urSwim

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennadowd/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=urswim-coo-franchise-owner-story-2731591" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brenna Dowd</a> joined&nbsp;<a href="https://swimmingschoolfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=urswim-coo-franchise-owner-story-2731591" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">urSwim</a>, the mobile swim instruction and pool management franchise, in its early days and grew into the role of chief operating officer as the company prepared to franchise. After helping build the operational foundation for the system, she decided to invest personally by opening her own territory in Suffolk East, New York, with her husband.Today, Dowd operates as both a brand executive and a franchise owner. That experience directly influences how&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/urswim/info">urSwim</a> designs its training, support and growth strategy. It also serves as validation for prospective franchisees that leadership understands ownership because it has lived it.<h2>Why Brenna Chose to Invest in urSwim</h2>Dowd’s connection to urSwim stems from a lifelong background in aquatics. She grew up as a competitive swimmer and began teaching lessons as a teenager, experiences that shaped how she views swim instruction as both a business and a community service.“I grew up a competitive swimmer, and I started teaching swim lessons when I was probably 13 or 14 as a volunteer with my local club,” Dowd said. “I just knew how important water safety is as a community give-back.”When urSwim founder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinamentzel/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=urswim-coo-franchise-owner-story-2731591" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Marina Mentzel</a> shared plans to franchise the concept, Dowd already felt confident she wanted to be part of that next phase. Years of hearing stories from swimmers and pool partners reinforced the value of what the brand provides, not just financially, but socially.“Once she told me that she was franchising, I knew that I wanted to be part of it,” Dowd said. “What really kept me with urSwim was hearing the stories from our swimmers, from our pool partners, about what a valuable business we’re building and what we’re offering to the community.”<h2>What Ownership Taught Her About Operations and Support</h2>Dowd and her husband identified a clear gap in their local market. Despite living in a waterfront area, there were no swim schools within a five-mile radius, which made the decision to move forward feel both logical and urgent. “We jumped at the opportunity,” Dowd said.&nbsp;Opening their territory shortly after getting married forced Dowd to shift from a corporate mindset to an owner mindset. While she brought years of aquatics and operational experience into the process, her husband did not have a swimming background, which highlighted just how important education and onboarding are for new franchisees.“Taking my corporate hat off and putting my franchisee hat on was eye-opening,” she said. “I saw we needed to teach the importance of that first before we can get into the business. If you’re not in the industry, I don’t think you realize that one in three adults don’t know how to swim.”That realization reinforced the need for simple, structured training and clear communication around why swim instruction matters.<h2>How Being a Franchisee Shapes Her Role as COO</h2>Owning a territory has changed how Dowd evaluates corporate decisions and support systems. Instead of viewing initiatives only from a brand-level perspective, she now filters them through the lens of day-to-day franchise operations.“I do think that the struggles that I see myself, I can bring right back to Marina and say, ‘Hey, here’s some things we’ve never really considered,’” Dowd said.That real-time feedback helps urSwim adjust marketing, training and operational procedures before challenges scale across the system. Dowd sees value in having leaders who can move between corporate strategy and unit-level reality.“It’s interesting having someone that has boots on the ground as a franchisee and then also boots on the ground in how the franchise grows,” she said. “It’s a benefit to all.”From her perspective, strong franchisees do not need to come from a swimming background. “A successful franchisee is just someone who really knows how to manage people and how to naturally build a community,” Dowd said. “It’s really such a community-building business.”Dowd believes urSwim’s leadership structure sends a clear message that the brand is being built alongside franchisees, not above them. Growing a swim school business is very achievable, she explained, particularly for operators who are disciplined with time management and genuinely committed to giving back to their community.<h2>Witnessing the Impact Firsthand</h2>One of the most meaningful parts of ownership has been seeing how a swim school can naturally become a gathering point for families.“We had this one baby and mom who’s been with us literally since the first day we opened,” Dowd said. “Now her time slot has five other babies in it. They exchange contact information at the end and they’re going to go do a playdate.”That sense of connection is what confirms she made the right decision. She believes that neighbors supporting neighbors, especially around a topic like this, is so important.“Would I [buy a urSwim franchise] again? Yeah, without a doubt,” Dowd said. “If you love building communities and want a feel-good business where you’re providing something your community truly needs, don’t hesitate. Just do it.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://swimmingschoolfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=urswim-coo-franchise-owner-story-2731591" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://swimmingschoolfranchise.com/.</a>&nbsp;

Why urSwim COO Brenna Dowd Decided to Become a Franchise Owner

Why urSwim’s Chief Operating Officer Became a Franchise Owner 

1851 Franchise

After helping build the urSwim franchise system, Dowd invested in her own territory, reinforcing the brand’s franchise-first approach to growth.

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Scaling Beyond the Splintered Status Quo: How urSwim Is Consolidating the $9 Billion Swim Education Industry with an Asset-Light Model

urSwim Reimagines Water Safety With Flexible Home-Based Lessons and Professional Aquatic Management

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Swim education has historically been a splintered space, one often caught between higher overhead brick-and-mortar facilities and informal, fragmented local providers. But&nbsp;<a href="https://swimmingschoolfranchise.com/">urSwim</a>, an emerging leader in the&nbsp;<a href="https://dataintelo.com/report/swim-school-market">$9 billion swim education sector</a>, is disrupting that landscape by offering an asset-light franchise model prioritizing both business-to-consumer and business-to-business revenue streams. With a focus on modern, technology-led operations, the brand is attracting a wave of motivated operators looking to make a lifesaving impact on their communities while building a scalable enterprise.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Now, it’s about reach. We’re moving into a high-growth phase with a target of opening three to six new franchise locations in 2026 alone,” said <a href="https://1851franchise.com/urswim">urSwim</a> founder and CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinamentzel/">Marina Mentzel</a>. “My thesis has been confirmed: there is a seven-figure opportunity in front of motivated operators who can leverage our levers — the B2B and B2C streams — to meet the massive white space in their communities. With pool construction on the rise and a distinct lack of professional providers, we are gaining a lot of traction because this is a service that is hard to replicate.”&nbsp;<h2>A Disruptive Concept in an Essential Industry</h2>Founded on Long Island in 2011, urSwim began with a mission to provide professional, on-site swim instruction and pool management. The flagship corporate location was a success. In an effort to target new markets, the brand began franchising in 2022 and today has completed more than 100,000 lessons. While traditional swim schools can require millions of dollars in real estate development, the urSwim model was created to be both mobile and versatile.The brand differentiates itself through a unique dual-vertical approach. Franchisees don’t just offer private and group lessons to families, they also provide lifeguard staffing and pool management services to commercial accounts, fitness centers and community clubs. This B2B component provides a layer of stability and reach that few competitors can match."It makes us very unique. We’re the only brand in our category that has those capabilities and leads in that dual direction,” Mentzel said. “So, our goal isn’t just to provide swim instruction. It’s to provide swim instruction and water safety. Making sure operators are invested in delivering that within their communities is really important. And we do find that disruptive."<h2>Asset-Light Infrastructure and Technical Precision</h2>A key to the urSwim opportunity lies in the brand’s commitment to a low-investment model that’s light on required assets. It’s an intentional design. It’s one that allows entrepreneurs to enter the space without the burden of heavy debt that’s often associated with the construction of larger facilities. urSwim does use branded service vehicles to deliver on-site instruction with convenience. But the business is actually anchored by an administrative office that can be managed from a home setting. It’s the type of mobile-first approach that helps lower the barrier to entry. It also ensures the brand remains visible at the local level.&nbsp;The brand has also invested heavily in technology, which helps streamline processes, boost operational efficiency and enhance ease of booking for both customers and franchise owners alike. The urSwim system utilizes advanced business management tools like Mindbody to handle scheduling, payments and customer relationship management. And, moving away from the industry standard of bright murals and cartoony fish decor, urSwim delivers a clean, modern look in a sophisticated environment built around water safety."From the outset, the goal was always to build an asset-light franchise model," Mentzel said. "I was comfortable making the errors and missteps along the way so I could build something that would minimize those for future franchisees. By streamlining the operations and technology, we free our partners up to focus on building deep community connections while delivering lifesaving skills that make a real impact."