Young Han is a name synonymous with turning business goals into actionable operating systems. Over the past 2.5 years, Young Han has led Blue Ocean Pool Service to remarkable growth, transforming it from a fledgling business into a thriving enterprise. With 15 full-time and 3 part-time team members, and plans to add 8 more by the end of the year, the journey has been one of both triumphs and trials. In reflecting on this journey, Young Han shares valuable insights that reveal the true essence of business success.
Young Han initially believed that his technical expertise in operations and finance would be the key to the company’s success. However, as he navigated the ups and downs of building Blue Ocean Pool Service, he discovered that the real strength of the company lay elsewhere. Young Han realized that it wasn’t just the financial skills or technical know-how that propelled the company forward; it was the culture they built and the people they attracted.
“Exactly 2.5 years ago, we started Blue Ocean Pool Service,” Young Han recounts. “Today, we’re now at 15 full-time and 3 part-time team members. We have a clear line of sight to add 8 more team members this year. I’m super proud of all the things we have accomplished and it has been an incredible journey of ups and a ton of downs.”
Young Han emphasizes that the cornerstone of Blue Ocean Pool Service’s success has been finding and retaining great people. In a competitive market, attracting individuals who share the company’s core values has been both the biggest challenge and the most significant driver of growth. Young Han’s approach to building a team is rooted in creating a happy, fulfilling, and enjoyable work environment. This focus on people and culture, rather than just technical expertise, has consistently moved the needle toward success.
Young Han’s philosophy is clear: “At the end of the day, it’s not just about pools; it’s about people.” This perspective is what sets Blue Ocean Pool Service apart. The company’s success story is written by the dedicated individuals who live and breathe the company’s values every day. To reinforce this commitment, Young Han and his team printed out their core values and displayed them prominently throughout their warehouse and office. This visual reminder serves as a constant reinforcement of the culture that underpins their operations.
Young Han reflects on this pivotal learning: “What I discovered was that our real strength lies, not in the financial skills we possess, but in the culture we build. It’s the people who make the difference. My customers are our people.” This revelation has been a game-changer for Blue Ocean Pool Service, highlighting the importance of building a strong, value-driven team.
Building such a team was not without its challenges. Young Han and his team faced many trials and errors, learning valuable lessons along the way. They discovered that the only consistent factor in their success was attracting people who shared their core values. This alignment has been critical to creating a work environment that is not only productive but also enjoyable and fulfilling for everyone involved.
Young Han’s journey with Blue Ocean Pool Service underscores the importance of culture in business. By sticking to their core values and fostering a positive work environment, they have laid a solid foundation for scaling their business. This commitment to culture, described by Young Han as a code, is what will continue to drive their success in the future.
Young Han’s insights are not just relevant to the pool service industry; they offer valuable lessons for any business leader. His emphasis on culture and people as the driving forces behind business success is a reminder that technical skills and financial expertise, while important, are not the sole determinants of success. Building a strong, value-driven team can make all the difference.
For those looking to build a successful business, Young Han’s story offers a blueprint. It highlights the importance of focusing on people, creating a positive work environment, and sticking to core values. As Young Han continues to share his insights through his weekly newsletter, business leaders can learn from his experiences and apply these lessons to their own journeys.
Young Han’s journey with Blue Ocean Pool Service is a testament to the power of culture and people in driving business success. By transforming business goals into actionable operating systems, and prioritizing the human element of business, Young Han has built a thriving enterprise that stands as a model for others to follow. His story is a powerful reminder that at the heart of every successful business are the people who live and breathe its values every day.
