Pool Scouts

After a career that took him from the Chilean Air Force to multiple business-ownership ventures in sectors ranging from telecommunications to furniture, Chilean immigrant Francisco Vergara is starting the next chapter of his life as one of the newest franchisees with <a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts">Pool Scouts</a>, the 50-unit pool-maintenance franchise backed by multi-brand franchisor <a href="https://buzzfranchisebrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-great-franchisee-francisco-vergara-pool-scouts-orlando-2714729" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Buzz Franchise Brands</a>.After graduating from high school, Vergara joined the Chilean Air Force and earned a degree in telecommunications engineering, which he leveraged for a six-year career in the military. Then, Vergara took his first career left turn into civilian life, starting his own telecommunications business in 2011. Vergara started several more companies, including a hardware store and furniture factory, before taking his most recent left turn in 2019, when he learned about <a href="https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-great-franchisee-francisco-vergara-pool-scouts-orlando-2714729" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pool Scouts.</a>Now, Vergara is introducing pool owners in Orlando to Pool Scouts' services as one of the brand’s newest franchise owners.<h4>1851 Franchise: Tell us your story – what did you do before franchising?</h4>Francisco Vergara: Wow, it’s a long story. After I graduated from high school, I joined the Chilean Air Force and studied telecommunications. After this I continued my college studies and graduated as a telecommunications engineer. I worked in the military for nearly six years, after which I returned to the civilian world. I worked at a large telecom company in Chile called GTD Group, but my ambitions went beyond that and I started my own telecommunications company. Thus, in 2011 Ethercom was born, my current telecommunications company in Chile. After Ethercom, I started other companies, such as hardware stores and a rustic furniture factory which were all sold a few years ago. The last thing I did before coming to the U.S. was cross Australia from coast to coast to understand the local market and see if there were business possibilities there. After I saw that the business possibilities didn’t meet our economic expectations, I finally ended up in the U.S.<h4>1851: How did you initially find out about franchising?&nbsp;</h4>Vergara: In 2019, I took a trip with my family for three months, crossing from Miami to Los Angeles by the southern border of the U.S., and then returned to the center of the country. This trip helped us evaluate all the possible investment options, and at the same time, look for the best place to live while making our investment. During this trip, we selected Orlando as the best city to live in and started looking for investment options. During this process we contacted Jose Torres from <a href="https://frannet.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-great-franchisee-francisco-vergara-pool-scouts-orlando-2714729" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">FranNet</a>, who recommended we launch our business in Orlando.<h4>1851: Why did you choose franchising over starting your own business?&nbsp;</h4>Vergara: I chose franchising because, being a foreigner and a newcomer here, there are so many local things that I didn’t have a good handle on and franchising gives you a product that has already been tested and that you know will work. You also receive the necessary legal assistance to be able to start without problems. The last thing that caught my attention was the colors and logo of the Pool Scouts brand.&nbsp;<h4>1851: What types of brands did you look at?</h4>Vergara: The truth is, I analyzed several businesses and different brands in order to make the best decision, but from the beginning, I was struck by Pool Scouts.<h4>1851: Why did you choose Pool Scouts? What excited you most about the potential?</h4>Vergara: I chose Pool Scouts as my first business in the U.S. because it’s an area in which I have some experience and is easier to work with. In addition, being the first franchisee in Orlando gives me great potential for growth.<h4>1851: What are your dreams with the business? What does the future look like?</h4>Vergara: To be the fastest growing location in the U.S. I hope to be able to flood Orlando with Pool Scouts vans, maintaining the city’s pools and to be recognized as the best pool maintenance company.<h4>1851: What value do you see your business providing to the Orlando community?</h4>Vergara: Our biggest value is to be able to give peace of mind to people who will be able to enjoy their swimming pool year-round, always with the best customer service and balance between price and quality.<h4>1851: What advice would you have for others looking at buying a franchise?</h4>Vergara: In the United States there are many franchises. You should look for a business where you have some experience and something that makes you feel good about what you’re doing. The most important thing is to be happy with what you’re doing and do it with pleasure, and not out of obligation.<h4>1851: What do you do in your personal time?&nbsp;</h4>Vergara: Family is the most important thing to us. The five of us — my wife and three princesses — are always travelling and getting to know new countries and cultures, and when we aren’t, we are supporting our eldest daughter in her sport, basketball, by taking her to her practices and or competitions. I also play soccer.

