If you love Waterfalls, Koi, Ponds, Goldfish, Turtles, Ducks, Rock, Fountains and quite frankly anything to do with water features, then you’re in the right spot! Be warned, you are in the SplashZone when listening to this podcast hosted by Eric Triplett, AKA The Pond Digger. Eric a veteran water feature design, construction, and instructional specialist passionate about his craft. He will be sharing Pond Pro Tips from his personal experiences in the water feature business on the podcast. Yo ...
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The podcast dives into the human side of success, exploring the personal stories that shaped high performing individuals. Each episode is a case study of a successful person and will give you insight into: - Their first "big win" - Their core beliefs that drove them to success, - What they attribute their success to - What unique strategies or insights you can learn from them - And how you can follow in their footsteps In this world we have 3 resources... Time, Money, Effort Money and effort ...
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EP301: Striving For Remarkable As The New Standard
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50:32
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50:32Eric teaches how to provide extraordinary service that goes beyond average expectations, fostering memorability and positive word-of-mouth. The episode highlights the importance of active listening, empathy, and a constant self-improvement mindset not only in professional interactions but also in personal relationships to create truly remarkable mo…
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This podcast episode, number 300, centers on the "Spartan mindset," drawing heavily from the movie "300" to explore principles of discipline, resilience, and leadership. Eric and his friend Tyson discuss how the ancient Spartan training, which emphasized physical and mental toughness from a young age, translates to modern life, business, and person…
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EP299: Is FEAR Holding You Back From Success?
48:52
48:52
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48:52On today's episode Eric explores the pervasive nature of fear in business and personal life, particularly among contractors. Drawing inspiration from figures like Jocko Willink, Eric identifies common fears such as fear of judgment, fear of failure, and fear of success, emphasizing how these can prevent individuals from taking necessary risks or se…
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Ep 298. Mid Year Report at The Pond Digger HQ
40:05
40:05
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40:05This mid-year report from The Pond Digger Podcast offers an overview of the pond industry's current trends and the company's activities. Eric highlights a surge in pond remodels, often driven by new homeowners or a desire for technological upgrades like advanced underwater lighting. He also discusses the expansion of koi collections, potentially in…
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EP297: Backyard Pond Myths EXPOSED – Friday the 13th Edition
47:23
47:23
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47:23In the special Friday the 13th episode "Pond Myths," Eric focusses on various misconceptions surrounding backyard ponds and aquatic life, particularly koi fish. He challenges common beliefs, such as koi only growing to their environment's size or the incompatibility of plants and koi, by providing anecdotal evidence and practical explanations. He a…
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EP296: 13 Reasons Why You’re Not Winning As A Contractor– And How to Kill Them Friday The 13th Edition
42:18
42:18
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42:18In this Friday the 13th podcast," Eric, addresses 13 common reasons why contracting businesses may not be thriving, framing them as "demons" to be overcome. He emphasizes that many contractors fail due to internal issues rather than external market forces. The episode offers practical advice on topics such as understanding business financials, over…
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EP295: The Coolest Cold-Water Fish You’ve Never Heard Of: The Golden Chanchito with John Neimans and Tee Cee
1:23:35
1:23:35
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1:23:35Today's podcast episode features a discussion between Eric, Jon Neimans, and Tee Cee, focusing on the fascinating world of cold water cichlids and other unique fish suitable for ponds. They share insights into various species, including the golden chenito from Uruguay, highlighting its ability to thrive in colder climates and coexist peacefully wit…
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Today Eric equates business and life challenges to the "Triple Crown" of horse racing. He uses the three races—the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes—to represent the vision, grit, and legacy phases of a contractor's journey. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-belief, seeking mentorship, and continuous training (ev…
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EP293: Pond Contractor Warning Report - 10 Critical Questions to ask a Pond Contractor BEFORE You Invite Them to Your House!
1:32:01
1:32:01
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1:32:01This episode offers crucial advice for homeowners seeking to hire pond contractors, aiming to prevent them from being exploited by unscrupulous individuals. Your host, Eric Triplet, along with his team, outlines ten essential questions homeowners should ask a contractor before engaging their services. These questions cover vital aspects such as lic…
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EP292: Look Inside The Machine With Austin Johnson
1:18:14
1:18:14
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1:18:14In this episode, Eric interviews Austin Johnson, one of his crew chiefs, about his five-and-a-half-year journey with the company. They discuss Austin's experience, from his first day and past jobs to his career growth, weight loss, and the camaraderie and challenges of working in pond construction and traveling for projects. The conversation also t…
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EP291: Deadly Sales Sins- Don't Be That Guy!
