1851

Business ownership was something that cousins Hillary Burris and Phil Benedek had been wanting to do together for a long time. After spending time in their respective careers, they recently decided to go forward with that dream through franchising. In their search for the perfect opportunity, the duo found Pool Scouts*, the pool cleaning franchise under the Buzz Franchise Brands umbrella.&nbsp;As active members of the community, Buda Chamber of Commerce and Kyle Chamber of Commerce, Burris and Benedek have made the decision to bring the franchise to all of Hays County and New Braunfels at the end of June. They hope to create a welcoming environment for people to work and a business that serves the community well.&nbsp;1851 Franchise spoke to Burris and Benedek about their franchising journey with Pool Scouts.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Burris:&nbsp;I have a colorful career history. I was a special education teacher that moved into teacher training. Then I got a job with a tech company implementing their onboarding, learning and development. After that, I transitioned into a partnership manager role at that tech company, so now I'm managing all of our partners. Along with those roles, I started and ran a medical waste disposal business that was sold last year.&nbsp;Benedek:&nbsp;I was a project manager for a general contractor for seven years, and I wanted to do something different. Hillary and I had been wanting to go into business together as cousins for a while. We thought franchising would be a good way to go because I don't have business-ownership experience.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Benedek:&nbsp;I thought it was just buying a Taco Bell or Mcdonald’s — some kind of restaurant. But then I found out there's franchises for every industry. I didn't have any negative thoughts about it. I just knew there would be some fees associated with it. I would say I was more neutral on the idea.&nbsp;Burris:&nbsp;I second what Phil said. I wasn’t sure if we could afford it or if it would be a fit. I was concerned about royalty fees, but it's already been proving to pay for itself.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Burris:&nbsp;We wanted a home-based business to start, something with low overhead for startup costs and something that we could run initially ourselves. When we met the team on Discovery Day, we loved the culture. That sealed the deal for us, along with the business model.&nbsp;Benedek: We also wanted something that was recurring.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Benedek:&nbsp;I hope to build a successful business that employs some good people. I want to build a good team and a good culture. I want to make it as fun as it can be to clean pools. I would like to achieve personal and financial freedom as well.Burris:&nbsp;We are willing to put the work in to offer our community a worthwhile service. We want the business to be a community known name while making it an enjoyable and secure place for people to work.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Burris: If you want something, go and get it. It's hard and sometimes seems impossible. But if you make a plan, it can be attained. We didn't want to work for other people anymore.Benedek: If you’re unhappy doing something, try something new. Leaving a salaried position [is risky]. But if you don't try, you'll never know.&nbsp; 1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Benedek:&nbsp;Go with a franchise consultant. That's what we did. And talk to as many existing franchisees as possible. They're the ones actually doing it. I feel like they were pretty honest with every question we had. Meet the team too.&nbsp;Burris:&nbsp;Talking to franchisees gave us a lot of insight and ended up swaying our decision. Like Phil said, they're the ones with boots on the ground living it everyday.&nbsp;About Pool ScoutsVirginia Beach, Virginia-based Pool Scouts is a premier pool service franchise focused on delivering a quality, consistent brand experience while providing pool cleaning, maintenance and minor repair services at residential properties. Technicians are trained in testing, monitoring, treating and servicing pools, and can provide ongoing service as well as help at the beginning and end of the summer season. With 110-plus territories across 18 states, Pool Scouts offers a great opportunity as a low-cost franchise in the pool services industry with available territories across the United States. The startup costs for a Pool Scouts franchise ranges from $87,490 to $109,625. To learn more about franchising with Pool Scouts, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=cousins-bring-pool-scouts-to-hays-county-and-new-braunfels-texas-2722855" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">poolscoutsfranchise.com</a>. For more information or franchising opportunities, visit poolscoutsfranchise.com.About Buzz Franchise BrandsFounded in 2012 and based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Buzz Franchise Brands is a fast-growing, multi-brand franchising organization that builds companies that get people talking. The organization's first brand Mosquito Joe was sold to Neighborly in late 2018 after growing to almost 300 locations. Buzz Franchise Brands currently operates pool cleaning and maintenance company Pool Scouts, residential cleaning company Home Clean Heroes*, swim lesson company British Swim School, and holiday lighting company Grand Illuminations. The company has been named among the Inc.’s “500 Fastest Growing Private Companies,” as well as Inc.'s “Best Workplaces” list for several years in a row. For more information about Buzz Franchise Brands, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.buzzfranchisebrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=cousins-bring-pool-scouts-to-hays-county-and-new-braunfels-texas-2722855" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">buzzfranchisebrands.com</a>

Cousins Bring Pool Scouts to Hays County and New Braunfels, Texas

1851 Franchise

Hillary Burris and Phil Benedek are pursuing their dream of business ownership with the Buzz Franchise Brands-owned pool cleaning franchise. 

cousins-bring-pool-scouts-to-hays-county-and-new-braunfels-texas

The Cleaning Authority

Franchise Journal Magazine: The Cleaning Authority Sets the Standard in Residential Cleaning

cleaning-authority-franchise-journal-feature

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Build a Business That Supports Your Lifestyle Goals With TruBlue Home Service Ally Franchise

 trublue-home-service-ally-lifestyle-franchise-success

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Photo of Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurant with "Now Open" inflatable on roof

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Opening Blueprint Drives Success From Day One

franchise-opening-playbook

Right at Home

Veterans, Army, Navy, Right at Home franchisees, Veterans Day

Veterans Excel as Right at Home Franchisees: Here's Why

veterans-in-franchising-right-at-home-success

Why This Corporate McDonald’s Rep Decided To Open His Own Franchise With The Cleaning Authority

kent-lewis-franchise-success

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

houses, Why Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

Why the Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

how-franchises-outperform-independent-business-2025-tech-data

Photo of Happinest Brands teams standing together in front of branded vehicles

Happinest Brands Continues Strong 2025 Trajectory With Major Q3 Growth and Strategic Wins

happinest-brands-q3-franchise-growth

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown - 1851 Franchise

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown

franchise-community-support-shutdown

Slim Chickens Opens R&D Center at World Headquarters To Drive Menu Innovation

slim-chickens-rd-center-fayetteville

Nearly 40% of Americans Are Eating Out Less as High Prices Redefine Dining Habits

nearly-40-of-americans-are-eating-out-less-as-high-prices-redefine-dining-habits

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

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

The Panos Family’s Role in Preserving Mellow Mushroom’s Character — and Expanding in Atlanta

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

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Waleed Liaqat and Paris Baguette logo

How a Chance Visit Inspired Waleed Liaqat to Bring Paris Baguette to East Plano

paris-baguette-waleed-liaqat-plano-franchisee

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

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

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Cousins Bring Pool Scouts to Hays County and New Braunfels, Texas

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS