Episodes
149
Oct. 28, 2026
Episode #149: Hot Tub History with Alex Eddington from Bullfrog Spas
On The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick interviews Alex Eddington, of Bullfrog Spas, who spent 30 years in product engineering and compliance, to mark Bullfrog’s 30th anniversary. Eddington discusses his background at the U.S. Bureau of Mines and in automotive restoration, his recruitment by Bullfrog founder Dave Ludlow and the company’s early financial struggles. He explains Ludlow’s vision for a spa with fewer leak points and interchangeable JetPak modules, along with the decision to hire outside the spa industry to encourage innovation. He recalls the challenges of manufacturing on a $300,000 budget, the move to factory-direct sales that brought profitability and milestones such as the 2012 JetPak II line. He also covers advances in robotics, environmentally friendly manufacturing and compliance testing, as well as leadership transitions, Bullfrog’s people-first culture and its long-term debt-free strategy. Finally, he reflects on the challenges of opening a new factory jus…
148
Oct. 14, 2026
Episode #148 Building a Business in a Pandemic: Jeremy Lucovich’s Southwest Spas Adventure
On the SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick interviews Jeremy Lucovich, new-ish owner of Southwest Spas in Arizona and a new second location, Queen Creek Hot Tubs.
147
Sept. 30, 2026
Episode #147 I’ve Visited Hundreds of Spa Retail Stores. Here’s What the Best Ones Do Differently with Mario Maichel
Megan Kendrick welcomes back Mario Maichel, senior manager of dealer development at Watkins Wellness, to discuss what he sees in...
146
Sept. 16, 2026
Episode #146 Agencies Suck but Yours Doesn’t Have to with Greg Haines
Host Megan Kendrick welcomes back Greg Haines of Compass Digital to discuss how spa retailers and small businesses can avoid...
145
Sept. 2, 2026
Episode #145 Hot Tub History with Terry Valmassoi
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick interviews Terry Valmassoi, CEO of MasterSpas, as he nears retirement...
144
May 20, 2026
Episode #144 Maximizing Customer Satisfaction Through Effective Hot Tub Setup
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick welcomes back Alex Granlund of King Technology to discuss a...
144
May 20, 2026
Episode #144 Maximizing Customer Satisfaction Through Effective Hot Tub Setup
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick welcomes back Alex Granlund of King Technology to discuss a...
143
April 22, 2026
Episode #143 The Backbone of the Hot Tub Industry: Understanding IHTA’s Mission
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, Host Megan Kendrick welcomes Amanda Annis (Ohio Hot Tub and Sauna, IHTA chairman)...
143
April 22, 2026
Episode #143 The Backbone of the Hot Tub Industry: Understanding IHTA’s Mission
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, Host Megan Kendrick welcomes Amanda Annis (Ohio Hot Tub and Sauna, IHTA chairman)...
142
April 8, 2026
Episode #142 Hot Tub History: The Early Days of Caldera with David Ingram
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, early Caldera Spas owner David Ingram shares his background leaving home at 16,...
142
April 8, 2026
Episode #142 Hot Tub History: The Early Days of Caldera with David Ingram
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, early Caldera Spas owner David Ingram shares his background leaving home at 16,...
141
March 25, 2026
Episode #141 Spa Parts Plus: Navigating Change and Growth with Stephen Reed
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick interviews Stephen Reed, COO of Spa Parts Plus, about his...
141
March 25, 2026
Episode #141 Spa Parts Plus: Navigating Change and Growth with Stephen Reed
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick interviews Stephen Reed, COO of Spa Parts Plus, about his...
140
March 4, 2026
Episode #140 Young Entrepreneurs Tackle the Cover Industry with Harrison and Nicholas Dale
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick interviews brothers and co-owners Harrison (24) and Nick Dale (28)...
140
March 4, 2026
Episode #140 Young Entrepreneurs Tackle the Cover Industry with Harrison and Nicholas Dale
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick interviews brothers and co-owners Harrison (24) and Nick Dale (28)...
139
Feb. 18, 2026
Episode #139 Finding Balance in Water Care with Susan McPhie
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick interviews Susan McPhie, VP of Business Development and General Manager...
139
Feb. 18, 2026
Episode #139 Finding Balance in Water Care with Susan McPhie
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick interviews Susan McPhie, VP of Business Development and General Manager...
138
Feb. 5, 2026
Episode #138, The Future of Spa Retail Marketing: Expert Tips from Greg Haines
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick sits down with Greg Haines, CEO of Compass Digital, discussing...
138
Feb. 5, 2026
Episode #138, The Future of Spa Retail Marketing: Expert Tips from Greg Haines
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick sits down with Greg Haines, CEO of Compass Digital, discussing...
137
Dec. 10, 2025
Episode #137 Lighting up Your Backyard Oasis: A Conversation with Royce Manuelo from PAL Lighting
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick sits down with Royce Manuelo, the brand and product development...
137
Dec. 10, 2025
Episode #137 Lighting up Your Backyard Oasis: A Conversation with Royce Manuelo from PAL Lighting
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, host Megan Kendrick sits down with Royce Manuelo, the brand and product development...
136
Nov. 26, 2025
Episode #136 From Building Blocks to Bubbles: Fred Bachmann’s Journey in the Hot Tub Industry
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, Megan Kendrick interviews Fred Bachmann, owner of Bachmann’s Pools, Spas and Saunas in...
136
Nov. 26, 2025
Episode #136 From Building Blocks to Bubbles: Fred Bachmann’s Journey in the Hot Tub Industry
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, Megan Kendrick interviews Fred Bachmann, owner of Bachmann’s Pools, Spas and Saunas in...
135
Nov. 12, 2025
Episode #135 Journey from Employee to Owner: Jamie Burson’s Story
In this episode of The SpaRetailer Podcast, Jamie Burson, the owner of Great Bay Spa and Sauna in New England,...