50:46
50:46
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50:46Eric's looking to integrate a new app into his business. This episode describes a series of missteps by the salesperson, including being late, failing to introduce himself or acknowledge other decision-makers on the call, and ignoring pre-call notes. Eric contrasts this poor performance with effective sales techniques discussed in training sessions…
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EP290: When Testing Pond Water REALLY Matters!
41:20
41:20
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41:20When and why testing pond water is important is Eric's focus today. He shares his decades of experience with fish keeping, arguing that while some professionals emphasize frequent testing, it isn't always necessary in established, healthy ponds. He highlights situations where testing is vital, such as during the cycling of a new pond, when fish are…
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EP289: Contractor Litmus Test: Are You Capable Under Pressure?
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1:00:12
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1:00:12Drawing a parallel to a scientific test, this business application is presented as a way for contractors to gauge their readiness, alignment, and ability to perform under pressure, particularly when interacting with customers. Eric and his circle's discussion focuses on role-playing with peers as a key method for conducting this test, allowing indi…
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Eric speaks with Lauren Nolan, the new editor of Pond Trade Magazine, a publication for water feature professionals. Lauren discusses her vision for the magazine, which includes honoring the publication's legacy while exploring opportunities for growth and increased industry interaction. She emphasizes the importance of print publications in provid…
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EP287: Solving Big Problems Generates Big Money & More Importantly, Legacy
1:06:14
1:06:14
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1:06:14Eric and guests share real experiences from their contracting businesses, focusing on problem-solving and sales strategies that actually work in the field. In this episode, you'll hear about: Active Listening as a Sales Tool - Why understanding a client's underlying motivations and problems matters more than jumping straight to solutions or competi…
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EP286: Pond Professionals Alliance EasyPro Retreat
1:20:04
1:20:04
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1:20:04Eric interviews Craig McBride and Ana Arntsonfrom the Pond Professionals Alliance (PPA). They discuss the organization's recent successes, highlighting a large-scale swim pond build at an expo and thanking the numerous sponsors and manufacturers who donated products and support. The conversation then shifts to the challenges the PPA faces, particul…
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EP285: The Contractor Fire Triangle: What Lights You Up?
54:09
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54:09Today's show captures one of Eric's coaching calls focused on personal and professional growth for contractors, introduced through the metaphor of a fire triangle with fuel, oxygen, and heat representing key elements for success. Participants share their struggles with finding and maintaining motivation, identifying what fuels their drive and what …
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EP284: Work Hard, Play Hard - Risk, Timing, Team Chemistry, & 32 on the Roulette Table with Tyson Matayas and Slayer
1:01:31
1:01:31
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1:01:31Tyson and Slayer once agian join Eric to talk about their experiences in Las Vegas, specifically a memorable night involving gambling at a roulette table. They reflect on the excitement and camaraderie found in moments outside of their typical work environment, highlighting different approaches to risk and how shared leisure activities can deepen r…
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EP283: Master of the Craft: Dave Duensing on Legacy, Luxury, and Letting Go
1:02:21
1:02:21
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1:02:21Eric's s special guest is Dave Duensing. Their conversation touches on Duensing's long career in the landscape and aquatic construction industry, his artistic approach to using natural materials like rock, and his philosophy on business and education. They discuss notable projects, including a large waterfall built under a tight deadline for a coll…
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Eric highlights the parallels between the song ("The Mockingbird and the Crow" by Hardy) and the journey of contractors in business. He analyzes the song's structure and lyrics to illustrate the duality faced by contractors: being a skilled worker (the "mockingbird") versus becoming a successful business owner (the "crow"). Participants in the disc…
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EP281: 49 Interviews in One Day: Behind the Scenes of Our Hiring Event With Tyson Matayas and Slayer
1:33:50
1:33:50
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1:33:50Tyson Matyas and Ron "Slayer" Yelenich join Eric to discuss The Pond Digger's recent experience holding a large-scale job fair for their pond building business. They share insights and reflections on the hiring process, the types of candidates they encountered, and the challenges of finding qualified and suitable employees, particularly in the cons…
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EP280: The Evolution of the Helix 2.0 Pond Skimmer
1:03:07
1:03:07
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1:03:07Tyson Matyas interviews Eric Triplet, the inventor of the Helix Pond Skimmer, about the new Helix 2.0 model. Triplet explains the genesis of the original skimmer, driven by a need to address problems with existing products, and the challenges he faced as an "accidental manufacturer." They discuss the features and benefits of the new 2.0 model, whic…
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EP279: The Tremor & The Trash Can, The Tale of Two Trucks (StoryTime)
27:20
27:20
