Have you ever seen an old driveway or building get torn down? Today’s guest, Nick Ivey, has found a cool way to reuse that broken-up concrete. He repurposes those concrete pieces to make beautiful walls of them. He discusses with Eric how to make cool and unique garden walls out of old concrete instead of expensive stone. In this episode, they talk about: Nick’s transition to stonemasonry from a corporate background The uniqueness of Nick’s stonemasonry work – using recycled concrete How Nick go...
Jun 02, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Eric and Leslie sit down with Dr. Erik Johnson. Dr. Erik is a veterinarian who has written many books on tropical fish, pondfish, goldfish, and Koi health and husbandry. After disappearing from the aquarium scene for over a decade, Dr. Erik is back with a new book called Saving Sick Fish. In this episode, he provides insights on the proper management of ponds and aquariums, fish health, and conservation. At the end of the discussion, he also answers some questions asked by the audience. In this ...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 56 min
Do you feel afraid to admit or expose your weaknesses? Eric and Duncan talk about how overcoming that fear can actually make you stronger. Both Eric and Duncan have Enneagram Type 8 personalities, which makes it difficult for them to expose their weakness. They tell you that exposing your weaknesses is the quickest way to fix them and become better. In this episode, they talk about: Eric helped Duncan understand who he is as an Enneagram Type 8 personality The story of when Eric’s friend exposed...
May 23, 2024•59 min
Have you ever wanted to visit Japan and see/buy the beautiful koi they have there? A company called KoiTrips makes it easy to travel to Japan just for the koi! Eric is with Brian, Tim, AJ, and Kosuke of KoiTrips.com. They give some fascinating information about what it takes to travel to Japan to find the right koi that you're looking for. In this episode, they talk about: How can hobbyists travel to Japan to purchase high-quality koi fish The process of Koi Trips for hosting large groups of peo...
May 17, 2024•39 min
Are you trying to grow your business but struck with marketing? Are you tired of feeling like your ads are just floating out there without giving the results you expected? Facebook ads expert Michelle Esau from Lift Up Landscapers shares different marketing strategies you can use to grow your business. She talks about Facebook ads, targeting strategies, and clears up the misconceptions contractors have about marketing. In this episode, they talk about: The best way to target Facebook ads for con...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Today, we have YouTube sensation Lucas Bretz from LRB Aquatics on the show. Lucas is doing aquariums differently and with great success. He discusses the importance of embracing natural processes in aquarium maintenance and shares his unique approach to natural, no-filter aquarium maintenance. In this episode, they talk about: Importance of building a connection with the audience in online content Lucas’ experience with aquariums with no filters using a natural approach Using substrate, plants, ...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Personal branding is a powerful way for contractors to grow their business and attract more clients. In this episode, personal branding expert Isaac Mashman talks about personal branding, and how it can help you with your business. He discusses how personal branding is more than just logos, shares tips and strategies for personal branding, and how contractors can tie their personal brand to their business. In this episode, they talk about: How can personal branding help contractors Balancing per...
May 09, 2024•1 hr 23 min
Eric sits down with Thorsten Muck, the CEO of Oase Living Water. The two talk about Thorsten’s journey to Oase, the challenges and successes he’s experienced in his seven years as CEO, merging with other companies, and how COVID-19 affected them. Thorsten also shares insights into his life running a global business and talks about the tendency of water features getting forbidden due to water scarcity and why he is against it. In this episode, they talk about: Thorsten’s career journey and how he...
May 03, 2024•44 min
We all make assumptions every day without even realizing it. And sometimes, most of the assumptions we make have a bad connotation. So, while assumptions can get you in trouble, Eric discusses the flip side of it—the power of assumptions. He sits down with Slayer and Tyson to talk about how assumptions can be good too and explores the power of assumptions. In this episode, they talk about: The meaning and definition of assumptions Is making assumptions good or bad Eric’s experience of assuming t...
May 02, 2024•58 min
At first, Jason was skeptical of underground suction grid technology. He thought it’s not going to work. It’s going to clog up. It’s going to be a maintenance nightmare. But after testing it in his pond for five years, he found it worked well. Eric is at the water garden expo and sits down with Jason Steele and Mark Yori to discuss undergravel suction grid technology. In this episode, they talk about: Undergravel suction grid technology – Jason’s introduction to it and why he implemented it in h...
