Father-and-Son Duo Team Up to Introduce Poolwerx to Kentucky

For Mark White and his son Harry, franchising with Poolwerx, an industry-leading full-service swimming pool repair, maintenance and retail franchise, isn’t just about making money — it's about getting to spend more time together as best friends and business partners. Now, thanks to Poolwerx and the Whites, Kentucky's bluegrass state has just become a little bluer, but this time it's because of all the shimmering pools.

The Path to Poolwerx

With Mark's background primarily in sales and later in managing his wife’s medical practices, combined with his son's practical and mechanical prowess from his days as a UPS truck driver, the duo brings a unique synergy to their new venture of introducing Poolwerx to Kentucky.

“After semi-retiring at 59, I found myself restless — I was bored in retirement, and I don’t play golf,” said Mark. “I had the itch to build businesses. I had brought my son to come work with me a few years prior, but now I was gone and the medical office world wasn’t really for him. So, we started looking for a business we could do together.”

Having just built a pool at his own home recently, Mark’s interest was piqued when he saw the Poolwerx name pop up. “The more I delved into it, the clearer it became — we fit right into the mold of the ideal franchisee and customer,” he said. “I was already paying somebody to do what Poolwerx does for my pool, why can’t we do that ourselves?”

The Benefits of a Poolwerx Franchise

In terms of why the father-and-son duo went the franchising route, Mark says the allure is all about support.

“I’ve built businesses independently, and while they were successful, you make a lot of mistakes along the way,” he said. “I don't want to do that again at my age. We can tap into those proven systems, while also having the flexibility to do things your way. That was very appealing.”

New Poolwerx franchisees like the Whites undergo comprehensive training in water chemistry, hydrology and other essential areas. A state-of-the-art training facility in Dallas provides hands-on experience and troubleshooting, transforming individuals from various backgrounds into proficient pool care experts. 

Now, the Whites are gearing up to open their first Poolwerx location in Louisville. As pioneers of the Poolwerx brand in Kentucky, Mark says they're approaching the role with gusto. 

“There's a clear gap in the market here, and we're ready to fill it," Mark said. “It's always fun to be first in the market — bringing something new to our state. Nobody does everything like Poolwerx, so we think the community will be excited.” 

Poolwerx offers a comprehensive array of services and products, ranging from salt chlorinators to preventative maintenance, pool filter installation and e-commerce retail sales. This diversity ensures that franchisees have a multitude of avenues to explore within the pool industry, catering to various customer needs. From weekly cleaning services for time-strapped homeowners to tackling sudden issues like leaks or algae blooms, the opportunities are vast.

A Family-Driven Future 

At the end of the day, Mark says the real crux of this franchising venture isn’t just about the strength of the business. It's also about family. 

“It sounds corny, but my son and I are best friends — I was the best man at his wedding,” said Mark. “We are very close. He has worked with me before, but with this is a true partnership. From day one, it is both of ours. Being able to work day-to-day with my son and grow a business together means a lot. That is really what I am looking forward to most, and I am thrilled that Poolwerx offers me that opportunity.”

Poolwerx North America CEO Andrew Kidd says the team couldn’t be more thrilled to bring Poolwerx to Kentucky and couldn’t have found more passionate and qualified partners to do it with than the Whites.

“Their shared enthusiasm and vision align seamlessly with our goal to provide comprehensive and unparalleled pool services to communities across the country,” said Kidd. “We are excited to usher in a new era of U.S. growth for the Poolwerx brand.”

For more information on the cost to buy a Poolwerx franchise, please visit https://poolwerxfranchising.com/

About Poolwerx

Founded in 1992 by entrepreneur John O’Brien, Poolwerx has grown to become a global pool brand and one of the largest global franchise players in the pool service industry, with over 700 service vehicles and 160 plus stores. Poolwerx leaves competitors to tread water thanks to a professional development strategy to convert employees to franchise partners, a technology-driven and scalable model, and recurring revenue streams. The brand is now driving explosive franchise growth across the United States.