Board of Directors Best Advice Received

BEST ADVICE RECEIVED BY BOARD MEMBERS

The thing I learned during COVID was to take a hard look at everything we do and how we do it.

The pause gave us time to see if we could do things better. The other thing I learned was to not stress out over so many things. Before COVID the thought of canceling classes for a teacher was unheard of. We would figure out some way to cover them or try to convince the teacher to come in. We have changed to understand that sometimes we don’t have enough staff and we might have to cancel. It was liberating to just accept that occasionally we might just have to cancel if we can’t cover. It is not something that we want to do frequently but if we have to; we have to.

JOHN KIRK

LITTLE OTTER SWIM SCHOOL

THE BEST ADVICE I’VE RECEIVED DURING COVID IS TO GROW YOUR PEOPLE FROM WITHIN.

I got this from Miren Oca when we were having a difficult time finding leadership staff. It has been tremendously helpful.

BUFFY FOLISE

CHICAGO SWIM SCHOOL

There’s so much we’ve garnered from the members over the years. Here are a few:

1. Be a reader and lifetime learner 2. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. 3. Learn how to delegate

TRACY KOLEBER

NITRO SWIMMING

THE BEST ADVICE I RECEIVED WAS REALLY TWO PARTS:

First was from Bob Hubbard who said build what you want to run! My first conference in 2009 I showed up and spoke to every person I could and asked how to not fail. The second best advice I received was while starting my plans for my build-out. Miren Oca told me, put your money into your water. A clean pool is the most important thing! I am very proud of my water and would not have my school as safe as it is if it wasn’t for those two pieces of advice.

MELISSA TAYLOR

SMALL FISH BIG FISH SWIM SCHOOL

BEST ADVICE WAS ACTUALLY RELATED TO MERCHANDISE.

Back in 2014 a colleague at another swim school in Florida suggested that we follow their 2 reusable swim diaper rule! Wow, let me tell you, we implemented this new policy for all existing and new clients under 4 years of age. Our merchandise sales increased and our pool closures due to accidental brown outs improved by 75%. As you can see a dramatic 2 way improvement that allowed us to make some extra $, kept our patrons safer, our pool cleaner, and our pool open so we did not have as many cancelations or make-ups to reschedule.

BOBBY HAZEN

SAF-T-SWIM

The best advice I received was to have other swim schools review my building plans and utilization of the space.

When I was building my second leased location in a tough layout of space, I brought the building plans to a conference and gave different members a specific color pen, and then had them mark what they would change on the floor plans. When I left the conference, I had an entirely different floor plan! Not only did I save space, but I also saved money, kept dry areas dry, and made a very comfortable space utilization for our swim families. Our leased location started with 4000 square feet, and over time we were able to acquire another 1000 square feet to add showers, 4 more toilets, and 12 more changing rooms.

KAREN CLAY

SWIMWEST SWIM SCHOOL

WOW, THIS IS A LOADED QUESTION AS I HAVE HAD LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF AWESOME BUSINESS TIPS AND ADVICE OVER THE YEARS.

The 1st couple of years was a bit overwhelming and now I still learn something with every conversation I have with swim school friends. As far as the best one, I would say it’s the next one, as I am always learning and sharing with our membership. If I had to pick one, I would say it was to create a Culture and have Core Values in my business and always refer back to them with all business decisions.

BRAD GRZELKA

ATLANTA SWIM ACADEMY