APSP Member Spotlight: Steven Metz

Steven Metz, APSP member and active volunteer, is the president and co-owner of Central Jersey Pools of Freehold, N. J. and a 29-year industry veteran.

How did you get started in our industry?

My grandfather David Metz started Central Jersey Pools in the early 1950’s, and it’s been in the family ever since. When I was seven years old, I started coming to work with my father, Martin Metz, and at age 12 I attended my first APSP (then NSPI) industry shows and board meetings with him. At the store, I learned to work the register but also tested water and taught customers about pool water chemistry. Because I attended so many industry events as a child, I got to meet a lot of people who later remembered me as a little kid. Now, my brother Michael and I run the business together.

What changes have you seen in the hot tub industry?

We started selling spas in the early ’80s. Today, they’re certainly built to be much more reliable and energy efficient. They’re also sexier and more desirable than they ever have been and can appeal to a broader range of customers. There are so many more bells and whistles available for spas now — so many different options. There’s one for every taste.

What advice do you have for retailers entering the pool and spa business?

Listen to what the customers want. What are their needs and desires? Match what you have to offer with what they say they need and want, rather than what you think they need and want. Retailers should also keep the buying prospect and buying cycle positive, and let the customer leave with a positive opinion of the industry and your company,  whether they buy from you or not. Even if a customer buys from a competitor, they may come back to you for a future purchase. It never hurts to be nice.

Click here to learn more about Steven in the Member Spotlight