No two days are alike in the pool and spa industry. In the Day in the Life series, we dive headfirst into the workdays of the people who keep the pools running smoothly.

This week, we go behind the scenes with Steve Leslie, sales and marketing lead at Highbury Pools. From creating content and supporting pool dealers to troubleshooting product issues, Steve’s role combines technical problem-solving with relationship-building.

Highbury Pools manufactures steel walls and vinyl liners for the pool industry. Steve spends much of his time creating video content for the company’s Instagram and YouTube channels, helping share product information and connect with customers.

Helping dealers navigate custom orders and unique project challenges is another task he handles almost daily.

But his days can quickly shift when a dealer needs support. “A phone call for troubleshooting a problem with a product, an order, or logistics is one of the most common disruptions to my schedule,” he says.

Technology plays a key role in his workflow. Leslie uses ChatGPT, Canva, and his cell phone every day to support his work, from content creation to customer communication.

A major part of his role involves deciding how to communicate effectively with the company’s dealer network. Whether introducing a product, explaining a situation, or strengthening the company’s brand, Steve says those decisions require careful judgment.

The most rewarding moments come from helping customers solve problems, Leslie said. Whether troubleshooting an issue or tracking down an older, hard-to-find product, he enjoys reducing stress for dealers and customers.

A challenging start

Steve also remembers a challenging start to his distribution role in 2016. On his first day, he was unfamiliar with the products, many of which were stored in boxes and difficult to identify.

Starting just before the busy summer pool season added to the challenge. However, with dealers’ patience and experience gained throughout the season, he quickly learned the business.

Today, his workday looks quite different from it did five years ago. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Leslie worked in an office environment filled with constant interruptions from phone calls, drop-ins, and emails. Working remotely now allows him to better control his schedule and focus on customer interactions.

Looking back at the beginning of his career, Steve says one of the most important lessons was learning to build trust within the industry. Rather than focusing only on cold sales calls, he worked to become a trusted resource. He achieved this through phone calls, emails, newsletters, articles, and LinkedIn content. On his podcast, he frequently addressed topics of great importance in the industry. One episode, focusing on contractor fraud, later led to a presentation at the Canadian Pool and Spa Expo.

Steve credits this approach for helping him create new opportunities and continuing to shape how he connects with the industry today.

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