Jason Werner owns a moderately sized company in North Jersey, bringing his dog Harry with him to work every day. A lot of smaller business owners do.
But most small businesses don’t spend $150,000+ a year on training and incentive programs for their employees. Not hardscape design and pool companies like Jason’s anyway.
“When I got into this business, I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I was a well-educated guy, graduated high in my class at Clemson, and I’m digging trenches in backyards. It’s a cool June day, like 59, 60 degrees, and on that first scoop of dirt, I look over and the whole family is at the door, watching us. Mom, Dad, kids — and the five-year-old is standing there in his yellow inflatable and flippers. That was my epiphany moment. I’m doing this for families. This is bringing joy.”
Everclear Pools and Spas have won design awards. Many. But they’re rarely mentioned. It’s about the people who he works with, their families, and the families they all serve.
“I’d love to be the premier pool company in America. Expand our footprint to different states. That’s the business goal. But the people goal is just as important. That’s really how we’d get there.”
“We have profit sharing. We give bonuses. We alternate our field staff crews so they each have two weekends a month off and assure that they get home at reasonable hours, during our active season. When we say we’re family-friendly, we mean it on every level.”
What really sets him apart is his commitment to his staff’s career path and future. In an industry filled with “churn and burn” seasonal employees, that’s unheard of. For Jason, it’s inconceivable to do things any other way. “There’s no entrepreneur training manual. It’s not just good business — it’s just being a decent human being.”
Jason loves it when online reviews mention his staff by name. They’ve even instituted a program where the employees get a bonus when they’re called out. While his favorite part of the job remains out of the office, getting his hands dirty by sharing the load (even jumping into 49-degree pools when his service manager can’t), the most pride he has is when his employees soar.
“We took our entire company staff to the Northeast Pool and Spa Convention, paid all the expenses, and paid them for their time like any workday. We made an investment of over $25,000 in classes there alone. Jason also pays for sales training for his staff. It isn’t just sales training – it’s high-level communication platforms, a tool that our people can take with them when they leave us. It’s all to help fortify everybody’s career path.”
Building pools might bring joy, but Jason’s epiphany didn’t end there. He’s helping create futures.
Being ever clear isn’t just for pools
This commitment to integrity remains rooted in making sure that their clients are well-informed. This includes being transparent about delivering designs and work that fit in their budget. “Many companies will bid sight-unseen with tons of hidden fees that blindside their customers. We make sure that our clients know exactly what we’re doing and how much it will ultimately cost. The price of a pool is really just the starting point – it’s not the complete price for what ultimately needs to be done to build that backyard oasis you’re dreaming of. Most companies screen off topsoil fees, cleanup, fencing, variances and permits, and a hundred other things that will be involved. That’s not our way. We’re building a relationship with this client, not just doing a job and moving on.”
America’s backyards are going to be in good hands. Get your yellow flippers ready.
To find out more about Everclear Pools and Spas, they can be reached at 973-998-6886 or online at everclearpoolsnj.com.
Jason started the Annual Harold Werner Food Drive in his late father’s memory. Everclear matches donations dollar for dollar (up to $5,000). They’ll then work with ShopRite in Parsippany, which gives them discounts to extend their output. The food all gets donated to The Father English Food Pantry in Paterson.