Published: June 13th, 2012
Sometimes the opportunities that we are given are the ones we least expect to receive, and what we do with them is what is important.
Tommy Rogers grew up in Lakeland and graduated with a degree in Animal Science and Poultry Science with a minor in Horticulture from the University of Florida. When asked what made him want to be the owner of two pool service companies, his answer was, “I don’t know. That’s a good question. You ever just find yourself into something? That’s what happened.”
Pool service seems an unlikely future for a college graduate that previously worked for a shell egg company, grew blueberries, and served in the United States Military. Since he bought Top Shelf Pool Service, Tommy found passion and fun in running his own business and experimenting with pools. So much, in fact, that he bought Heartland Commercial Pool Services last year to expand his work to commercial pools. While Top Shelf deals with residential pools, Heartland works mostly with retirement communities and apartment complexes. Even though Top Shelf has been in business for seven years, and Heartland for eight, Tommy has grown both companies bigger than they have ever been in his short but successful ownership. Both companies perform any kind of pool service, including cleaning, remodeling, and repairs.
Tommy prides his companies on his employees. “We’re not guys with flip flops and t-shirts on. If you think about it, you don’t want some stranger in your backyard coming into your screened enclosure with no shirt on and no shoes,” Tommy boasted. “I don’t hire just anybody.” Among the staff, Top Shelf Pool Service and Heartland Commercial Pool Services employ two firefighters that clean pools when they are not working at the station. Every employee carries all of the credentials necessary for any type of pool service, and they appreciate having quality equipment and tools to get the job done.
“This is the fifth truck I’ve bought here. These trucks work so well I just have to keep coming back,” he said about his F-150’s purchased from Bartow Ford Co. As a busy man, Tommy enjoys Bartow Ford’s quick and easy process, saying “I have two good people here that help me; Jerry (Follis) helps me get them bought and Raquel (Chico) gets me in and out of the door. I bet I won’t be in there but for 5 minutes.” Purchasing transportation for a business may be time consuming and, Mr. Rogers praises Bartow Ford employees for knowing exactly what he wants and executing it in a timely fashion. “I like to zip in and out, and that’s why I like it here.”
Tommy Rogers proves that although life will lead you down many different paths, you cannot be afraid to take the detours.
