Today's show features Eric's interview with Shigeru Mano San of Dainichi Koi, a highly respected Japanese koi farmer. The discussion centers on his koi breeding techniques, focusing on prioritizing body quality over pattern. He explains his meticulous selection process, revealing his large-scale operation and the significant effort involved. The interview also touches upon his business collaborations with his brothers and his ambitions in the U.S. market. Finally, he discusses his uniquely named...
Dec 09, 2024•42 min
There are a number of problems that arise when contractors do not focus on their sales process. Eric and Luke share how contractors should prioritize training their staff on proper sales techniques in order to convert leads into customers. When answering the phone, contractors should treat customers courteously and ask questions to determine their needs. Before discussing price, contractors should ask the customer if they are comfortable talking about money to avoid seeming pushy. Here are some ...
Dec 06, 2024•52 min
Today Eric talks with Tom Mays from SCAPE, the Southern California Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts. This volunteer-run, non-profit organization is celebrating its 20th anniversary of promoting the hobby of planted aquariums. The episode explores the club's history, its impact on the aquarium hobby, and the benefits of joining a community of passionate hobbyists. Listeners will gain insights into the world of planted tanks, including tips for beginners, the role of technology in the hobby's evolution, ...
Dec 04, 2024•45 min
The Rocky Mountain Koi Club, led by Elliot Virgil, is a thriving community of over 100 members who prioritize helpfulness and support within the koi hobby. Eric interviews Elliot and discovers the club's dedication and willingness to travel and volunteer at events like the All-American Koi Show, even when not showcasing their own fish. Elliot's personal journey in the koi hobby exemplifies his "all-in" philosophy, as his passion for koi grew rapidly, leading him to build an impressive 10,000-gal...
Dec 02, 2024•32 min
Today we feature Eric's weekly accountability call for contractors and entrepreneurs, "The Weekly Compass." The call participants discuss sales strategies, using the metaphor of a "new awakening" to represent transformative learning experiences. They analyze a sales interaction with a client needing a pond built, emphasizing strategic questioning and building rapport to guide the client toward a purchase. The discussion includes advice on how to outmaneuver competitors and secure the client's bu...
Nov 29, 2024•49 min
Today, Eric speaks with Sam Garcia Jr., known as Sam Scalz, an artist who specializes in painting aquatic and terrestrial animals. Scalz finds inspiration for his artwork from traveling to shows across the country and observing the animals that hobbyists are passionate about. He is also a researcher who studies the behavior and ecology of the species he paints, and he uses his art sales to fund his research. Sam believes that observing animals in their natural habitat provides a different and mo...
Nov 27, 2024•50 min
Eric interviews Hector Mardueño, the current owner of W. LIM Corporation. Hector describes the challenges he's faced and overcome since purchasing the company from its founder, William Lim. Lim had a reputation in the pond and water garden industry for making excellent pumps, but his business practices and personal interactions alienated many in the industry. Mardueño has worked diligently to change the company's image by prioritizing customer service and satisfaction while maintaining the high ...
Nov 25, 2024•54 min
Discover the importance of effective communication, specifically the difference between what is said and how it is interpreted. In sales and personal interactions, how something is said can drastically alter its meaning. Eric illustrates this point through examples of text message confusion and the impact of tone of voice. Triplet further emphasizes the significance of body language and non-verbal cues, referencing research from a psychology professor. Ultimately, the podcast encourages listener...
Nov 22, 2024•24 min
Graham is a British contractor who specializes in restoring old French properties. He's been in business for 17 years, but he's struggled financially, particularly in the early days after having a daughter. Discover Graham's journey of transforming his business and personal life through sales training, specifically with Eric's coaching group. Graham recounts how he initially resisted joining the group, doubting the methods, and facing skepticism from his peers. He ultimately decided to commit to...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Today we learn about the hobbyist life of John Kim, a man with an extraordinary passion for multiple hobbies, particularly those related to plants, animals, and aquatic life. John highlights the benefits of belonging to multiple communities, emphasizing the importance of learning from experts, sharing knowledge, and fostering a sense of belonging. He discusses the unique challenges and rewards of running a nonprofit organization, and how his personal experience with these groups has influenced h...
