FranServe’s FranTastic InSights Highlights Hudson Valley Swim’s Innovative Franchise Opportunity
In a recent “FranTastic InSights” video segment hosted by David Craighead, Chief Franchise Expansion Officer for FranServe and Franchise Dictionary Magazine, the spotlight was on Jeff Gartner, President of Hudson Valley Swim Incorporated and HV Swim Franchise LLC. This interview provided valuable insights into the business model, unique distinctions, and franchise opportunities offered by Hudson Valley Swim, a full-service swim school founded in 2003 with a strong emphasis on proper swim techniques and water safety for infants, children, and adults of all ages.
FranServe, recognized as the world’s largest franchise consulting and expansion organization, aims to positively change people’s lives through franchise ownership by connecting them with suitable franchise brands across 39 different industry categories. Their network of franchise consultants, often referred to as brokers, plays a crucial role in matching clients with franchise opportunities that align with their individual search criteria.
Hudson Valley Swim’s Low-Cost, High-Potential Business Model
Jeff Gartner detailed the Hudson Valley Swim business model as a low-cost opportunity for franchisees. A key differentiator is their pool rental model, which leverages underutilized pool space in fitness facilities, tennis clubs, community centers, hotels, and schools, rather than requiring franchisees to build their own pools. This approach offers several advantages, including:
- Low startup fees for the business owner.
- Low operational costs, primarily focused on rentals and payroll.
- Faster time to market, significantly reduced compared to the approximately two-year timeframe associated with building a pool. Gartner estimates that a new franchise can be up and running in roughly three to four months, depending on the franchisee’s ambition in finding a pool, completing the training program, and hiring instructors.
- High profitability.
- Lower net worth and cash on hand requirements, making it accessible to a wider range of potential franchisees, including those interested in starting part-time.
Unique Branded Distinctions
Hudson Valley Swim stands out from many competitors due to its pool rental model, as most competitors require a pool build-out. However, Gartner also emphasized other unique features:
- “Best in breed” program: Developed using industry best practices from organizations like the American Red Cross, US Swim School Association, and USA Swimming, combined with their own extensive experience and the expertise of experienced instructors. The program also incorporates fun elements for swimmers.
- Small class sizes: Significantly smaller than programs that may have a dozen children with a single, less experienced instructor. Hudson Valley Swim utilizes very experienced instructors and maintains small class sizes, leading to outstanding results.
- Emphasis on customer service: Hudson Valley Swim stresses the importance of customer service, which is reflected in their positive online ratings.
Mission to Save Lives and Nationwide Growth Aspirations
Hudson Valley Swim’s mission statement is clear: “to save lives, plain and simple”. Gartner highlighted the alarming statistic of approximately 12,000 drownings annually in the United States, with about 4,000 being fatal and mostly involving children aged five and younger. They aim to achieve their mission by providing a premier swim lesson program that teaches both safety skills and swimming techniques to communities nationwide. Furthermore, they cater to a growing segment of individuals swimming for exercise and health.
Hudson Valley Swim has ambitious growth plans, actively seeking nationwide expansion and also considering opportunities in Canada, which aligns well with FranServe’s presence in that country. While still an emerging brand, their territory design is currently flexible, adapting to the specific characteristics of an area (city, rural, population density). Generally, territories range from a three to eight-mile radius, with denser populations likely having smaller radii.
Ideal Franchisee Candidate Profile
Interestingly, aquatic experience is not a requirement for potential Hudson Valley Swim franchisees. Instead, Gartner outlined several key characteristics of an ideal candidate:
- Community-centric: Someone who wants to offer a valuable service to their community and take pride in their contribution, including potential involvement in local charities and sponsorships.
- Flexible commitment: Suitable for individuals looking to start part-time and potentially transition to full-time. The business offers front office (managing calls, emails) and back office (registration, insurance, bookkeeping, marketing) roles, allowing for flexible initial involvement.
- Jack-of-all-trades: Someone who enjoys running a business and is willing to handle various tasks, particularly on the back office side, especially in the initial stages.
- Organized and detail-oriented: Essential for managing the various aspects of a small business, as detailed in their training materials.
- Potential for executive ownership: The model allows owners to take on more of an executive role, managing the overall business.
- Scalability mindset: The business is designed to allow owners to expand and operate in multiple cities, as demonstrated by Hudson Valley Swim’s own growth.
Path to Full-Time Entrepreneurship
Gartner is a strong advocate for transitioning out of corporate jobs and sees Hudson Valley Swim as a perfect opportunity to do so. The business can be started part-time, leveraging peak demand hours during weekday evenings and weekend mornings. Even a conservative model with a single instructor during these peak times could potentially generate significant gross sales (around $240k based on 200 swimmers per session, six sessions per year, and a $200 average fee) and a substantial profit (potentially around $140k with limited expenses beyond payroll and rent). Adding a second instructor could effectively double sales with a less than proportional increase in expenses.
Instructor Training and Qualifications
While there is no mandatory certification for swim instructors, experience is highly valued, particularly experience in teaching swimming effectively. Hudson Valley Swim looks for teachers with nurturing personalities who can make learning fun for children. While not required, many experienced instructors hold certifications such as Water Safety Instructor (WSI). The head instructor or aquatics director receives training from Hudson Valley Swim and is responsible for ongoing training and ensuring consistency in teaching levels, skills, and terminology across all instructors, regardless of their prior experience. Hudson Valley Swim emphasizes a patient approach, avoiding methods like dunking or throwing children into the water, and caters to individuals with varying levels of comfort, including those with long-standing fears.
In conclusion, the interview with Jeff Gartner highlighted Hudson Valley Swim as a compelling franchise opportunity with a unique, low-cost business model, a strong mission focused on safety, and significant growth potential. Their emphasis on quality instruction, customer service, and a flexible ownership structure makes it an attractive option for individuals seeking to make a positive impact in their communities while achieving entrepreneurial success. Interested candidates are encouraged to reach out to FranServe for more information.
–
David Craghead, Chief Franchise Expansion Officer with FranServe, Inc., hosts FranTastic InSights with guest Jeff Gartner, President & Ceo of Hudson Valley Swim.
Hudson Valley Swim has been teaching infants, children, and adults of all ages to swim since founded in 2003. Hudson Valley Swim gives people of all ages the chance to learn how to swim in a safe and fun environment. With the help of world-class professionals Hudson Valley Swim has programs for all skill levels with a top priority to save lives!.
David began his career in franchising as the manager of two 7-Eleven stores during his senior year at Virginia Tech (V.P.I.). 17 years and over 100 stores later, David accepted a position as National Director of Sales Training for the retail division of Electric Mobility Corp., a medical mobility products manufacturer headquartered in Sewell, NJ. For the next 11 years, he interfaced with both medical and non-medical professionals until the company closed in 2012. The combined skills and experience from these two industries provided a solid platform for his career as Chief Franchise Expansion Officer for FranServe.
