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Fla. swim school considers Annapolis

City’s demographics make it attractive for franchise site

By SHANTEE WOODARDS, Staff Writer

Published 02/06/12

A Florida-based swim school wants to reach out to more “minnows” and “sharks” in the Annapolis area.

The British Swim School plans to open 20 locations within the next several years and officials said the greater Annapolis region is being targeted. The school, which teaches basic swimming techniques to infants as young as 3 months old, already has three locations in Maryland. Owner Rita Godlberg said she is looking for local franchisees.

“A lot of people (in the Annapolis area) are very water-oriented. The demographics are right, the income level is right and people are very family conscious,” Goldberg said.

Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional deaths of children nationally, according to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. There were 286 child drownings in summer 2011, and nearly 70 percent involved children younger than 5. There were also 1,180 drownings in lakes, rivers and oceans, where a majority of the victims are teenagers and adults.

Headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla., British Swim School also operates facilities in Illinois and three in Montgomery County. More than 3,000 students attend weekly classes there.

Students are placed in groups like swimboree, young minnows, turtles and sharks, based on their ages. The youngest group, swimboree, is for babies up to 36 months, who are taught to float independently on their backs.

As they advance, students are taught water survival techniques, like the backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. Adult classes are also offered.

Annual registration for one child costs $35. Group classes are $112 a month, with students coming the recommended two times a week, on up to $360 a month for private classes.

Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis offer recreation programs that involve swimming. The aquatic centers in Glen Burnie and Annapolis have admission rates of $4 for youths age 17 and younger and $6 for adults. In winter, twice-weekly swimming lessons are offered for $75 and private sessions are available for $120.

Richard Callahan, acting director of the Annapolis department of parks and recreation, didn’t know much about British Swim School but said he welcomed more classes to the region.

“I can’t see where competition of some sort would hurt anything, since we’re trying to reach (as many) as we can,” Callahan said.

Franchise Chatter Exclusive: Q&A Interview with Rita

Goldberg, Founder and President of British Swim School

by AMBROSIO on FEBRUARY 12, 2012

in FRANCHISE CHATTER EXCLUSIVE,Q & A INTERVIEW,SWIM SCHOOL FRANCHISE

This is the second installment of a 2-part series on British Swim School.  To learn how Rita Goldberg started the company thirty years ago, read her first person account by clicking here.

Franchise Chatter (FC):  For those unfamiliar, please tell us about your different swimming classes and programs (method of instruction, cost, duration, etc.)?

Rita Goldberg (RG):  We have group classes, semi private classes, and private classes. We cover all ages from 3 months to 99 years.

We encourage a twice a week program. Costs are charged on a monthly basis and vary slightly with each location. Average lesson works out to approximately $16 per class. Lessons are 30 minutes and courses are ongoing year round.

We are committed to “survival” skills first and “swimming” skills second. Initially, we teach all our students to roll onto their backs so that if ever they are in any difficulty, they can breathe and be heard. Drowning is known as the “silent” killer as most untrained swimmers float face down blocking airways and sound.

Rita Goldberg, Founder and President of British Swim School

FC:  How is your business model different from those of other swim school franchises?

RG:  With our model, the franchisee is not required to build a pool, enabling them to open the business with a very small amount of capital and within a very short time period. The use of existing pools makes it quick to open, and makes it flexible to both grow and add further locations.

Our franchisee is NOT purchasing the use of one pool per area but will be encouraged to open programs in multiple pools within their purchased demographic area. We rent pool time on an as needed basis, so costs are extremely low. We pay either a flat daily rate, a monthly rate, or a percentage payment.

FC:  Can you describe the ideal franchisee for a British Swim School?

RG:  Currently, we have two franchisees that are diametrically opposite but are both doing a terrific job! One is a mom with a business background (a terrific businesswoman!) who enjoys teaching swimming. The other is a passionate 28 year old swim teacher who is learning to become a businessman also. We hope to attract both personalities.

I do hope that we appeal to Aquatic people who perhaps will recognize that they could make a career out of opening a great Swim School. The empty nester that is looking to return to the business world and the service Vet may also find a wonderful future in Swim Schools.

This franchise could attract a wide range of people and personalities. Here are some ideal qualities for our prospective franchisees:

Experience with child service franchises
Experience with swimming and swimming lessons
Passionate about education
Have capital to invest or obtain financing
Commitment to excellence
College educated
Business, management, and/or sales experience
High energy
Professional demeanor
Strong standards of excellence, honesty, and integrity

FC:  What is the ideal neighborhood and territory for a British Swim School? 

RG:  Heavy population of young families. Income level of around $65k plus.

FC:  Describe the process for securing a suitable swimming facility for each franchise. What kind of assistance can franchisees expect when it comes to securing an appropriate location and dealing with the facility owner?

RG:  We look for warm pools in, or close to, suitable area demographics. We use lists of possible pools obtained from the City or County. Health clubs, fitness centers, hotels, schools, university pools are all possible.

We initially approach the site manager and request a meeting with a decision maker. We follow up with a synopsis of the British Swim School and
how we could partner with them in a mutually beneficial way.

We will always try to physically be with a franchisee for the first pool(s) needed.

FC:  What specific steps do your most successful franchisees take in order to build and grow their respective businesses?

RG:  Our franchisees must provide a great teaching program that is effective, non-traumatic, and lots of fun, and at the same time try to give the best customer service possible. Also, they must constantly be aware that we are guests at the facilities and conscientious at doing all that is needed to keep our hosts happy.

FC:  What are some of the things you are doing to help your franchisees become profitable?

RG:  We have weekly conference calls and reviews. We just hosted our first conference in Florida, where ideas were discussed and shared.

We also intend to provide their goods at a low cost. At this time we have T-shirts, swim caps, award ribbons, goggles, etc. We are constantly looking for new sources of revenue from additional merchandise. As we grow, our purchasing power will increase.

We have templates of printing material to avoid set up costs. We help with ideas on incentives for parents to recommend us and to increase the awareness of our program, therefore increasing revenue.

FC:  Is this a seasonal business?  Are there any unique challenges to running a swim school that your franchisees ought to know in order to keep their expectations in check?

RG:  This is a year round business. There are some fluctuations in participation depending on geography more than season. In Florida, winter is less busy. In Maryland and Chicago, it does not seem to be a factor. This may seem the wrong way round, but is proving to be correct!

FC:  Can you tell us a bit about the initial investment to open a British Swim School?  What are the major operating expenses? What is the profit potential for your franchise?

RG:  The initial franchise fee is $25k. We estimate that a further $10k to $15k will be needed to cover advertising, marketing, rent, insurance, pool props (i.e. goggles, swim caps, kick boards, etc.). Legal fees and living expenses will obviously depend on the franchisee.

Profitability depends on the ambition of the franchisee. Cash flow is almost immediate and it is entirely possible to be profitable in a very short period of time. As stated in our FDD, our Maryland franchisee grossed $241k in 2010. She did this with one pool and now has three additional locations within her franchise area. We do have an Item 19 for prospective franchisees to look at.

FC:  What are your goals for British Swim School in the next few years and how do you plan to grow your business?

RG:  British Swim School saves lives. And the more successful franchises we can add, the more lives we will be able to save! I would love to have British Swim School be the best, most recognized company in the Swim world, providing great quality life saving skills to all across the country.

I will be getting the word out by many different avenues (i.e. trade shows, computer sites, word of mouth, etc.). I want to have great franchisees who want to earn a great living, doing a great service and loving it!

To learn more about British Swim School, check out their website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed.

how-i-started-british-swim-school-a-new-franchise-opportunity-with-a-30-year-history-by-rita-goldberg-founder-and-president/

How I Started British Swim School

(A New Franchise Opportunity with a 30 Year History)

by Rita Goldberg, Founder and President

by Ambrosio on February 10, 2012

in Franchise Personality,Guest Blog Post,Swim School Franchise

This is a guest blog post by Rita Goldberg, founder and president of British Swim School.  Please check back on Sunday for my exclusive Q&A interview with Rita and learn more about the school’s unique business model.

In 1980, in Britain, I was a teacher working for Manchester Education Department in England. I was in their Aquatic teaching department when I was taken to a small home in Lancashire. The owner of that home was an ex-swim coach who had put a small pool inside his garage and was giving lessons. It was basically a hobby for him, but in me, a seed of ambition was planted. I was a Mom with no business sense or ambition, until that day. I knew then that I wanted to open a Swim School!

Since it had never been done in Manchester, I was told that it would never work and that I would never get financed or find the right property. The first thing I did was sell my own home. This would give me approximately half of the capital needed, even though I had not yet found the right property in which to build my school. I had two young children at the time, so “living above the shop” was of high priority.

