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<p>Chris DeJong was ranked 4th in the U.S. and 5th in the world in the backstroke as a swimmer at the University of Michigan. With the&nbsp;same coach as swimming legend Michael Phelps,&nbsp;DeJong&nbsp;missed qualifying for the 2008 Olympics by three-tenths of a second to Phelps. However, missing his Olympic dream fueled DeJong to found what would become&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bigblueswimschool.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=cnn-business-losing-to-michael-phelps-helped-turn-this-star-swimmer-into-a-successful-entrepreneur-2709949" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Big Blue Swim School</a>&nbsp;in 2009. Starting as a standalone school in Wilmette, Illinois, Big Blue Swim School grew from 600 to 2,200 families essentially overnight - leading the partners to open new locations throughout Illinois. The company expects to have 45 new locations by the end of 2019 and 150 locations by 2020 in markets like&nbsp;Florida, Texas, Southern California, Denver, Charlotte, Northern New Jersey, Georgia and Washington, D.C.&nbsp;</p><p>To read the full story, <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=cnn-business-losing-to-michael-phelps-helped-turn-this-star-swimmer-into-a-successful-entrepreneur-2709949" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">click here</a>.</p>

CNN Business: Losing to Michael Phelps helped turn this star swimmer into a successful entrepreneur

1851 Franchise

Big Blue Swim School founder and CMO Chris DeJong tells CNN Business about the obstacles he overcame to create Big Blue Swim School, and the growth plans for the brand in the years to come.

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Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

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Right at Home

Right at Home® Named a 2025 Top Franchise Brand for Multi-Unit Owners by Entrepreneur Magazine

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Dog Training Elite

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Dog Training Elite Shares Tips To Ease Dog Anxiety for 4th of July

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Melting Pot

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Lexington Herald Leader: This Restaurant Chain Eyes a Return to Lexington After 10 Years

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Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke's Breakfast Cafe - John and Kimberly Ehrhard - 1851 Franchise

Empowering Leadership, One Pancake at a Time: How John and Kimberly Ehrhard Are Building a Franchise Legacy with Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

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CNN Business: Losing to Michael Phelps helped turn this star swimmer into a successful entrepreneur

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