Owning a pool business did not fit into Brad Herring’s original plan. But when he and his wife, Candy, had a chance to buy Hart Pool & Spa in Colleyville from Brad’s sister and brother-in-law, Sherrie and Neil Hart, they took it. Brad left his corporate job in aviation, and he has helped hundreds of people upgrade their pools since that move in 2013. “We make old pools brand new again,” Brad said. Hart Pool & Spa also offers pool materials and equipment, hot tubs, grills and repair services to homeowners. Brad and his staff help families get their backyard ready for summer but also make sure pools are properly maintained during the winter. Longtime customers continue to come to Hart Pool & Spa primarily for the quality service, Brad said. The business would not be nearly as successful without his staff, who recognize guests by name, he said. “The employees in the store know the customer; they know their pool; and they treat the pool as if it were their own,” he said. “I’m just very proud of that.” Because maintaining a pool can be intimidating for those who have never done so, it is important for these homeowners to know the basics, he said. For example, Brad said, people should know that their pools need to be running in freezing temperatures to avoid freeze damage to the equipment, pool filter and pipes. During the summer, balancing the pool’s pH is crucial to making sure the plaster pool finish lasts. Hart Pool & Spa also offers what it calls a pool school to customers who have never owned one. “We send our service guys out to spend up to two hours to talk to them about how to operate it,” he said. Brad and his team has spent years building rapport with long-time customers. Even as people move away, new families turn to them. “They come to us because we’ve always been there for that pool,” he said. “I remember every backyard I go into.”