A derelict, run down but very large house became available in the ideal position for this venture. It was three stories with a large basement, and plenty of parking. “You can’t put a pool in a basement. You will never get planning permission,” the naysayers said. They were nearly correct. It took many months and challenges, trips to council meetings, refusing to accept a denial of permitting, and the help of a great city councilor, but I did!

Next came funding. With business plan tucked under my arm, I traipsed from major bank to major bank, all of whom said “What a great concept! Brilliant! Excellent idea, totally unique! Not anything we can fund or help you with, but good luck!”

At that time, the BBC was running what we now call a reality show called Enterprise 80. People were asked to submit business plans of possible new ideas, and a panel would judge the viability of each one. To the top few they would offer financial help to start up that business. Hundreds of thousands of applications were received and only the final 20 were to appear on the TV show.

I applied on a whim and never expected to hear from them again. Well I did! I was not in the final 20, and was not eligible to fight for the very large amount of prize money, but I had been among the final 50 business proposals to be judged as top rate. The reward was to give me a guaranteed business loan…from a bank that had previously turned me down!

I now was getting closer to my dream. On a snowy March day, my dream came to fruition. The doors opened to 120 children and grew rapidly after that. I worked such long hours that I had major voice problems, but I absolutely did not care. My Swim School dream had come true.

Over the next twelve months, I knew I needed to develop a teaching method for younger children, as there were no good programs available that actually taught survival to the under fours. I had to find a way. Through hours in the pool, research of physiology, and with the help of some wonderful parents who trusted me with their most precious possession, their babies, and the British Swim School’s gentle fun back float method was developed. It was amazing what tiny little ones could achieve when they learnt to roll over to float on their backs in order to breathe! We gained much recognition, TV and radio publicity and we use this same method to this day.

Ten years later, I emigrated to the USA, started my Swim School in Coral Springs, and have been very fortunate to be able to grow and grow. Our basic methods are the same; we still believe in back floating first (survival) and swimming second. We are now teaching children of the children we taught before. My company has now grown rapidly, and we have Swim Schools in three States.

In October 2011 we launched a franchise system, which we are confident will grow in popularity. It is a niche in the market that enables franchisees to expand and grow without the major expense of building a location. We feel that we are offering a tremendous opportunity to many different people. To the teacher who cannot afford huge purchase prices, the businessman who will see the enormous potential, as well as the “empty nester” who wants a great business. We hope to attract veterans too, as many will have been previous team swimmers and who may not have envisaged that a future could be made out of a previous passion.

We intend to be the best franchisors and to have many successful schools across the USA. Two of our managers have now become franchisees and we have three more possibilities at this time.

I do not feel that 30 years could possibly have passed since those first scary days of our basement pool, but they have, and looking back, I have nothing but gratitude that I was both able to turn a passion into a career, at the same time as being able to save many thousands of lives and bring the joys of swimming to people in both sides of the world. I am a very lucky person!

About British Swim School

For more than 30 years, British Swim School has been dedicated to teaching water survival to beginners of all age groups. The company currently operates 13 locations and launched a franchise program in October 2011 as part of its strategic national growth initiative. Based in Coral Springs, Florida, British Swim School uses a gradual, gentle and fun process to teach babies as young as three months old the most important water survival skill – the ability to float on their back. For more information about British Swim School and franchise opportunities, visitwww.britishswimschool.com/franchising.

http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/entrepreneurs/2012/01/10/franchises-can-start-for-under-100k-in-2012/

Franchises You Can Start for Under $100K in 2012

Written By Kate Rogers

Published January 10, 2012

FOXBusiness

For those looking to escape the world of cubicles and unreasonable bosses, but not quite able to find their own great idea, franchising is one way to delve into entrepreneurship. Opening up your own store or business based on an already-successful model provides budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to be their own boss, flexibility and guidance as needed.

But buying and launching a franchise doesn’t come cheap. Here are nine franchises you can start in 2012 for under $100,000.

No. 1: Home Helpers

What: A home care and personal emergency response system

Headquarters: Cincinnati

Opened: 1997

Investment: Between $50,000 and $75,000 for Home Helpers, and between $50,000 and $90,000 for both Home Helpers and Direct Link

Why you should consider franchising: According to Home Helpers President Emma Dickison, franchisees get major support during training to help them get started. They are also schooled in marketing and advertising, human resources and social media.

“We also help with lead generation, to help connect that local office to clients or consumers in their community hat will be their customer base,” Dickison said.

In many states, those who open a franchise can also work from their home office, so there are fewer costs associated with getting started.

