From Hollywood Pools to Backyard Bliss: The Evolution of Hollywood Outdoor Living

Unlock the secrets to creating a backyard oasis with insights from Hollywood Outdoor Living’s dynamic father-daughter duo, Steve Mote and Erica Stone. Steve shares the fascinating journey of how the family business evolved from Hollywood Pools to a comprehensive outdoor living store, while Erica reveals their rebranding experience and the powerful impact of staying family-owned in an increasingly corporate world. Discover what truly sets them apart as they discuss their full range of backyard amenities, from pools and spas to AI-integrated grills and gaslighting.

Get ready to be inspired by Hollywood Outdoor Living’s commitment to quality and personalized service. Erica and Steve talk about the latest trends in outdoor living, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and customer relationships in their business model. Hear about cutting-edge products like smart pellet grills and innovative outdoor furniture that can transform your backyard into a luxurious retreat. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or just looking for new ideas, this episode is packed with valuable tips and heartfelt stories that showcase the unique blend of family legacy and modern innovation. #GNPBirmingham #HollywoodOutdoorLiving #BirminghamBackyards #BirminghamPools #BirminghamSpas #OutdoorKitchen #Backyard #Grills #Spas #Pools #BackYardLiving 

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Patricia Blondheim.

Speaker 2: 0:15

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. I'm your host, patricia Blondheim, and today we have Good Neighbors Erica Stone, who is the marketing manager, and Steve Mote, who is the CEO of Hollywood Outdoor Living. Fun fact, they're also father and daughter, erica and Steve, how are you today? We're good Good morning, good to be with you. Can you tell us a little bit about the history of your store and how it came about?

Speaker 3: 0:44

Okay, we have been in business for about 40 years. The original name was Hollywood Pools and over a 40-year period we picked up the spa line, so we ended up Hollywood Pool and Spa. And in 2021, we bought Alabama Gaslighting Grill in Homewood and because of that acquisition, we rebranded maybe a year ago to Hollywood Outdoor Living, so that's what we're called today.

Speaker 4: 1:21

As we've worked through the rebrand, we're continuing to ensure that our current customers and future customers understand our business sectors and what we can offer the community, particularly some of the neighborhoods in Birmingham.

Speaker 2: 1:42

Well then, tell me what sets your store apart from other outdoor living stores.

Speaker 3: 1:45

Well, I'm not sure there's anybody else in Birmingham that does what we do, which includes everything for the backyard, so pools, spas, outdoor furniture, grills outdoor I mean gas lighting.

Speaker 1: 2:01

And fireplaces.

Speaker 3: 2:03

Yeah so everything to do with the backyard we more or less do.

Speaker 2: 2:09

Well, tell our listeners about your journey. What brought you here into our backyards?

Speaker 3: 2:16

Well, I've only been associated with the company personally for the last six or seven years because I sold another company. For the last six or seven years because I sold another company and after that sale I had time to come in and run Hollywood Pools or now Hollywood Outdoor Living.

Speaker 4: 2:31

But you should tell them how it started with your brothers.

Speaker 3: 2:35

So Philip, my little brother who passed away over 20 years ago. Philip, he started Hollywood Pools passed away. My other little brother ran it for a while, Larry passed away, and I'm here for the last six or seven years.

Speaker 4: 2:51

So so it's been a, it's been a family company for for its lifetime and we have lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, children of my dad's brothers continue to work there and, you know, I think that really adds to the community of and the company culture because, you know, we have a long history with each other as both friends and family.

Speaker 2: 3:14

So it's a. It's a closely held company. It's's easy within a family to maintain the quality structure because you all are just in it. You know the blood is in it, right.

Speaker 1: 3:27

Yes.

Speaker 2: 3:27

It represents your family. Yeah, because we're not a franchise.

Speaker 3: 3:32

I mean, we started the company and we're here managing it, you know, over time. You know the company now does about five or six million dollars in sales.

