Veteran Dives into Entrepreneurship with Poolwerx Franchise

For Matthew Feldt, a former electronics technician in the Navy, the path to becoming a Poolwerx Franchise Partner in St. Johns, Florida, was shaped by a desire for change and the discipline he gained in the military. 

"I was 25 when I joined the Navy, and I spent 10 years as an electronics technician," Feldt said. “Before that, I had a normal job, but I wasn’t going anywhere. I saw 60-year-old men who were happy with minimum wage. I needed to do something to change my outcome. I entered the Navy and also earned my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree.” 

From there, his post-military career saw him become the director of information technology for a home builder in Jacksonville. He was making more money, but something was missing. A moment of introspection in a windowless office led him down a new path. 

"I wanted something to build and grow myself," he said. “I didn’t hate my corporate job, I just wasn’t passionate about it. So, I started looking into businesses and franchising. With franchising, I’d have the experience of hundreds of people to lean on.”

When choosing his next venture, Feldt immediately saw the potential in the booming pool industry in his region of Florida. 

"There are a lot of new houses and pools going in here," Feldt said. “I thought that a pool franchise would do really well in this area. Poolwerx has the most attractive model because it has both the retail store component and maintenance component. Most franchises were either one or the other.”

What sets Poolwerx apart is its “hub and spoke” model that equips its franchise affiliates with multiple revenue streams within the pool care industry. The hub is the retail store from which Franchise Partners sell products, and the spokes are their service trucks, which provide an extensive array of residential services. This includes preventative maintenance, emergency repairs, pool filter installation, green pool clean up, hot tub and spa repair, pool heating, pool sand change, pool lighting, saltwater conversion and even pool training for those homeowners who want to become an expert themselves. 

In addition to its residential focus, Poolwerx is also a player in the commercial arena, serving a diverse set of establishments like hotels, multi-family residences, condos and homeowners' associations. Tailored programs are in place to help franchise owners cultivate and sustain these community-focused partnerships.

This multi-revenue model, coupled with a strong focus on training and technology, positions its Franchise Partners for success. 

“Poolwerx offers a lot of training up front on how to use their software, take advantage of their systems and follow their procedures,” said Feldt. “I had regular meetings with the team. Every step along the way, I’ve had somebody I could go to for questions.” 

Since opening his Poolwerx franchise earlier this year, Feldt credits his military experience for a smooth transition into franchising. 

"Getting into a franchise like Poolwerx is similar to the military," Feldt said. “In the military, I learned a random set of skill sets — I was a safety officer, I threw parties, I helped with technology, I managed people's problems. In the civilian world, that is four or five different jobs. But, as an entrepreneur with a new business, you also wear a lot of hats, just like in the military. That has really helped me get started.” 

Additionally, Feldt says franchising and the military both run on proven systems. “That is what makes both so successful,” he said. “I wanted a company that already had systems in place. I follow this blueprint and all of a sudden I am making money.”

With such a strong match, Feldt says he is thankful for the opportunity the Poolwerx franchise has given him. “It can be very hard transitioning from the military to a regular civilian job, but transitioning from the job to a franchise has been so much easier,” he said. “It also provides you with that sense of community — you're all working towards the same goal. You all want to be successful and want to help each other get there.” 

And for Feldt, his Poolwerx franchise is not just a business but a legacy he hopes to pass on. "I have little kids, and they have already shown interest in helping with the business when they are old enough,” he said. “I came from humble beginnings, so I always felt like that hard work mentality was in my blood. You really need that to start a business. Now that I have something to work hard on, the sky’s the limit. ”

Poolwerx North America CEO Andrew Kidd says he is thrilled to welcome Feldt to the Poolwerx family.

"Our Franchise Partners, like Matthew, embody the values we hold in high esteem — dedication, adaptability and a commitment to excellence,” said Kidd. “Veterans, with their unique skill sets and experience in structured environments, often find great success in our franchise model. Matthew’s story is a testament to the symbiotic relationship between military discipline and entrepreneurial success in the franchising world."

Now, currently boasting 72 territories and 31 business units, Poolwerx is primed to extend its proven business strategy to additional communities. It aims to establish 300 locations across the United States by 2027, presenting a promising opportunity for budding entrepreneurs looking to make a splash.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://poolwerxfranchising.com/