As chairman of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Retail Council, Mallory Bjekich-Wachowski has been instrumental in helping make online certified training available to pool and spa retail professionals. Launched during the first quarter of 2019, the courses equip participants with the industry-specific and business knowledge needed to run a successful retail pool business.
“The launch of this certification was a big accomplishment for the Retail Council, and it fills a much-needed gap in training for our industry. It is the first certification for retail that incorporates online learning,” says Bjekich-Wachowski (pronounced BECK-ich-Wa-CHOW-ski).
“Our primary goal this year was to continue to develop and update that training.”
Two eight-hour Certified Pool & Spa Retail Professional courses are available: CRP 101 for retail sales professionals covers the core principals of pool and spa operations and best practices for sales and customer service. CRP 201 for retail managers covers the management aspects of running a retail store, including supervising, hiring, training and leading. The online courses are self-paced, with videos, quizzes and interactive exercises.
“Skilled workers are key to running a successful business, and retailers deserve quality education,” she adds. “A structured retail sales training program that increases the productivity of each individual is the way to increase sales.”
The certification program has been years in the making. Bjekich-Wachowski and fellow Retail Council members have been working to establish the program since at least 2016.
From aspiring teacher …
Bjekich-Wachowski has always valued education. In fact, her pursuit of learning brought her to the pool and spa industry.
She began working for DesRochers Backyard Pools & Spas’ Shorewood, Ill., store in 2006 because they offered her a full-time summer job that would convert to part-time hours during the winter — so she could focus on college. She was 19 and working toward a degree to become a special education teacher.
“Another reason I was drawn to the job is DesRochers Backyard Pools & Spas offers scholarships each summer to their team,” she adds.
During summers, Bjekich-Wachowski worked as a seasonal retail associate. When school was in session, she worked during breaks, helping with inventory, housekeeping and training for the next season.
As time marched on, she began to see a future for herself at the company. When a management position opened in 2008, she was excited to apply. She also changed her major to sales and sales management.
“I applied because I absolutely loved working for DesRochers Backyard Pools & Spas,” she says. “I love the challenge of being busy in the summer, the problem-solving — and most of all, I love working for the DesRochers family. They give their management team a significant amount of freedom to implement ideas, use their creativity and grow within the position.”
In 2015 Bjekich-Wachowski was promoted to retail operations manager for the company. She transitioned from managing the company’s busiest store to overseeing operations of all three retail locations. “I think my favorite part is executing new ideas across retail operations and tracking their progress,” she says. “It’s exciting to see what works and what doesn’t, and then making adjustments.”
Over the past two years, she has also led the company into social media marketing. “We actively post on Facebook and keep our customers engaged through live videos. We also created a YouTube channel with informational videos for our customers.”
… to industry influencer
The PHTA Retail Council develops programs and services tailored to advancing the image, business and well-being of PHTA retailer members.
Bjekich-Wachowski was invited to join the Retail Council in 2016 and became chair November 2018, when PHTA was still known as the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals. She has led the council through the transition after APSP merged with the National Swimming Pool Foundation earlier this year, with the help of PHTA Executive Assistant Lorna Watkins. In November 2019, her one-year term as chairperson will end, but she plans to stay actively involved in the council.
She and the DesRochers team also participate in symposiums for buying group United Aqua Group, of which the company is a member. “The best part about this industry is how freely other pool professionals are willing to share ideas,” says Bjekich-Wachowski.
Bjekich-Wachowski is currently finishing her master’s degree in management and leadership. She hopes to teach at her local community college at night during off-seasons.
“In 10 years, I plan to still be with DesRochers Backyard Pools & Spas and involved in the industry at the national level in some way,” she says. “I am grateful to work for a company that allows me to grow within my position and that substantially grows our retail division through new product lines — and possibly by that time, new locations.”