Speaker 4: 3:45

So one of the things that's really happening in the pool industry now is, you know, private equity and acquisitions, and so, you know, I think we have had opportunities for those things, but we maintain our commitment to being family owned and not a franchise things. But we, you know, maintain our commitment to being family owned and not a franchise, and I think that makes us special because we do know our customers and we can accommodate their needs and understand, you know, what they need and then pivot if they need something different.

Speaker 2: 4:12

And that's really important, because we live in a world where there's been a lot of corporate acquisition of local small businesses and it makes it impossible for you to have, as a consumer, a real relationship, you know, a deeper relationship with the company that you're working with, and I still I maintain that that's important, I agree.

Speaker 4: 4:32

Yeah, we think so too.

Speaker 2: 4:34

Well, other than that trend, what other trends are you seeing in outdoor living and recreational activities? I know? Are there any innovative products or technologies that you're excited about?

Speaker 4: 4:45

Yeah. So we've got several new products in the store that I think are worth coming to see. We've got a lot of AI and innovative technologies coming into, particularly our grill products. We have a new pellet grill from Brisket that can be synced with your smartphone and kind of set it and forget it, and you don't have to monitor whatever you're making on a regular basis, and then you know. I think there's lots of innovation within outdoor furniture space making sure that there are cushions that are waterproof so you can leave them outside without covers, and ensuring that you, you know, have a backyard that is luxurious but also easy to take care of.

Speaker 2: 5:28

Well, what customers expect when they visit your store.

Speaker 3: 5:33

Gosh, there's so many. You know we have so many disciplines. When a customer comes in, we maintain about 500 pools. So if it's a pool customer, many times they come in and test their water. But the other half of the customers come in and want to buy a grill or they want to buy some furniture, so we have to vet out each customer. Are you here for a pool question? Are you buying a spa?

Speaker 4: 6:00

so we have spas here, so it's just a variety of backyard we do have yeah, we do have dedicated sales reps that are knowledgeable across our product line. So usually you're greeted when you walk in the door and, um, they, the customer service reps will align you with whoever you need to speak to. So if it's a spa question, then we'll send you to Mark, and if it's a you know water test, then Allison or Mark can do that for you, and Nikki can help you with with all your furniture questions and Mike can help you with all your grill and gas log questions and gas lighting questions. So it's a little bit of a parsing when you walk in the door, because we do have designated experts, but it's a nice way to make sure that we're answering questions in detailed ways.

Speaker 2: 6:48

And anything that you need for your backyard. You just know if you walk in. That can be addressed.

Speaker 3: 6:53

Yes.

Speaker 2: 6:55

So can you share some tips for setting up a, you know, a comfortable and functional outdoor space? A lot of us are kind of in the dark about it.

Speaker 4: 7:04

Sure, I think one of the things that we really focus on is, you know, assessing your space and seeing what you're missing. A lot of times folks will come in looking for one thing if they come in for a gas grill, and then they have a chance to walk around our showroom and see what we have to offer and then a lot of times they'll come back and look at some furniture or an outdoor umbrella or other features. And so, you know, showing folks around and seeing what those products are and what's available in the market is nice. You know, unlike larger stores and kind of big box stores that are not able to order things custom, we can do custom furniture orders, so we have some things on the floor that you can see, but we also have complete customization available. And then, if you get really crazy and you want to renovate your backyard space, we have a whole renovations team that can take care of custom renovations for you on a contract basis.

Speaker 2: 8:00

Oh my gosh, that's the best thing since sliced bread, because it's very overwhelming. It's just like renovating your house, only you know it doesn't have a roof on it, right, Right? So what do you all do for fun when you're not working? I bet you've got a great outdoor space at your house.

Speaker 3: 8:16

Well, I happen to live at a condo, so when I come home, the pool is taken care of, the flowers, the grass is cut, so I don't have a backyard anymore.

Speaker 4: 8:27

But you do do a lot of fun traveling.

Speaker 3: 8:30

Yeah, so we, my wife and I, are more or less semi-retired and we travel. We have a place at the beach, I have a big boat that I go fishing, I play pickleball, I'm just trying to stay active.

