What-Franchise-Issue-20.1

My perspective on measuring success has evolved significantly over time. In my competitive days, success was straightforward: it was all about wins, losses, or achieving the fastest times. However, as a mother of two young children and a business owner, my definition of success has shifted. Nowadays, success isn’t just about numerical benchmarks, like the number of swimmers in my pool. Instead, I measure it by the satisfaction of those around me - whether my team enjoys their work environment and whether my customers are happy with their swim lessons. For me, success is about fostering a strong sense of community and treating others as I would like to be treated. I’ve always had a strong drive and high expectations for myself, so the pressure to succeed is something I’ve carried throughout my life. When I was younger, owning my own business wasn’t even on my radar. However, looking back, I see that many traits that served me well as an Olympian - like determination and resilience - are also common among entrepreneurs. It’s not so much about feeling pressured to succeed; rather, it’s simply part of who I am. During my swimming career, there were many occasions when I didn’t achieve the goals I had set. I never viewed races as simply pass or fail; instead, I saw them as part of a broader journey with its ups and downs. I apply the same perspective to life and business. There will always be highs and lows in business ownership, and I try to embrace these fluctuations while keeping my focus on the long-term goals. By doing so, I avoid getting hyper focused on individual setbacks. I enjoy running the day-to day business operations and interacting with customers. However, the most challenging aspect has been managing staffing and determining when to hold on tightly to certain responsibilities versus when to delegate or let go. Right now, my primary focus is on creating a positive work environment for my staff while also helping to teach the life-saving skill of swimming. If I can achieve this consistently, I consider each day a success. This brings me a great amount of joy and pride in the work that I do. When we acquired the business in 2018, we took over six existing facilities within gyms across the greater Houston area, which were managed by our corporate office.We built our first brick-and-mortar location in 2020 and are now working on building a second. As we’ve scaled the business, I’ve found that one of the most crucial traits has been recognising that I don’t have all the answers. I prioritise collaboration with my management team to ensure continuous growth and mutual learning. Additionally, one of the key reasons we chose to purchase a franchise was the strong network of fellow franchisees. The unparalleled collaboration within Streamline Brands truly sets it apart and has been a significant factor in our success. We’re preparing to open our second brick-and-mortar location later this year or early next year. My focus is on ensuring that our current operations are solid and ready for success when the new location launches. On a personal note, I’m also excited to see my two young children grow up around the water, just as I did. Coffee or tea? Coffee Morning person or night owl? Neither and I also love a mid-day nap Music or silence? Music or podcast Texting or calling? Texting What’s your favourite business book? I don’t really read many business books QUICK-F IRE QUEST IONS The former US Olympian and current owner of six Houston-based SafeSplash Swim Schools (with Youth Enrichment Brands) talks success Cammile Adams 11 WHAT-FRANCHISE.COM Interview