Every company has a beginning. For Aqua Creations, it started not with a business plan, but with a problem.
In the late 1980s, founder Richard Sr. owned a swimming pool that needed resurfacing. The pool was only several years old, but the plaster was already failing. At the time he was maintaining the pool himself, and like many homeowners, he began researching options and learning about fiberglass resurfacing.
What began as a practical solution quickly sparked a deeper curiosity.
Richard started working with a company that specialized in fiberglass pool resurfacing. They offered to train him in sales, and before long he was visiting homeowners, explaining the process, and helping people solve the same problem he had faced himself.
His first sales appointments were successful right away. He discovered that he enjoyed meeting people, educating homeowners, and helping them find a lasting solution for their pools.
But as he spent more time in the industry, he noticed something important.
Not all work was created equal.
Some crews produced beautiful, long-lasting installations, while others rushed the process. The inconsistency bothered him. If he was going to recommend a solution to homeowners, he wanted to be confident the work would be done right.
That realization planted the seed for what would eventually become Aqua Creations.
Building Something Better
In the early 1990s, Richard began exploring the idea of starting his own operation. At the time he was still teaching school—a career he would continue for 24 years—while running the pool business on the side.
Rather than simply copying the systems already in use, Richard became fascinated with improving the process.
One of the early problems with fiberglass resurfacing systems was the filler material used in the resin. Over time, pool chemistry could break the material down, allowing fiberglass fibers to protrude from the surface. Richard began researching alternatives and experimenting with different materials and techniques.
He developed a process that focused on stronger lamination and thicker protective layers. Instead of relying on a single coat, his method involved multiple steps designed to produce a stronger and longer-lasting finish.
As the company evolved, Aqua Creations adopted more advanced fiberglass application techniques, eventually incorporating chopper-gun fiberglass systems and improved coating materials. Over time, those improvements led to the development of the company’s signature fiberglass resurfacing system known today as AquaGlass.
The goal was simple: build something that would last.
A Family Business Takes Shape
From the beginning, Aqua Creations was a family effort.
Richard and his wife Susan worked tirelessly to keep the company moving forward while balancing other responsibilities. They handled everything from sales to operations while slowly building relationships throughout the local pool industry.
In 1992, another key piece of the company joined the story.
Eric came on board after Richard had first met him while working on a fiberglass repair project for a property he was developing. The two stayed in contact, and when Richard needed help growing the business, he invited Eric to join the team.
Eric’s business background and steady leadership helped bring additional structure to the growing company. Together, they continued refining the process, building relationships, and expanding the company’s reach.
A Turning Point
In 1994, the Northridge earthquake shook Southern California and left thousands of swimming pools damaged or structurally compromised.
Suddenly, Aqua Creations’ fiberglass resurfacing system offered something many homeowners were searching for—a durable solution for pools that traditional plaster repairs couldn’t solve.
Demand for the company’s services increased dramatically as homeowners and property managers looked for ways to restore damaged pools.
For Aqua Creations, it became a pivotal moment that accelerated the company’s growth and reputation throughout the region.
The Next Generation Joins
Around the same time, Richard Sr.’s son, Rich, had graduated from college and was figuring out his own path. He had been living in San Luis Obispo and running a small house-painting business, but the opportunity to help build something meaningful back home drew him in.
Richard invited him to come work with the company.
What began as helping out soon turned into a full-time commitment.
Rich brought energy, work ethic, and a natural ability to connect with clients. Over time he became deeply involved in the company’s operations and sales, helping expand relationships with contractors, municipalities, and commercial clients.
His ability to understand people and navigate complex projects helped Aqua Creations grow into a trusted name not just for residential pools, but for large commercial facilities as well.
Built on Relationships
One of the defining elements of Aqua Creations’ success has always been relationships.
Rather than relying heavily on advertising, the company grew through word of mouth and trust within the construction community.
Pool builders, contractors, and service professionals began recommending Aqua Creations after seeing the quality of the work firsthand. In many cases, builders would have their own pools resurfaced first. Once they experienced the durability and finish themselves, they were comfortable recommending the company to clients.
That reputation spread throughout Ventura County, Santa Barbara, and beyond.
Investing in People
While the fiberglass technology and process were important, Richard always believed that people were the true foundation of the company.
In the early years, he hired workers through local contacts and former students. Eventually the company connected with a group of hardworking laborers who quickly proved themselves to be exceptional craftsmen.
Some of those employees stayed with Aqua Creations for decades.
Unlike many construction companies that operate with constantly changing crews, Aqua Creations focused on building long-term relationships with employees. The company invested in its team with benefits, retirement plans, and consistent year-round work.
That stability helped create crews that were not only skilled, but deeply committed to the quality of their work.
Adapting Through the Years
Like any business that spans multiple decades, Aqua Creations has experienced its share of challenges.
Economic downturns, regulatory changes, and shifts in the construction industry forced the company to adapt and evolve. One major shift came when new safety regulations were introduced requiring updated anti-entrapment drain systems in pools and spas.
While these changes created challenges for many pool owners, they also opened new opportunities for Aqua Creations to help modernize and restore aging facilities.
Through every change, the company remained focused on what it did best: fiberglass resurfacing and structural rehabilitation.
Instead of trying to expand into every corner of the pool industry, Aqua Creations stayed committed to mastering one specialty.
That focus became one of its greatest strengths.
Looking Forward
After decades of building the company, Richard Sr. eventually stepped back from day-to-day operations, allowing the next generation of leadership to continue guiding the business forward.
Today, Aqua Creations continues to serve both residential and commercial clients across Southern California. The projects have grown larger, the technology has advanced, and the industry has evolved.
But the core philosophy remains the same as it was when the company began.
Do the job right.
Protect the customer.
And build something that lasts.
Thirty-five years later, the details still matter.
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