Historically, the industry of pool cleaning and maintenance has been dominated by men, and women who own and operate their own pool service businesses have been hard to come by  — until now. Three of Pool Scouts’ female franchisees — Tiffany Consoli, Michelle Stern and Heather Pontius — are taking the industry by storm and proving themselves successful in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Consoli, who was Pool Scouts’ very first franchisee in Raleigh, North Carolina, was looking to start her own business after spending years working in retail and management. She said it was the culture of service that working in the pool service industry required that attracted her to the brand. 

“If you’re passionate about service, this business really allows you to hone in on it,” said Consoli. “We’re really able to focus on that homeowner and their needs in this business. Being a homeowner myself, I’m able to relate to that experience, and I have the opportunity to start building a relationship with my clients. That’s what has been the most fun for me.”

When asked her opinion on why she feels the pool service industry is one that’s so heavily dominated by males, Consoli said she’s learned that it’s a trade not too many people are familiar with — men or women. She says it has been her willingness to do research and openness to develop knowledge and garner the skills of the industry that have brought her such success.

“Franchising, in particular, offers women the opportunity to start a business with the support of the franchisor and experience success quickly by following the structure and plan provided,” said Consoli. “Franchising requires ambition, dedication and the ability to lead — all characteristics of today’s business-minded women.”

Stern, who owns her Texas-based business with her husband Steve, attributes her success to her experience of learning how to navigate male-dominated environments in the military. Her attraction to the brand was based on the element of teamwork Pool Scouts offers and the ability it's given her to be able to support her clients through service. 

“I’ve worked in historically male-dominated environments my entire career, from the U.S. Navy to the tech industry,” said Stern. “As a female, I’ve achieved success through personal influence more so than via a position or title. I’ve always believed that it takes a team working together to create success, which means everyone succeeds through the help and support of others, not as a one-woman show. As I talked with the people on the Pool Scouts teams, both at the corporate office and other franchise owners, I got a good feeling about the brand’s level of support — that this was a strong team I’d like to be a part of.”

Pontius, who is a single mother of two and the owner of a Pool Scouts territory in Columbus, Ohio, says she’s always felt motivated by opportunities. She was drawn to the support that the brand provides and has never felt limited to what she can do in her business.

“I signed on as a woman in this business because I had confidence in the brand,” said Pontius. “Women shouldn’t feel limited in any space, they can do whatever they set their mind to.”

One commonality between these women is that their passion for customer service drives their success and engagement in this business. Angela Paules, chief marketing officer of Buzz Franchise Brands, Pool Scouts’ parent company, says pool cleaning and maintenance services are businesses focused on people, and that’s what makes women in this industry such successful entrepreneurs. 

“While Pool Scouts is obviously a pool cleaning business, what's more important is that it's a people business — a customer-service business,” said Paules. “Women generally have a natural nurturing quality, and many have customer service experience somewhere in their careers. These skills translate seamlessly into running a business like Pool Scouts, where managing a team and providing an exceptional customer experience are the keys to success.”

For women who are looking to franchise with the brand, or simply enter the franchise industry in general, Consoli says that best advice is to be open to learning. 

“Being open to learning new skills and developing knowledge of the industry is really what’s helped make me as successful as I am in it,” said Consoli. “Make sure you're implementing those practices that have been carved out by the people who have learned before.”

The startup costs for a Pool Scouts franchise range from $80,400 to $133,300. To learn more about franchising with Pool Scouts, visit https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/.