America's Swimming Pool

When most people picture a business interview, they don’t imagine the franchisee floating on a pool raft. But that’s exactly where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-waltman-1650714b?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-condo-manager-to-pool-pioneer-carrie-waltmans-resilient-rise-in-franchising-2730426" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Carrie Waltman</a>, owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aspfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-condo-manager-to-pool-pioneer-carrie-waltmans-resilient-rise-in-franchising-2730426" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP)</a> in Knoxville, Tennessee, took her first call with 1851 Franchise.“It’s hot in Knoxville. I’m literally in the pool,” Waltman said.&nbsp;For Waltman, the pool isn’t just where she relaxes — it’s where she rebuilt her career and her life. A former property manager and history instructor at the University of Tennessee, she found herself ready for a change after years of managing condo communities. That’s when fate — and a trusted vendor — stepped in.“I was so glad to get out from behind the desk I was working at and help him grow his business. I just loved him. We hit it off immediately. We were kindred spirits and close friends from the day we met,” Waltman said. “He didn’t even look for anybody else. He was just like, ‘As soon as I can afford to hire you, I’m going to.’ And he did. It worked out really well for both of us.”Waltman eventually took over the Knoxville&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/america-swimming-pool">America’s Swimming Pool</a> franchise in 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>From Humble Beginnings to Impressive Growth</h2>The growth of the business under Waltman’s leadership has been remarkable.“In the beginning, it was just about getting off the ground. Each year we saw steady, significant growth, and by 2020, things had really started to take off,” she said. “Since then, we’ve continued to expand year after year.”What was the secret? Waltman says it’s surprisingly simple.“Answer the phone. Show up. Do what you say you’re going to do. That’s really it,” she said. “There are so many people that don’t show up. Contractors don’t return calls. People don’t trust contractors around here. Knoxville especially — there are a lot of good old boys who aren’t very organized. We just had to answer the phone and show up.”That straightforward approach — combined with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/america-swimming-pool/americas-swimming-pool-asp-franchise-opportunity-2729946">ASP’s established systems</a> — has allowed Waltman to scale quickly while keeping customer service at the heart of everything she does.<h2>“We’ll Figure It Out”</h2>If Waltman has a motto, it’s this: “We’ll figure it out.”“I knew how to operate a pool from a health department standpoint — what needed to be done, how it should be. But then I just learned everything I could,” she said. “We did our first deck overlay together. We did our first full deck together. We found good subs and guys I knew from working in commercial properties, and it’s been rolling ever since.”That mindset carried her through one of her proudest projects: renovating a decades-old commercial pool for a state-run housing complex.“The pool was built in the early 80s and had to be brought ADA compliant to 2024 code,” she said. “We put in a lift chair — never done that before. We had to redo everything, basically take it down to the shell. We added steps, worked with the health department and just wrapped that job. We’ll figure it out — that’s our motto.”When permits stalled, Waltman personally went to city offices to explain the project. “Once I went down there, the permit got pushed through,” she said. “Stuff like that — you just have to figure it out.”<h2>Leading Like a Mother</h2>Waltman describes herself as a mom first — to her three children, and also to her all-male team of pool technicians.“I want my guys to stick with me,” she said. “Hourly labor is the hardest part of owning this business, so I pay them well. I bring them breakfast once a month. My son got married last week and there was leftover wine — so everybody got some wine.”It’s a leadership style rooted in care but grounded in accountability. “I want to have the same guys long-term,” she said. “That consistency matters for customers and for us.”<h2>Support From ASP and Authority Brands</h2>While Waltman’s grit and leadership fuel her success, she’s quick to credit the support system that comes with franchising.“I really like my business coach. We meet monthly, and they help me look at things I hadn’t thought of,” she said. “ASP has a help line, and all my guys use it if we need it. There’s always someone who answers the phone that can help us in the field.”She also values the hands-on training ASP provides. “I recently participated in a training where we put in an inground pool,” Waltman said. “They sent owners from Tulsa and a new ASP in Tennessee, and we did this install together. They’ve been great.”ASP, part of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-condo-manager-to-pool-pioneer-carrie-waltmans-resilient-rise-in-franchising-2730426" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Authority Brands</a>, is structured to give franchisees like Waltman&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/america-swimming-pool/americas-swimming-pool-franchise-opportunity-pool-service-2729947">the tools they need to grow their business</a> — whether that’s technology for faster service, marketing and lead generation, or ongoing education at “pool school” in Georgia.<h2>A Community-First Legacy</h2>Despite her success, Waltman has no plans to chase expansion into nearby counties.“It’s an hour away. The traffic is terrible. I don’t want any part of that,” she said. “I’m just trying to keep us all going and expand a little at a time, not outgrow what we can do.”And when it comes to the future? Waltman says legacy matters most.“I’ll probably sell it all and move one day,” she said. “My son actually works for Play It Again Sports in Knoxville, and my youngest works with him. I think they’d rather sell baseball bats and gloves than clean pools. But I want to leave something behind that makes life better for my kids — and maybe even their kids one day.”For more information on franchising with ASP, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/america-swimming-pool">https://1851franchise.com/america-swimming-pool</a>.

From Condo Manager to Pool Pioneer: Carrie Waltman's Resilient Rise in Franchising

1851 Franchise

How one Knoxville mom took a chance on herself, transformed a pool business, and is building a community-first legacy — one crystal-clear backyard at a time.

This brand page has been paid for by AMERICA'S SWIMMING POOL. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

From Condo Manager to Pool Pioneer: Carrie Waltman’s Resilient Rise in Franchising

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collaboration.For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelawson/">Kevin Lawson</a>, the idea of owning a franchise had been sitting in the back of his mind for years.After decades in sales, including roles in the technology sector and later in the oil business with HF Sinclair, Kevin had long been interested in business ownership. The timing never quite lined up until his son,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-lawson-41aa97267/">Ben</a>, graduated from college and entered the workforce in the oil and gas industry.“My wife and I were talking about how fun it would be if we had a family business or something of that nature,” Kevin said. “We kept talking about it and thought, why not start a franchise and have him run it, then be mentors and guide him through what it takes to do that?”That conversation eventually led Kevin and Ben to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aspfranchising.com/">America’s Swimming Pool Co.</a>, an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a> company that provides swimming pool maintenance, repair, renovation, cleaning services and new construction. The father-and-son team now operates the brand’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.asppoolco.com/northwestoklahomacity/">northwest Oklahoma City franchise</a>, and while the location is still new, their plans for the business already go well beyond pool service.For Kevin, the business represents an opportunity to build something with his family while creating a foundation that can eventually support the next generation.<h2>From Competitive Sports to Pool Operations</h2>Before stepping into the family business full-time, Ben followed a much different path.A standout athlete growing up, Ben held football and baseball records at his high school and went on to play baseball in college during the challenging COVID-era recruiting landscape. After graduating, he worked repairing engines for natural gas compression systems in the oil and gas industry, a role that demanded long hours, technical problem-solving and a strong work ethic.Those experiences now carry over into the day-to-day realities of running an&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/america-swimming-pool/info">America's Swimming Pool Co.</a> franchise, where Ben handles much of the operational side of the business, including quoting, cleaning, service and repair work.Kevin said one of the biggest things he has noticed about Ben is his persistence when facing difficult problems in the field.“I told him the other day when he was having a problem with a heater he was installing, and it took him multiple hours to finally get it done, that the thing I loved about it was the fact that he never gave up,” Kevin said. “He will stay on it. I would be like, ‘I’m done. I’m going to shoot it and go down the road.’ But for him, that is one thing that has impressed me and been fun to watch.”That competitive mindset, developed over years of athletics, continues to shape how Ben approaches the business today. “Sports is something where, if you’re going to excel at it, you have to overcome and be resilient because sports is definitely challenging,” Kevin said.