Dennis Lederhouse vice president of proprietary sales & marketing at Confer Plastics Q: Tell us a bit about your company and what you do for the hot tub industry. A: Confer Plastics started operations in 1973 and initially entered into the swimming pool industry with Raymond Confer’s invention of the first all-plastic above-ground swimming pool ladder. It revolutionized the industry ...

Six Secrets to Qualified Website Leads In our last issue we explained how to make your website look great with templates. Now, let’s make it bring in revenue. By David Carleton Imagine what your business would be like if you could generate 50 to 500 qualified leads a month from your website. If your site is not doing that now nor doing it on a consistent basis, then it’s ...

  Want Capital? Look in the Mirror Your personal credit score may be the answer to securing loans for your store. by Business Money Today We have heard ad nauseam about banks and other financial institutions not lending to small businesses. The talk is that they have raised their lending standards requiring better qualifications for those they will consider while cutting out ...

Across the Pond With a recession in full swing and hot tubs firmly rooted in the luxury-goods category, you might expect the European market for the product to be in a desperate and near-terminal state. Yet manufacturers and distributors say there is still significant business to be had. By Stephen Delany Economic Hot Water You don’t have to be the most financially aware ...

Ozone Generators Demystified You know they’re good, but don’t know why. Learning exactly how an ozonator works will give you the upper-hand when selling its benefits to your customers. Research By Rebecca Foley and Rochelle Belsito Illustration by Michael Berrelleza For over 100 years ozone has acted as a sanitizer and germ killer; during that time it has grown ...

MotoCross-Over Popular hot tub accessory brand finds an innovative outlet to extend their client base. Many retailers have pointed to new products on their showroom floors as their saving grace during this recession. But it’s not just retailers who have looked to additional product lines to keep their sales numbers steady, manufacturers are finding new outlets as well. You ...

Closing the 2009 Tax Season Tips to help save you stress and maybe even some money on this years taxes. With the end of 2009 fast approaching, it is important to take the necessary steps to close your store’s tax year properly. From deciding when to start preparing to the nitty-gritty details, we have enlisted the help of professionals to sort out all you need to know. Now ...

A Natural Persuasion Bringing outdoor elements inside your store helps customers visualize their purchase. By Linda Cahan We are organic, natural beings made up of 59 elements – many of which end with “-ium.” The average human body contains enough iron to make a three-inch nail, enough fat to make seven bars of soap (or more) and enough water to generate 10 gallons. ...

Business Capital Woes Retailers are worried about how the credit crunch will affect their long-term options for financing. Interviewed By Clay Dillow “We’re going to have real hard times in this industry; the credit market has collapsed. We were using Textron, and they’re done. We’ve talked to our bank and they won’t lend for flooring or inventory. They ...

What We’ve Learned A look back at “Outside the industry” and the stores who shared their non-traditional insight. In 2009 we strove to bring you a different perspective on selling hot tubs from non-traditional retailers. These retailers originally carried products like furniture, appliances, fireplaces and even pools. As we meditated on “Outside the Industry,” ...

Bonuses in a Down Economy Explore fresh or traditional options for rewarding your employees for their hard work this holiday season. The end of the year often brings about expectations of extra compensation for employees, specifically in the form of bonuses. Whether it is a year-end bonus or one to celebrate the holiday season, employees are always appreciative of the gesture. But ...

Software Solutions The initial investment into spa business software may save money in the end. “One of my favorite customers always says, ‘My desk is clear and I go home earlier,’” remarks Corey Holton, vice president of product development at Evosus, Inc. The company created an all-in-one business management software for the pool and spa industry that has ...

Keeping Contact How to create a print newsletter that increases sales and boosts your brand. By Megan Downey A store newsletter can boost traffic, drive sales and create a familiar and recognizable name for your company. It’s something Alice Cunningham, co-owner and sales and marketing director of Seattle-based Olympic Hot Tub Company, knows a thing or two about; she’s ...

The Art of Asking for Money Practical collection tips that will get you paid without losing customers. by Cristina Rizen It’s unlikely that retailers will find themselves making collections calls on a hot tub purchase, but what happens when you stop getting paid for completed maintenance and service calls? Don’t panic. There are always options. Be prepared One ...

Keep Your Cash on Hand Learning how to master parts stocking and inventory will help keep your business afloat. by Robert Stuart In the last issue we covered several aspects of building a strong service department, including a brief overview of what parts to stock and how to manage the parts department. Parts always seem to be a bit of a struggle; you never know exactly what ...

Spotlight on Customers Employee dedication to customers keeps this multi-location store going. Photography by Katie Anderson Currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, Sue Rogers, president and owner of Oregon HotSpring Spas believes that the appearance of their retail locations is only a small part of the equation in making their business successful. Rogers ...