Today, there are more than 600 franchises in 42 states and Canada, Dickison said.

No 2: The Growth Coach

What: Business and lifestyle coaching

Headquarters: Cincinnati

Opened: May 2003

Investment: $50,000 in the first year, then an additional $500 a month for royalty fees

Why you should consider franchising: Co-founder Greg Scheingold said that his franchisees have the opportunity to help others improve their business, which is satisfying and rewarding.

“It attracts people to have their life have meaning. A lot of times, people have been going through up to that point and have become disenchanted (with their career).”

Franchise owners also have the opportunity to work from a home office, he said, which reduces start-up cuts. The Growth Coach has about 140 locations across the country.

No. 3: The British Swim School

What: A swim instruction company that operates out of existing pools and fitness clubs

Headquarters: South Florida

Opened: 1993

Investment: Between $25,000 and $50,000 including operational costs

Why you should consider franchising: Founder Rita Goldberg, began her business in England in 1991, and then moved to the U.S. in 1993, said the initial investment is small, but the return is great.

“You’re not using money to build a facility. It’s basically renting pool time in multiple locations. The return is quick, and it’s a very unique opportunity.”

No 4: Painting With a Twist

What: An art studio that hosts art parties with a “twist”

Headquarters: Lafayette, La.

Opened: November 2007

Investment: About $75,000 including the franchising fee, studio and art copyrights

Why you should consider franchising: Founders Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney said the business’s unique appeal allows for grassroots marketing opportunities.

“It’s not a McDonalds, so you’re not going to be able to put up a sign and have people know what it is,” Deano said. “Word of mouth is huge for us.”

Painting With a Twist has grown to more than 60 franchises in 15 different states.

No. 5: Weedman

What: A lawn and garden care company

Headquarters: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Opened: 1986

Investment: Ranges from $43,700 to $58,450

Why you should consider franchising: Weedman’s model has seen tremendous growth over the more than 25 years it has been open, according to COO Jennifer Lemcke. Lemcke said the company has experienced 20% growth over the past several years, and 80% of customers renew every year.

“We seem to really flourish in times of recession making it appear the we are recession proof. People tend to stay home more and also want to protect their biggest investment: their home,” she said. “For little cost, they can really increase the curb appeal and increase property value.”

Weedman has 120 license agreements in 262 territories and spanned across 31 states, according to Lemke.

No. 6: Caring Transitions

What: A senior moving, relocation and downsizing company

Headquarters: Cincinnati

Opened: 2006

Investment: Approximately $40,000

Why you should consider franchising: The lagging economic recovery has forced many seniors to move out of their homes or downsize, according to founder John Buckle, who started the company based on his experience in senior home care.

“This is the next thing after we have done everything to keep them in their home,” he said of the company’s model. “When they have to move—what happens? How do they move to that next place?”

Franchisees can start up the business from their own home office, Buckle said, and nearly all costs are tied to revenue generation.

No. 7: EnviroTech Pest Services

What: A pest management company

Headquarters: Brunswick, MD

Opened: 1994

Investment: Between $40,000 and $90,000

Why you should consider franchising: Unlike working in a corporate setting, owner Nick Petti said owning an Enviro-Tech franchise allows major flexibility.

“It allows the owner to determine what kind of role they want to take on in the business,” he said. “As the business grows, if they don’t want to be shackled at a desk, they can get out and interact with the community.” Such action also helps to develop a strong customer base, he said.

EnviroTech has nine franchise locations in seven states, Petti said.

No. 8: Doc Popcorn

What: A fresh, natural-flavored popcorn company

Headquarters: Boulder, Colo.

Opened: 2003, Franchising began in 2009

Investment: Approximately $70,000

Why you should consider franchising: Doc Popcorn is a simple idea and a convenient franchise to run, according to its owners Rob and Renee Israel. In addition to running the business with essentially one piece of equipment, the Mobile PopCart, franchise owners are also meeting consumer demand for healthier snacks.

“Popcorn is one of America’s most popular snacks, but it’s never been done the way we do it. We are doing for popcorn what Auntie Anne’s has done for pretzels—improving upon and branding what has otherwise been a commodity product in high-traffic venues,” Rob said.

Currently, Doc Popcorn has 57 franchise owners in 26 states. In addition, it has 45 units in operation with 200+ in development across the nation.

No. 9: PuroClean

What: A property damage remediation company

Headquarters: Taramac, Fla.

