How Poolwerx's Supportive Network and Strong Business Model Led This Former CEO to Franchise Success

Poolwerx, a leading provider of pool services, maintenance and supplies, allows franchisees from all backgrounds to find success. Greenville, South Carolina-based owner Kent McKown, for example, had plenty of professional experience before becoming an owner — none of which was in the pool industry. 

After college, McKown served in the Marine Corps. He then became a partner in a CPA firm in the mid-90s and started his own consulting and advisory firm in the late 1990s, which he sold in 2004. From 2005 until two years ago, the entrepreneur ran several companies as CEO, ranging from $5 million to $100 million in revenue, across various industries.

With plenty of experience across the board, McKown knew he needed a business model that provided support and reduced risk. But his entry into the pool industry actually came through his son. 

“My son was in the pool business and around the same time, a broker introduced me to a pool business for sale, which I bought and ran for several months,” he said. “I met Andrew [Kidd], the CEO of Poolwerx, at a conference and after several conversations, I officially joined Poolwerx in January 2022.” 

Since then, McKown has leveraged the Poolwerx support system to grow his business effectively and has no plans of slowing down. 

Why Poolwerx Stood Out

“Poolwerx gives somebody like me the opportunity to get into a business and have business ownership, and be able to do that in a reduced risk environment because you’re joining a franchise,” McKown said. 

For example, McKown says that Poolwerx assists franchisees in driving revenue through effective marketing strategies. This includes national and local advertising campaigns, brand recognition and marketing materials, all designed to attract and retain customers. Additionally, due to the collective buying power of the franchise, Poolwerx can secure better pricing on supplies and equipment. This bulk purchasing power allows franchisees to operate more cost-effectively than they might on their own. 

“The decision that really came to me was more of a return-on-investment scenario and also a return on my time,” he said. “Poolwerx gave me the leg up, especially on process learning and revenue generation. In other words, it gave me the tools that I didn’t have to create.” 

The Poolwerx Support Network

One of McKown’s favorite parts of being a Poolwerx franchise partner is the relationships and friendships he has developed across the entire network, including connections with colleagues in Australia. 

“There is always somebody that I can reach out to who’s going to know more about a subject than I do,” he said. “This is especially true when it comes to the pool business. Whether it’s technical or whether it’s business, whether it’s working with vendors and sourcing, there’s always somebody there who has an answer.” 

This is also something that McKown sees as support that sets him up for success. Unlike running an independent pool company, being a Poolwerx franchise partner means you’re part of a supportive network. 

“You’re not out on an island by yourself running ‘XYZ pool company’ where you don’t have those relationships,” he said. “To me, that’s the number one way I’m set up for success. There are a lot of people with a lot of deep experience in the pool business.”

This support dramatically shortened the learning curve for McKown. The team at Poolwerx provides a wealth of knowledge and resources that help franchisees understand the business quickly and make informed decisions.

Future Plans and Goals with Poolwerx

From the very beginning, McKown had the idea to establish multiple locations within the Greenville region of South Carolina.

“The plan is to execute that, either through acquisition of other other pool businesses or through planting retail locations in strategic locations that make sense to us,” he said. “There’s no question that this area can handle more locations.”

Beyond financial returns, the franchisee’s goal is to create a business environment where his employees can also find success. 

“For me, there’s more than just a return on the dollars — it’s creating a business that also creates the environment that our people can thrive in, grow and have a path forward,” he said. “And as far as I’m concerned, to have a great business, you’re not going to have one without the other.” 

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit www.1851franchise.com/poolwerx/info.