The Great Franchisee: Francisco Vergara, Pool Scouts, Orlando

1851 Franchise

The Chilean immigrant, air force vet and serial entrepreneur is the pool-maintenance franchise’s first owner in Orlando, Florida.

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John Oldham has opened a&nbsp;<a href="https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/">Pool Scouts</a> pool cleaning and maintenance business serving several communities south of Fort Worth, Texas, including Burleson, Alvarado and Waxahachie,&nbsp;<a href="https://fortworthinc.com/news/new-franchisee-john-oldham-is-getting-ahead-of-pool-season/">according to Fort Worth Inc.</a>Oldham chose to open during the winter instead of waiting for spring. The slower season gave him time to learn the business, understand customer needs and prepare for the increase in service calls that typically begins in March. In Texas, pool service continues year-round, especially for homes with heated pools.Before joining&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts/info">Pool Scouts</a>, Oldham spent more than 20 years working in a family-owned construction business. After leaving that role, he decided he wanted to get back to owning and running something himself. He began exploring franchise options and focused on service-based businesses.Oldham ultimately chose Pool Scouts because of the support structure and clear operating model. The franchise allowed him to step into business ownership without having to build systems from the ground up.The business is family run. Oldham’s daughter and son-in-law are involved in daily operations, helping with scheduling, customer communication and inbound calls. Creating a business his family could be part of was an important factor in his decision.By opening ahead of peak season and keeping operations local and hands-on, Oldham is positioning his Pool Scouts business for steady growth as pool season ramps up.Read the full article&nbsp;<a href="https://fortworthinc.com/news/new-franchisee-john-oldham-is-getting-ahead-of-pool-season/">here</a>.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts.">https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts.</a>&nbsp;

Fort Worth Inc.: John Oldham Opens Pool Scouts Business in South Fort Worth Area

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New Franchisee Brings Hard Work and Heart to His New Pool Scouts Business in  Greater South Fort Worth

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1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Patricia Thierry and Pool Scouts logo

Patricia Thierry Brings Professional Pool Care to Charlotte, North Carolina, With Pool Scouts

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1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Lauren & Edson Cruz & Pool Scouts logo