Nov 18, 2024•38 min
This episode is from a coaching call for contractors hosted by Eric. The call centers around the importance of repetition and dedication in achieving success, particularly in sales. Eric uses the example of Jerry Seinfeld, who wrote jokes for two hours every day, regardless of whether he was working or not, to illustrate the power of consistent practice. He also emphasizes the importance of building strong personal relationships with clients and understanding their needs. Eric then shares his pe...
Nov 15, 2024•44 min
Today Eric is joined by Dennis Yu, a former search engine engineer. They discuss how to make your brand "googable"—easily discoverable on Google. Yu explains that this isn’t about SEO tricks but building a trustworthy, consistent online presence. He emphasizes linking your website, social media, and other digital mentions to create a unified brand image. Yu demonstrates how fragmented online identities can confuse Google and stresses the value of offering free content, building relationships, an...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Eric interviews Brett Raymer, a well-known aquarium enthusiast and former star of the Animal Planet television show Tanked . Raymer reflects on his experiences with the show, including its impact on the aquarium hobby, the challenges of fame, and the ways he continues to engage with fans. He also discusses his plans for future projects, including a new aquarium-focused television show, a training platform, and a potential line of aquarium products. Raymer's passion for aquariums and his commitme...
Nov 11, 2024•35 min
Eric and members of his "Weekly Compass Coaching Call" discuss the art of selling and how to effectively apply pressure in sales situations, using the analogy of a baseball game and the pressure players face during crucial moments. They further analyze a specific sales call that one of the team members had, examining how his approach could have been more effective. The podcast ends with the team deciding to stage a role-playing exercise, where one of the team members will act as a customer to he...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Today's episode explores the crucial topic of risk management for contractors, featuring expert guest John Shelonko, a seasoned risk management professional. John and Eric are joined by Kathy Jo Ferreria from Eric's team. They discuss the importance of contracts, insurance, employee safety, and the potential pitfalls contractors may face if they don't proactively manage these areas. This conversation will help equip contractors with insights and practical advice to protect themselves and their b...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 34 min
Eric sits down with one of his longtime team members, Mark VanderWoude, for a bittersweet conversation as Mark is leaving The Pond Digger team to pursue a career in law enforcement. They discuss Mark’s journey from working on ponds to preparing for the police academy and reminisce about the good times, the challenges, and the strong bond they’ve built over the years. In this episode, they talk about… Mark’s decision to join the San Bernardino Police Academy and how his time at The Pond Digger pr...
Sep 13, 2024•57 min
Today’s guest is Mark MJ Wilson, a.k.a. The Pond Advisor, from the UK. MJ has over 35 years of experience in the water gardening industry and has written the upcoming book, Pond Passion to Profit: Achieving Prosperity and Fulfilment in the Business of Water Features, to help hobbyists passionate about ponds turn their pond and water feature passions into thriving, profitable businesses. In this episode, they talk about… Mark’s new book, Pond Passion to Profit to help people turn their passion fo...
Aug 17, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Eric interviews Ramy Guirguis, the organizer of the first annual LA Pet Fair. The LA Pet Fair is a groundbreaking pet show, which brought together a wide array of animals, reptiles, birds, aquatic animals, etc. It took place in June 2024. They discuss the fair’s origins, its success, and future plans for the fair. In this episode, they talk about… The origin story of the LA Pet Fair event How Ramy overcame initial vendor hesitation to create a successful first-year event The fair’s success and t...
Aug 10, 2024•27 min
Eric sits down with Kyle Weemhoff to discuss the upcoming Atlantic - OASE Professional Pond Conference 2024, taking place in Denver, Colorado. They discuss the unique aspects of the conference, what attendees can expect, the growing diversity of the Atlantic Professional Contractor Network, networking opportunities, educational sessions and workshops that will be offered, and exciting activities. In this episode, they talk about… What makes the Atlantic-OASE Professional Pond Conference differen...