<h2>Building a Business Around Family</h2>Although Kevin still works full-time in the oil industry, the America’s Swimming Pool Co. business has quickly become a true family operation.Kevin focuses heavily on sales, relationship-building and mentoring, while Ben oversees much of the operational work in the field. Kevin’s wife, Ashlee, who works professionally as a bookkeeper, helps manage back-office operations for the business. Ben’s fiancée, who recently earned her degree in marketing, is also expected to become involved as the business grows.Their different personalities have strengthened the partnership. Kevin brings decades of sales experience and a comfort with ambiguity, while Ben is more process-driven and technically focused.“In sales, where I’ve spent my whole life, I would consider myself the gray area,” Kevin said. “I’m always trying to make lemonade out of lemons. My son is definitely more black-and-white, and he likes the operations a lot more than I do. He likes the details and the intricacies.”Kevin naturally focuses on conversations, networking and growing the business, while Ben prefers the technical side, where repairs, equipment and day-to-day service work require patience and precision.“That’s where we complement each other,” Kevin said. “We let our differences help us be a better team.”<h2>A Long-Term Vision Beyond Business</h2>For Kevin and Ben, the franchise is about more than creating another revenue stream. Kevin said the business has already brought the family closer together in ways he did not necessarily expect.“In all honesty, my daughter and I could talk every single day and be great. My son and I could go two weeks and not talk,” Kevin said. “But now that we have the pool business, it’s three, four, five, 10 times a day, and it’s so awesome. I think it’s bringing the family closer together, and we’re excited about that.”The family also sees the business as an opportunity to mentor younger generations while building something that can eventually outlast Kevin’s own career in oil sales. Though Kevin does not currently plan to step away from his full-time role immediately, he hopes the business can continue growing over the next several years while creating long-term opportunities for Ben and the rest of the family.The bigger goal, Kevin said, is to build a business centered around strong values, mentorship and relationships.“This business is for a bigger purpose,” Kevin said. “We are God-focused with our family, and we really want to put an emphasis on that versus just a financial thing. We want to make it long term. We want to do what’s right.”For more information on franchising with America’s Swimming Pool Co., please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/america-swimming-pool">https://1851franchise.com/america-swimming-pool</a>.

America's Swimming Pool Franchise - Kevin and Ben Lawson - Oklahoma City - 1851 Franchise

After years in oil sales, Kevin Lawson teamed up with his son, Ben, a former college athlete, to launch an ASP franchise that has already become a daily family collaboration.

Father-and-Son Team Kevin and Ben Lawson Build a Family Future With America’s Swimming Pool Co.

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America's Swimming Pool Co. Franchise - Retzlaff Feature - 1851 Franchise

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A Father-Son Team Builds an ASP Franchise in Frisco, Texas