<h2>Comprehensive Support and Market Flexibility</h2>Franchisees enter the urSwim system with a structured support network. One advantage lies in the way the system was designed specifically for scalability. The initial training program is held in Long Island, New York (covering 40 hours of classroom and on-the-job instruction). From staff recruiting and program execution to financial management and royalty reporting, the curriculum dives deep into daily operations.Beyond the initial training program, the brand provides a framework that’s flexible and allows franchisees to adapt to their specific territory. Operators can deliver services in two ways:<ul><li>Third-Party Sites: Offering mobile instruction at residential homes, schools and local municipalities.</li><li>Base Locations: Establishing semi-permanent operations at commercial swim facilities or local community centers.</li></ul>"I was very intentional about building levers into the brand that franchisees can pull to succeed based on what their community needs," Mentzel said. "Not every community needs a big-box, brick-and-mortar swim school. The question is how we deliver the same level of success through alternative ways of providing the service."<h2>The Demand for Lifesaving Skills</h2>The demand for aquatic services is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aquamagazine.com/retail/article/15769314/dealers-reflect-on-a-strong-2025-and-look-ahead-to-2026">on the rise</a>, driven by a consistent&nbsp;<a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/swimming-pool-market-grow-usd-035600516.html">increase in pool construction</a> across the U.S. Because swimming is a vital lifesaving skill, it remains a recession-resilient service that parents and communities shouldn’t compromise on.Mentzel points out that while the $9 billion industry is vast, it’s currently suffering from a lack of qualified professional providers capable of scaling. “Amazon isn’t going to be able to produce swim instructors, no matter how hard it tries,” she said. “This is a recession-resilient service that is truly needed.”With this in mind, urSwim is moving into an aggressive expansion phase. Building on the success of its six existing locations in New York and Connecticut, the brand is now targeting between three and six new franchise openings for 2026 alone. To meet this rising demand, urSwim is specifically focusing its current growth efforts on high-priority markets in Florida, Maryland and Virginia.<h2>The Ideal Candidate and Investment Path</h2>urSwim is looking for motivated community advocates who are comfortable in sales-driven roles and building local connections. The ideal franchise ownership candidate should understand the needs of their specific territory and should also be able to leverage urSwim’s flexible model to build both household and corporate relationships."Growing this business requires building lasting relationships with both B2C and B2B customers,” Mentzel said. “So, we love someone with a sales background. Someone willing to go out and build connections. As a franchisor, we support the systems, launch and initial marketing. But it’s the operator who takes those systems and maximizes them."The investment for a single-territory urSwim business ranges from $76,260 to $106,850. Multi-territory paths with an estimated initial investment between $101,760 and $362,350 are also available for those looking to scale quickly. The initial franchise fee is $44,500 (with the brand offering a 50% discount for qualified existing swim instructors)."I can’t stress enough that this is not a fad brand," Mentzel said. "Swimming isn’t a fad. This is critical work that needs to be done. So, if a franchisee wants to build a business that’s financially successful and also has real community impact, they should seriously consider this category. "To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit <a href="https://1851franchise.com/urswim">https://1851franchise.com/urswim</a>.

