1851

Ray Marinaccio worked as a New York City prosecutor for 18 years before deciding to take a break to raise his three children. When his went to highschool, he decided to go back to work at a law firm that deals with sexual misconduct investgations and sex crimes. A few years later, Marinaccio’s oldest son went to play baseball at Ithaca College, and later, his two younger children chose to go to Clemson in South Carolina. After living in New York for 55 years, Marinaccio and his wife decided it was the perfect opportunity to move into year-round sunshine. Then, he discovered <a href="https://poolscoutsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-a-career-prosecutor-decided-to-open-a-pool-maintenance-franchise-2713350" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pool Scouts*</a>.1851 Franchise: How did you learn about Pool Scouts?Ray Marinaccio: I wasn’t old enough to retire but wasn’t ready to go back into practicing law. I wanted to run a business but had no business experience so I thought franchising would be the way to go. I started working with a franchise broker and one day I was on the phone with him while cleaning leaves out of my pool and I jokingly told him that I loved to clean pools. A few weeks later he asked me if I was serious about the pool comment and offered the idea of Pool Scouts.&nbsp;What I like about Pool Scouts is when I talked to them I could tell I wasn’t just a number to them. I could tell that they cared about my success. They have been helpful every step of the way.&nbsp;1851: Were you nervous about opening a business you had little experience in?&nbsp;Marinaccio: I have no pool cleaning experience, no business owning experience, and I’m not the best with marketing. I found Pool Scouts helped me with everything. Corporate is also always offering me marketing materials and has helped in areas I struggle with, like creating a business plan.&nbsp;1851: What has made your location successful?Marinaccio: I have a great team. One guy, Frank Duda, who is my director of operations really treats the company like it’s his own. I take him with me to the Mexico convention each year and other franchise owners are always surprised to learn he isn’t a co-owner, that’s how invested he is in Pool Scouts. I couldn’t have done this without him.&nbsp;Certain things I don’t do well so I know when to ask for help from corporate. One thing I do really well, and comes naturally to me, is convincing customers that we are honest and going to provide a great product. As a prosecutor my job was to do the right thing, it was all about justice. I never wanted to come across as slimy or forceful, I just want to do the right thing for the client. I don’t push them into a service, I help find the right service for them. When people call us they are calling because they are unhappy with their current service, or doing it themselves, I just have to explain to them what we do differently and why we are the best.&nbsp;I also would say going to the Mexico convention and talking to other Pool Scouts owners is really helpful. It's good to hear about their problems and that they are facing similar struggles as me. I can also get advice from other people on how I should handle problems when they arise. Sometimes as a business owner you can dwell on the negatives so I think hearing that everyone goes through similar things makes me feel better.&nbsp;1851: Where do you see the company growing in the future?Marinaccio: This year, in the next couple of months, we are going to really take off and be profitable. We have two territories, Charleston and Hilton Head, three trucks and four employees with plans for our fourth truck soon. I really feel this is the year we go from a beginning franchise to a real profitable business.&nbsp;1851: If you could go back and tell yourself one piece of advice about starting a franchise, what would you say?Marinaccio: I would tell myself to probably focus on the running of the business, the analytics and numbers. I started out really focused on learning to clean pools and customer satisfaction and didn’t focus on the numbers. Only last year with the help of franchise guides I really learned how important it is to pay attention to the numbers and stick to a business plan.

Why a Career Prosecutor Decided to Open a Pool-Maintenance Franchise

1851 Franchise

Ray Marinaccio worked as a prosecutor in New York City for 18 years. Now, he owns a Pool Scouts franchise in South Carolina.

why-a-career-prosecutor-decided-to-open-a-pool-maintenance-franchise

Edible

Edible Franchise - State of Gifting - December 2024 - 1851 Franchise

How Edible® Continues to Define Itself as an Industry-Leading Franchise Opportunity

how-edible-continues-to-define-itself-as-an-industry-leading-franchise-opportunity

Right at Home

Right at Home - Katung Aduwak - Franchisee Spotlight - 1851 Franchise

Katung Aduwak’s Journey of Purpose with Right at Home in Southern Seattle 

katung-aduwaks-journey-of-purpose-with-right-at-home-in-southern-seattle

Mathnasium

How Two Mathnasium Franchisees Turned Passion for Education Into a Thriving Business in Park City, Utah

how-two-mathnasium-franchisees-turned-passion-for-education-into-a-thriving-business-in-park-city-utah

Griswold

Griswold Closes Out 2024 with 21 New Franchises Awarded Across the U.S.

griswold-closes-out-2024-with-21-new-franchises-awarded-across-the-us

Harri

Quincy Valencia, Harri’s SVP of Innovation, on Empowering Frontline Workers Through Technology and Engagement

quincy-valencia-harris-svp-of-innovation-on-empowering-frontline-workers-through-technology-and-engagement

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

Login

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

I Heart Mac and Cheese - Franchisees Sue I Heart Mac and Cheese - Franchise News - 1851 Franchise

Restaurant Business Online: Franchisees Sue I Heart Mac and Cheese

restaurant-business-online-franchisees-sue-i-heart-mac-and-cheese

Consumer Sentiment Hits 8-Month High: What It Means for Franchises

consumer-sentiment-hits-8-month-high-what-it-means-for-franchises

Jersey Mike’s Hits 3,000 Locations Amid Unprecedented Growth

jersey-mikes-hits-3000-locations-amid-unprecedented-growth

Fast Company: KFC Introduces Spin Off Restaurant, Saucy

fast-company-kfc-introduces-spin-off-restaurant-saucy

Subway Seals the Deal: PepsiCo Beverages Coming to U.S. Locations in 2025

subway-seals-the-deal-pepsico-beverages-coming-to-us-locations-in-2025

From Footwear to Senior Care: How a Pandemic Pivot Brought this Franchisee to Senior Care Authority 

from-footwear-to-senior-care-how-a-pandemic-pivot-brought-this-franchisee-to-senior-care-authority

How Diego Ruiz and Mauricio Blanco Are Growing Pollo Campero

From Family Business to Franchise Success: How Diego Ruiz and Mauricio Blanco Are Growing Pollo Campero

from-family-business-to-franchise-success-how-diego-ruiz-and-mauricio-blanco-are-growing-pollo-campero

Former Ford Engineers Transition from Tech to Tees with Big Frog Franchise

former-ford-engineers-transition-from-tech-to-tees-with-big-frog-franchise

Award-Winning Allstate Agency Owners to Bring Compassionate Care to Cupertino, California, with New Griswold Franchise

award-winning-allstate-agency-owners-to-bring-compassionate-care-to-cupertino-california-with-new-griswold-franchise

The Top 10 Dessert Franchises Santa Would Love

the-top-10-dessert-franchises-santa-would-love

The Top 25 Franchise Brands Santa Would Love for 2025

top-25-franchise-brands-santa-would-pick-for-the-nice-list

100% Chiropractic's Mission to Transform Health Care Through Education and Wellness

100-chiropractics-mission-to-transform-health-care-through-education-and-wellness

Why a Career Prosecutor Decided to Open a Pool-Maintenance Franchise

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS