1851

<a href="https://poolwerxfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-poolwerxs-supportive-network-and-strong-business-model-led-this-former-ceo-to-franchise-success-2727328" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Poolwerx</a>, a leading provider of pool services, maintenance and supplies, allows franchisees from all backgrounds to find success. Greenville, South Carolina-based owner&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kentmckown/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-poolwerxs-supportive-network-and-strong-business-model-led-this-former-ceo-to-franchise-success-2727328" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kent McKown</a>, for example, had plenty of professional experience before becoming an owner — none of which was in the pool industry.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;“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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-kidd-72804646/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-poolwerxs-supportive-network-and-strong-business-model-led-this-former-ceo-to-franchise-success-2727328" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Andrew [Kidd]</a>, the CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/poolwerx/info">Poolwerx</a>, at a conference and after several conversations, I officially joined Poolwerx in January 2022.”&nbsp;Since then, McKown has leveraged the Poolwerx support system to grow his business effectively and has no plans of slowing down.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Why Poolwerx Stood Out</h3>“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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;“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.”&nbsp;<h3> The Poolwerx Support Network</h3>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.&nbsp;“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.”&nbsp;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.&nbsp;“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.&nbsp;<h3>Future Plans and Goals with Poolwerx</h3>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.&nbsp;“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.”&nbsp;To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851franchise.com/poolwerx/info">www.1851franchise.com/poolwerx/info</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Poolwerx Greenville Franchise Partner Kent McKown

How This Poolwerx Franchisee Found Success in Greenville, SC

1851 Franchise

Kent McKown attributes his accomplishments with Poolwerx to the relationships and friendships he has developed across the brand's vast network.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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

how-poolwerxs-supportive-network-and-strong-business-model-led-this-former-ceo-to-franchise-success

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Koji Kanematsu Turned a 2,000-Year-Old Japanese Staple Into One of the Most Scalable Restaurant Franchise Models

koji-kanematsu-turned-a-2000-year-old-japanese-staple-into-one-of-the-most-scalable-restaurant-franchise-models

Lindora

Celebrating the Nurse Behind the Mission: How Melinda Endricks Is Powering Lindora’s Growth and Impact Nationwide

celebrating-the-nurse-behind-the-mission-how-melinda-endricks-is-powering-lindoras-growth-and-impact-nationwide

Sola Salons

Sola Salons Targets Chicago for Strategic Franchise Growth

sola-salons-targets-chicago-for-strategic-franchise-growth

Melting Pot

Photo of Melting Pot white chocolate fondue

How Melting Pot Franchisees Drive Year-Round Success Through Strategic Promotions and Local Marketing

melting-pot-franchise-year-round-success

Crust Pizza Co.

Crust Pizza Co. - Technology Piece - CTO Nick Fontenot - May 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Crust Pizza Co. Builds the Future of Franchising With Tech-First Strategy

crust-pizza-co-technology-nick-fontenot-cto

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

Franchisee Spotlight with Armando Cordova and Jorge Molina with Crust Pizza Co. Logo

Texas-Sized Ambition: How a Shared Dream Turned Into Three Crust Pizza Co. Locations

crust-pizza-co-armando-cordova-jorge-molina-georgetown-launch

Health Care Professional in the Non-Profit Space Brings TruBlue to North Pittsburgh

health-care-professional-in-the-non-profit-space-brings-trublue-to-north-pittsburgh

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: Building Your Brand’s Growth Machine

ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS