Pool Scouts

<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts/veteran-franchise-owner-brings-first-pool-scouts-to-alabama-2717379#stories">Rontario S. Hicks</a> is a retired Army veteran with 24 years of service under his belt. After retiring from the service, he was keen to take on a new challenge in business ownership, particularly one that could fund his retirement hobby of golfing. He started out by helping his wife start her own photography business and learned a lot about independent business ownership in the process. Ultimately, this led to his decision to franchise with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts/info">Pool Scouts</a> in Huntsville, Alabama.&nbsp;“What I found was that it was extremely daunting, it took a lot of time, we made mistakes, and the one thing I did take away from it is that I didn't want to do that whole process alone again,” explained Hicks. “That led me into franchising.”<h3>Why Franchising</h3>Hicks was drawn to the idea of franchising for the support and the tried-and-true business model it offered franchisees. He knew it was a risk as he was dipping into his retirement fund to get his new business off the ground. After speaking with existing franchisees and meeting the corporate team, Hicks felt confident that this was the right move to provide him with both a fulfilling career that was backed by a supportive team and the funds to be comfortable in retirement afterward.&nbsp;"My wife has jokingly said that when I retire, I need to stop playing golf and spending money every day on the golf course,” said Hicks. “It's our inside running joke because playing golf is enjoyable, but it doesn't bring in any income.”&nbsp;While Hicks enjoys learning new skills through franchising, the challenge of business ownership and the ability to scale, he is most thankful for the opportunity to spend more time with his family.&nbsp;“I've been away from my family for years due to multiple duty assignments, and I owe them some quality time back,” he said. “My wife has been the backbone of our family, keeping us in line. This venture gives me the chance to give back to her, be present for my family and still contribute to the community in a meaningful way."<h3>Selecting Pool Scouts</h3>As franchising was new to Hicks, he sought guidance from the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse, which eventually led to him connecting with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchoice.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=veteran-becomes-a-business-owner-with-pool-scouts-franchise-2724390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">FranChoice</a>.&nbsp;Ultimately, after some questionnaires and personality tests,&nbsp;<a href="https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=veteran-becomes-a-business-owner-with-pool-scouts-franchise-2724390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pool Scouts</a> emerged as a brand that resonated with Hicks. Once he knew of the brand, he started to notice a gap in his community for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts/why-you-should-consider-investing-in-a-pool-scouts-franchise-2723838#featured">reliable pool services</a>.“You buy a new car and you start to see the same car everywhere; this was the same thing with pools,” he said. “I noticed pools everywhere and realized there are tons of opportunities.”&nbsp;Conversations with Pool Scouts parent company&nbsp;<a href="https://buzzfranchisebrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=veteran-becomes-a-business-owner-with-pool-scouts-franchise-2724390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Buzz Franchise Brands</a>’ president and chief operating officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-garrison-8b6ab/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=veteran-becomes-a-business-owner-with-pool-scouts-franchise-2724390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brian Garrison</a>, a fellow military&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts/why-a-pool-scouts-franchise-is-a-great-fit-for-veterans-2724197#featured">veteran</a>, and CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwilsonbfb/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=veteran-becomes-a-business-owner-with-pool-scouts-franchise-2724390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kevin Wilson</a> further solidified Hicks’ confidence in choosing the brand. Now, Hicks loves that he is able to be out and about in his role as franchisee rather than stuck at a desk.“I enjoy being out, talking to people and engaging with the community,” he explained. “This shift allowed me to step away from desk-bound management and strategy roles that I had been doing for years.”&nbsp;<h3>Military Background</h3>Hicks’ experience in the Army has contributed to his success as a business owner. Namely, the values instilled in him still inform his decisions in his new career.&nbsp;??"One thing the Army has taught me is to live by the Army values, and their main values are integrity, honor and courage,” said Hicks. “There are seven values, but these three stand out to me.”Those three values have motivated Hicks to always try to do what is right by people to establish their trust, be brave enough to take a chance on something that can impact his community and to challenge himself. He feels franchising has given him the opportunity to put these values into practice everyday.&nbsp;His military experience has not only shaped his perspectives, but it guides his behavior as well, especially when faced with a challenge.&nbsp;“Drawing from my military background, where things happen on the battlefield that require quick thinking and super vigilance, I approach situations with a calm demeanor,” explained Hicks. “Instead of panicking, I take a moment to sit back, think about it, formulate a plan and then execute it. Every time I do this, it reflects back to my military background."<h3>Finding Success In the Franchising World</h3>Hicks has achieved a great deal already in the franchise world, receiving the Rookie Franchise of the Year award at a recent Pool Scouts conference, but he is competitive and keen to scale.“My personal goal is to reach a million by the third or fourth year, and we're on track to achieve that," he said.In addition to his ambition and work ethic, Hicks also attributes his success to the reliable community of fellow Pool Scouts franchisees. The brand has franchisees in 17 states across the country, and Hicks knows he can reach out for support whenever he needs it.“Considering the scale of Pool Scouts, with an average of about 13,000 pools serviced last year, it's reassuring to know that I always have a friend to call," he said. “Whether it's troubleshooting a problem or discussing the use of certain chemicals, having a network of fellow franchisees allows us to compare notes and make informed decisions that benefit both our bottom line and contribute to our continued growth.”&nbsp;In this way, Hicks and his fellow Pool Scout franchisees contribute to each other’s growth and they all benefit.&nbsp;<h3>Words of Wisdom</h3>Hicks’ only regret is not venturing into franchising sooner. That being said, he advises anyone who is thinking about it to get out and start the education process because there is a lot to learn.“Go out and call a franchise coach and they'll help direct you,” he said. “When I was looking at franchises by myself, it was overwhelming; there were a ton of businesses out there that I didn't even know existed. Do your research and your due diligence to look deep inside the model to make sure it's a fit for you … it's about the culture that you're walking into.”To watch the full interview, click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usBVgehp_Y0&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=veteran-becomes-a-business-owner-with-pool-scouts-franchise-2724390" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here.</a>To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts/info.">https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts/info.</a>&nbsp;

