Paul Madden Jr., 38

Water by Design
Co-owner
Roanoke, Virginia 

Paul Madden, co-owner of Water by Design in Roanoke, Virginia, is a second-generation leader in the spa industry. Having grown up in a family-owned business, the industry has been an integral part of his life from an early age. 

After graduating from high school in 2004, Madden worked full-time at Water by Design while earning his degree in business and marketing. With his education and deep-rooted passion, he played a crucial role in expanding the company, growing it sevenfold and expanding to four locations across Virginia.

For Madden, the spa industry is more than just a career — it’s a calling. The satisfaction he gets from helping people enhance their lives through wellness is what drives him. 

“[I love] the joy you get from helping people live their best version of themselves,” he says. “When I get phone calls from clients who express how much better the hot tub has made them feel, it makes me love what I do.”

Madden’s vision for Water by Design is clear: to see the business grow into an industry leader. He’s not only focused on the company’s success but also on leaving a legacy for his sons, who he hopes will one day take the reins and elevate the business even further.