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Make a splash with a Poolwerx business

Sarah Stowe

If you’d like to create a business career for yourself in a fun Aussie industry that you can grow into, Poolwerx may be just what you are looking for.

As Australia’s franchise system of the year 2016-17, Poolwerx allows you to start small or jump right in. You can join as a “man and van”, progress to multi-vans, a retail store and vans, and then into multi-stores or purchase one of our fast start, re-sale mobile and re-sale retail opportunities. And the good news is that you don’t need any previous experience in the pool business to be successful.

“Whatever your journey, we will help you realise your vision,” says Poolwerx CEO and founder, John O’Brien.

“Our one focus is to create a profitable partnership. We do that by matching our 25 years of experience, outstanding support, marketing and business development systems to your energy and enthusiasm.”

O’Brien, who first learnt all about franchising while working at Schweppes, started Poolwerx in 1992 with just six vans after coming up with the idea while travelling in the US, looking for franchise concepts that could disrupt industries.

Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength to become one of the most recognised and successful brands in the Australian franchising and the pool industry. It now provides poolside services to an estimated 300,000 domestic pools, has a nationwide chain of retail stores and is Australia’s largest franchised pool retail group. It’s also in New Zealand and is expanding into the US.

O’Brien believes the Australian pool cleaning industry has plenty of potential and growth opportunities. There are over 1.5 million pools already in the ground and over 15,000 new pools built each year. The business also benefits from ongoing repeat business, a $1.5 billion annual after market and the huge potential to convert D-I-Y’ers as customers.

Poolwerx’ services appeal not only to home owners and property investors with tenants, but also to strata bodies, hotels, hospitals, aged care facilities… basically any person or business with a pool.

The business is designed and managed to ensure you can successfully benefit from this market as you grow into it.

Its in-house marketing team has worked hard to establish a brand that is at the top of its game and which sets the standards for the industry.

Poolwerx approaches marketing at three levels: state, regional and local. Each of these work in unison to ensure the right message is consistently delivered. It also provides a range of retail merchandising tools to suit all store sizes, layouts and seasonality. As most small business owners know, it would be impossible to achieve this kind of layering and cut through at an independent level.

Another benefit of joining Poolwerx as a franchisee is that it offers the negotiating and buying power of a national group with one specific difference – its suppliers are also partners in the business and provide the ongoing training, support and tools needed to make sales.

Poolwerx has developed structured training programs to get you started, including completing your Cert 111 in swimming pool and spa, to support you right through your journey. In fact, the training also provides a 12-month forming good habits program when you start in your business following your graduation.

Franchise partners can also rely on the support of regional business development managers, more than 40 head office staff and frequent interaction with fellow franchise partners. Plus, they can work with other franchise partners in their region to “share costs and ideas” from a regional marketing fund to highlight the brand and drive direct sales.

Best of all, they will have the satisfaction knowing that they are helping to keep Australians alive by educating them on safe swimming and supporting the Kids Alive program.

If you’re ready to create a splash and make a difference, find out about how Poolwerx can help you realise your vision.