Our Story
Midnight Sun Pools n' Spas
OUR BIO
Welcome to Midnight Sun Pools n’ Spas
- Early 1990's
Our business was created in the early 1990’s out of the necessity to bring Hot Tub service to the Leech Lake area of Minnesota. Founder and CEO, Philip Nyhusmoen started his career in Fargo, North Dakota, working for a local spa manufacturer.
Philip was recruited by a family friend while attending college in Fargo. She knew his work ethic, combined with his electronic and mechanical abilities was the perfect mix. That time in Fargo soon rolled over to his hometown of Walker, MN and the Leech Lake area. In 1994, he started his business fixing any pool or hot tub related product in the surrounding communities of Park Rapids, Walker and Bemidji.
From Tent to Showroom
- 1994 - 1995
The “famous” tent behind his mother, Susan Nyhusmoen’s store, Liten
Hus, soon was converted into a hot tub showroom. The tent owner, world
famous Ken Bresley, made a deal with Philip: sell Ken’s fishing lures and supplies on one side of the tent for him and Philip could have the other side of the tent for the hot tubs.
Within weeks, Philip talked Ken into a deal and just like that he was using the whole tent for the hot tub showroom. The specifics of that deal are sealed and will never be released! By the fall of 1994, the tent was removed and the first Midnight Sun showroom was constructed and opened in the spring of 1995.
During that time Philip’s father, Pastor Ken, was recruited by Philip to haul hot tubs produced in Fargo ND to Walker MN. He would graciously do this and request his only payment be cups of coffee! That winter, a temporary store was located in the Paul Bunyan Mall in Bemidji, which began the Bemidji Midnight Sun Foundation that still thrives today.
Bemidji businessman, Steve Hill, leased property to Midnight Sun from 1997 to 2010, which helped build the growth to purchase and build our own commercial real estate as it stands today on Hannah Avenue. Philip always says, Steve had a big part in that real estate growth and they had an excellent business relationship.
Building Connections
- 1999 - 2001
In 1999, Midnight Sun was one of Finnleo’s Top Five dealers and a tour of Europe was awarded by the Sauna company. During this trip, Philip was able to meet another Pool and Spa businessman, and**instantly a relationship was formed. This proved to be another key role played in Midnight Sun’s longevity in the highly competitive market of pools and spas.
Peter Von Hopffgarten, and excellent businessman and entrepreneur himself, had just formed the Millennium Buying Group and**invited Philip to join. Together still today and grown to 50 other dealerships nationwide, this group purchases materials and collaborates on all aspects of operating a Swimming Pool and Hot Tub business in America.
In the year 2001, Philip expanded Midnight Sun to the Brainerd market by purchasing an existing spa business. The Brainerd location has grown steadily over the years to include a showroom and warehouse on the famous 371 corridor. This market has seen steady growth and has provided us the muscle needed to keep growing and fiercely compete and in our industry.
A Journey of Growth in Minnesota's Hot Tub and Pool Business
- 2022 - 2023
As the business continued to evolved, in 2018, a warehouse and distribution facility was added in Bemidji. Through careful research and planning the decision to expand into the Duluth, MN market was decided.
In 2022, with staffing in place, and a key piece of property was purchased on the Miller Trunk Highway just south of the Duluth International Airport. At this point 30 years of thoughts and dreams about how a showroom should be built for a Minnesota Hot Tub and Pool business was put on paper and the new state of the art facility was constructed during the winter of 2022 and officially opened June of 2023.
The need for a full service technical and parts supply support in the Duluth and surrounding market has proven to be in high demand during just the first few months of operation in this area.
Leading with Compassion
- Today
Today our business is led by President Abbey Nyhusmoen. Abbey brings a complex group of talents to our team through her years of service as a Registered Nurse. Her skill set has been invaluable to our day to day operations. Her approach as to how we view our products and what our products can do for the health and wellness of our clients is a special talent.
Abbey’s passion towards customer care and each customer’s individual distinct needs has greatly helped us increase the level of overall satisfaction. She often says “A person will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel“.
Internally, our company utilizes a operation system which involves weekly leadership meetings and holds everyone accountable to a higher standard of bringing our best products, service and communication to each other and our customers. Our “heart of a teacher” approach in everything we do is evident from helping a family with their big box store pool to our high end swimming pool projects.
We are looking forward to the future, and enjoy cultivating our staff*, *watching them grow and achieve their dreams, because we really do have the BEST staff! We love being a small business in our communities and we believe our customers and staff love that too.
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