program
56:23 - Skimmer and SPPA benefits
Resources Mentioned
Key Quotes From Episode
There are so many companies that started in somebody’s garage. They started with a vision and a work ethic that helped them accomplish something great. With the way that Leslie’s has continued to grow, it’s helped change the industry in terms of being that neighborhood pool store. ~Chad
Everybody plays a role in providing the customer the best experience they possibly can. ~Chad
One of the things I would mention too that as well is that from a company perspective, you know, companies are always evolving, and if you're not evolving, if you're not growing and expanding what you're doing, chances are you're going to get bypassed by somebody else. ~Chad
If we can take care of that pool trade professional through the services that we offer and the partnerships with our store teams, we know, in turn, they’re going to take care of the stores and that’s just a great partnership. Where everybody wins in the relationship, that’s a great partnership. ~Brian
Since day one of Leslie's opening in 1963, we've had great relationships with pool trade partners. We've not had a structured wholesale program in place, though, and that's really what we're in the process of doing. ~Brian
You earn respect through action. You earn respect through the commitment and the effort that you put into whatever endeavor you’re trying to do. ~Chad