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The traditional swim school model often presents a series of hurdles for busy families. The commute to a big-box facility, inflexible schedules and the nature of crowded group lessons all play a role. But&nbsp;<a href="https://swimmingschoolfranchise.com/">urSwim</a> founder and CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinamentzel/">Marina Mentzel</a>, who has personally overseen a system responsible for more than 100,000 lessons, launched the brand to solve these problems by prioritizing accessibility and the particular needs of each local community. What began as a personal mission for safe, home-based swim lessons has evolved into a multi-vertical system bridging private instruction and professional aquatics management through instructors using a proprietary curriculum built on American Red Cross safety standards."For me, it always started with a single question: ‘How do I give my child the opportunity to learn this skill in their very own backyard?’ That became, ‘How do I solve that problem and how do I do it at scale?’" Mentzel said. "I began by providing swim lessons and swim education in our clients’ homes and found a ton of success."Mentzel’s vision for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/urswim/info">urSwim</a> was driven by an innovation-first mindset, aiming to lead the category by being at the forefront of where swim education and water safety could go while remaining grounded in a core purpose: water safety.Today, urSwim operates as a mobile franchise system providing on-site swim instruction programs, water safety education, lifeguard staffing and pool management services. The model allows franchisees to manage operations from a home office while service vehicles bring the poolside experience directly to customer homes, schools and local clubs.<h2>Redefining Flexibility for Modern Families</h2>Simply signing up is frequently one of the hardest parts of embracing swim school. Traditional programs often demand families commit to a single time for months on end. And that can build a barrier that thwarts learning. urSwim, however, removes that hurdle by delivering a subscription-based model that’s adaptable to the challenges of a busy schedule."Swimming is a disciplined sport. So, we wanted to introduce flexibility," Mentzel said. "Unlike our competitors, we allow customers to drop into different times and days each month within their subscription. And, as a mother of two, I know how essential that is. It’s a level of service most schools just don't offer. And our clients truly appreciate it.”Today, the brand offers both monthly subscriptions and session-based choices. And, whether they’re just getting comfortable in the water or are advanced swimmers, a customized urSwim plan meets each student when and where it works.<h2>A Family-First Approach to Water Safety</h2>Most home swim services focus on children younger than 10, but urSwim targets a much wider demographic, including groups that often get overlooked. While drowning remains a serious threat,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/data-research/index.html">especially for children younger than 5</a>, Mentzel insists that true safety requires a much broader approach."There is a massive underserved adult population out there. In fact,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/drowning/index.html">many adults</a> in the U.S. can’t swim competently," Mentzel said. "We built our pricing to address that. While most schools charge per individual, we price by household. This encourages parents and siblings to get into the pool together, which has been a major driver of our success."By shifting the focus to the full family, urSwim fosters a comprehensive culture of safety. And it’s an approach that builds more than just good swimmers. It helps build long-term relationships that increase retention. And since the curriculum is designed to grow and evolve with each student, safety stands a better chance of becoming a lifelong habit.<h2>Specialized Professional Support for Commercial and Private Events</h2>urSwim differentiates itself further by maintaining a strong B2B vertical, serving commercial clients who lack the infrastructure to manage complex aquatics programs internally. The brand provides turnkey lifeguard staffing and pool management at multiple levels."I grew the brand and hired instructors to work under me. But I realized there were a lot of unanswered questions in the swim education space. One of the biggest gaps was providing lifeguards and swim instructors to commercial clients," Mentzel said. "Some of our customers include HOAs, summer camps, beach clubs and country clubs. They were all desperate for highly qualified lifeguards and swim instructors for their aquatics programs. But they never quite figured out how to deliver that well. That’s where we stepped in."The commercial pool management services go beyond merely staffing.&nbsp;urSwim handles the logistics of pool openings and closings, chemical maintenance, and regular cleanings in coordination with licensed pool service professionals to ensure all work is completed safely, properly, and in compliance with industry standards.&nbsp;The brand also ensures that on-call staff have Certified Pool Operator credentials. For private consumers, the "Rent-a-Lifeguard" service provides peace of mind during residential events like birthday parties, weddings or corporate gatherings.As an authorized provider of the American Red Cross and other national recognized organizations, urSwim also conducts certification courses for lifeguarding, CPR/AED and general first aid, making it a central hub for safety training in the markets it serves.<h2>Scaling a Mission to Reach 1 Million Swimmers</h2>The scalability of the urSwim model is inherent in its non-brick-and-mortar structure. By utilizing base locations (semi-permanent partnerships with local gyms, fitness studios and community centers), franchisees can provide year-round instruction without the massive capital expenditure building a dedicated facility requires. This allows the brand to deliver on its ambitious mission across diverse geographies."Our mission is to teach 1 million people how to swim. That’s what drives us every day," Mentzel said. "We want to be the leader in our category by delivering exceptional swim lessons and exceptional water safety. We’re hyper-focused on ensuring our personnel can achieve that and deliver above and beyond what customers expect."This focus on people is a hallmark of the brand. Mentzel believes the quality of the franchisor team will continue to have a profound impact as urSwim continues to grow and scale via franchising. "It’s our personnel and our curriculum. It’s all about people," she said. "We believe that’s what drives retention month over month and year over year. And it will continue to do so."The total investment necessary to begin operation of a home-based urSwim business ranges from $76,260 to $106,850. This includes a $44,500 initial franchise fee. For those seeking to develop multiple territories, the total investment ranges from $101,760 to $362,350. urSwim also offers a discount for qualified individuals who are existing swim instructors with a proven track record of annual sales.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/urswim/info.">https://1851franchise.com/urswim/info.</a>&nbsp;

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Why urSwim COO Brenna Dowd Decided to Become a Franchise Owner

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