Aug 09, 2024•56 min
Eric sits down with Mike Claudio of WinRate Consulting. Mike shares his journey of becoming a leader, his approach to helping contractors improve and grow in their business, and how he has continuously evolved his coaching approach. The two also talk about self-development, the importance of coachability, the value of having multiple coaches, and how Mike helps entrepreneurs and contractors achieve greater success. In this episode, they talk about… Mike’s journey of becoming a leader and helping...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr
Many contractors often overlook the power of something as simple as a company t-shirt. It can have a major impact on how you’re perceived and the success of your business. Eric sits down with Tyson Matayas and Ron “Slayer” Yelenich to discuss the importance of team uniforms, dress code policies, and branding for establishing a professional image, fostering teamwork and collaboration, and differentiating a company from its competitors. In this episode, they talk about… The importance of company t...
Jul 28, 2024•52 min
Eric sits down with Tyson, Slayer, and Matyas to discuss the recent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13th, 2024. They discuss their initial reactions, where they were when they first heard the news, and how the event has impacted them. They also explore the political rhetoric surrounding the incident and share their personal opinions on the situation. NOTE: This episode includes some sensitive content that may be distressing! Li...
Jul 27, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Eric sits down with Kathy Jo Ferreira and Monte Butler to discuss their third annual 4x4x48 challenge—a physical and mental endurance challenge in which participants run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours. They share their planning process, navigation challenges, memorable moments, food and rest management, and the overall experience of the journey. In this episode, they talk about… The 4x4x48 challenge and its importance for personal development How challenging yourself and creating memories wi...
Jul 22, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Do you know the secret to building a pond that thrives for years? It’s working with Mother Nature. When it comes to pond building, many contractors do it in a standardized, one-size-fits-all manner without properly considering the unique characteristics of each pond. Kent Wallace wants to change this mindset of pond contractors. He wants contractors to understand Mother Nature’s rules and adapt their pond construction method accordingly. Instead of relying on pre-determined templates he wants co...
Jul 14, 2024•24 min
The landscape of marketing is evolving, and to keep up with these changes, contractors need to ditch outdated marketing tactics and embrace a modern approach. In this episode, marketing expert Savannah Gresham shares modern marketing strategies for residential contractors. She talks about sales, communications, and marketing to people on a needs-based basis vs. wants-based, limitations of traditional marketing methods, and tips and strategies for modern marketing. In this episode, they discuss: ...
Jul 13, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Eric sits down with Shawn Langton, the founder of Kujo Yardwear. Shawn is taking the aquatic industry by storm with his innovative new boot line designed specifically with the needs of people in the pond world in mind by providing comfortable, durable footwear. Shawn shares his story of growing up in construction and identifying the gap in the market that led him to launch Kujo Yardwear. He also shares about the new Surge Pond Boot launched by Kujo Yardwear and what features make it a game chang...
Jul 06, 2024•1 hr 17 min
In the world of contracting, word of mouth can be the difference between a booming business and a bust. Today's guest is Luan Nguyen, CEO of Deck Bros, a Nebraska-based company that skyrocketed from zero to $5 million in revenue in just under five years. Luan has cracked the code to growing his business by harnessing the power of word-of-mouth, and in this episode, he's spilling his secrets for putting word-of-mouth marketing to work. Tune in if you want to know how to grow your business through...
Jul 04, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Eric sits down with Brian Fitzsimmons & AJ Mandell to discuss plans for the annual Koi Fest event happening on August 23rd and 24th. They share some exciting details about the event, like the variety of koi sizes and breeds available for viewing and purchase, live koi auctions, new vendor showcases, interactive workshops, etc. They also discuss the challenges and successes from the previous years and the importance of this event for koi hobbyists and entrepreneurs alike. In this episode, the...
Jun 22, 2024•44 min
In a digital world where everything is online, James Rothwell of Maru Koi is bucking the trend through his print magazine, Maru Koi, which is dedicated to the koi hobby. In this episode, James discusses the journey of launching Maru Koi magazine, the challenges he faces in keeping the magazine running, and the support he gets from the people in the koi community. In this episode, they talk about: James’ journey of starting Maru Koi magazine during the pandemic The value of print magazines in the...
Jun 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min
How to get out of a sales slump as a contractor? Christopher Phillips turned his business around after hitting a sales slump. Christopher had been doing well in his business from 2020 to the end of 2023, but then his sales suddenly dried up. He wasn’t getting any new jobs. Eric and Christopher discuss what caused the sales slump and how Christopher overcame it. In this episode, they talk about: Christopher’s background and how he got into the construction business Christopher’s transition from r...
Jun 13, 2024•58 min
