CityView Magazine

Discove r Cit yV iewN C.co m's fre s h up d ate d loo k ! | 43 C r Ch W h e n g r UD G e SdE N G over a l g - rgo e n W ha t Do u d o • the time on a job site. He is the field specialist who likes to get his hands dirty, ensuring each job is completed structurally safe and sound. As business partners, the men say that each having their own specialty area "works to their favor" as they maneuver the ups and downs of working with family. "A family business has its challenges," said John, the younger brother. "But it also has its rewards and the rewards far outweigh the challenges." Growing up in Eastover, the Britts graduated from Cape Fear High School in the late 1970s and went to work at Spa and Pool World in their teenage years. Funny thing is, though, they weren't on any swim teams and didn't have their own backyard pool until their late childhood. "Dad worked all the time," the brothers remembered. "He did not do a lot of recreating. We both swam, but not a lot. We were always working, too." Gaining expertise through on-the-job training with their father and through trade workshops and conferences, the Britts never le Fayetteville or worked in another industry. Growing more than just a business, both men also married and raised their families here, too. ey say blood is thicker than water, but in this case, pool water might just be its equal. "We both love Fayetteville and are happy here," Ricky Britt reflected, speaking both for himself and his brother. "We found our niche and are pretty good at it. Remaining here also allowed us to support our parents as they aged and had failing health." Clayton Britt died in 2016 at the age of 92 and their mother, Shirley Britt, died two years later in 2018 at the age of 91. e founder of Spa and Pool World had passed the company on to his sons much earlier, however – back in the early 1990s. "e business became ours nearly 30 years ago," explained Ricky Britt. "But we learned our work ethic from our dad. We learned everything about business from him, too. He taught us to treat people fairly and well, and we try to carry forward those values each day." "The business became ours nearly 30 years ago," explained Ricky Britt. "But we learned our work ethic from our dad. We learned everything about business from him, too. He taught us to treat people fairly and well, and we try to carry forward those values each day."

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