Sink or Swim: How Aqua-Tots Franchise Owner Launched a Thriving Business

Months after Aqua-Tots Kanata opened its doors (and its pool) to swim students, franchise owner Rebecca Swedlove had to shut it down due to COVID-19 restrictions. But with a sharp business mind and dedicated support team, Swedlove managed to not only keep her head above water, but she created a buoyant business that’s set to expand. Here’s how she did it.

1. Recognize and cater to the demand for your service

 If you have ever taken a child to swim lessons, you may know that typical swimming classes don’t meet the demand of what families want for their children – or themselves. “We wanted a more intimate environment – one where we could have more hands-on instructors. We also have comfortable chairs and serve coffee, and the family doesn’t have to step on the pool deck and get their feet wet. We have unlimited make-up lessons and an easy app to manage it – in all we have an enhanced lesson experience and there’s a peak demand for it,” Swedlove explains.

2. Strategically leverage debt to expand your business

The success of the Aqua-Tots Kanata location led Swedlove to look at expanding to a second location. Given where students were coming from at her west-end location, (many from the east side of Ottawa, some from Quebec and even a family from the U.S.), she determined that a location in Orleans, which is just east of downtown Ottawa, would be ideal. The new school, planned as a 10,000 square foot space, meant an increase in size and in financing. But as Swedlove’s RBC team explains, the success of the first location helped facilitate the loan. “Rebecca was able to leverage her first location in Kanata to expand the business to a second location in Orleans. Because the first location was so strong, it helped with the financing of the second location,” says Marlene Johnson, Relationship Manager, Commercial Financial Services at RBC – Retail and Franchise Industry.

5 min read: Tips to Secure the Financing you Need to Help your Business Grow

 

3. Create a team (not a staff)

At Aqua-Tots, they have around100 team members (they don’t call them employees) and Swedlove knows them all by name. She has created a family environment where everyone feels welcome. With most team members in high school or university, Swedlove is in tune with their needs and is happy to accommodate as best she can. She provides snacks, space to do homework, and she holds team events, recognizing these young adults…. “We have a very low turnover. Not only do I run Aqua-Tots for the children, but I also run it for my team members. I want every experience to be a great experience.”

4. Be really, really organized

Getting financing to open her first location in Kanata was a big ask, Swedlove recognizes. But she explains she was very detail oriented and meticulous with her numbers, simplifying the task for RBC to provide the necessary funding. “When I put my forecasting together, I didn’t miss by a cent. When you have so much on the line, you can’t miss a thing.” 

5. Work with people who believe in you

Swedlove formed a strong relationship with Joanne Ironside, Senior Relationship Manager at RBC, who provided more than financial support. “Joanne believed in what I was doing, and she shared my vision with others. She would come by regularly to see how we were doing – that partnership and mutual trust certainly helped along the way.”