What does it take to build a thriving company in a competitive industry—and keep it growing for more than a decade? In this episode of Small Business Matters, host Tim Fulton and co-host Taylor Fulton sit down with Zac Nicklas, President & CEO of The Pool Boys in League City, Texas. Zac shares how he turned a small family-run pool service into a trusted, 15-employee operation that’s earned a reputation for professionalism, reliability, and integrity.
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Zac’s story is packed with insights about scaling smart, leading well, and finding balance between growth and personal priorities.
Episode Highlights:
• What Matters to Small Business? [03:36]
• Leading Like a CEO [06:32]
• Sustaining a Long-term Business Partnership [10:53]
• A Big Mistake Changes Everything [15:09]
• Building a Loyal, Low-turnover Team [15:36]
• Industry Involvement As a Growth Accelerator [18:37]
• Hiring a Second-in-command [23:09]
• Rapid-fire [25:55]
• Takeaways [29:06]
• Contact Information [30:58]
• SBM News [31:15]
About the Guest
Zac Nicholas is the President & CEO of The Pool Boys, a full-service pool maintenance and repair company based in League City, Texas. Founded in 2011, the company has grown from a two-man operation into a respected local brand known for its commitment to customer care and continuous improvement. Zac’s leadership philosophy centers on integrity, teamwork, and investing in people—principles that have helped him build a sustainable business with strong community roots. Tune in to hear how one small business owner built not just a company, but a culture of professionalism, trust, and purpose.
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What does it take to build a thriving company in a competitive industry—and keep it growing for more than a decade? In this episode of Small Business Matters, host Tim Fulton and co-host Taylor Fulton sit down with Zac Nicklas, President & CEO of The Pool Boys in League City, Texas. Zac shares how he turned a small family-run pool service into a trusted, 15-employee operation that’s earned a reputation for professionalism, reliability, and integrity.
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Zac’s story is packed with insights about scaling smart, leading well, and finding balance between growth and personal priorities.
Episode Highlights:
• What Matters to Small Business? [03:36]
• Leading Like a CEO [06:32]
• Sustaining a Long-term Business Partnership [10:53]
• A Big Mistake Changes Everything [15:09]
• Building a Loyal, Low-turnover Team [15:36]
• Industry Involvement As a Growth Accelerator [18:37]
• Hiring a Second-in-command [23:09]
• Rapid-fire [25:55]
• Takeaways [29:06]
• Contact Information [30:58]
• SBM News [31:15]
About the Guest
Zac Nicholas is the President & CEO of The Pool Boys, a full-service pool maintenance and repair company based in League City, Texas. Founded in 2011, the company has grown from a two-man operation into a respected local brand known for its commitment to customer care and continuous improvement. Zac’s leadership philosophy centers on integrity, teamwork, and investing in people—principles that have helped him build a sustainable business with strong community roots. Tune in to hear how one small business owner built not just a company, but a culture of professionalism, trust, and purpose.
Longtime SBM friend Ryan Tabb recently joined Tim on the Small Business Matters Podcast. Ryan was an early graduate of the SBDC GrowSmart program (then called Fast Track) and a founding member of the SBM Mastermind Group. The Founder and CEO of Peachtree Junk Removal was working for a trash pickup company when he realized the demand for bulk item removal in metro Atlanta could support a small business. He created a business plan and launched Peachtree Junk Removal in 2009 with two employees. Fifteen years later, Peachtree has earned a reputation for exceptional customer service and professionalism.
In this episode, Ryan shares his entrepreneurial journey spanning 25 years in junk removal and recycling. He offers insights on maintaining a standard of professionalism, the importance of building strong internal and external relationships, and using digital marketing to grow your customer base. Join us to learn how to leverage Google in your marketing efforts, why CEOs need to prepare for both success and setbacks, and how Ryan outcoached Kirby Smart.
Episode Highlights:
• What Matters to Small Business [0:2:45]
• Journey to Junk Removal [0:04:53]
• The Role of CEO [0:06:36]
• Learning from Good and Bad Mistakes [0:08:18]
• Generating and Retaining Customers [0:11:32]
• Advice to New Business Owners [0:14:10]
• Rapid Fire [0:15:51
• Takeaways [0:19:35]
• Contact Information [0:20:24]
• SBM News [0:20:50]
Small Business Matters
What does it take to build a thriving company in a competitive industry—and keep it growing for more than a decade? In this episode of Small Business Matters, host Tim Fulton and co-host Taylor Fulton sit down with Zac Nicklas, President & CEO of The Pool Boys in League City, Texas. Zac shares how he turned a small family-run pool service into a trusted, 15-employee operation that’s earned a reputation for professionalism, reliability, and integrity.
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, Zac’s story is packed with insights about scaling smart, leading well, and finding balance between growth and personal priorities.
Episode Highlights:
• What Matters to Small Business? [03:36]
• Leading Like a CEO [06:32]
• Sustaining a Long-term Business Partnership [10:53]
• A Big Mistake Changes Everything [15:09]
• Building a Loyal, Low-turnover Team [15:36]
• Industry Involvement As a Growth Accelerator [18:37]
• Hiring a Second-in-command [23:09]
• Rapid-fire [25:55]
• Takeaways [29:06]
• Contact Information [30:58]
• SBM News [31:15]
About the Guest
Zac Nicholas is the President & CEO of The Pool Boys, a full-service pool maintenance and repair company based in League City, Texas. Founded in 2011, the company has grown from a two-man operation into a respected local brand known for its commitment to customer care and continuous improvement. Zac’s leadership philosophy centers on integrity, teamwork, and investing in people—principles that have helped him build a sustainable business with strong community roots. Tune in to hear how one small business owner built not just a company, but a culture of professionalism, trust, and purpose.
