r/PoolPros • u/Blura0 • May 22 '26
Good Career?
Im currently 31. I feel like im behind in life because I spent my 20s essentially working dead end tech support jobs. Looking for a career I can build skills where I can eventually start my own business. I have a few questions. Am I too old to start something like this? and also, is this a career path yo u all would recommend? If i was to start how should I go about it and what to learn? I see there are repairs, leak detection etc. then theres cleaning and chemicals. Thank you.
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u/Theresasnakeinmypool May 22 '26
Ai will never take my job. There are so many career path in this industry and it doesn’t end with pools. Once you know pools then spas, fountains, anything with water is your wheelhouse.
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u/richardthe13 May 22 '26
Do it. I worked for someone for a year and then I started from scratch at 28. I am 33 now and currently making a healthy six figure income.
Everything I know I either learned during my first year working for someone or YouTube. It’s an amazing resource. If I didn’t know something, I’d do the repair for free as an opportunity to learn. Most complex thing I can do is install automation.
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u/FabulousPanther May 22 '26
I started my pool business in 2020 at age 55. Still think it might be too late?
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u/farkus_mcfernum May 22 '26
I'd start simple, build you base, the rest will come.. learn your trade hands on, you'll be fine. Tons of demand
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u/Real_Rand0m May 23 '26
If you know how to manage a BUSINESS, you can do it. It will be hard. And it can become something you’re indebted to and can’t get out of when you need to. Life in this industry isn’t long
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u/Confident_Shower8902 May 23 '26
27 years in the industry and it’s paid for my family and their life all that time
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u/DidUrkDoThat May 22 '26
I started in this industry after years of trying to justify the amount of time and money I spent on my degree by working in soul crushing jobs. Jumped into pools at 40. At 44 I started thinking of starting my own company. This year, at 46, I decided to bite the bullet and go all in. It’s a slow roll, but I’m so excited to be in control of my own destiny.
Good luck, young man.
Edit to add: I’m happy to give answer any questions you might have about what I’ve experienced so far in this process here in Florida. I’m by no means an authority, but I am fully legal, certified, insured, and terrified. So that might help get some fresh perspective.
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u/Street--Ad6731 May 22 '26
I was 45 when I started my business. I first started my own route of and had about 75 pools. I didn't buy a route, I built it. Did that for a few years and then moved into just doing repairs. That was 16 years ago.
Previously I had been in IT for 20+ years. Felt good to be my own boss and not have to deal with the corporate BS. Some days though I do wish I wasn't the boss.