Opened: 1990

Investment: Investments can range from $74,260 to $99,375

Why you should consider franchising: Founder Rory O’Dwyer said the company’s foundation has proven to be recession proof and has major growth potential.

“Our franchisees also find what they do to be truly rewarding as they help families, business owners and their communities overcome stressful property emergencies,” he said.

Training and support programs are also readily available for those who become franchisees. PuroClean has grown to 320 offices in 44 states across the U.S. and Canada, according to O’Dwyer.
Read more: http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com/entrepreneurs/2012/01/10/franchises-can-start-for-under-100k-in-2012/#ixzz1j5upzyBd

Every 8 weeks, British Swim School runs what they call “Clothing Week.”  It is called “Clothing Week” because swimmers are asked to bring regular, street clothes to simulate what it would feel like if they were to fall in an open body of water fully clothed.

Swimming lessons during this week focus on water survival and water rescue, an extremely important lesson for little ones.

Attached are some photos from the Sunrise, Florida British Swim School location during their last “Clothing Week.”

This summer has seen a dramatic increase in the number of recorded drownings across the country, according to a recent report by the USA Swimming Foundation.

As a result of the alarmingly high data, the Foundation has launched a nationwide campaign to raise water safety awareness and the importance of swimming lessons.

The “Make a Splash,” tour is traveling the country with Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones, the survivor of a near-drowning himself.  The tour will visit six United States cities this year to raise water safety awareness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year more than 3,400 people drown in the United States, and more than 1 in 5 fatal drowning victims are children younger than 14-years-old.

Swimming schools like British Swim School work year-round to promote water safety and the importance of learning the back float.  British Swim School teaches children as young as 3 months old how to roll over and float, which would allow for a child, or anyone for that matter, to breathe normally and call for help.

British Swim School swim schools even offer what they call “Clothing Week,” where children come to their swim lessons fully clothed to simulate what it would feel like if they were to fall into a body of water fully dressed.

For more information on British Swim School or to find a location nearest you click here or call 800-495-1718.

Sixty-one-year-old Diana Nyad took the first stroke of her 103-mile swim between Cuba and Florida Sunday night at 7:45pm.

Nyad is a world-class swimmer, who was the first to swim around Manhattan island and who already swam the longest swim in history!  She’s been training for this 60 hour swim for the past two years.

She failed at the same attempt in 1978 because of weather but is trying the treck again saying that, “the 60′s are the new 40′s.”

If Nyad inspires you to take swimming lessons visit British Swim School for more information or call 1-800-495-1718.

Oprah is one of those women that seems like she can do pretty much everything!  Well, now we can add swimming to that list because she’s recently revealed that she is taking swimming lessons to fulfill her lifelong dream of learning to swim.

Oprah admits to having a fear of water but says that learning to swim has been a mission of hers for a long time now.

“I started out the week taking swimming lessons.  Moving beyond my amateur doggy paddle.  Learned the breast stroke,” Oprah said.

She continues, “Over a year ago I pulled a picture from O mag of a woman gliding through the water.  It was such a striking image of freedom and possibility I put it on my vision board.  Today when I finished my swimming lesson I passed the vision board lying on the table where it’s been since 2009.  I had an ‘aha’ moment.  I had just become that woman, gliding through the water!”

Plantation resident Laura Miller, like Oprah, recently learned to swim at 63-years-old.  Miller was taught by the swim experts at British Swim School and said that it was something she always wanted to do.

British Swim School has been working hard to raise awareness of the importance of learning to swim.  It’s great that a public figure, like Oprah, who has such a profound voice of reason in the media is speaking out about the importance of learning to swim.  It would be great if more celebrities would help in this quest.

To learn more about British Swim School click here, or call 1-800-495-1718.

On behalf of everyone at British Swim School across the nation we would like to congratulate Thomas N. of the Oak Brook location in Illinois for being a role model and inspiration to children and adults alike.

Known by his family and friends as TJ, this 8-year-old has been growing his hair long for quite some time now. When he heard about The St. Baldrick’s Foundation and what they do for children with cancer, he wanted to help.

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding research to find cures for childhood cancers.

Aside from raising over $500 TJ grew his hair long enough to donate to the charity organization, Children with Hair Loss.  This is a non-profit organization who takes the cut hair to make wigs for kids who have lost their hair due to sickness.

TJ is honoring 7-year-old Jacob K., a child that goes to his school who is battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

To make a donation click here.  To learn more about British Swim School and water safety click here or call 1-800-495-1718.