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

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<a href="https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/">Pool Scouts</a> brought franchisees, partners and leadership together in Dallas, Texas, for its largest convention to date, uniting roughly 75% of the system for a week focused on execution, growth and alignment. Held in conjunction with fellow&nbsp;<a href="https://buzzfranchisebrands.com/">Buzz Franchise Brands</a> concepts British Swim School and Home Clean Heroes, the event welcomed more than 350 total attendees, including 75&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts/info">Pool Scouts</a> franchisees, guests and sponsors.The 2025 conference served as both a milestone moment for the brand and a working session designed to prepare franchisees for what comes next as Pool Scouts approaches its 10th anniversary. A theme of “Saddle Up for Success” served as a rallying call for franchisees to take the reins as the brand looks ahead to 2026.&nbsp;“It reflects our brand’s strategic priorities, including tightening operational consistency, continuing to elevate the customer experience, focusing on our sales process, and doubling down on the tools and resources we provide,” said Director of Marketing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynlea-rudell-9a8b797/">Lynlea Rudell</a>. “The western motif is tied to our Dallas location, but it also represents the resilience and grit required to keep Pool Scouts’ momentum going.”<h2>Industry Alignment and a First-Time Partnership</h2>A key milestone at this year’s conference was the first-ever attendance by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.phta.org/">Pool &amp; Hot Tub Alliance</a>. The organization’s participation reinforced Pool Scouts’ efforts to strengthen its position as a nationally recognized, professionally credentialed service brand.“During their presentation, they outlined to our franchises what enhanced training programs they offer, their certifications, their advocacy for the industry and credibility,” Rudell said. “They also went through all the different industry trends to give our franchises a background of everything going on in our industry.”This alignment positions Pool Scouts not only as a service provider, but as a trusted authority in professional pool care, an increasingly important differentiator in crowded local markets.<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqR1R7UDRZM"><div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive"><iframe src="//cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?app=1&amp;api_key=fd3b6b3731f34f55ba1fe3&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DjqR1R7UDRZM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></div></figure><h2>Operational and Technical Improvements for the Field</h2>Much of the conference programming focused on helping franchisees work more efficiently while improving service quality and opening the door to new revenue opportunities.Franchisees were introduced to AI-powered tools, including website chatbots and voice-answering technology, designed to streamline customer interactions, reduce administrative workload and improve lead conversion through faster response times.The conference also featured leak-detection training, and franchisees were introduced to an expanded service offering that addresses this homeowner pain point and creates revenue potential. In addition, advanced water chemistry and safety standards sessions provided updated education on maintaining balanced pools, improving testing accuracy, building technician confidence and reinforcing best practices around chemical safety.<h2>Sales Training and Conversion Focus</h2>Sales execution was another major emphasis throughout the conference. Training sessions centered on value-based selling, helping franchisees clearly articulate what sets Pool Scouts apart from competitors.“Consistency and confidence in sales execution will be major drivers of 2026 growth to help drive up our conversion rates,” Rudell said.Additional focus areas included improving speed-to-lead response, strengthening follow-up processes and building more consistent onboarding systems for new sales team members.&nbsp;<h2>Keynote Focused on Mindset and Action</h2>The keynote address was delivered by New York Times bestselling author&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyjomartin/">Amy Jo Martin</a>, known for her framework “The Renegade Way” and her work helping high-profile leaders build authentic brands.Her message encouraged franchisees to challenge old habits, take accountability and turn ideas into action.&nbsp;<h2>Recognizing Performance Across the System</h2>The awards program highlighted the strength and momentum building across the Pool Scouts network, with recognition focused on customer satisfaction, revenue growth and operational excellence.Customer experience is a key differentiator for the brand, demonstrated by a systemwide Net Promoter Score of 81. The highest customer satisfaction scores among both established and rookie locations were recognized with Best Buzz Awards, establishing a clear benchmark for service excellence across the entire system.“Those awards are very important,” Rudell said. “What sets Pool Scouts apart is our service.”Growth milestones were also celebrated, with multiple franchisees entering new revenue tiers. Several locations joined the $1 Million Plus Club, with top-performing operators demonstrating what is possible within the Pool Scouts model at the $2 million and $3 million levels.<h2>Looking Ahead to 2026</h2>Pool Scouts is entering its next phase of growth with a stronger foundation than ever before. Enhanced systems, deeper industry partnerships, expanded training and increased investment in technology and brand support are all designed to help franchisees scale faster and reach profitability sooner.“This year was about tightening up the fundamentals.” Rudell said. “We have solid building blocks in place, so next year we're really focusing on our next phase of growth. Our foundation has never been stronger and we're ready and primed for growth.”<h2>The Core Takeaway: Get Great at the Basics</h2>The most important takeaway from the 2025 conference is a continued focus on perfecting the basics. While new tools and innovations are part of the roadmap, long-term success will come from mastering the fundamentals that drive a strong, scalable Pool Scouts business.As the energy in Dallas made clear, the Pool Scouts network is aligned and ready for what comes next.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts">https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts</a>.

