Pool Scouts Makes a Splash in Wesley Chapel With New Local Owners

Lauren and Edson Cruz opened their Pool Scouts* franchise in Florida, serving Wesley Chapel and the surrounding area. With backgrounds in corporate America and a history of investing in real estate and private lending, the couple was looking for a business model that provided greater control over income and long-term growth potential. Pool Scouts offered a streamlined entry into business ownership, supported by strong operational systems, advanced technology and a professional team dedicated to franchisee success.

The Cruzes were drawn to Pool Scouts’ automated tools and proven processes that make running the business efficient for owners and technicians alike. These systems allow them to focus on building relationships in their community, knowing the operational side is backed by years of refinement.

Looking ahead, the couple plans to expand within their large territory and potentially branch into other Buzz Franchise Brands concepts. Their long-term goal is to build a portfolio of service-based businesses that can be passed down to their children, creating a family legacy while continuing to bring reliable, high-quality pool service to local homeowners.

1851 Franchise sat down with Lauren and Edson to talk about their franchising journey with Pool Scouts. Here’s what they had to say:

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

Lauren Cruz: When we first got married, we were following Dave Ramsey to achieve financial freedom. Once it came to investing, we felt we wanted to be more aggressive and intentional compared to what he teaches. His approach is a little more on the safe side of investing, so we've been investing in many different areas.

One thing Edson had been saying a lot is, "I want to have more control over the income we're bringing in." We do a lot of real estate, private money lending and that sort of thing, but we want to control the influx of money. Having a business gives us that control.

So, we started looking at what kinds of businesses to acquire. Should we acquire an existing business, start something brand new or go the franchise route? That's where we went to a franchising event — a conference where they travel around and you can meet all the different franchise companies. We got connected with a franchise coach who helps you get plugged into different companies and see what would be a good fit. We went the Pool Scouts route. 

Edson Cruz: We like the technology they use for Pool Scouts and how they manage automations, making it easier for us to deal with — that's what caught our eye. When we went to meet the team, they were great, everyone was very professional and involved in everything we're doing, including marketing and operations. We decided to get into the franchise with them, and so far, so good. 

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

Lauren: We both work W2 corporate jobs remotely. While our jobs provide flexibility, we wanted to work for ourselves and recognized the limited potential in traditional employment. I work remotely as a system administrator for a bank. We still have our jobs, and the remote aspect allows us to dedicate time to other endeavors. I didn't fully realize what it would take to achieve our goals. 

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?

Lauren: I always thought of franchising as requiring a lot of capital, like with fast-food franchises. I also believed it involved a very strict, rigid system where they took a lot in royalties. However, Buzz Franchise Brands has a different model. It doesn't feel corporate, and you don't have to strictly mold into their way. I can't speak for other franchise companies, but with Pool Scouts, it definitely feels like you're working with a team that's there to support you and help you succeed. That wasn't something I had anticipated, so I was pleasantly surprised.

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

Edson: The easiest way to navigate as an owner is that they provide all the tools, and I appreciate the technology they have in the IT area. Automation is key for me, so the less time you spend doing something, the better it is to automate it. We looked at their software and application, and it makes it easier to maintain schedules and customers. That's what attracted us — all the tools they use, the technology and how easy it is for owners. At one point, we wondered what we would need to do as owners since everything is mostly handled by the application or by them. So, what I was trying to say is that their systems and SOPs are very well organized and proven. 

Lauren: We don't have to start from scratch, which excites me. I like having something to follow; I don't want to try to create something on my own. I like knowing that they have a proven process for both the back end, for us as owners and for the technicians who are out there cleaning, and they have very high standards.

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

Edson: We aim to expand and take over this territory, and then continue growing. Our main goal is for Lauren to eventually transition from her full-time job to be a full-time owner of the franchise. Hopefully, we can then continue expanding to another territory or even another franchise. We had considered Home Clean Heroes* from Buzz Franchise Brands, which has a territory close to us already. The long-term vision is to have multiple offerings in the same territory, so we can clean pools and homes. If it works out, we would like to see the company grow to the point where we have multiple technicians servicing the entire area, as our territory is very big. Right now, we are focusing on a close-knit area, but we would like to expand into all areas of our territory.

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

Lauren: I never thought I would own a business. Coming into this, we don't have business degrees, but it's clear that this is something possible for the average person willing to put in the work. We're trying to set up our kids and a legacy for our family by having a business that we can pass along. We also want to change the trajectory of not having to go the traditional route of college just to get a job until retirement. There are so many different avenues. We've been exploring this for the past three or four years. There are far more opportunities out there than you realize until you start exploring and making connections with people you never thought you would. It's doable for anyone outside their comfort zone.

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

Lauren: When considering acquiring a brand new business, a franchise offers a proven track record. This means that if you follow their standard operating procedures, it will work. On the other hand, acquiring a route [on your own] means you're largely unsupported and have to figure out sales yourself, which takes more time. With a franchise, if we have questions, we can call headquarters and, with over 40 years of combined experience, they'll have better answers than trying to Google information.

For those who want a guided system, a franchise is the way to go. It provides structure and stability, and if you follow it, you'll be successful. Many franchise owners within Pool Scouts have emphasized that you just need to follow the system to do well. If you deviate from that path, things can go awry and you'll need to correct yourself. They have a system for a reason; they have you do specific things because they know it works. Therefore, a franchise is an excellent option for people who want to enter a business and have ownership without needing all the expertise and experience to do it independently.

Edson: We have all the marketing tools, including a team that researches our territory to identify what works and what doesn't. They deploy online advertising, direct mail and other strategies. We also have an operations coach who guides us, helping us move forward and assisting with questions, like how to transfer a person. It's helpful to have immediate support. You have a team supporting you, which is crucial for those wanting to dive into business ownership without knowing where to start.

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/. 

ABOUT BUZZ FRANCHISE BRANDS
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 Grand Illuminations. 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/.