Tiffiny Consoli is flourishing within the pool business. She was the first-ever Pool Scouts franchisee, and now operates a $3 million enterprise with 23 autos and 19 routes within the Raleigh, North Carolina, space.
Given her success, individuals are typically shocked to study: Initially, she knew nothing about swimming pools.
As an alternative, Consoli got here from a profession in retail administration. She liked customer support, however needed to run her personal enterprise. She began on the lookout for a franchise to purchase, and in 2016, she took the leap and joined Pool Scouts. As she’d uncover, lots of her previous abilities proved priceless in her new enterprise — usually in methods she did not essentially anticipate. Right here, she explains how she realized the ropes, and why she believes the house providers sector is a wonderful match for girls entrepreneurs.
You had been Pool Scouts’ first franchisee. What gave you the boldness to dive right into a subject that you simply had no expertise in?
I first checked out a Mosquito Joe franchise, which on the time was owned by [parent company] Buzz Franchise Manufacturers. The timing and what that they had obtainable in my space did not work for me, however once I went in to speak to them, I gained lots of confidence. They’d nice individuals working for them. A few yr later, they mentioned they had been beginning Pool Scouts and I known as them instantly. I used to be the primary one within the door.
Did your background in retail administration allow you to as a brand new franchisee?
As a retailer supervisor, I had a finances to stick to all year long, and was reporting to a director that held me accountable to these numbers — however I additionally had clients coming within the door each day that I needed to fulfill. I realized quite a bit by way of working with individuals, understanding the significance of relationship constructing, and managing financials.
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What had been among the hardest classes you realized within the early years of working your franchise?
First, you have to get clients. However you additionally need to have staff to assist these clients. Now you have to rent, however it’s a must to prepare these staff and preserve them yr after yr. And in case you are in a seasonal enterprise, it is laborious. At first, I did not understand these issues could be so difficult.
What recommendation do you’ve got for aspiring franchisees when evaluating alternatives?
I believe it is necessary for individuals to attach rather well with their franchisor and consider within the model itself. There must be synergy there. I believe some franchisees miss the truth that you are liable for the success of your enterprise. The franchisor will not be liable for that. They will provide you with the template to achieve success, however on the finish of the day, it falls on you to do all the pieces they’ve set out so that you can do.
If somebody was contemplating the pool service business, what would you inform them?
The business has lots of development potential. There are decrease startup prices with service companies, and it provides you the pliability to be the place you should be each day. So I believe that makes it extra accessible for girls and people which are balancing a profession and household.
What’s your largest piece of recommendation to potential franchisees?
Do not do it simply since you assume you are going to make some huge cash. It requires a lot willpower and tenacity that it higher be one thing you actually take pleasure in doing.
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