Under the radar, some of the nation's most skilled pool pros have been joining a low-profile, high-caliber society: Tributary Revelation.
The group describes itself as โa network of innovative industry leaders, including architects, designers and contractors, collaborating to create the worldโs premier landscapes, luxury pools and outdoor living spaces.โ With aspirations of raising the bar for the industry as a whole, members have access to next-level education, connections and resources. โWeโre trying to build the best pools in the world,โ says Bo Barnett, president of KB Custom Pools in Kyle, Texas, and active Tributary member. โWeโre trying to take our craft to another level. We all have the same goal: we want to make this industry better.โ
ORIGIN STORY
Years ago, Jeromey Naugle of Premier Paradise and Kurt Kraisinger of LORAX, both renowned pool designers and builders, founded Tributary believing that by assembling a vibrant group of the industryโs best, they could reach new heights in their quest for pool construction greatness.
Since then, the group has evolved and membership has grown to about 30 individuals. โEach member tries to contribute something different,โ Barnett explains. The group is open to anyone, but thereโs a reason the numbers are low โ Tributary only wants the best. Interested applicants must submit a portfolio and client references for intense review.
โMembers are highly vetted before they get in,โ says Barnett, having gone through the process himself. After his company โ KB Custom Pools โ began winning awards a few years ago, recognition exposed him to a Tributary member who explained the groupโs mission. It didnโt take long for him to apply.
โTributary reached out to the folks that Iโve built for to understand how I run my business and whatโs important to me,โ he says. โEventually, I was lucky enough to be accepted.โ
DESTINATION EDUCATION
To be the best, youโve got to train with the best. โWe have contributions from experts in the field from, quite literally, all over the world,โ Barnett says.
Tributary takes a โhands-onโ approach to education as it pursues the next level of mastery: Pre-COVID, the group traveled far and frequently for intensive, on-site training.
โThe way that we learn, being hands-on and traveling as a groupโฆ asking questions there in the moment โ personally, that has changed my life,โ says Barnett.
In 2019, for example, Tributary traveled to Italy for mentorship at Litokolโs facility north of Bologna. โThat trip completely changed my perspective,โ says Barnett. โWhen we flew out, I didnโt know how to apply epoxy grout correctly. [Litokol] taught us how they want the specific product installed, what grouts they feel are the best grout combinations for their glass, and why that adhesion process is so important.โ
These trips are possible thanks to tight-knit vendor relationships. Tributary believes that doing the best work in the industry is dependent on using the best products available โ and really understanding them.
โThe vendors get exposure. They all also get the value of their applicators understanding their process, and how they want their product installed,โ explains Barnett. โWhen we start pushing products from certain vendors that have allowed us to visit their facility and understand their process... thatโs really where I find a lot of unique opportunities, with clients that arenโt getting that from other pool builders.โ
The selection process for vendors is just as intense as it is for potential members. โEven a discount doesnโt mean weโre going to push a certain product,โ says Barnett. โItโs a vetted process to make sure the materials that weโre using are some of the best in the world.โ
TRUE COMMUNITY
Though its members are spread across vastly different locations, Tributary fosters a deeply collaborative spirit. Beyond monthly zoom meetings and travel for training, the group functions as a referral community. Members often tap other members for sections of projects, because the Tributary name establishes a sense of credibility and trust.
โCollaborations happen all the time within the group. Iโve had a member come to Austin to do my tile work before,โ says Barnett. โIf I have a swimming pool thatโs going to be done in glass tile, I know who Iโll get to do it.โ
Tributary members end up mentoring one another, as well. โItโs kind of like a family โ itโs real access. These people will answer the phone when I call, and theyโll answer questions that I have,โ says Barnett. โItโs given me the confidence to be able to take on projects that I traditionally would shy away from, because of the extensive education needed to accomplish some of those builds.โ
Last year, the group traveled to Barnettโs own company for a review and critique session.
โTraditionally, what we do is we look at pools from the start of someoneโs career to something that is maybe six months old,โ says Barnett. โThatโs one aspect that I absolutely love about it โ itโs a vulnerability that will allow you to grow, because you have some of the sharpest minds in the world talking to you about things that you could do differently or things that you excel at. And thatโs extremely valuable.โ
โIโm very proud of this group,โ he continues. โIโm always looking for ways to better myself, better my community and better my company. And these guys have helped with everything from personal matters to how to actually run a business. So thatโs a huge part of what this group gives. Itโs not only about how to build a great pool โ itโs how to live a great life.โ
This article first appeared in the February 2022 issue of AQUA Magazine โ the top resource for retailers, builders and service pros in the pool and spa industry. Subscriptions to the print magazine are free to all industry professionals. Click here to subscribe.