Pool cleaning and maintenance are often thought of as seasonal services, confined to the warmer months when families are enjoying their backyards. But for Pool Scouts franchisees like Nora Farhat, Matt Hollis and Tiffiny Consoli, that perception couldn’t be further from the truth. These savvy business owners have found ways to turn what many consider a seasonal business into a year-round success story.

Nora Farhat: Expanding Services in a Cooler Climate

Based in Detroit, Michigan, Farhat entered the Pool Scouts franchise after identifying a significant gap in her market. “A lot of people originally thought that our disadvantage was being in a cooler climate, assuming you could only run this business seasonally,” she said. 

Her unique insight into the commercial pool market came from her experience owning a swim school with several indoor pools. “In colder markets, the availability of pool services is limited, and commercial needs were often neglected.” Farhat said. “Vendors either lacked the capability to handle complex commercial needs or were too slow, which impacted our business operations. Recognizing this gap, we decided to address the need ourselves.”

Farhat and her team leveraged Pool Scouts’ technology and expertise to elevate their service offerings, moving beyond the traditional “guy in a van” model. Over time, they pivoted to focus on securing commercial contracts, allowing them to offer year-round services. “This is our first year running a fully year-round business in a winter market,” she said. “While the volume isn’t as high as during the summer, we’ve been able to sustain steady operations by diversifying our offerings.”

Matt Hollis: Finding Winter Opportunities in Idaho

Hollis faced similar challenges running a pool cleaning and maintenance business in Boise, Idaho, but eventually found unique ways to sustain his business during the off-season. Coming from a corporate restaurant management background, he began franchising with Pool Scouts in 2021. His decision to enter the industry was driven by his love for pools and a desire to break free from the constraints of corporate life.

“In Boise, pools are not kept open year-round. They’re winterized in the fall to prevent damage from freezing temperatures and reopened in the spring,” Hollis said. “Hot tub maintenance has become a key focus for my business in the winter. I service hot tubs for private residences and short-term rentals like Airbnbs,” he said. 

Starting with just five hot tubs per week, Hollis now services 25 to 30 weekly. “My goal during the winter is to break even so I can remain profitable during the busy summer months,” he said. “Winter revenue allows me to cover expenses and prepare for the upcoming pool season.”

Tiffiny Consoli: Building a Robust Customer Base in North Carolina’s Greater Triangle

As Pool Scouts’ first franchisee, Consoli has been a trailblazer in finding year-round success. Based in the Greater Triangle area of North Carolina, Consoli’s business serves a mix of residential and commercial customers. Over the years, she’s implemented various strategies to adapt to the seasonal nature of the industry.

“Initially, we invested in our technicians, guaranteeing them 32 hours a week to ensure they stayed with us through the winter,” Consoli said. She also used the slower winter months to experiment with new services. “We’ve expanded into vinyl liner installations, safety cover installations and repair services,” she said. “As our customer base grew, we could support these offerings, helping us maintain year-round operations.”

To educate customers about the importance of year-round pool care, Consoli’s team sends winter reminders. “While winter maintenance is easier due to lower evaporation and less algae growth,” she said, “maintaining proper chemical levels is essential to prevent structural deterioration.”

Advantages of Seasonal Marketing

Seasonal markets present unique opportunities for Pool Scouts franchisees to maximize revenue and streamline their operations to build a thriving year-round business. The advantages that come with seasonal marketing include:

High-Ticket Revenue: Colder markets rely heavily on services like pool openings, closings and cover installations, which drive significant revenue during peak seasons.

Less Competition: Cold weather markets often have fewer pool service providers, enabling businesses to stand out and command premium pricing for quality care.

Diverse Revenue Streams: Franchisees can generate off-season income through services like hot tub maintenance, vinyl liner installations and repairs, ensuring steady cash flow year-round.

Strategic Use of Off-Season: The slower winter months provide valuable opportunities for planning, training, goal-setting and introducing new services to prepare for the busy season.

Common Threads of Success

Although every franchisee’s journey is unique, their stories often reflect shared themes:

Adaptability: From diversifying services to addressing commercial needs, these franchisees have shown remarkable flexibility in meeting their markets’ demands.

Customer Relationships: Building trust with customers has been key for all three franchisees. Whether it’s through quick response times, professional communication or word-of-mouth referrals, these business owners understand the value of customer loyalty.

Smart Marketing: Tailoring marketing strategies to the season and service type has helped these franchisees maintain consistent demand. For example, Hollis’ partnerships with hot tub retailers have been instrumental in growing his winter business, while Consoli’s email campaigns keep her customers engaged year-round.

Advice for Aspiring Franchisees

For those considering a Pool Scouts franchise, these experienced operators offer valuable advice:

“Any business can look the way you want it to,” said Farhat. “For some, a seasonal model works perfectly, allowing them to take a break in the winter. For others, the goal is to expand and offer year-round services. The key is to think outside the box and continuously ask how you can better serve your customers.”

Hollis emphasized the importance of being hands-on. “I’ve cleaned every pool and hot tub on my route and built strong relationships with my customers,” he said. “This approach has fostered trust and loyalty, which are essential for growth.”

Consoli highlighted the value of using the off-season strategically. “Use the winter months for planning, goal-setting, and training,” she said. “While the downtime can feel slow, it’s an invaluable opportunity to recharge and prepare for the busy spring season.”

Looking Ahead

As Pool Scouts continues to grow, franchisees like Farhat, Hollis and Consoli are proving that the brand is not just a seasonal business. Through adaptability and a focus on customer relationships, they’re finding year-round success — and inspiring others to do the same.

The start-up costs for a Pool Scouts franchise range from $102,805 - $134,830. To learn more about franchising with Pool Scouts, visit https://poolscoutsfranchise.com.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts.