1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-dejong-605a2210/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=thrive-global-president-of-big-blue-swim-school-chris-dejong-discusses-his-journey-of-launching-a-business-2716584" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris DeJong</a>, president and founder of <a href="https://bigblueswimschool.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=thrive-global-president-of-big-blue-swim-school-chris-dejong-discusses-his-journey-of-launching-a-business-2716584" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Big Blue Swim School</a>, a children’s swim school that helps children achieve life-changing moments, recently discussed his journey to founding the swim school with <a href="https://thriveglobal.com/stories/chris-dejong-of-big-blue-swim-school-i-wish-i-had-been-given-more-advice-about-how-to-manage-highly-talented-people/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=thrive-global-president-of-big-blue-swim-school-chris-dejong-discusses-his-journey-of-launching-a-business-2716584" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Thrive Global</a>.Before starting <a href="https://1851franchise.com/bigblueswimschool">Big Blue Swim School</a>, DeJong was ranked 4th in the U.S. and 5th in the world in the backstroke category, but after coming in right behind Michael Phelps by just three-tenths of a second in the Olympic qualifiers, his swimming career was over.&nbsp;Soon after, DeJong founded Big Blue, now with more than 10 open locations and another 150 in development. With the company expanding rapidly under his watch, DeJong hopes to bring Big Blue to every state in the U.S.According to DeJong, the perseverance that he learned in swimming has been a huge piece of his life as a founder. Once he had the idea to break into franchising with a swim school, his mind was made up.When speaking about his journey, DeJong stated, “There have been many small steps and decisions along the way to lead us to the current moment that we are in, but I’ve never lost sight of the ultimate goal. You have to be flexible and recognize when you need to take a few steps outside of our original framework, but those are still steps that you are taking to move forward.”Read the full article <a href="https://thriveglobal.com/stories/chris-dejong-of-big-blue-swim-school-i-wish-i-had-been-given-more-advice-about-how-to-manage-highly-talented-people/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=thrive-global-president-of-big-blue-swim-school-chris-dejong-discusses-his-journey-of-launching-a-business-2716584" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>.

Thrive Global: President of Big Blue Swim School Chris DeJong Discusses His Journey of Launching a Business

1851 Franchise

DeJong founded the swim school after he missed qualifying for the Olympics.

thrive-global-president-of-big-blue-swim-school-chris-dejong-discusses-his-journey-of-launching-a-business

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

KidStrong Franchise - Franchisee Spotlight - Jessica and Bobby Montoya - 1851 Franchise

Former Orangetheory Regional Manager and Licensed Counselor, Grow KidStrong Franchise, Empowering Youth in Albuquerque, New Mexico

kidstrong-franchise-albuquerque-montoya

Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Company

Wild Bill's Franchise - Top 10 Reasons To Invest - 1851 Franchise

The Top 10 Reasons To Invest in Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co.

wild-bills-franchise-10-reasons-to-invest

KidStrong Franchising - Why Michael Reyes Walked Away from a High-Powered Sales Career - 1851

Why Michael Reyes Walked Away from a High-Powered Sales Career to Build KidStrong Centers

kidstrong-franchise-michael-reyes

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke's Breakfast Cafe Franchise - Target Market Raleigh/Durham - 1851 Franchise

Opportunity Is Served: Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Seeks to Expand Into Raleigh-Durham with Local Franchise Partners

kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchise-expansion-raleigh-durham

Mosquito Squad Plus

Buzz-Free Growth: How Mosquito Squad Helps Franchisees Scale Faster with a Royalty-Free First Year

buzz-free-growth-how-mosquito-squad-helps-franchisees-scale-faster-with-a-royalty-free-first-year

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 Development Website Builder

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

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

Thrive Global: President of Big Blue Swim School Chris DeJong Discusses His Journey of Launching a Business

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS