The Pond Digger Podcast
Are you trying to grow your business but struck with marketing? Are you tired of feeling like your ads are just floating out there without giving the results you expected? Facebook ads expert Michelle Esau from Lift Up Landscapers shares different marketing strategies you can use to grow your business. She talks about Facebook ads, targeting strategies, and clears up the misconceptions contractors have about marketing. In this episode, they talk about: The best way to target Facebook ads for contractors Why simply posting pretty pictures of ponds and boosting the post without a...
info_outline EP182: Doing It Different Aquariums & Ponds w/ Lucas BretzThe Pond Digger Podcast
Today, we have YouTube sensation Lucas Bretz from LRB Aquatics on the show. Lucas is doing aquariums differently and with great success. He discusses the importance of embracing natural processes in aquarium maintenance and shares his unique approach to natural, no-filter aquarium maintenance. In this episode, they talk about: Importance of building a connection with the audience in online content Lucas’ experience with aquariums with no filters using a natural approach Using substrate, plants, and occasional water changes in no-filter tanks Importance of embracing...
info_outline EP181: Personal Branding for Contractors w/ Isaac MashmanThe Pond Digger Podcast
Personal branding is a powerful way for contractors to grow their business and attract more clients. In this episode, personal branding expert Isaac Mashman talks about personal branding, and how it can help you with your business. He discusses how personal branding is more than just logos, shares tips and strategies for personal branding, and how contractors can tie their personal brand to their business. In this episode, they talk about: How can personal branding help contractors Balancing personal branding and business branding The importance of branding and legacy for a...
info_outline EP180: Behind The Curtain of Oase Living Water w/ CEO Thorsten MuckThe Pond Digger Podcast
Eric sits down with Thorsten Muck, the CEO of Oase Living Water. The two talk about Thorsten’s journey to Oase, the challenges and successes he’s experienced in his seven years as CEO, merging with other companies, and how COVID-19 affected them. Thorsten also shares insights into his life running a global business and talks about the tendency of water features getting forbidden due to water scarcity and why he is against it. In this episode, they talk about: Thorsten’s career journey and how he got into the water features industry Different companies Thorsten worked with before...
info_outline EP179: The Power of Assumptions with Yelenich & MatyasThe Pond Digger Podcast
We all make assumptions every day without even realizing it. And sometimes, most of the assumptions we make have a bad connotation. So, while assumptions can get you in trouble, Eric discusses the flip side of it—the power of assumptions. He sits down with Slayer and Tyson to talk about how assumptions can be good too and explores the power of assumptions. In this episode, they talk about: The meaning and definition of assumptions Is making assumptions good or bad Eric’s experience of assuming things about a client and how it turned out How making assumptions without proof can lead...
info_outline EP178: Undergravel Suction Grid Technology w/ Jason Steele & Mark YoriThe Pond Digger Podcast
At first, Jason was skeptical of underground suction grid technology. He thought it’s not going to work. It’s going to clog up. It’s going to be a maintenance nightmare. But after testing it in his pond for five years, he found it worked well. Eric is at the water garden expo and sits down with Jason Steele and Mark Yori to discuss undergravel suction grid technology. In this episode, they talk about: Undergravel suction grid technology – Jason’s introduction to it and why he implemented it in his pond designs How Jason’s perspective on pond maintenance changed after...
info_outline EP177: Fighting Fitz’s Fish Ponds w/ Brian FitzsimmonsThe Pond Digger Podcast
Today’s guest, Brian Fitzsimmons from Fitz’s Fish Ponds, has built a successful business of building ponds and breeding and selling koi fish, but these days, he is focusing his energy on something else. He is going to take on Eric as part of the match on August 17th for Brian Barczyk’s Legacy Aquarium. Tune in to find out Brian and Eric’s preparations and predictions for the fight and how you can support their efforts. In this episode, they talk about: Brian’s journey to Japan to select koi fish to bring back to the US Brian’s experience of transporting koi fish from...
info_outline EP176: Quitting the 5 AM Club w/ Johnny BuckThe Pond Digger Podcast
Do you believe there is a need to wake up at 5 AM every day to be successful? Today’s guest, Johnny Buck, found this isn’t sustainable long term. As an entrepreneur, athlete, and coach, he was burning the candle at both ends just to keep up. In this episode, he shares his decision to quit the 5 AM Club and take a more flexible approach to mornings and how it has impacted his life and work. In this episode, they talk about: What is the 5 AM Club, and whether it is necessary for success The misconceptions around the 5 AM club What made Johnny quit the 5 AM Club and explore...
info_outline EP175: Cichlid Breeding Chronicles with Living Legend John NiemansThe Pond Digger Podcast
Eric sits down with Cichlid legend John Niemans to discuss his encyclopedic knowledge of cichlids. They discuss John’s experiences over 30+ years of keeping and breeding cichlids, lessons he’s learned along the way, breeding and fishkeeping tips for different cichlid groups like Africans, New World cichlids, Asians, and more. If you’re passionate about Cichlids, this episode is for you! In this episode, they talk about: Different cichlid breeding behaviors — substrate spawning, mouth-brooding, etc Issues with growing fish in small tanks and buying stunted fish from...
info_outline EP174: Aging and Exiting The Pond Industry w/ The Pond Monster, Mark Gibson & Mike MillerThe Pond Digger Podcast
As pond professionals get older, it’s natural to start thinking about retirement. But leaving behind a career you’ve poured your heart into for decades is no easy task. Eric sat down with three industry veterans—The Pond Monster, Mark Gibson, and Mike Miller—to get their insights on aging in the industry and how to make an exit. In this episode, they talk about: Aging in the pond industry and the challenges of exiting the business The importance of networking, education, and attending industry events Approaching well-known speakers and experts who are willing to share...
info_outlineJoey Mullen, the undisputed King of DIY, is here to make the aquarium hobby a lot more exciting with the upcoming charity boxing event – Fins N Fury. Joey details about the boxing match, a charity event for raising funds for late Brian Barczyk’s Legacy Aquarium. He also opens up about his long YouTube career and gives some gold nuggets about YouTube and content creation.
In this episode, they talk about:
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Joey’s YouTube journey over 16 years
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Struggles Joey faced with burnout, identity crises, and life challenges
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How Joey worked through that identity crisis and got back into the mindset shift
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Tragic incidents in his life that made him consider retiring from YouTube
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Eric’s experience with cancer in 2015 and keeping it private for years
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Joey’s journey to reaching 1 million subscribers on YouTube and the challenges and setbacks along the way
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Joey’s first meeting and collaboration with Dustin of Dustin’s Fish Tanks
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YouTube algorithm’s impact on content and visibility
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Advice to aspiring content creators who are looking to build their brand and channels
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Meeting Julian Sprung and innovations in saltwater aquariums
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How stingrays are often mis-cared for in freshwater aquariums
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Details about the Fins N Fury event
Mentioned:
The king of DIY on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thekingofdiy
Joey Mullen’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kingofdiy
Joey Mullen’s book The ultimate DIY handbook – for the DIY aquarist: https://diyaquariumbook.com/
Links to resources:
Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett
The Pond Digger - https://theponddigger.com/
You can also check out The Pond Digger's products at:
http://helixpondfiltration.com/
And follow his adventures in the pond world at: