1851

After narrowly missing qualifying for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Chris DeJong was determined to make it to Beijing in 2008. &ldquo;But he lost to Phelps by three-tenths of a second, effectively ending his Olympic dream,&rdquo; according to an article on <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/13/success/chris-dejong-big-blue-swim-school/index.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=big-blue-swim-schools-founder-and-ceo-chris-dejong-lost-to-michael-phelps-but-found-franchising-gold-2709987" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">CNN</a>. The loss, however, opened the door for DeJong to start Big Blue Swim School in 2012. &ldquo;The school currently operates five locations in and around Chicago. After turning the operation into a franchise last October, DeJong is hoping there will be as many as 400 locations nationwide in the next 10 years,&rdquo; the article said.

After his Olympics bid ended, DeJong taught swim lessons privately for several years before his clientele base grew too large, at which point he sought investors. &ldquo;One of the first investors to come on board was Chicago Cubs co-owner and Republican National Committee Finance Chairman Todd Ricketts, whose daughter was already DeJong&#39;s student. Ricketts and a few other early investors together invested $1.2 million, which helped DeJong secure the location to build a permanent pool,&rdquo; said the article. 

Since then, &ldquo;Big Blue Swim School has raised a total of $20 million, including $16 million from Level 5 Capital Partners, which acquired a majority stake in the company and is a franchising partner,&quot; the article said.

Read the full article <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/13/success/chris-dejong-big-blue-swim-school/index.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=big-blue-swim-schools-founder-and-ceo-chris-dejong-lost-to-michael-phelps-but-found-franchising-gold-2709987" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">here</a>.

<div>&nbsp;</div>

Big Blue Swim School’s Founder and CEO Chris DeJong Lost to Michael Phelps, But Found Franchising Gold

1851 Franchise

The splash-making swim instruction franchise is targeting as many as 400 locations nationwide over the next 10 years.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. 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

big-blue-swim-schools-founder-and-ceo-chris-dejong-lost-to-michael-phelps-but-found-franchising-gold

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Stands Out Among Other Children’s Education, Childcare, and Daycare Franchises

how-childrens-lighthouse-stands-out-among-other-childrens-education-childcare-and-daycare-franchises

The Growth Coach

The Growth Coach Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

the-growth-coach-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

Why One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Sees People as the Power Behind Franchise Growth

one-hour-heating-air-conditioning-franchise-growth

Lawn Doctor

Design with photo of John Perry and Lawn Doctor logo

How a 20-Year Industry Veteran Tripled His Sales With a Lawn Doctor Franchise

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-story-john-perry

Fitness Premier

The Secret to Fitness Franchise Success? It's Not Just the Workouts

fitness-premier-franchise-marketing-support

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Big Blue Swim School’s Founder and CEO Chris DeJong Lost to Michael Phelps, But Found Franchising Gold

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS