California Pool Partners Launches Innovative Platform for Pool Service Owners

California Pool Partners (CPP) has officially launched an intriguing new platform focused on providing pool service business owners with an alternative to traditional private equity roll-ups. This novel approach emphasizes partnerships that benefit both the owner and the community, in stark contrast to the typical practice that often prioritizes consolidation and control.

The founders, Mark Doody, Evan Ferl, and Eric Johnston, have set their sights on preserving the local character and relationships that are integral to successful pool service businesses on the West Coast, particularly in California. Their mission is to empower owners, allowing them to maintain their business's essence while professionalizing and scaling operations.

Currently operating in bustling markets like Los Angeles and San Diego, CPP intends to expand its presence by penetrating a third market this fall. One of the noteworthy achievements of this model is the recent acquisition of Payan Pools, a well-respected pool service provider in San Diego County. The founder, Javier Payan, ran his business for nearly four decades, and although he wasn't actively seeking a buyer, the alignment of values with CPP made the decision compelling for him. Payan commented on his decision, saying, "If I was to write down what it would take for me to sell this business, it was all right there. They checked all my boxes."

What sets CPP apart is its unique structure, where the co-founders directly manage the platform without external stakeholders. This independence enables them to focus on long-term service excellence and employee well-being rather than succumbing to the pressures often associated with quick financial returns. Eric Johnston, one of the co-founders, emphasized this point: "We work for the GM, not the other way around. We want the general manager to tell me how the business will best be impacted by our actions."

The operational strategy of CPP centralizes select financial, administrative, and operational tasks while offering substantial autonomy to general managers at each company it partners with. This model avoids a cookie-cutter formula, fostering flexible partnerships that align goals while respecting the unique attributes of each local service provider.

With subsidiaries like AC Pools LLC and Payan Pools LLC, CPP currently supports thousands of residential and commercial pools across Southern California. The platform adeptly combines operational assistance with advanced, AI-driven tools tailored to the needs of pool service companies. These include route optimization, water chemistry management, predictive maintenance, and customer communication systems. Additionally, it encompasses vertical integration that streamlines service delivery, chemical management, regulatory compliance, and technology utilization.

Co-founder Evan Ferl passionately remarked, "Independent, locally rooted businesses built California's pool service industry. Our goal is to be the best long-term partner for those owners—helping them continue to build on what they've created while preserving the local relationships, reputation, and culture that made their businesses successful in the first place."

This innovative approach by California Pool Partners not only transforms the pool service sector but also reinforces the values of community and trust. By marrying operational excellence with a commitment to maintaining local identities, CPP paves the way for a new era of collaboration in the pool service industry.

About California Pool Partners

California Pool Partners (CPP) is a pioneering platform geared towards pool service businesses in California and across the West Coast. Through operational expertise, state-of-the-art AI tools, vertical integration, and adaptable partnership structures, CPP fosters mutually beneficial relationships that empower owners to professionalize and scale while staying true to local ownership and community focus. The platform operates through holding entities such as AC Pools Service and Payan Pools Service, with its creators dedicated to offering valuable long-term support to pool service professionals.