It’s not always a given that the younger generation will take the reins of a family company. But Jordan and Judson Clarkson were empowered to take that option from a young age.
Their father, pool builder John Clarkson, had experienced firsthand the difficulties of a poorly planned generational transition after working for his own father. So when he started Pools by John Clarkson, he knew what kinds of mistakes to avoid.
He built Jacksonville, Fla.-based Pools by John Clarkson into one of the premier high-end contractors in the Sunshine State and wanted to keep it in the family. He realized that a legacy doesn’t just happen, but that succession would require intentional effort taken years before his retirement.
To that end, he worked early to integrate his sons into the operation. He fostered an environment where his children could innovate, increase their responsibility over time, and develop their own visions. He provided guidance without micromanaging, trusting them to take on more leadership roles, Jordan Clarkson recalls.
So empowered, Jordan created a new pricing program that streamlined processes and made the business more scalable. While his father already had a solid pricing system in place, he trusted Jordan to rework it into something more efficient, so the company could quickly adapt to changes in supply costs. This kind of trust extended to Judson, who was encouraged to develop new scheduling programs and implement a new project management platform.
By allowing his sons to gradually implement their ideas, John ensured that they took ownership of the company’s direction, while he continued to provide mentorship and guidance.
“It takes trust,” Jordan Clarkson says. “For him to say, ‘Okay, I see you have a different vision for it. Let’s do that,’ was really key.”
Passing of the Baton
Eventually, Jordan proposed taking over. He and his father explored different succession models by attending seminars, speaking with others who had gone through similar transitions, and reading books on the subject, including Expensive Mistakes When Buying & Selling Companies by Richard G. Stieglitz. They struck a deal, establishing a 10-year buyout plan.
Today, Jordan Clarkson owns the company, with Judson Clarkson serving as chief operating officer and Joel Hartman acting as head of sales. The three work so closely that Jordan Clarkson considers the others partners.
The handover went smoothly, largely because it was allowed to progress organically over a decade.
“Frankly, that’s probably a little longer than necessary,” Jordan Clarkson says. “You’d normally recommend more like a five-year [plan], but it worked great. My dad wanted to continue, but he didn’t need to be involved the day-to-day stuff.”
Cultural shift
During this transitional period, Jordan Clarkson prioritized a change in leadership style.
As the company grew, it became necessary to establish more structure and cultivate a team-based culture. “We had to evolve from an entrepreneurial, founder-driven company to one that has processes and a strong team,” Jordan Clarkson says. “It went from a few guys doing everything to building a team of 50 to 100 people.”
To achieve a new team dynamic, management implemented several initiatives. This started at the top by developing a leadership team built on trust, one that could challenge each other without causing personal conflicts. To help ensure that employees were optimally placed, the team conducted personality and workflow assessments. This provided insight into the team members’ strengths and weaknesses.
Communiation and bonding are fostered through regular team meetings, trainings and happy hours. Through a peer recognition program, team members can recognize each others’ contributions, reinforcing a supportive and appreciative culture.The company even brings in a communi.cation coach quarterly to help improve interactions across the company.
The team also had to convey this evolution to the public. So it embarked on a rebranding process, guided in part by a third Clarkson brother, Joshua, a professor of marketing at the University of Cincinnati.
It rebranded to Clarkson Pools to symbolize the transition from one generation to the next. This was not just about a new logo or name, Jordan Clarkson says. It was meant to reflect the company’s new direction and collaborative leadership style.
“We didn’t go into it knowing we were going to change the name,” he explains. “But we went into it thinking about how to symbolize this transition and ensure my dad was part of it. He was very involved in the process and gave it his blessing.”
The new brand, while still rooted in the Clarkson name, marked the beginning of a new chapter.
With its new generation of leaders, Clarkson Pools continued to expand its services and vision.
Major changes included the introduction of a complete service department and adding more outdoor-living components, such as cabanas and outdoor kitchens, to the portfolio. By obtaining a general contractor’s license, the company expanded its ability to offer a more comprehensive outdoor living experience.
Lessons in succession
Having gone through the process of transitioning the business from his father to himself, Jordan Clarkson learned valuable lessons.
Perhaps topping the list is the importance of providing mentorship early and often, and giving the next generation room to grow.
The Clarkson brothers and Hartman gained experience in different parts of the business. For instance, Jordan started on the sales side, eventually overseeing that team. As the company grew, he also began to manage operations and learn about the financial side of the business.
This allowed the sons to lead major aspects of the business while John remained available for guidance.
“It’s hard for someone who built a company to step back and let others take charge,” Jordan noted. “But my dad did an amazing job allowing us to make decisions, even if that meant making mistakes along the way.”
Creating a solid succession plan is also key. “Succession should always be on your mind, and you need to mentor the next generation to ensure they’re ready,” Jordan Clarkson says.
With the rebranding complete and a new leadership team in place, Clarkson Pools continues to build on the foundations set by John Clarkson while evolving to meet the future demands of the pool industry.