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27:20Eric discusses the difference between a high-status contractor and a low-status contractor, using a personal anecdote about encountering another contractor with a dilapidated vehicle at a client's affluent home. The Pond Digger emphasizes the importance of professional appearance, proper pricing, and customer communication as key factors in achievi…
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EP278: 60% Failure Rate & The Mendoza Line (Weekly Compass)
36:02
36:02
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36:02Eric explores the 60/40 principle in business, highlighting that a 60% failure rate in areas like sales calls or email open rates can still represent significant success when viewed through the lens of a low batting average in baseball or email marketing metrics. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of tracking numbers and constantly evalu…
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EP277: Sacramento Aquarium Society W/ Elaine Begly
34:31
34:31
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34:31Eric interviews Elaine Begley, an ambassador for the Sacramento Aquarium Society. The conversation explores the benefits of joining aquarium clubs, highlighting the opportunity for fish enthusiasts to connect and share their passion, especially for those whose families and friends may not share the same level of interest. Elaine discusses the inclu…
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Eric shares strategies for improving client interactions. The core focus is on viewing client communication through a "prospect's lens," emphasizing the importance of tone, questions, and professionalism to build trust and clarity. The conversation uses the analogy of an ophthalmologist fitting different lenses to illustrate how contractors can cha…
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EP275: Father & Son Fish Hustle: Fish-Keeping The Festae Factory
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28:08
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28:08Eric talks with Andy and Jaden, from Festae Factory. The conversation centers on Jaden's entrepreneurial venture selling a unique, homemade fish filter he designed and manufactured, spurred by his father's inspiration and a desire to earn money after a successful prior year at a similar event. They also discuss their family business, specializing i…
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Eric shares an "accountability call" from his Weekly Compass group, focusing on the concept of an "availability audit". He emphasizes that this is about evaluating what you make yourself available for, as saying you are "too busy" might actually mean you are "too available" for less important things. learn how many time management problems faced by…
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EP273: California Cichlids & Rare African Catfish with Joe Candelaria
31:32
31:32
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31:32Eric talks with Joe from California Cichlids about his recent move to an inherited ranch with ponds and his ongoing project to relocate his fish from a remote warehouse back home after two years of daily commutes. The conversation touches upon his past experiences in the fishkeeping hobby, including early sales methods and challenges faced in the i…
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EP272: Dig into the Dopamine & The Dollars will Follow!
41:12
41:12
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41:12Today's podcast is focused on improving sales techniques for contractors. Eric emphasizes the importance of identifying and exploring a potential client's emotional drivers, or "dopamine hits," rather than immediately focusing on the financial aspects of a project. By encouraging clients to elaborate on their aspirations and the feelings associated…
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EP271: 50 Years of Cichlids with Ron Soucy
46:51
46:51
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46:51This interview with Ron Soucy covers his longtime involvement in the fishkeeping hobby, especially with African Cichlids. He shares memories of being among the first to breed certain Tanganyikan fish and the excitement around new species arriving. Eric and Ron discuss how the hobby has changed, with fewer new fish and the decline of local fish stor…
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Eric explains the concept of "response-ability" in this insightful episode of The Pond Digger Podcast. Tripplet reveals how shifting your focus from mere duty to your actual ability to respond can revolutionize your client interactions and business outcomes. Discover practical strategies, including mastering the art of qualifying questions and leve…
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Dive into the vibrant world of aquarium keeping with Angel, the passionate president of the San Diego Tropical Fish Society, as she shares the rich history of their decades-long club and the exciting events they host. Discover the unique challenges of leading an established society while embracing modern approaches like social media to engage a new…
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EP268: Upgrading Our Sound w/ Melody Jackson
13:12
13:12
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13:12Eric Triplet, and his colleague MJ are experimenting with new audio equipment, specifically the RODEcaster Pro 2. Their conversation highlights the ease of setup and the potential for improved recording quality, especially in challenging environments like trade shows. Eric recounts past frustrations with unreliable equipment and expresses excitemen…
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Today's episode features a discussion about the concept of an "ascension ladder" in business, which involves offering a range of services or products at different price points to cultivate long-term customer relationships and increase revenue over time. Eric illustrates this idea with a personal anecdote about a long-term pond maintenance client wh…
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Today Eric shares an audio recording of his "Weekly Compass" called "The Compromise." It captures a coaching call focused on the detrimental effects of compromising on personal and professional goals. Triplett encourages listeners to identify areas where they are unnecessarily making concessions, drawing parallels to business, health, and relations…
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EP265: The First of a Kind Koi Pond Pump - with CEO of MDM Inc, Benjamin Ashe.
