One of the most rapidly-growing swim schools in the US, Big Blue Swim School, recently announced that Catherine Monson is joining its Board of Directors in a newly created position. An industry veteran, Monson has served in executive roles for several major brands, growing her last company by 500 units during her time there.
Brand CEO Chris Kenny said the company is thrilled to have Monson join its team. Her experience with and knowledge of growing and positioning franchises is unrivaled, according to Kenny, and they are grateful to have her expertise on board as the swim school plans to enter an aggressive expansion phase by offering franchise opportunities and increasing its national footprint.
Monson said the swim brand is on the cusp of becoming the leading national player in its sector, and she looks forward to working with them. According to Monson, the swim school franchise business has notable early momentum in the franchise field, and its strong unit economics, innovative curriculum and proprietary technology all combine to position it for success over the long term.
Over the course of her career, Monson has received many accolades in the franchise industry, including the Bonny LeVine award from the International Franchise Association (IFA) in 2009 and the first-ever FAN of the Year Award from the Franchise Action Network in 2015. She's also served as a keynote speaker at several major events, including the IFA convention and the Canadian Franchisee Association Convention. Monson is currently a Board Member of the Brain Balance Achievement Centers and has served as a Board Member for other associations, including the Leading Experience.
Founded by competitive swimmer Chris DeJong in 2009, the Big Blue Swim School started out as one location in Illinois and is now on an aggressive growth plan that is targeting 150 locations by the year 2020. This brand has franchise opportunities available in many markets, and its total initial investment ranges from $1,787,500 to $3,646,000.