Apr 27, 2024•42 min
Today’s guest, Brian Fitzsimmons from Fitz’s Fish Ponds, has built a successful business of building ponds and breeding and selling koi fish, but these days, he is focusing his energy on something else. He is going to take on Eric as part of the finsNfury charity boxing match on August 17th for Brian Barczyk’s Legacy Aquarium. Tune in to find out Brian and Eric’s preparations and predictions for the fight and how you can support their efforts. In this episode, they talk about: Brian’s journey to...
Apr 13, 2024•28 min
Do you believe there is a need to wake up at 5 AM every day to be successful? Today’s guest, Johnny Buck, found this isn’t sustainable long term. As an entrepreneur, athlete, and coach, he was burning the candle at both ends just to keep up. In this episode, he shares his decision to quit the 5 AM Club and take a more flexible approach to mornings and how it has impacted his life and work. In this episode, they talk about: What is the 5 AM Club, and whether it is necessary for success The miscon...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Eric sits down with Cichlid legend John Niemans to discuss his encyclopedic knowledge of cichlids. They discuss John’s experiences over 30+ years of keeping and breeding cichlids, lessons he’s learned along the way, breeding and fishkeeping tips for different cichlid groups like Africans, New World cichlids, Asians, and more. If you’re passionate about Cichlids, this episode is for you! In this episode, they talk about: Different cichlid breeding behaviors — substrate spawning, mouth-brooding, e...
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr 26 min
As pond professionals get older, it’s natural to start thinking about retirement. But leaving behind a career you’ve poured your heart into for decades is no easy task. Eric sat down with three industry veterans—The Pond Monster, Mark Gibson, and Mike Miller—to get their insights on aging in the industry and how to make an exit. In this episode, they talk about: Aging in the pond industry and the challenges of exiting the business The importance of networking, education, and attending industry e...
Mar 23, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Joey Mullen, the undisputed King of DIY, is here to make the aquarium hobby a lot more exciting with the upcoming charity boxing event – Fins N Fury . Joey details about the boxing match, a charity event for raising funds for late Brian Barczyk’s Legacy Aquarium. He also opens up about his long YouTube career and gives some gold nuggets about YouTube and content creation. In this episode, they talk about: Joey’s YouTube journey over 16 years Struggles Joey faced with burnout, identity crises, an...
Mar 22, 2024•1 hr 34 min
Do you know there’s a Fish Club local to around you? Today’s guest, Ross Freeman, is the President of the Coast Tropical Fish Club located in California. He has been a member of the club for over 15 years and has held various volunteer roles during that time. Ross gives an inside look at what goes on during a typical meeting of the club, the upcoming events, and how you can get involved with your local fish club. In this episode, they talk about: The history and mission of the Coast Tropical Fis...
Mar 16, 2024•1 hr 36 min
Eric sits down with Jeff Weemhoff to discuss the fascinating story behind the merger of Atlantic Water Gardens and Oase. Jeff helped grow Atlantic into a $12 million+ business as its founder and president. In 2018, Atlantic merged with global water feature leader Oase to form Atlantic Oase. During the discussion, Jeff provides a behind-the-scenes look at how the merger came together, including when Oase first approached him about acquiring Atlantic years earlier. He shares why the merger made st...
Mar 15, 2024•59 min
Craig McBride and Ana Arntson sat down with Eric to discuss the debut of a new community for pond builders — the Pond Professional Alliance (PPA). Via PPA, they aim to bring together people from all walks of the water feature world through an unbiased platform free from manufacturer influence. They share that over 200 people have already joined the group and discuss the PPA's future plans for events, collaboration and supporting the pond industry. Tune in to know more about the group! In this ep...
Mar 07, 2024•46 min
Today’s guest, Steve Sandalis, has been crafting water features and landscapes for the stars of Hollywood for over 20 years. From Jeff Probst to Tom Brady, Steve has transformed countless celebrity backyards into works of natural art. Listen in as Steve discusses some of his most high-profile projects over the years and opens up about the challenges of working with celebrities and managing their expectations. In this episode, they talk about: The story of how Steve started his career in the Pond...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 28 min
In this episode, renowned pond builder and industry veteran Demi Fortuna shares his Graybeard experience and hard-earned wisdom gained from four decades of working in the pond industry. Demi is the founder of August Moon Designs and director of product information at Atlantic-OASE. From early challenges installing ponds with limited resources to pioneering bottom drain filtration systems, Demi has seen it all. He also played a key role in developing modern pond equipment like skimmers. Tune in t...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Are you struggling to grow your business because of limiting beliefs and negative self-talk? Today’s guest, Shane Boyd, discusses the connection between mindset and results and how even small changes in your mindset can dramatically grow your business results. Shane is a marketing and mindset coach who has helped countless entrepreneurs overcome limiting beliefs and transform their businesses through mindset shifts. In this episode, they talk about: Shane’s background and journey from entreprene...