Veteran Becomes a Business Owner With Pool Scouts Franchise

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After 24 years of service, Hicks helped his wife start her own photography business, realizing that the support offered through franchising would be a better option.

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/">Pool Scouts</a>, the leading national pool service franchise, is once again partnering with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hopefloats.foundation/">Hope Floats Foundation</a>. May is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/may/national-water-safety-month-may">National Water Safety Month</a>, and<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts/info"> Pool Scouts</a> franchise locations will participate in the fundraising campaign, raising money to support Hope Floats’ mission of providing swim lesson scholarships to underserved children nationwide.Since 2021, Pool Scouts has raised $106,000 for Hope Floats. Last year, the campaign helped expand access to swim lessons at a critical time, giving more children access to lessons ahead of summer. This year, the brand is setting a $10,000 goal.<a href="https://www.stepintoswim.org/">Step Into Swim</a>, an initiative of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.phta.org/">Pool &amp; Hot Tub Alliance</a>, an organization dedicated to promoting water safety and making waves in drowning prevention, is once again pledging to match donations up to $20,000 for a second year. Step Into Swim has funded swimming lessons for more than 300,000 children across the country.&nbsp;“Water safety is something our franchisees see firsthand in the communities they serve, so this partnership is a natural extension of what we do every day,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynlea-rudell-9a8b797/">Lynlea Rudell</a>, director of marketing for Pool Scouts. “As our system grows and we celebrate our 10th year, we have an opportunity to make an even bigger impact by helping more families access swim lessons and stay safe around the water.”<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-m-b4558317/">Kristin Mabrouk</a>, executive director for Hope Floats, said the collaboration continues to grow in impact each year as both organizations expand. Through the campaign, funds have been used to support families and provide access to children who may be the first in their families to learn to swim.“Pool Scouts is a very aligned partnership because they're working with people who understand the need for water safety,” she said. “Then we're able to allocate those scholarship funds to those same communities that they're in.”According to the CDC,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0514-vs-drowning.html">drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children</a>. Formal swim lessons can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/drowning-prevention-starts-with-swim-lessons/">reduce that risk by 88%</a>, and Pool Scouts’ donations help make those lessons available to more families in the communities it serves.Mabrouk said the timing of the campaign matters because it lines up right before summer, when more families are around pools and water. That makes it easier to get kids into lessons right when they need them. She also pointed out that the funding can make a real difference for families with more than one child, since it allows siblings to take lessons at the same time instead of spacing them out or choosing just one.National Water Safety Month highlights the role education plays in keeping families safe around the water. For Pool Scouts, that focus connects directly to its broader effort to support the communities it serves.“The Pool Scouts network keeps expanding and so does ours, so we can help more people everywhere,” Mabrouk said. “We're very grateful for the partnership and excited to be going into our 10th year and beyond.”Those interested in donating to the Pool Scouts/Hope Floats campaign for National Water Safety Month can do so at&nbsp;<a href="https://givebutter.com/poolscouts2026">https://givebutter.com/poolscouts2026</a>.&nbsp;To learn more about franchise opportunities with Pool Scouts, visit:<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts"> https://1851franchise.com/poolscouts</a>.&nbsp;ABOUT POOL SCOUTS:Virginia Beach, Virginia-based Pool Scouts is a premier pool service franchise focused on delivering a quality, consistent brand experience while providing pool cleaning, maintenance and minor repair services at residential properties. Technicians are trained in testing, monitoring, treating and servicing pools and can provide ongoing service as well as help at the beginning and end of the summer season. With 79 territories across 17 states, Pool Scouts offers a great opportunity as a low-cost franchise in the pool services industry with available territories across the United States. For more information or franchising opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://poolscoutsfranchise.com">http://poolscoutsfranchise.com</a>.&nbsp;ABOUT BUZZ FRANCHISE BRANDSFounded 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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.buzzfranchisebrands.com/.">https://www.buzzfranchisebrands.com/.</a>&nbsp;

Pool Scouts Partners With Hope Floats to Raise $10,000 

During National Water Safety Month this May, the entire Pool Scouts system will participate in the campaign, pushing its total donations past the $100,000 milestone.

Pool Scouts Partners With Hope Floats to Raise $10,000 in 2026 as Both Brands Celebrate 10 Years in Business

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Veteran Becomes a Business Owner With Pool Scouts Franchise

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