Pool Scouts Franchise - 2025 Annual Convention - Dallas TX - 1851 Franchise

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<a href="https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/">Pool Scouts</a> is designed to give franchisees a running start. From the first day of ownership, the model comes with training, technology, branding and marketing systems already in place. For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rose-white-26b43161/">Rose White</a>, who purchased the&nbsp;<a href="https://poolscouts.com/richmond/">Richmond, Virginia</a> location, that made all the difference.“We purchased an existing&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts">Pool Scouts</a>. It was already making money and doing well,” White said. “After meeting the franchise group and seeing all the ways they support their franchisees, I felt like it would be really hard to fail.”The built-in foundation allows new and experienced entrepreneurs alike to step into a business that has already been tested and refined.<h2>Proven Playbook Backed by Real Results</h2>Pool Scouts gives its owners a playbook to follow in any market. White says the model’s technology and structure were key factors in her decision.“There was a lack of competition here in Richmond, and the competition that we did have wasn’t as technological as Pool Scouts,” she said. “The technology streamlines everything, lets you keep great data and keeps customers well informed.”From scheduling and customer management to billing and quality control, the systems in place allow owners to focus on growing their business rather than building processes from scratch.<h2>Training and Support That Sets You Up To Scale</h2>For White, the support provided during and after launch has been essential. She and her husband received onboarding, field training and corporate coaching that helped them feel prepared.“My husband went to the corporate office in Virginia Beach for a week of training where they did everything from what the techs are doing out in the field to backend office training,” she said. “If we need anything, Pool Scouts University has video training we can go to.”She also points to ServiceMinder, the brand’s main software platform, and the master technicians available for quick answers as vital tools. Together, these resources help franchisees without pool experience build confidence and deliver reliable service.<h2>Brand Power Plus Local Control</h2>While Pool Scouts is part of&nbsp;<a href="https://buzzfranchisebrands.com/">Buzz Franchise Brands</a>, White says the strength of the brand is most evident in its presence in her community.“If you put in anything to do with a pool in Google, we are the brand that pops up first,” she said. “In Richmond, if you have a pool, you’ve heard of us.”The recognition and marketing reach of the brand helps franchisees grow locally while giving them the flexibility to adjust their services based on their staff, skills and customer needs.<h2>Lower Barrier, Higher Potential</h2>With modest startup costs and the recurring revenue model of pool maintenance, Pool Scouts gives owners a path toward sustainable growth. White also appreciates the flexibility to scale at her own pace.“You don’t have to start with five people. You can just start with yourself and go clean pools,” she said. “As you learn and grow, you can add more services. If a staff member leaves and you can’t offer certain services anymore, you can adjust easily.”This combination of lower barriers, strong systems and high potential makes Pool Scouts an attractive business for entrepreneurs who want a proven model with room to grow.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts">https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts</a>.&nbsp;The start-up costs for a Pool Scouts franchise range from $115,445-$152,920. To learn more about franchising with Pool Scouts, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/">https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/</a>.&nbsp;

Pool Scouts: A Business-in-a-Box for First-Time and Seasoned Entrepreneurs

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On a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is0pmjoAlIg">recent episode of “The Franchise Woman Podcast”</a> with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamonet/">Rebecca Monet</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracykawa/">Tracy Kawa</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/">Pool Scouts</a> franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffiny-consoli-a027114/">Tiffiny Consoli</a> shared the winding path that led her to become the brand’s first franchise owner — and, in 2024, the first in the system to surpass $3 million in annual revenue.Consoli’s entrepreneurial streak started in her 20s, when she left a mutual fund office job in Houston to follow a friend to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and launch a plantscaping business. They grew flowers in her friend’s family greenhouses, then serviced high-end properties in Aspen. The venture gave her an early, hands-on education in ownership. “That was my first taste of owning our own business,” she said. “It was very small, but we made enough to each make a living and kind of enjoy life in our 20s.”When that chapter ended, Consoli returned to Houston and moved into outside sales for a payroll company, knocking on doors and building relationships one cold call at a time. The work was tough, but it built resilience. “I was in charge of my success, responsible for my own success,” she said.A major personal turning point followed. In her early 30s, Consoli came out as gay and sought a life more connected to the outdoors. She joined REI, starting as a footwear specialist making near minimum wage and quickly rising to assistant store manager, then running stores and later working in human resources. REI’s inclusive culture, she said, gave her space to become a more authentic leader. “Being at a company that supports who you are, no matter who you are, that was huge for me,” she said. “You’re leading people and needing them to believe in you, but when you’re not able to fully share yourself, it doesn’t allow you to be everything that you can be as a leader.”Still, the pull toward business ownership never left. When she discovered&nbsp;<a href="https://buzzfranchisebrands.com/">Buzz Franchise Brands</a> and its new Pool Scouts concept, the model — outdoor, service-based, semi-seasonal — clicked. Her wife, a self-described non–risk taker, tried to “poke holes” in the opportunity at Discovery Day, but the couple left confident in the team behind the brand. Consoli became&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts/info">Pool Scouts’</a> very first franchisee in Raleigh, North Carolina.Those early seasons were grueling. She learned pools from the ground up, often coming home soaked and exhausted. Growth came as she added trucks, hired technicians and leaned into her strengths in customer service and relationship-building, while also learning to set boundaries as a recovering people pleaser.Today, with a multimillion-dollar operation and a fleet of vehicles, Consoli has recently hired ageneral manager so she and her wife can reclaim more time and consider what comes next — possibly coaching other franchisees. Her advice to women considering entrepreneurship is simple but hard-earned: listen to the voice that tells you to go. “If you think you have a calling to do something, listen to that, trust it and go after it,” she said.Watch the full podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is0pmjoAlIg">here</a>.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts">https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts</a>.

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The Great Franchisee: Francisco Vergara, Pool Scouts, Orlando

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