43:42
43:42
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43:42Eric and Benjamin discuss the history of MDM, specifically how Benjamin's father pioneered the use of 1725 RPM motors in non-submersible pumps for koi ponds. Benjamin clarifies that his father didn't invent the motor itself but was the first to apply it to this specific application, significantly impacting the water garden industry. The conversatio…
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EP264: Behind The Curtain of EasyPro Pond Products with CEO Paul Cole
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46:51
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46:51Eric chats with Paul Cole, the CEO of EasyPro, a long-established company in the water gardening and lake/pond industries that recently became 100% employee-owned. They discuss the positive impacts of this transition on employee morale, teamwork, and innovation, as well as Cole's background and his decision to lead the company. The discussion also …
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EP263: Field to Table (Weekly Compass)
1:01:03
1:01:03
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1:01:03Eric shares his business coaching session within the "Contractor Circle," focusing on themes of client communication, sales strategies, and personal growth. The participants discuss overcoming technical difficulties at the start, share personal wins related to applying coaching principles, and plan for a future intensive session on vital business q…
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EP262: Stuck In The Mud: Forecasting Problems and Solutions with Tyson Matyas and Ron "Slayer" Yelenich
1:03:14
1:03:14
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1:03:14Today's podcast discussion centers on the importance of situational awareness and forecasting potential problems. Eric and his friends share personal anecdotes illustrating how a lack of awareness can lead to negative consequences, ranging from inconvenient mishaps like getting stuck to more serious safety concerns. They explore the differences in …
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EP261: Three Rivers 4 x 4 x 48 Challenge 2025
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1:44:01
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1:44:01Eric and his friends discuss their recent attempt at a challenging multi-sport endurance event called "4x4 by 48 - 2025." They recount their initial plan for a scenic trip focused on giant trees that was thwarted by unexpected weather conditions, forcing a last-minute audible to a desert-based route spanning four states. The conversation highlights…
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EP260: Contractor Sales Communication Through a Spy’s Eyes
1:04:48
1:04:48
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1:04:48Eric shares his weekly coaching call for contractors, focusing on improving their communication and sales skills. He introduces the concept of using senses and gaining perspective, drawing parallels with a spy's techniques for gathering information. Discussions cover practical applications like active listening, asking insightful questions, and ada…
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EP259: Behind the Liner: Expert Insights from BTL Liner with VP Jim Nicholson
43:02
43:02
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43:02Today's episode is a candid conversation at the Water Garden Expo between Eric Triplett and Jim Nicholson from BTL Liners. Eric explores his misconceptions about BTL, initially associating them only with large-scale liner projects. Jim clarifies that while BTL is known for its large custom fabrications using reinforced polyethylene, they also cater…
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Unlock the contractor mindset with Eric Tripplet as he delves into the multifaceted nature of riskfor entrepreneurs, urging you to consider not just potential losses, but the risk of inaction and future regret. Drawing from personal experiences, including business ventures and even a near mountain biking accident, Eric shares a powerful perspective…
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EP257: The Most Interesting Pond Guy In the Room: Special Guest With John Magyar
47:57
47:57
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47:57Get ready for an incredible journey with Eric Triplett and his guest, John Magyar on today's edition of The Pond Digger Podcast! In this captivating episode, John shares his unbelievable experiences working with whale sharks at major public aquariums before diving into the world of ponds. Discover his unique "fish first" approach to pond building, …
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EP256: To Scale or Not Scale Your Pond Business with Brian Fitzsimmons.
1:02:21
1:02:21
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1:02:21This live podcast recording from the Water Garden Expo 2025 features a conversation between the Eric and Brian Fitzsimmons of Pondscapes by Fitz, focusing on the topic of scaling a business. Fitzsimmons, who recently opened his ninth location, shares his experiences and insights on when and how to grow a contracting or retail business within the po…
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Eric delves into the vital relationship between taking risks and reaping meaningful rewards in both business and life. The discussion highlights the critical need to not only embrace risk as entrepreneurs but also to consciously identify and plan for the rewards that drive us. Through personal stories and shared experiences within the contracting g…
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EP254: Raising a Tosai to Grand Champion
1:13:31
1:13:31
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1:13:31Today we feature Eric's interview with Jeffrey Duncan, a koi hobbyist, about his grand champion koi. The discussion centers around his journey, from purchasing the fish as a tosai (young koi) to raising it to grand champion status. They talk about the koi's bloodline, Jeffrey's pond setup, and husbandry techniques. He emphasizes the importance of p…
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Eric discusses the importance of continuous improvement and avoiding complacency in business. He emphasizes "earning it daily" and shares personal stories about disrupting his industry and recent experiences moving large koi fish. Eric stresses the need to adapt to competition and innovation, using Blockbuster's failure as a cautionary tale. The co…
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EP252: Be A Serial Task Slayer - Get Shit Done with Tyson Matayas and Ron "Slayer" Yelenich!
1:17:26
1:17:26
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1:17:26This edition of The Pond Digger Podcast features Eric Triplet in a fireside chat with Tyson Matayas and Ron Yelenich, discussing strategies for tackling tasks and maximizing productivity. The conversation explores various aspects of task management, from planning and preparation to the mindset required for efficient execution. They emphasize the im…
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