Rudy De Anda has been in the pool industry for over 20 years and has been shaped by incredible mentors and family members along the way. Based in the Coachella Valley, Rudy services warranty for Raypak in different areas from Orange County to the Inland Empire. He specializes in automation, electrical and plumbing and values giving peace of mind to his customers above all else.
Rudy has had the honor of being mentored by his uncle and more recently, his father-in-law. When asked about the impact his uncle had on him as a kid working at his company before starting his own business, Rudy explained, “I attribute all of my success to people like him who gave me a helping hand; being someone to turn to”. He further explained that he loves being able to bounce off ideas with his family, who are fellow pool professionals. “It’s important we challenge and encourage one another,” he said.
We asked Rudy what it is like to be a warranty partner for Raypak and what his approach looks like to learning and staying on top of industry news and product developments. “I never stop learning,” Rudy said. “Once you think you’ve learned everything, you get humbled by something new introduced to the industry.” Instead of ignoring new trends, he finds it valuable to lean into the new products and learn as much as he can.
Whenever Rudy sees someone wanting to enter the pool industry, he encourages them to tag along and learn as they go alongside him. Even pertaining to his kids; he shared, “it’s so fun to see their curiosity and encourage that in them. I’ve told my three three boys: “You see what I do. Hopefully you can build off that and take it and fly. If I can show them to not give up on things; I’ve done my job.”
Rudy’s approach to lifelong learning from mentors and being a mentor himself with new professionals and his sons is contagious. He has a passion for learning and retaining as much knowledge as possible. From sitting down to read through entire manuals to going to as many classes as he can from manufacturers like Raypak, he is committed to learning and developing day in and day out. When asked about industry classes, Rudy shared “If you learn one little thing from the class, that (one thing) can go a long way and help with overall efficiency for your business”.
Rudy’s father-in-law worked for one of the Raypak warranty stations many years ago. He encourages Rudy to learn, watch and figure out the problem when on a call to research why it’s happening and how to fix it. “Work ethic is so important”, Rudy explains. “A little competitiveness and drive takes over when it comes to problem solving in the industry”.
“I’ve put the time in. I’ve dedicated myself to this. I really want to learn, ins and outs. I can still make mistakes but at least I am honest, and can accept that. That’s what I have learned the most. When I make mistakes, I won’t do it again and I take the time to learn from them. Being a professional isn’t about being perfect… We can troubleshoot instead of assuming new units need to be put in, with basic knowledge and experience gained throughout the years. There is always a cause and effect. Look into what is causing the issue with maintenance so it doesn’t become a bigger issue if you ignore it completely. I figure it out and that will ultimately save time if a similar problem happens down the road.”
We asked Rudy about the AVIA and what he thinks about this unit. He proudly stated, “The AVIA’s complete, new design and 3-year warranty can’t be beat! I know that it gives peace of mind for me and my customers.” Rudy’s business ethos revolves around giving peace of mind to his customers and we are thrilled to hear that the AVIA continues to move him towards that goal again and again.
Raypak’s AVIA is all about heating smarter and playing longer. With its innovative Wi-Fi enabled control system, customers can manage their pool heater with one accessory through the Raymote app. Just as Rudy enjoys thriving on continued education and technology advancements in his business, the AVIA matches up with his personal and professional objectives to be best-in-class and a peaceful puzzle piece when it comes to homeowners’ needs.
Determined to continue to grow while appreciating his road to success, Rudy reminisced “I remember the first plumbing I did by myself. I turned it on and it didn’t leak and those initial, little victories stick with you.”
Thank you to Rudy of Rudy De Anda Pool Services for providing some insight into his past and how it continues to shape him as a pool professional leader in the industry. And here’s to many more little (and large) victories ahead for you and your business.