Jon Krawczyk, 34

Native Michigander Jon Krawczyk says he feels out of place standing with this group of 40 under 40 winners.

“I’m not a suit-and-tie kind of guy,” he says.

Growing up in a farm town, Krawczyk has a more laid back, Midwestern attitude. But don’t let that fool you. He means business. In fact, he’s working more than 80 hours a week to “lay the groundwork for the future.”

The owner of North Port-based Superior Pools, Krawczyk started working for the family business building pools during the summers between college.

After a brief internship with the Detroit Pistons, Krawczyk realized he could put his business degree to good use if he joined his mom and dad full time in selling pools.

“I spent the first three to four years out in the hole learning everything,” he says.

Though in the beginning he may have been muttering complaints under his breath, Krawczyk credits that time for learning to respect all aspects of the business, and building respect among others at the company.

He was promoted to construction manager, working under his dad, while his mom worked in sales. When the company was hit hard from the recession, Krawczyk encouraged his dad to go after remodels, instead of new construction. It was a smart move. Now, 98% of Superior Pool’s work is for homeowners and remodels, partnering with one homebuilder.

In 2011, the family was hit with a shock. Krawczyk’s mother was diagnosed with melanoma cancer and died. His dad moved back to Michigan and passed the business to his son.

Each year since the transition, the company has grown. The company recently achieved a 2016 Top 50 Builder in the U.S. award from Pool and Spa News, and out of the top 50, ranked No. 1 in customer service.

“Online reviews make or break you these days,” he says.

— Traci McMillan Beach

Q&A

Name: Jon Krawczyk

Age: 34

City of residence: North Port, Fla.

Twitter handle: @superiorpools1

Employer: Superior Pools

Title: Owner

Birthplace: Imlay City, Michigan

Years on the Gulf Coast: 11 years

Marital status/children: Married 2 children

Alma mater: Northwood University

Best place to network: Social media

Coolest business experience: Voted #1 in customer service in the nation by pool and spa news 2016

Messy desk or clean workspace: Messy Desk

Best business lesson ever learned: Honesty and Communication are the keys to success.

A website that makes your job easier: guildquality.com

Community group you’re most involved with: Pop warner football

Favorite off-hours activity: Working Out /Sports

Two people, dead or alive, you’d like to have dinner with: My mother who passed away and Jesus

What you would be doing if you could pick another career: Owner of a Professional Sports team

Top item on your bucket list: Mediterranean Cruise

Skill you’d like to learn: Motivational Speaker

Who would play you in a movie about your life: Mark Wahlberg

If I had a magic wand I’d: Bring Peace to the whole world