1851

Losing to Michael Phelps for the 2008 Summer Olympics by three tenths of a second may have ruined Chris DeJong’s dream of getting into the Olympics, but it didn’t stop him from a career in the swimming business. In a recent Franchise Times article, DeJong reflects on his loss and how it pushed him into creating the <a href="https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-times-the-start-of-big-blue-swim-school-2715173" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Big Blue Swim School</a> franchise.DeJong always enjoyed swimming as a child and took lessons himself. His competitive swimming career started when he was just eight years old. So when he didn’t qualify for the Olympics, he decided to coach other kids to make some extra money.&nbsp;“I knew my competitive swimming days were behind me, so I started teaching swimming to make ends meet,” DeJong told Franchise Times. “That competitive drive in me transitioned to building a business from scratch. I had no idea what I was doing, I had zero dollars in the bank account, but I just started to teach swimming and build relationships and I loved doing it.”Eventually, a few parents of the children he was coaching approached DeJong about becoming investors in his business and building his own pool - he was currently coaching in the basement of an old church. And thus, the first Big Blue Swim School opened in Wilmette, Illinois in 2012. DeJong is committed to opening more locations that were delayed due to the pandemic while also selling more units to franchise partners.To read the full article, <a href="https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_news/how-missing-the-olympics-led-founder-to-launch-big-blue-swim-school/article_60a7bbdc-716a-11eb-b8a3-1389dbc2b2bc.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-times-the-start-of-big-blue-swim-school-2715173" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">click here</a>.

Franchise Times: The Start of Big Blue Swim School

1851 Franchise

Founder and President of the swim school franchise, Chris DeJong, shares how missing the Olympics led him to start his own franchise.

franchise-times-the-start-of-big-blue-swim-school

ServiceMaster Restore

ServiceMaster Restore - Disaster Response - 1851 Franchise

When Disaster Strikes, ServiceMaster Restore Moves

servicemaster-restore-disaster-response-carmen-coleman

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

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

Franchise Times: The Start of Big Blue Swim School

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS