Episode 82: LIVE Episode! Hiring and Retaining Employees with Matt & Nick of Gohlke Pools
For over 50 years, Gohlke Pools has been a pioneer in family backyard living. Since 1958, when Gene Gohlke built one of Denton’s first family swimming pools, the Gohlke family has been selling swimming pool supplies and offering repairs and weekly cleaning service throughout the region. In 1984, when Matt Gohlke graduated from Texas Christian University, he joined the family business working for Gohlke Pool Supply. In 1992, Matt purchased Gohlke Pool Supply and Gohlke Custom Pools. Matt is currently the President and Nick Day is currently the Service Manager.
We had a great time interviewing them at the Southwest Pool and Spa show. We have wanted to have them on the podcast since the beginning and we’re excited that we could finally make it happen. We think they do an incredible job when it comes to hiring, training, and retaining their employees. Our interview with them covers those topics among others. We understand this is one of the industry’s biggest struggles at the moment and we hope this episode gives you a few ideas to help with your business as well.
Show-Notes
2:18 How Gohlke Got Started
3:48 What Pool Looked Like in the 1950’s
4:28 How Matt got Into the Business
5:25 Gene Gohlke Almost Sold The Business for $10,000
6:50 Difficulty in Operating 3 Locations
7:50 Working With his Dad
9:20 Funny Story of Gene’s Retirement
11:40 Started Realizing Times Changing
13:20 Where Gohlke’s at Today
15:30 Outgrew Location Which was bad for Company Culture
17:10 Matt’s Role Today
18:50 Having Different Ideas, but Work Together to Find a Solution
20:23 Hiring Qualities Gohlke Looks for
25:20 Brisco and Discount Tire
27:40 Bubble Around Technicians
28:00 Where Gohlke Finds Employees
29:10 Pentair Trade Grade
29:51 Gohlke Hiring Process
34:27 Interview Questions Gohlke asks
36:10 Checking Social Media and Credit Checks
37:29 Blame It On the Pool Man Training
38:02 Informing When Applicant Does not get the Job
40:30 Performing Exit Interviews
43:20 Training After Someone is Hired
45:18 New Hire Checklist
47:20 In House Training
48:49 Most Difficult Piece of Training
51:00 Weekly Training Opportunities
53:15 Retaining Employees
54:00 Little Movers Story
57:35 Brought a Barber In
58:30 Denton Parade, 1,000 Beach Balls
1:00:50 Where to Start With a Small Budget
1:02:25 Working With Employees Schedules
1:03:36 Book Recommendations
