Daniel Yonkers, 26

Customer service manager
Viking Spas
Wyoming, Michigan 

After working as a supplier for The Home Depot and seeing Viking Spas’ company culture from the outside, Daniel Yonkers knew it was where he wanted to be. So in 2022, he joined the team as a customer service manager.

“When I saw an opening at Viking, I knew I needed to jump on it,” Yonkers says. Viking’s openness to new ideas and willingness to change has allowed him to thrive in his role. “If I think I have a new idea for the industry or can improve an old one, they’re always ready to assist me.”

One of the things Yonkers appreciates most about the hot tub industry is the welcoming and fun nature of the people in it. He sees hot tubs as products that bring joy and relaxation but also recognizes their increasing importance in physical therapy and mental rest. 

“It feels good to support the people who need these products and see how much it can impact their daily lives,” he says.

Yonkers is excited about the industry’s potential for innovation, making it an ideal long-term career. 

“Cold plunges are just taking off now, and I think there are more big ideas on the horizon,” he says. “We’re entering a renaissance for technology and manufacturing with AI advancements, and I’m excited to bridge the gap between old and new methodology.”

Yonkers says collaboration will be key to industry growth. 

“We could collaborate more openly to bring better transparency, higher quality standards and more concise end-user expectations from us all,” he says.

He also believes there is room for improvement in making the industry more sustainable. 

“How can we make packaging more recyclable?” he says. “How can we reduce emissions from distribution? What raw materials can be recycled from aged units? Those kinds of questions are the exciting stuff for me.”