If you’re a pool or spa manufacturer, you’ve got one goal:
Sell more product.
To do that, you need a sales force. And you’ve got two options:
Option A: Hire a W2 sales employee.
Option B: Partner with a rep firm.
Let’s compare.
Option A: Build Your Own Team
Here’s an average of what it really costs to hire one full-time salesperson:
- $75,000 base salary
- $20,000 – 30,000 Commissions and Bonuses
- 30% in taxes and benefits
- $10,000–$15,000+ in travel, gas, and hotels
- A laptop, phone, CRM login, onboarding, training
- 6 to 7 months of ramp time before they start performing
Total cost before ROI: $150K+ per rep.
And if they quit in a year? You start over. From scratch.
That’s not a sales strategy. That’s a gamble.
Option B: Hire a Manufacturer Rep Firm
A rep firm is a team of primarily commission-based pros who already:
- Know the territory
- Know the distributors
- Know the dealers
- Know how to move product
They don’t carry inventory. They don’t buy and resell.
They just sell your brand like it’s their own—to the exact customers you want.
No salaries.
Just access to momentum in the market.
“But a Rep Doesn’t Spend 100% of Time on My Brand”
Good.
You don’t want a rep with only one product to sell. If the buyer says no, that’s the end of the conversation.
But when your product is part of a lineup of complementary products, it fits into more conversations and can continue to be brought up over time.
Your product gets introduced naturally. It gets sold more often.
That’s how your distribution grows.
“Once I’m in Distribution, I’m Good.”
Wrong.
Getting stocked is just the beginning. If your product isn’t supported in the field, it doesn’t move.
Counter folks sell what they know. If no one trains them and reminds them, your SKU sits there. Period.
Rep firms:
- Train the counter staff
- Run lunch and learns
- Go on jobsite visits
- Push demand up and down the supply chain
No rep = no movement.
“What If I Still Want or Have Internal People?”
Great.
Many successful manufacturers use a hybrid model:
Internal factory rep + rep firm.
Internal person:
- Sets the strategy
- Coordinates marketing
- Supports key accounts
Rep team:
- Drives daily activity
- Closes business
- Reports back what’s working and what’s not
That combo is faster, leaner, and more scalable than hiring 3 W2s and hoping for the best.
Choosing the Right Rep Firm: What to Ask
Not all rep groups are built the same. Before you sign, ask:
- Do they already serve your ideal customer base?
If they don’t, you’re starting from zero. - Do they represent complementary—but not competing—lines?
This helps them tell the right story without splitting loyalty. - Will they show up at trade shows, branch events, and on job sites?
If they’re not seen, they’re not selling. - Do they align with your culture and brand tone?
Because they will become the face of your product in the field.
The right rep firm doesn’t feel like a vendor.
They feel like your team.
Want a full list of verifiable pool and spa specialized rep agencies? Start doing your homework here.
Case Study
Pal Lighting uses this blended model.
They have:
- A national director of sales
- Regional territory managers
- Trusted rep firms in each region
The teams work together on:
- Branch visits
- Ride-alongs
- Lunch & learns
- Event support
- Follow-ups with key accounts
This creates traction that compounds and faster market penetration.
Not theory. Just results.
Final Thoughts: Plug Into a System That’s Already Working
Building a sales team from scratch is expensive, slow, and risky.
Plugging into an experienced rep firm gives you:
- Faster market entry
- Built-in relationships
- Industry credibility
- Lower risk and higher output
Looking for what rep agencies are available in your local area? See a full list of verifiable agencies by region here.
At The Grit Game, we help pool and spa manufacturers:
- Scale smarter and faster
- Strengthen distributor and dealer relationships
- Turn strategy into in-field execution
- Protect and elevate their brand reputation
Why The Grit Game Exists
To empower potential. We help pool and spa manufacturers grow their brand without wasting time or money on the wrong model.
What we offer:
- Field sales across North America
- Deep relationships with builders, dealers, distributors
- Industry-specific marketing and training
- Live branch visits, counter days, ride-alongs
- Reporting, CRM support, and in-market coverage
We’re not a rep. We’re a growth system.
Still Not Convinced?
Here’s the math again:
| Model | Time to ROI | Total Cost Year 1 | Field Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| W2 Hire | 6-7 months | $150K+ | One person, one region |
| Rep Firm | Immediate | Onboarding Fee + Commission | Entire region, existing network |
Paying to build a sales team is a luxury.
Paying for performance is smart.
How to Work With Us
If you’re a pool or spa manufacturer ready to grow:
- Stop guessing
- Stop overpaying
- Stop trying to do it all yourself
Check out your local rep agencies here or for more information on working with The Grit Game visit us here and complete the form at the bottom of the page.
Let us show you what a real sales engine looks like.
#GotGrit?
