Meet Ivan Flores | Swimming Pool Contractor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ivan Flores and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ivan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When my parents bought their first home in June of 2002, I was tasked with maintaining the pool as part of my chore around the home. Not knowing anything about swimming pools or the proper upkeep of swimming pools, I started visiting a local pool supply store for help with water testing and advice. I quickly realized I enjoyed working on the pool, I enjoyed working outdoors and quickly started looking for a job within this industry. Between 2002 and 2015, I worked for 4 pool companies including the largest company in the South Bay. The environment there was great and the pay was good but I knew I had the ability to do more within my industry beyond just cleaning pools, I knew I could make more money beyond a weekly $800.00 dollar check and I knew I could leave behind something for my kids to follow and be proud of. When I decided to leave my former employer I realized I needed to create a catchy company name and logo, something that could be remembered if seen on a truck and could be quickly googled. I wanted to have my birth name incorporated into the company name somehow but I didn’t want to call it Ivan’s Pool Service. After playing with several name ideas, iPools was born. Short and catchy. The logo is three simple waves with a water drop used as the dot on the lower case “i”. Most will immediately recognize where the name inspiration came from. (Wink wink).

What should our readers know about your business?

iPools was founded in 2015, although I’ve been involved with swimming pools since 2002. We currently service 300+ pools on a weekly basis and remodel an average of 8-10 pools per year. We currently employee 5 pool service technicians and network with some of the best backyard contractors in the South Bay.

What sets your company apart?

One of the things that sets us apart from other companies is that we can do it all. We are 1 of 3 companies in the South Bay that hold the licenses we hold. We are a C-61/ D-35 licensed contractor which allows us to service pools, repair and install equipment. We are a C-53 licensed contractor which allows us to remodel and build pools. We hold a Los Angeles County Health Department License which allows us to service commercial pools. Besides the licenses, and the servicing of pools, we also do pool inspections for real estate agents and we design pools for other swimming pool contractors.

What has been one of your greatest achievements with your business?

One of my greatest achievements was being able to buy our very own commercial yard across the street from my former employer in May of 2023. We will be building an office and showroom here that will allows us to showcase the products we install and show off the work we do. Having our own yard will also allow us to store our trucks, tools and equipment. We will be the only company in the South Bay to have our showroom, office and yard confined to 5000 sq ft.

At 39 years of age, I have successfully scaled my company to a 7 figure annual revenue. Getting here wasn’t easy and it all started when I had to work on my parents swimming pool 21 years ago. Growing up in a Hispanic household meant I was tasked with having to service my families pool at the age of 18. I got married at 21 and had my first child shortly after. After working for several companies,  I realized I needed to make more money and decided to part ways with the company I was working for. Fortunately, my previous employer was willing to sell me 35 pool service accounts. Upon acquiring those 35 pools, I quickly started spreading the word about my business. I started advertising and made it a priority to provide the best service I could. Customers began referring me to their friends, families and neighbors. Shortly after I reached 100 pools and hired my first employee, my younger brother Steve. We grew at a rapid rate. I wrapped our trucks which helped with name recognition and started working with real estate agents to help promote my service in exchange for a low cost pool inspection. Once I figured out the correct advertising method and how to properly price our service, my company did not stop growing. During covid we took on new pools faster than we could hire pool service employees. Growing a company has not been easy. The most challenging part of scaling my business has been finding good employees. Making sure we hire honest and hard working techs. There are so many things that could go wrong with a pool and making sure you have a properly trained tech to troubleshoot and communicate continues to be a challenge we face.

What’s one thing you’d like the readers to know about you or your business?

I’d like the readers to know that anything is possible. I come from a family of humble, honest parents who worked hard in a foreign country to achieve the American Dream but they never gave up on their dream and till this day they continue to work for a better life. Anyone could achieve their dreams with honesty, integrity and hard work. The swimming pool industry was my tool in life to help provide for my family and allow my children to live a better life. Humility goes a long way and when you’re on top or have the younger generation of pool professionals asking questions, it’s your turn to give back and support those who look up to you. I have mentored many younger pool techs and will continue to do so for many more years. If I inspire them, and they have questions, it’s my honor to guide them and teach them what has helped me through my career as an entrepreneur. iPools was founded on a dream and on a vision to become an industry leader, although we are not there yet, we will work hard to get there and we hope to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs who decide that the pool industry is for them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

If my friend was visiting me for a week, I would take him to the following places.

Monday – Bike ride up to the Hollywood sign then grab a hot dog a Pinks in Hollywood. The food is always great there and the bike ride to the top of the Hollywood sign is super fun!

Tuesday – We would hit a local comedy club. Who doesn’t enjoy laughing and having drinks?

Wednesday – I would give my friend the option of Katsuya sushi on the roof top of an LA building or the Perch Restaurant also located on the roof top of a Los Angeles building. The views and social life at both locations are great!

Thursday – I would take him to Brennans Bar. They have turtle races here every other Thursday. Turtle races and beers? Sure why not!

Friday – Walk Hollywood blvd and jump on a bus tour right on Hollywood blvd. Great place to possibly see celebrities and get a good idea of what Hollywood looks like.

Saturday – Magic show in Orange County or Los Angeles. Followed by one of the many bars located in the areas.

Sunday – Church? (my mom told me to say this).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

My biggest inspiration in life has been my dad. Wanting to make him proud and evolve into the man he raised me to be. Most of my business thought process comes from the lessons he unknowingly taught me while he ran his own business. I was like a sponge, absorbing everything I saw and heard. Not knowing that later in life, I would be applying a lot of that to my very own business. My dad always said “I want you to be better than me and learn from my mistakes”. I’ve got some big shoes to fill.

Throughout my journey in the swimming pool industry I’ve had many mentors and people I learned from. The most important has been Albert Navarro with Ocean Pools.

Albert has been patient with me in teaching me the correct way to build a pool and how to deal with challenges that come up. He’s always pushed me to the next big step, saying “you got this kid”. It’s been an absolute honor to have the opportunity to work with Albert and more importantly, to be able to call him my friend.

Any last words?

In closing, I’d like to let the readers know that starting and owning a business is not easy and glamorous. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication. If you stick with it and further your education within your field, you too will be successful. It’s taken me 21 years to get to where I’m at and I’m still not where I want to be. Don’t stop dreaming and don’t stop working hard for that dream.

Website: www.iPoolsinc.com

Instagram: iPools_inc

Yelp: https://yelp.to/klgLLAh07i