How do you become a trusted name in the waterpark world and stay one for nearly 40 years? Paula, George, and Haley are the family behind Water Safety Products, whose lifeguard suits, rescue tubes, and breakaway lanyards are used at parks in more than 30 countries. They join John and Tim to share: How to tell a one-off customer request from a need the whole industry hasWhy a new product takes about two years to make it into park budgetsHow long-standing relationships survived the industry's shift to corporate ownershipWhy waterparks are still "the industry that hugs" Show NotesYou'll hear about: How a 1987 request from Wet 'n Wild turned a fashion swimwear brand into the go-to supplier of lifeguard uniformsWhy "listen to your customers" only works if you can tell a one-off request from an industry-wide needThe industry staples that started as operator ideas: breakaway lanyards, colored rescue tubes, the Scott Carruthers bead program, and the new Whistle of the YearWhy new products take about two years to show up in park budgets, and what that means for suppliers and operatorsHow long-standing relationships have held up as the waterpark industry has become more corporate and more internationalWhat it was like opening Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi, and engineering waterparks across the U.S. for 22 yearsBringing decoration in-house with Satellite Screen Printing, and why knowing a park's real opening date matters more than the order deadlineThe honest pros and cons of running a family business, and advice for anyone thinking about starting one Timestamps(00:00) — Introduction: Meet Paula, George, and Haley of Water Safety Products (00:24) — From fashion swimwear to lifeguard suits: how it all started (03:51) — Walking out of the fashion business and starting a company at home (07:04) — Growing up in the warehouse (and Box Fort Town) (11:22) — Growing 25% a year for a decade (13:01) — What "listening to customers" actually looks like on the ground (14:38) — Telling a one-off request from an industry trend (16:14) — Why new products take two years to hit the market (18:17) — Industry staples that started as customer ideas (21:28) — The Whistle of the Year (24:35) — "The industry that hugs": why waterpark people never leave (26:53) — Waterpark culture vs. the surf industry (30:31) — How a more corporate industry has (and hasn't) changed relationships (31:59) — Going international: Dubai after 9/11 (34:17) — Navigating cultural differences in swimwear (36:33) — The IAAPA fashion show years (37:44) — George's path: opening Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld (44:35) — Haley's path: 22 years engineering waterparks at Water Technology (49:55) — Why Canada has so few outdoor waterparks (51:36) — Why George came back to the family business (56:40) — The business within the business: Satellite Screen Printing (1:09:05) — Controlling priorities and knowing a park's real deadline (1:10:42) — Do they share the same vision for the future? (1:16:18) — The hardest part of working with Mom (and with your kids) (1:22:22) — Haley's 1992 waterpark road trip journal (1:24:55) — George's shotgun slide rescue (1:27:23) — Advice for anyone starting a family business (1:32:38) — What's next for Water Safety Products About Paula PantonPaula Panton is the founder of Water Safety Products, Inc., a Florida-based international supplier of lifeguard uniforms and safety equipment. After years in the fashion swimwear business, Paula designed her first lifeguard suits for Wet 'n Wild in 1987 and incorporated Water Safety Products in 1989, starting the company out of her home. Over nearly four decades, Paula has built the company by listening to operators and turning their ideas into products. Water Safety Products helped introduce the breakaway lanyard, colored rescue tubes, and the Scott Carruthers bead program, and now serves waterparks and aquatic facilities in more than 30 countries. For about ten years, Paula and her team also produced the fashion show that opened the IAAPA Expo. About George PantonGeorge Panton is Vice President of Water Safety Products, Inc. and President of Satellite Screen Printing, the company's in-house screen printing, embroidery, and transfer printing operation. He began his aquatic career as a Brevard County Ocean Rescue beach lifeguard and is a graduate of the University of Denver. After college, George led the pre-opening souvenir photography program at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and served as the first merchandise manager for Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. Since returning to the U.S., he has led customer service, marketing, and product innovation at Water Safety Products, and has visited more than 100 waterparks worldwide. About Haley ConradHaley Conrad joined Water Safety Products after a 22-year career at Water Technology, Inc., where she engineered, project managed, and sold waterpark projects across the United States and opened the company's Texas office. A Tulane University engineering graduate, Haley now leads manufacturing and production at Water Safety Products, with a focus on keeping lifeguard swimwear made in the USA. Links & ResourcesLearn more about Water Safety Products https://www.watersafety.com/Connect with George Panton on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-panton-7714111aConnect with Haley Conrad on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-conrad-5606594Learn more about RocketRez https://www.rocketrez.com/