Feb 22, 2024•1 hr 25 min
Eric sits down with Hector Mardueno and Shawn McHenry – the organizers of the highly anticipated All American Koi Show coming to Las Vegas in 2024. Shawn and Hector spill all the deets on what makes this show a game-changer. From the vendors and judges to educational programs, they reveal it all and tell how this event will take the Koi industry to new depths. In this episode, they talk about: Details about the All American Koi Show – vision, when and where it will happen, etc What makes the All...
Feb 17, 2024•1 hr 41 min
Have you ever gotten leads for your business and then wondered why they weren't turning into sales? Sales consultant Drewbie Wilson wants to tell you that the problem may not be with your leads – it's that you're just not calling them. Drewbie shares some great tips and strategies that will help you turn your leads into paying customers. In this episode, they talk about: The origin story of Drewbie's Call the Damn Leads brand and motto Quality leads vs. sales/communication skills Asking qualifyi...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Today, we have the pond legend Anthony Archer-Wills and aquatic plant expert Kelly Billing in the house! Anthony shared how he discovered his passion for ponds as a child and how it developed into his career. Anthony and Kelly also shared valuable insights on pioneering techniques in water features, aquatic plant care, how pond design and construction techniques evolved over time, early filtration technologies, and more! In this episode, they talk about: How Anthony discovered his passion for po...
Feb 09, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Today’s guest, Laura Reale, grew her service-based business by 40% in just 12 months. Want to know her secret? Tune in as she shares the framework, secrets, tips, and tricks that she used to make that happen for her business. Laura runs two businesses: AquaReale—a pond construction, service, and maintenance company—and Pondtent—a marketing company that provides email marketing services to pond builders. In this episode, they talk about: How Laura grew her service-based business by 40% in 12 mont...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Koi shows have come a long way since their origins in Japan. Seasoned Koi experts Anthony Quintero and Shawn McHenry join Eric to explore the historical beginnings of Koi shows and how they’ve evolved over the years. From their over two decades of experience in the industry, they discuss their memorable moments, trends, and innovations in Koi shows. In this episode, they talk about: Origin of Koi shows and how information was documented before the existence of cameras The evolution of standards ...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr 53 min
Public speaking can be intimidating, but having strong communication skills is essential for contractors to grow their businesses! Public speaking coach Philip Sessions shares strategies for contractors to speak with authority and confidence when speaking to prospects, clients, and industry groups. In this episode, they talk about: Philip’s fear of public speaking and how he overcame it Philip’s passion for coaching entrepreneurs to speak with authority and confidence Some common mistakes that c...
Feb 01, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Eric is joined by Randy Stewart, the Vision Manager for Pondliner.com and the driving force behind the highly popular Water Garden Expo. Randy shared the history of the Water Garden Expo, gave an exciting preview of the upcoming 2024 Expo — why you should attend, what you can expect, who is going to speak at the event, — and the future of the Water Garden Expo, and provided some tips and tricks on how to get more out of these types of expos. In this episode, they talk about: The history and evol...
Jan 27, 2024•1 hr
Are you a contractor who excels at sales? Or are you the contractor who sucks at sales? How can you identify which category you fall into? Just like on American Idol, there are contestants who truly think they could sing well, but in reality, they are terrible singers. In the same way, there are contractors who may think they are a pro at sales when they actually suck at it. Eric is here to help you recognize if you suck at sales or not. He shares 10 symptoms that indicate you probably may suck ...
Jan 26, 2024•20 min
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is one of the most important skills for contractors — it allows you to better understand clients, defuse tense situations, and provide excellent service. Today’s guest, Benny Fisher, is the founder and visionary of The Big Fish Contracting Company, Co-Founder of The Arena Mastermind, Business Growth Leader for Contractor Dynamics, and host of The Big Fish Cares Podcast, leads with love and authenticity, masterfully transforming pain into purpose. His empathetic approa...
Jan 20, 2024•1 hr 16 min
