Don't Wait to Make a Difference

Family succession planning in the making: How 15-year-old Cole Shehan of Shehan Pools^SM is pursuing a career in sales

Most family pool businesses hope to pass along a legacy of success. The third generation at Florence, Kentucky-based Shehan Pools^SM is off to a promising start.

The swimming pool contractor has long been home to 2015 PHTA Builder of the Year Bill Shehan, Sr., who, at 82 years old, is one of the oldest Certified Builder Professionals (CBPs) still working in the industry. Today, Bill’s son
Bob Shehan leads the family-owned company as executive vice president. As Bob and his wife Sara Shehan hope to someday pass the torch to their four boys, the parents have worked hard to expose them to the pool industry.

The fruit of this work is already evident in their youngest, 15-year-old Cole Shehan.

Cole often exceeds what many people expect of a teenager. He works part-time at Shehan Pools^SM' retail store and is often the most sought-after employee in the store, according to his parents Bob and Sara Shehan.

"We've had a joke that he is the manager," said Sara, who leads Shehan Pools^SM' Lifestyle and Outdoor Living division.

During the pandemic, when the store only provided curbside service, Bob and Sara's four boys would run out to assist customers at their cars. Cole's level of knowledge made a lasting impression.

"He had so much knowledge because he had been listening," she said. "So, after COVID, people came in and they were looking for him over the adults that worked there."

Early exposure

As part of the third generation of Shehan Pools^SM, Cole's involvement with the swimming pool business began before his earliest memories.

"Cole's been around the store since he could literally walk," said Bob. "He and his mom would go around the retail store together as she waited on customers."

Alongside his brothers, Cole has been attending trade shows since age four and lending a hand in the retail store since age seven. The boys regularly take classes through PHTA as well. Most recently, Cole has begun working in the service department and assisting with pool openings and closings.

However, his main passion is sales.

"We learned early on that Cole is the salesman of the group," said Sara. "He absorbs information amazingly well and can talk to people about their pool chemistry. When people come in with problems, he's able to walk them through it very intelligently. He sells them what they need, and they come back happy."

"I hope other young professionals understand they don't have to wait until they're 25 or 30 years old to start making a difference in the world."
- Cole Shehan

Hungry for knowledge

While Bob and Sara have provided Cole with opportunities to learn the business, his pursuit of additional experiences — such as his choice to earn the CBP designation — have been entirely his own.

For example, Cole believes gaining experience in construction is a necessary step to fully "knowing his product" and excelling in sales.

"I knew a lot about the retail and service side, but I wanted to learn more about how to build a pool," said Cole. "So, I decided to take the CBP course and exam."

To prepare for the exam, Cole read books and took several PHTA classes, including C201: GENESIS® Construction School: Concrete Pools, the prerequisite course to sit for the CBP exam.

Cole earned his CBP in early 2024, and he already plans to earn the Advanced CBP and eventually work his way up to Master CBP to help him in the sales department.

"I think it's going to help me as the more knowledge I have, the better I can do," said Cole, who attributes his ambition to his Christian faith. "I am a Jesus follower, and I want to do everything I do to the best of my ability to glorify God."

His pursuit for knowledge isn't limited to construction. Last year, Cole decided he wanted to become a certified scuba diver to aid him in leak detection.

"That's just Cole, to be a little bit of everything," said Sara. "He's like, 'Listen, I'm going in, and I'm going all in.'"

Defying expectations

When Cole and his brothers help out in the family retail store, his parents often observe customers' shocked expressions after discovering how helpful the teenagers can be. According to Sara, it's common for teenagers to "get a bad rap," but their family is hoping to help change that. Bob and Sara try to encourage their boys to work hard and make an impact on their community now, even as teenagers.

"Age is not the issue. It's knowledge," said Bob. "You can do anything as long as you prepare yourself."

Cole has learned this lesson well and wants his example to inspire others his age. "I hope other young professionals understand they don't have to wait until they're 25 or 30 years old to start making a difference in the world."

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