Today we’d like to introduce you to Darren Kesler.
Hi Darren, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been in the swimming pool industry 34 yrs. Always working for the big boys. My wife suggested we start our own pool renovation company. A Veteran’s Pool Company. She would pay the bills with her job as Administrator of assisted living memory care communities. So, we did. 3 months later she left her job to join me in the business in 2020. We did $650,000 in sales. 2021 we did $2,100,000. And started the process of franchising the business. Fast forward to 2024, and you will find 3 AVPC territories up and running. Looking to make an impact in the industry through our dedicated Military Spirit and work ethics.
Carla and I both are dedicated followers of Jesus Christ and along with our military values. We believe we are providing a unique construction product in the industry.
We are serving many fellow Veterans & 1st Responders and those who support them with Honor, Integrity, Great Communication skills. Doing what we say, when we say, how we say. Doing things “The Veteran Way.”
My wife and I have a food blessing box in our front yard for the last 4 yrs. to help our neighbors. The entire community now gives to it.
In winter months we hang coats on our front yard tree. Give 300-500 coats a year away. Community drops of coats.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has not been a smooth road. The biggest obstacle has been finding individuals with the same belief in doing things the honorable way. Representing our values in all areas. From franchisees, employees, to Subcontractors. That has been the toughest part. We started the 1st yr. franchising with 7 other territory owners in the DFW metro. We had to, for 1 reason or the other, take back those territories to save our brand and reputation. I have gone through countless subcontractors looking for guys who will bring pride to their trade and continue to grow their skill as we all try and improve. I now have a great group of guys. My resurface team I have had for 10 yrs.
My mason crew is 9 yrs.
My decking crew 8 yrs.
My entire team now is top notch. It doesn’t take long for the ones not wanting to work by our code of conduct to get weeded out for some reason or the other. We are finding we have to do a better job at vetting people we let into our organization. And we have.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
A Veteran’s Pool Company is a swimming pool construction company. We specialize in renovations and new builds. Mostly renovations. Making Older Pools Great Again!
We are known for our all-around professionalism. From the moment you call on the phone to having us come out to meet with you and discuss your vision and budget to meeting at the showroom and selecting all your materials, to running the day to day on the project and finishing strong. Our goal is to make the process as enjoyable as possible along with a great finished project.
I am most proud that we are helping other veterans, 1st Responders become successful business owners and giving our clients a better quality of life with every project. We are creating an atmosphere where generational memories will take place. Family, fun. Celebrations. Graduations, food, laughter will all be had in the finished project we helped create.
What sets us apart is Carla and I, in all things, desire to bring honor to our Lord Jesus Christ and to bring honor as a military family to those who believe the same way we do and to those who don’t. We are showing them the love of Christ and the work ethic of the military training.
Carla and I have a food blessing box in our front yard. Blessed a lot of people. The community gives to it.
We have a winter coat tree in our front yard as well. Giving 300-500 coats away a year.
Darren is a mentor in the Grayson County vet court system
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The people and the people. Let me explain. The least is the people’s cars. The traffic.
The best is the people’s spirit. I love meeting all types of people and getting to know their stories. From my clients. To strangers at the store. I don’t see the division they talk about on the news. I see people helping one another. I see people interacting kindly with each other. I see unity not division in the people of Dallas mostly.
Contact Info:
- Website: Aveteranspoolcompany.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeteransPoolCompany/
- Linkedin: https://www.facebook.com/Vets-giving-back-113742777108889/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/Blessing-Box-Diaries-103404331350439/
Image Credits
Ryan Hoffman
Guy Ellis
Darren Kesler
Carla Renee Kesler
