1851

<a href="https://bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-day-in-the-life-of-a-big-blue-swim-school-franchise-owner-2719905" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Big Blue Swim School</a>, one of the nation’s fastest-growing swim school franchises, is quickly emerging as a leader in the $3 billion swim school segment as more and more entrepreneurs recognize the value of the brand’s recession-resistant business model.&nbsp;Denver-based entrepreneurs&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/bigblueswimschool/wendy-and-erik-skaalerud-sign-lease-for-denver-areas-first-big-blue-swim-school-in-centennial-colorado-2711907">Wendy and Erik Skaalerud</a>, for example, originally signed on for five units in Colorado and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/bigblueswimschool/big-blue-swim-schools-first-colorado-franchise-location-smashes-records-with-astounding-pre-sale-numbers-2716701#stories">opened their first pool</a> in mid-2021, breaking Big Blue’s record for pre-registrations as hundreds of families eagerly signed their children up for swim lessons.As initial investors and franchisees of Orangetheory Fitness, Erik and Wendy grew their Denver footprint for Orangetheory to 30 locations before selling. The couple also started their own finance company 15 years ago—Capital Lending Solutions—to help small business owners get off the ground financially. When the two learned about Big Blue Swim School while looking for their next franchising endeavor, they were attracted to the high-quality investment opportunity and the best-in-class consumer offering.Today, as the owners of one existing Big Blue in Denver, with four more in development, the Skaaleruds offer a prime example of how&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/bigblueswimschool/how-big-blue-swim-schools-semi-absentee-investor-model-allows-franchise-partners-to-maximize-their-time-and-their-capital-2710471">semi-absentee owners</a> can leverage the brand’s proven operational model and in-depth support infrastructure to achieve success.So, what does a day in the life look like for these Big Blue franchise owners?“I am the operations person,” Wendy said. “At the very beginning, I spent a lot of time at the pool, establishing a culture, solidifying processes, and making sure the staff was solid. Now, I am really in an oversight role. I spend a few hours in the morning reviewing our numbers and ensuring the staff is OK. And that is even more than I need to do. I will go to the pool if I want to interact with the families or strengthen the culture, and I do enjoy being the face of the school, but I don’t need to be there every day.”&nbsp;Wendy says she will also spend a couple of hours a week with the pool’s general manager to go over priorities and ensure everything is running smoothly. “With such a great team in place, we can step back and be confident that the pool is meeting our standards,” she said.&nbsp;Erik says Big Blue’s innovative technology also makes it easy to run the pool from a distance. “Big Blue’s proprietary technology,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/bigblueswimschool/how-big-blue-swim-schools-innovative-customer-services-made-it-a-leader-in-swim-lessons-2718318#featured">LessonBuddy™</a>, is a major advantage — the software system is very intuitive so parents can get online, schedule lessons, or reschedule as plans change,” Erik said. “And aside from being useful to parents, LessonBuddy also helps us operate our own locations more efficiently and from anywhere. From a franchise perspective, LessonBuddy offers&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/bigblueswimschool/how-big-blue-swim-schools-cloud-based-technology-platform-creates-a-turn-key-business-model-2713773#brand-latest-stories">a turn-key solution</a> for running our business.”&nbsp;And when it comes to finding new customers, the Skaaleruds say Big Blue’s&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/bigblueswimschool/how-big-blue-swim-school-uses-data-to-drive-its-marketing-program-2714455">marketing assistance</a> is another major advantage.“The beauty of Big Blue is that they take a lot of the marketing off your plate,” Wendy said. “But there is also a level of community-oriented local marketing, which the GM and team can lead very well with a slight amount of direction. We have a monthly marketing meeting and a monthly call to review questions, best practices, and numbers. That is always a productive meeting. We also have a second one going over digital marketing on a quarterly basis.”When it comes to the future, Erik says he takes the lead in thinking about the big picture. “I am focused on our plan for opening future locations,” he said. “I spend my days reviewing real estate LOIs and leases, checking out prospective sites, and trying to get all of that set. The Big Blue team also helps with site selection, construction, and technology, and I have a monthly real estate call with them. Overall, I want the look and feel of the pool to be consistent so Wendy can do what she does and connect with the families.”At the end of the day, the Skaaleruds say that Big Blue franchise ownership makes it easy for them to achieve their personal mission — to build an incredible community of families who value confidence, water safety, and fun.??“Big Blue offers a recession-resistant model with solid, lasting power in the market, but most importantly, it’s a mission-driven business that helps prevent drowning by teaching a necessary and critical life skill,” Erik said. “It's really a feel-good business and allows you to achieve success without spending all day at the pool. We love having the opportunity to create a whole culture of quality swimmers and open the door to a new level of swim instruction in our community.”Multi-unit franchise opportunities are available for qualified candidates looking for their next big opportunity, and veterans can receive a 10 percent discount on the $80,000 franchise fee. The total investment necessary to begin the operation of a new Big Blue is $2,475,200 to $3,966,700 (refer to item 7 in FDD). To learn more or inquire about Big Blue, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-day-in-the-life-of-a-big-blue-swim-school-franchise-owner-2719905" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/.</a>

A Day in the Life of a Big Blue Swim School Franchise Owner

1851 Franchise

The swim school franchise offers the differentiators, infrastructure, and expertise to position semi-absentee franchise partners for success.

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

a-day-in-the-life-of-a-big-blue-swim-school-franchise-owner

Dillas Quesadillas

Design with photo of Michael Mabry and Dillas Primo Quesadillas logo

Franchise Times: New Franchise Exec Says Dillas Is Bringing ‘Excitement’ Back to QSR Category

michael-mabry-franchise-growth

Lawn Squad

Greener, Faster, Smarter: Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Lawn Squad 

Greener, Faster, Smarter: Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Lawn Squad as a Treatment-Only Lawn Care Franchise

lawn-squad-franchise-opportunity

Jollibee

How Jollibee’s Veteran Leadership Team Is Rewriting the Playbook for U.S. Expansion

franchise-leadership-growth

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of guest checking in at Woodhouse Spas reception desk

franchise-questions-answered

Mellow Mushroom

How Mellow Mushroom’s Model Made it the Perfect Addition to Brad Harper’s Restaurant Portfolio

How Mellow Mushroom’s Flexible Model Made it the Perfect Addition to Brad Harper’s Growing Restaurant Portfolio

mellow-mushroom-brad-harper-restaurant-growth

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

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

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

mcdonalds-franchise-standards-value-metric

How AI Is Transforming Restaurant Operations and Franchises

ai-impact-restaurants-franchises-human-centric-technology

Round Table Pizza Franchisees Take FAT Brands to Court Over Marketing Fund Mismanagement

round-table-pizza-franchisees-take-fat-brands-to-court-over-marketing-fund-mismanagement

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

image of stephen westerman and matthew westerman, owners Fort Walton Beach Two men and a junk truck

Twin Brothers Move From Managers to Owners with New TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK Franchise on the Gulf Coast

twin-brothers-two-men-and-a-junk-truck-fort-walton-beach

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

What Makes Mellow Mushroom a Strong Franchise Investment? Insights From the Panos Family’s Metro Atlanta Portfolio

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

A Day in the Life of a Big Blue Swim School Franchise Owner

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS