![]() We’ve had a mutual admiration for each other and the way we do business for years, and my admiration will continue as he embarks on retirement.” “Throughout my time at Olympic, he’s been a gracious competitor and wonderful human being. “Brian has been such an instrumental leader in the pool and spa industry, as well as here in the Pacific Northwest,” says Don Riling, president of Olympic Hot Tub, Aqua Quip’s direct competitor in Seattle. Quint says what stands out the most in his career, though, are the countless people he’s been blessed to work with and meet in what he calls an incredibly rewarding business. “It was affirmation that our planning the quality, strength and commitment of our team(s) our focus on professionalizing the organization and our ability to come together and build a successful and scalable business paid great dividends,” Quint says.Ĭarlson was also president of the National Spa and Pool Institute when the companies merged, which eventually motivated Quint to also join the board and later serve as president himself. While those processes were greater than they imagined, Quint says, the company was approached by Leslie’s Pool Supply in 2018 to acquire the business, validating its success. “While the Quints and the Carlsons were industry friends for many years leading up to us joining our businesses together,” Quint recalls, “we had varied strengths and styles many thought would be challenging to blend into one business and one culture.” In January 1999, the business merged with Carlson Pool & Spa, bringing the number of Aqua Quip retail stores to eight. Simply put, once Brian considers you his partner and friend in the business, he’s your partner and friend. What makes Brian such a special leader in our industry is his desire for relationships, and then following those relationships with unceasing loyalty and commitment. Over his years at Aqua Quip, Quint held several roles, including manager of the Bellevue store, general manager and president - a title he took over when his father retired in 1993 before his death from cancer in 1995. ![]() “Simply put, once Brian considers you his partner and friend in business, he’s your partner and friend. “What makes Brian such a special leader in our industry is his desire for relationships, and then following those relationships with unceasing loyalty and commitment,” Genova says. That’s when Quint hired Mike Genova, who later founded Leisure Concepts, to spearhead the company’s growth in the hot tub segment. The family opened a second store in 1979, a third a year later and a fourth in 1984. Quint’s dad added pool supplies to this location in 1959.Īfter working as a consumer and small commercial loan officer at a bank in eastern Oregon for a stint, Quint started at Aqua Quip in 1978 when the company had one retail store he focused on selling swimming pool products and performing service and repair work. ![]() Quint’s grandfather built and opened a lumber yard/hardware store in this location in 1937. Aqua Quip’s original location in Seattle’s stadium district.
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