Former Division 1 Volleyball Player and Coach Take Over Pool Scouts Franchise in Greater Richmond

After years of teaching middle school math and coaching volleyball, Rose White is diving into a new venture with Pool Scouts*, the pool cleaning franchise, in the Greater Richmond region of Virginia. With a dedication to providing the same level of excellence she brought to her classrooms and volleyball teams, Rose is eager to make Pool Scouts a household name in her community since launching this past November.

Together with her husband, Justin, a fellow volleyball enthusiast, Rose is taking a hands-on approach to growing their business, which they purchased from an existing franchise owner. The duo plans to expand their reach while maintaining the high standards already established, ensuring their clients experience top-quality service every time. As lifelong athletes and community builders, Rose and Justin are excited to create a business that serves their neighbors and fosters connections, one sparkling pool at a time.

1851 spoke with Rose to learn more about her story, her decision to join Pool Scouts and her plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Rose White: I was a Division 1 volleyball player and immediately started coaching college volleyball after college. When I got pregnant with my first child, I became a teacher — I taught middle school math for five years.

I never stopped coaching and ended up working at the volleyball club here, which is a nonprofit. But I’d been getting the itch to do something different anyway. I went back to school and got my MBA. I decided I wanted to do my own thing and started looking into businesses.

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?

Rose: I knew I wanted to buy something I knew was working and profitable. When I was interviewing businesses, the idea of a franchise seemed like the gaps I had would be filled by the support. That is really what drew me to the franchise.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Rose: I liked that it was low-cost with no large rental office space and I could work from home. Even though there’s an off-season, you don’t have to carry a bunch of costs.

I liked the business that the former owner had built — it seemed like a great fit for me. Once we met the franchise team, my husband and I felt it was a super solid decision. Pool Scouts was great and supportive during the transfer process.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Rose: We want to continue to grow the business while also making sure that we keep the same standards that were already in place.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Rose: I purchased the business with my husband, Justin, and once we start gearing up for the openings, he’s going to be in the business full-time as well. He’s also an avid volleyball player like me.

We actually met playing volleyball in an open gym, and my college coaching career brought me to the Richmond area. He followed me from Maryland. Here we are almost 15 years later because it’s the greatest place for a volleyball player to live.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Rose: A lot of my friends, when I told them we were buying the business, were shocked. All I can say is that it’s all about taking the first step. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and the right situation will work out.

I didn’t even know what the next step was sometimes, but you just have to do the task and be presented with the next thing. It’s great to have the franchisor there to guide you through those steps. You don’t have to be special — you just need to put in the work.

ABOUT POOL SCOUTS:

Virginia Beach, VA-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 nearly 100 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. For more information or franchising opportunities, visit http://poolscoutsfranchise.com.