Speaker 4: 8:43

So yeah, and I do have a backyard and I have been using Hollywood for inspiration. So I'm thinking about you know, every time I turn around, I think. Oh, I want to add this thing, or oh, I want to add this thing. Or I want to buy new furniture, I want to buy new tables, or maybe I need different logs and of course, the family discount doesn't hurt.

Speaker 2: 9:06

No, I need to. I need to, I need to become a moat or a stone.

Speaker 3: 9:13

It's family and friends. We could label you as a friend. Oh, thank you I appreciate it.

Speaker 2: 9:19

I'm a very, at the very least, I'm a good neighbor, right, yes, that's right. So can you all describe? Has there been a challenge that you've gone through, maybe as a family, maybe as an individual, that has just kind of? You know, we meet them every single day and they transform us and change our life. Is there anything like that that has happened for you?

Speaker 4: 9:44

I think for us, and particularly in relationship to Hollywood and daddy don't cry while I say this I think you know this has been a family business that has grown and changed over time and you know it's kind of been a love story of my dad giving, you know, the opportunity to his brothers to run something of their own and then tragic deaths due to cancer and then figuring out how to run the company. We have lots of employees that have returned over time. Our president, mark Owens, was working there many years ago with my Uncle Phillip and then came back after my Uncle Larry died to continue to run the store and build the culture and continue to, you know, contribute to the legacy of Hollywood and make sure that it is a family company that meets the needs of the community. And so I think you know we've gone through a lot of loss and a lot of change but we've been super resilient and continue to work every day to be better.

Speaker 2: 10:50

I think it's wonderful that you do have a family unit that runs the store, but it appears to me that everyone in that store just, by extension, becomes a member of your family, and that's a warm and wonderful place for a consumer to come into.

Speaker 4: 11:06

Yeah, that's very important to us.

Speaker 2: 11:10

What's something that you want our listeners to take away about Hollywood outdoor living? What's?

Speaker 3: 11:17

something that you want our listeners to take away. About Hollywood outdoor living, I think it's been a little confusing with these acquisitions, especially Alabama Gaslighting Grill with all that additional products. When I took out the name Hollywood Pools, we've had several customers come in and say, oh, you're still in the pool business. We've had several customers come in and say, oh, you're still in the pool business. So we're trying to get my marketing director to make sure the message gets out that we still do pools, but now we do gas light, we do gas grills and you know we're trying to make sure everybody understands who we are now because because we have many products. So that's been a little challenging.

Speaker 4: 11:57

It has been a challenge and that's been a big challenge for me just to re retell that story and ensure that we are communicating to to folks that not only did we have that acquisition but we have a lot of other product lines to offer. We did a whole rebrand um and a whole uh website redesign and lots of other um advertising, especially last year, to ensure that that word was spread, and we're starting to see that um you know, uh, folks in the community are searching for Hollywood outdoor living instead of Hollywood pool and spa and those kinds of things. So we're getting uptick um and starting to understand um where our gaps are.

Speaker 3: 12:36

I thought that's what Patricia was trying to help us do.

Speaker 2: 12:40

Well, I am, and for our, for our listeners out here, who are going to become your future customers, how can they, how can they find you and how can they contact you? Sure, so we have a.

Speaker 4: 12:51

We have a website that has all of our products available for view. We don't have any e-commerce on our website. There are contact forms available and then, if you are interested in pool and spa services, you can click the designated signup forms for what you're looking for, and I personally answer all those website inquiry emails and connect with you there. And then we also are on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook and you can message us there or share questions with us in those spaces, and I usually get back to you within a couple of hours.

Speaker 3: 13:26

And what's your address 1441 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills. So we're right on 31.

Speaker 2: 13:36

Wonderful Y'all. It's been such a pleasure getting to meet you and thank you so much for coming in and sharing Hollywood Outdoor.

Speaker 4: 13:44

Living. Great to meet you too. Thanks, Patricia.

Speaker 1: 13:48

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpbirminghamcom. Go to gnpbirminghamcom. That's gnpbirminghamcom. Or call 205-952-0148.