Note: The following interview with B&B Custom Pools co-owner Ed Mehlig was originally published on the business’s Facebook page, which will feature a series of profiles of other employees, videos of upcoming and past projects and much more.
Q: How did you get started in the pool business? What led you to work with and then become co-owner of B&B Custom Pools? What do you enjoy about it?
A: I’ve been a Landscape Designer for the past 18 years and worked with Barry Bartakovits Custom Pools for many of those years. Barry called me in the spring of 2015 to come in and sell pools for him as his then salesperson had won the lottery and would be moving on. He informed me within a few months of being with the company that he wanted to retire in 3 years and wanted me to consider buying the company. That three year plan got pushed way up as then in spring of 2016 Barry himself won the lottery and was ready to retire immediately! (As a side note, if anyone out there plays the lottery I suggest you come in and roll on the carpet or rub against the walls of the office! Something has to work!!) Honestly, the thing that I most enjoy is working with the people. Even though I am one of the owners of B&B I am the one who all homeowners will work with from the initial consultation to the end of the project. My background is design, so I love seeing projects go from concepts on paper to finished backyard living areas for the homeowner to enjoy for years to come.
B&B Custom Pools co-owner Ed Mehlig, photographed inside the business’s retail store at 19 Main St., Hellertown, Pa.
Q: B&B Custom Pools has been through a lot of changes in the past year, including the retirement of former owner Barry Bartakovits. What is staying the same and what is changing?
A: Wow! To say we have been through a lot of changes is an understatement! Even though it has been a year now it is still strange coming in at times and not seeing Barry, his wife Sharon or Barry’s sister Marian. His son Troy has also moved to work with his dad on other business ventures and we wish them all the best! They frequently stop in for a visit and will always be family here! That is the thing that is most important to me within the workplace, the sense of family. I want this business to be a success for all who work here. It is not about one person but rather the team that is in place. That is the one key thing that is staying the same, for the most part: the team that is in place here at B&B Custom Pools. It is the people I have with me that make this business what it is. We have added a couple of new people to this team who will help take us to the next level. As for changing, the biggest thing will be just that–taking this company to the next level. We will truly be *the* custom pool builder in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. As for the business itself, we are changing things around in-house. All our customers will be greeted with a renovated store display that is more fun and welcoming to all who enter. We have a new updated conference room with all new samples and displays to help make your pool truly custom to you. Everything in our lives is becoming more technologically advanced. Well, our pools are following suit. Look for some new and exciting things coming this year!
Q: Do you have a special area of expertise?
A: I have been in the landscape industry since I was a kid and my degree from Penn State is in Landscape Architecture. Throughout the years I have worked with many pool companies from initial design to completion of their pool projects. I believe it gives me an edge over other pool builders because even though I am there for the pool portion of their project, I can look at someone’s backyard and help them through the initial design ideas before bringing on one of our talented landscape companies to bring it all together.
Q: Please tell us a bit about the close-knit B&B Custom Pools family, whose members will be profiled in future interviews. What makes this a strong team, and how does that benefit your clients?
A: One of the things I’ve learned from other business owners is that one of the keys to a successful business is the people you surround yourself with. I am very fortunate to be in the position I am in. Every member of our team has many years of experience in the pool industry, from our in office staff to our guys in the field who care for our customers’ pools. I am excited that the community will come to know each and every one of them in the following interviews. We are all committed to the same goal for the company as a whole, which serves to benefit everyone as individuals. Our goal is to make every customer’s experience with B&B Custom Pools one they are happy to talk about.
Q: Please tell us about your family and what you enjoy doing outside of work, such as hobbies, pastimes, etc.
A: I am a married father of two boys currently living in Nazareth. I was born and raised an outdoorsman. If I’m not working you can find me with my boys camping, fishing or hunting. It’s just who we are and what we love to do. I am also pretty flexible in that I enjoy being by myself doing absolutely nothing, which never happens, or enjoying times with a group of friends or family. The boys are also involved in different activities such as football and Cub scouts, so my time is spent at different events they have going on.
Q: Where do you see B&B Custom Pools 5 or 10 years from now?
A: I don’t believe there are limits as to where we can be. I will never put a ceiling on it. I can tell you we will be better than we are now and continuously striving to be even better than that. We are looking to always be moving forward and upward.
Q: How can people connect with you?
A: Please feel free to contact us any time. Our office number is 610-691-POOL (7665) or email me at **@bb******.com. I also make my cell number available to all so you have direct contact with me. That number is 484-550-4178.
