Hello everyone!
My name is Ann (Annie) and I joined TFP in 2007 when it was owned by Sean B. After the experts here fixed every problem I had been having for 6 years, in less than a month, I stayed to "pay it forward". About a year later, Sean B. asked me to become a Moderator.
I was a Moderator until 2011/2012.
In 2011, after much encouragement from family and friends, and several parties here at TFP... I decided to start my own swimming pool maintenance business, using TFP methods. I found a niche market - no one around here offered the services that I did.
Duraleigh mentored me and gave me tremendous (and much appreciated support) and advice. My business doubled every year, through reputation and word of mouth, as frustrated new clients who were fed up by the limited services available through local pool store chains (who seemed to be absolutely clueless about pool water chemistry and more intent on robbing clients of their hard earned money). I even helped a friend start her own business in nearby towns and there is more than enough business for the both of us!
I earned my word of mouth reputation by tackling the tough pools no one else would touch, and educating the clients (when they would listen). I have cleared foreclosed pools, cleared pools for people who that I was some sort of wizard, who had given up... etc, you name it, all using TFP methods.
Now entering my 6th season in business, I have had very positive changes in other areas in my life which frees up a bit more time and I'm glad to be back here (if the powers that be will let me hang out) to share the knowledge I have learned here and how I have applied it in real world applications. I've probably treated around 300 different pools. Every pool truly is unique in some respects, not so much with the basics of pool water chemistry. The science is pure.
That being said, if some of my advice sounds "contrary" to TFP methods, or seems extreme in some way, I only offer it because I've experienced using these methods countless times, myself, on all different types of pools. I have modified some techniques, trying to fill a hole or figure out what seemed to be missing a link.... I learned long ago never to guess on an answer, or offer advice that could potentially harm someone's pool. Having used these practices on my clients pools, I would be the first to incur the wrath that should come if I had some how caused damage to someone's pool. I have insurance, and have never had to file a claim.
I mentioned my experiences with treating ammonia in inground pools a couple of years ago, and the experiences I had. I would love to delve deeper and will find that thread or start a new one because the experiences since that time continue to reaffirm what I have learned in every day hands on practices.
My schedule the last 5 years revolved around parenting (divorced mom of 2) working full-time as a Bartender/Server whenever I wasn't doing pools. So pretty much 18-20 hours a day... Not alot of time to be on TFP. I tried to visit when I could.
So, with things having changed a bit, and more time on my hands (relatively speaking) I'm so glad to be back
My name is Ann (Annie) and I joined TFP in 2007 when it was owned by Sean B. After the experts here fixed every problem I had been having for 6 years, in less than a month, I stayed to "pay it forward". About a year later, Sean B. asked me to become a Moderator.
I was a Moderator until 2011/2012.
In 2011, after much encouragement from family and friends, and several parties here at TFP... I decided to start my own swimming pool maintenance business, using TFP methods. I found a niche market - no one around here offered the services that I did.
Duraleigh mentored me and gave me tremendous (and much appreciated support) and advice. My business doubled every year, through reputation and word of mouth, as frustrated new clients who were fed up by the limited services available through local pool store chains (who seemed to be absolutely clueless about pool water chemistry and more intent on robbing clients of their hard earned money). I even helped a friend start her own business in nearby towns and there is more than enough business for the both of us!
I earned my word of mouth reputation by tackling the tough pools no one else would touch, and educating the clients (when they would listen). I have cleared foreclosed pools, cleared pools for people who that I was some sort of wizard, who had given up... etc, you name it, all using TFP methods.
Now entering my 6th season in business, I have had very positive changes in other areas in my life which frees up a bit more time and I'm glad to be back here (if the powers that be will let me hang out) to share the knowledge I have learned here and how I have applied it in real world applications. I've probably treated around 300 different pools. Every pool truly is unique in some respects, not so much with the basics of pool water chemistry. The science is pure.
That being said, if some of my advice sounds "contrary" to TFP methods, or seems extreme in some way, I only offer it because I've experienced using these methods countless times, myself, on all different types of pools. I have modified some techniques, trying to fill a hole or figure out what seemed to be missing a link.... I learned long ago never to guess on an answer, or offer advice that could potentially harm someone's pool. Having used these practices on my clients pools, I would be the first to incur the wrath that should come if I had some how caused damage to someone's pool. I have insurance, and have never had to file a claim.
I mentioned my experiences with treating ammonia in inground pools a couple of years ago, and the experiences I had. I would love to delve deeper and will find that thread or start a new one because the experiences since that time continue to reaffirm what I have learned in every day hands on practices.
My schedule the last 5 years revolved around parenting (divorced mom of 2) working full-time as a Bartender/Server whenever I wasn't doing pools. So pretty much 18-20 hours a day... Not alot of time to be on TFP. I tried to visit when I could.
So, with things having changed a bit, and more time on my hands (relatively speaking) I'm so glad to be back