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<a href="https://www.aspfranchising.com/">America’s Swimming Pool Co. (ASP)</a>, the nation’s premier swimming pool cleaning, repair and renovation franchise, brought together franchise owners, leadership and industry partners for its 2026 Owners Conference from January 21-23 at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida.The annual event served as a milestone moment for the brand as franchisees from across the country gathered to reflect on the company’s continued expansion, share best practices and align around priorities for the year ahead. The conference theme, “Built to Grow,” focused on the core elements that drive long-term success for franchise owners: basics, strategy, profit and people.The three-day event combined leadership presentations, training sessions, vendor showcases and networking opportunities designed to strengthen collaboration across the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aspfranchising.com/">America’s Swimming Pool Co.</a> system.“Our franchise owners continue to prove that when you follow the model and stay disciplined in the fundamentals, the results follow,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmie-meece-63725262">Jimmie Meece</a>, brand president of America’s Swimming Pool Co. “What we saw across the system this year was consistency. Owners are building strong teams, serving customers well and executing the processes that drive sustainable growth.”In his update to owners, Meece also outlined how the brand has continued to expand. America’s Swimming Pool Co. ended 2025 with 141 locations across 25 states, backed by approximately 670 employees and a fleet of more than 620 service vehicles. At the height of the season, franchise teams were servicing over 19,000 pools, a snapshot of how large the system has grown in recent years.Meece emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering what he described as the three core priorities franchisees expect from their franchisor: returns, relationships and reliability.The brand also reported continued growth across several service categories. Maintenance and service/repair segments both experienced steady increases, while renovation and construction services saw double-digit growth.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-vernon-644871257/">Stewart Vernon</a>, founder of America’s Swimming Pool Co. and executive vice president of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a>, delivered the conference’s keynote address, reflecting on how the swimming pool industry has evolved in recent years and how ASP has continued to adapt.He highlighted the development of America’s Swimming Pool Co.’s pool construction program, an initiative supported by Authority Brands that provides franchisees with additional tools, training and operational support to expand into new service offerings.Throughout the event, franchise owners took part in sessions aimed at improving operations, developing stronger teams and finding practical ways to grow their businesses. Topics included sales and customer communication strategies, digital marketing and local search optimization, hiring systems designed to attract and retain strong employees, pool construction training and technology tools, along with acquisition strategies for expanding local market presence.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-meece-0a0929237/">Meghan Meece</a>, marketing manager for America’s Swimming Pool Co., shared updates on the brand’s evolving marketing strategy, highlighting the importance of local reputation management, review generation and faster response times for customer inquiries.New tools introduced to franchisees include a centralized texting platform designed to improve speed-to-lead response and a 3D pool design tool that allows customers to visualize backyard projects while generating construction leads directly through America’s Swimming Pool Co.’s marketing systems.A highlight of the conference was the America’s Swimming Pool Co. awards ceremony, which celebrated the achievements of franchise owners and employees who demonstrated outstanding performance and leadership throughout the year.Key awards included:<ul><li>Best New Start Award: Murfreesboro, Tennessee – Nick Carver</li><li>Highest Gross Sales Award: Nashville, Tennessee – John Hutchinson</li><li>Transformation Award: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma – Brock London</li><li>Brand Ambassador Award: Troy, Michigan – Dave Boddington</li><li>Brand Champion Award: South Shore and ASP of South Tampa – Travis Larson</li><li>Trident Award: South Raleigh, North Carolina – John Portland</li><li>Employee of the Year: Reno, Nevada – Phillip King, Service Manager</li><li>Bean Counter of the Year: Aiken, South Carolina – Lawrence Rountree</li><li>Top Performing Maintenance Franchise: Galveston County, Texas – Scott Brighty</li><li>Top Performing Service Franchise: Mesa, Arizona – Clint Rowley</li><li>Top Performing Construction Franchise:Nashville, Tennessee – John Hutchinson</li><li>Top Performing Renovation Franchise: Tucson Northeast, Arizona – Justin and Kim Retzlaff</li></ul>America’s Swimming Pool Co. also recognized Nevada as the winner of the annual Battle of the States award, which celebrates the state with the highest average gross revenue across participating locations.In addition,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcarver/">Nick Carver</a>, owner of America’s Swimming Pool Co. of Panama City Beach and the Murfreesboro location, received recognition for his success as a multi-unit franchise owner.With continued investment in training, marketing tools, technology and operational support, the brand remains focused on helping franchise owners scale their businesses while maintaining the culture and service standards that define the America’s Swimming Pool Co. brand.Franchisees left the conference aligned around a shared vision: building on the fundamentals that drive success and continuing to grow the America’s Swimming Pool Co. system in markets across the country.

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Franchise owners, leadership and partners gathered in Florida to share strategic insights, recognize top performers and align around the brand’s continued growth for the year ahead.

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From Condo Manager to Pool Pioneer: Carrie Waltman’s Resilient Rise in Franchising

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