Georgia Mom and IT Professional Adds Entrepreneurship to her Portfolio , Building a Family Legacy with Pool Scouts Franchise

For over 20 years, Bhavya Murkundi grew a corporate career in the process-driven world of IT and quality assurance. Even though the corporate world brought comfort and security, she felt a calling to step outside her comfort zone and build something of her own. Inspired by her husband’s entrepreneurial spirit and the resilience of her mother, Murkundi realized her ultimate goal was to set an example and create a lasting legacy for her daughter. 

Murkundi was first introduced to the franchise model by a fellow mother and business owner at her daughter's swim school. After deciding franchising was the right path, she invested in a Pool Scouts* franchise serving the Greater Atlanta area. Drawing on her professional background, she is focused on building strong systems, delivering high-quality service and creating room to grow both her team and her territory over time.

Murkundi sat down with 1851 Franchise to talk about making the leap from her corporate career to franchising with Pool Scouts. Here’s what she had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Bhavya Murkundi: I was born and brought up in India before moving to the United States, the land of opportunities. I have over 20 years of experience in corporate America but at my core, I'm just a mom and that drives a lot of what I do. I want my daughter to grow up seeing that she can be independent, take risks, and create her own path. That belief actually comes from my mother, who raised her three children with a lot of strength and resilience. For me, this journey is not just about profit. It's about growth, independence, and building something meaningful to leave a legacy for my daughter.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Murkundi: Coming from the world of IT, my journey into franchising began because of my daughter. She goes to a British Swim School, which is where I met one of the owners who encouraged me to explore business ownership and gave me perspective on how that model works. I worked with a franchise consultant who helped me understand how to evaluate different opportunities, and she helped me realize I didn't want to start from scratch. I wanted something scalable, structured, and proven. Franchising ultimately made sense because it offers a tested system with the opportunity to build and grow something of my own.

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?

Murkundi: To be honest, I didn't have any strong opinions about franchising before this business because it was not something I had explored deeply. Coming from a corporate background, I felt comfortable with the systems and frameworks that come with a franchise. I have realized that franchising is not just about following rules or a checklist. It's about growing in a disciplined way and believing in the process.

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

Murkundi: I chose Pool Scouts because I was looking to build the backbone for a larger service business. The brand stood out to me because it has a proven operating system and the right level of support. That foundation will allow me to focus on building and scaling rather than reinventing processes from scratch. The people behind the business also gave me support and confidence. I see this as the beginning of building a business that can grow into multiple teams, territories, and potentially other service-based businesses.

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

Murkundi: I hope to achieve financial stability and flexibility for me and my family. It sounds simple, but it’s very meaningful to me. In the beginning, my focus will be on learning this business properly, building a strong team, and delivering high-quality service. As the business grows, my plan is to expand gradually by adding more technicians, more routes, and more capability so we can serve more customers. I want to grow the right way without losing any quality.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Murkundi: My journey has been shaped by three main people in my life. My husband has encouraged me to think beyond my comfort zone and see bigger possibilities. We complement each other so well. My mother taught me strength and showed me how important it is for a woman to work and be independent. My daughter motivates me every day to build something meaningful for our future. It's the combination of those three people that gave me the confidence to take this leap.

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

Murkundi: I am still very early in my own journey, but based on what I have learned so far, I would say it's important to speak with as many people as possible. Talk to current owners, former business owners, and people with real experience. I would also say to do your own deep research, ask difficult questions, and don't rush into anything. Once you have done all your homework, you have to trust your intuition.

ABOUT POOL SCOUTS:

Founded 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 Wonderly Lights. The company has been named among the Inc 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 https://www.buzzfranchisebrands.com/.