Page 11 - BusinessWest May 26, 2025

it. I just love giving to people. So we
have the opportunity to sponsor teams,
sponsor golf tournaments, be involved
in local charities, award scholarships
for different programs.”
In recent years, the couple estab-
lished Ted and Barbara Hebert Charita-
ble Ventures, a 501(c)(3) entity, through
which they also give to charity.
“We want to give away our money to
help others — furry friends and people
young and old — while we’re alive,”
Ted said. “It’s not like we have millions
of dollars, but we have more money
than the average person. So we’re very
blessed and very humbled to give some
of that money away while we’re alive.
We love it.”
A Story Worth Telling
Hebert has also done plenty of
motivational speaking over the years
— again, quite the accomplishment
for someone who once fought a stut-
ter — though he likes to use the term
‘inspirational speaking’ instead.
knocked down many times, and instead
of quitting or throwing in the towel, I
got back up.”
These days, he still shows up in the
ring — er, the store — most days, simply
because he enjoys running this busi-
ness that has defined his life, and he
enjoys helping customers and support-
ing employees.
“I’m only as good as my employ-
ees; they’re your greatest asset or your
greatest liability,” he said. “I know it
sounds common, but I try to treat peo-
ple like I want to be treated. And I’ve
been blessed.” BW
The East Street store wasn’t always surrounded by display pools, as this
photo from around 1980 shows.
“We’re not saying that you
have to do as much as us,
but if everybody gave a little
bit, it would make the world
a better place.”
“I cannot motivate you. In my
opinion, motivation is from within,”
he said. “But I want to inspire you.
If I can inspire you, that motivation
may come awake. When I used to do
speaking, people would say, ‘you’re an
inspirational speaker. You inspired me
to do things.’
“And that’s my goal in life: to
inspire people to do better for all peo-
ple, all living creatures, to make this
a better world — starting with your
family, then in your community, your
country, and the world. Because time
is infinite. I don’t know when it start-
ed or when it’s going to end. My life
on this earth is a speck of time. And
I’m hoping to make it a better place.
Because I will die, and I hope I have
more pluses than minuses.”
Teddy Bear Pools & Spas has cer-
tainly experienced more of the former,
despite challenges ranging from the
aforementioned employee betrayals
to a number of economic downturns
that tend to dampen the sales outlook
for luxury items, including pools.
“If you’re going to be in business,
you’d better have thick skin, you’ve
got to have perseverance, and you’ve
got to plan ahead,” Hebert said. “I’ve
always put money away for rainy days
in the business.
“But I’ve been very blessed and
lucky,” he added. “It’s like a boxer
getting knocked down. I won a lot
of championships. But I’ve been
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