Franchisee Profile: Jeff Monroe of Huntsville, Alabama

Name: Jeff Monroe                                                       

Opening Date: March 1, 2012                                    

Territory: Huntsville – Madison – Athens, AL.

Jeff Monroe grew up in Mississippi and moved to Florence, Alabama in 2003 when he was relocated by the insurance agency he worked. Jeff worked in the insurance industry for 25 years.  Prior to his career in insurance, Jeff owned his own construction and plumbing subcontractor business for 15 years.

How did you learn about the brand?

While working in the insurance industry, I noticed that a lot of my customers who were doing well during these hard economic times were working or owned a business in the service industry.  I wanted to look for a business opportunity in the service industry so I began looking at various franchise systems.  I found ASP on the internet and contacted them to find out more information.   

 What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

The franchise system already has a proven business model for success.  Over the years I have started several businesses from scratch and there is a constant trial and error period before a concrete business model is in place.  With ASP, I can focus on developing my business without worrying about the small details.

The other thing that impressed me about the ASP system was the success rate.  When I saw how well other franchisees were doing with their business model I was immediately attracted to the company.

What makes your business different?

The two things that separate my business from competitors are trust and loyalty, and we build our relationships differently.  First, is that we guarantee our work and the satisfaction of our work.  The second is that, through the ASP system, I am able to purchase products in volume and offer our customers a better price than the competitors.  Any time I can relay that value it helps to build trust.  Another way we build trust is by treating our clients the way we would want to be treated.  Their pools have to be as important to us as our pools would be. 

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

The most difficult challenge in the swimming pool industry is pool chemistry.  You have to understand what the chemicals are doing to the water and how they work.  ASP has an excellent training program geared towards making me as knowledgeable as possible, so that I can take better care of my customers.

Do you see any parallels between your previous work and now?

I find selling my ASP pool services to be a rewarding contrast to selling insurance.  Insurance is something people are required to have by law, but people who own a swimming pool have invested in their property to offer relaxation and fun for their family on their own terms.  As a fellow pool owner, I enjoy taking the work out of owning a pool so that families can simply enjoy themselves.

What are your expansion or development plans?

I have aggressive expansion and growth plans for the near future.  Within a year I would like to have a store front in Huntsville as well as expand my territory.  My intention is to cover all of Northern Alabama and possibly move into Mississippi.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

My greatest passion right now is spending time with my two granddaughters.  I love the water so I take them out on my boat or take them camping along the river.

My other hobby is turkey hunting.  I am an avid turkey hunter and go every year.  Once I was able to be a part of a turkey hunting group that raised $40,000 for The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  I hunt the birds for the sport, but I have a personal rule that I don’t shoot anything I don’t plan on eating.

About America’s Swimming Pool Company

America’s Swimming Pool Company, the Nation’s most respected swimming pool maintenance and pool repair franchise, was established in 2001 by Stewart Vernon of Macon, Georgia. The company was built on the belief that providing the highest-quality pool maintenance with competitive pricing and a high level of dependability will attract customers. Since 2005, ASP has expanded into 93 territories in the Southeast, servicing over 175 cities and nine states across the country. At this point, the company manages over 60 million gallons of water per week and renovates or remodels more than 250 pools each year. For information, please visit www.ASPpoolco.com

Franchisee Profile: Angie Bradsher of Montgomery, Alabama

Name: Angie Bradsher

Opening Date: February 27, 2012                                             

Location: Montgomery County, AL.(Tri-County area)

Angie Bradsher is from Montgomery, Alabama and has lived there her entire life. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Troy State University. Angie’s previous work experience was in pharmaceutical sales for GlaxoSmithKline and real estate development sales for Waters Real Estate Development. She is currently the co-owner of America’s Swimming Pool Co. servicing Montgomery County,Alabama.

How did you learn about the brand?

My husband and I have a family friend that lives in Macon, Georgia, who told us about the company. Our friend knew that we had always wanted to go into business for ourselves and had nothing but good things to say about America's Swimming Pool Co. and their success. We immediately began doing a market analysis to decide if there was a great enough need for ASP within our community. After completing our research, we concluded that ASP was a perfect fit for our lives and the Montgomery community.

 What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

The most helpful thing about being part of a franchise system is the years of prior experience and the support of other franchisees. Even though we are a new business in the community, we feel that ASP has set us up for great success within the pool service industry. 

What makes your business different?

What sets ASP apart from the competitors is that we pride ourselves on offering the greatest customer service and dependability within the pool industry. We make it a point to listen to our customer’s needs so that we can better serve them. The support of ASP combined with our commitment to customer service offers our customers the benefit of a locally owned and operated business with the support of a larger, national company.

In addition, we have invested in Brad Cole, a longtime friend and expert in the pool maintenance industry, to be our Operations Manager. We feel that Brad’s abilities will help to further our successes and allow us to bring an even greater service to the community.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

The greatest business challenge for us right now is managing our goals. We are currently ahead of schedule, as far as our goals are concerned, and we want to make sure that we create challenging yet obtainable goals for the continued growth of our business. ASP has given us the support we need to develop a solid business plan for the coming years. 

Do you see any parallels between your previous work and now?

The parallels are relationships. One of my strengths over my career has been the ability to relate to people and build relationships. We treat our customers as friends because we care about them.

What are your expansion or development plans?

Right now we are focused on growing our business, building relationships, and servicing our customer’s pools. Ultimately we would like to open an ASP retail store in Pike Road so that we can better serve the community at large.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I love fitness and exercise! I run and weight train regularly throughout the week for fun. However, my greatest passion is my family. I love them so much and spend as much time with them as possible.

About America’s Swimming Pool Company

America’s Swimming Pool Company, the Nation’s most respected swimming pool maintenance and pool repair franchise, was established in 2001 by Stewart Vernon of Macon, Georgia. The company was built on the belief that providing the highest-quality pool maintenance with competitive pricing and a high level of dependability will attract customers. Since 2005, ASP has expanded into 93 territories in the Southeast, servicing over 175 cities and nine states across the country. At this point, the company manages over 60 million gallons of water per week and renovates or remodels more than 250 pools each year. For information, please visit www.ASPpoolco.com

Franchisee Profile: Bryan Hoffman of Hilton Head, South Carolina

Name: Bryan Hoffman                                  

Opening Date: February 28, 2012

Brand: America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP)                                                                            

Location: Hilton Head – Beaufort – Bluffton, SC.

Bryan Hoffman grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, before attending college at Appalachian State.  Bryan graduated with a degree in hospitality and tourism.  While in school, Bryan began working for his brother’s pool maintenance company and soon discovered a passion for the industry.  He then moved to South Carolina where he began working for The Hilton Ocean Front Resort.  He is currently the General Manager for America’s Swimming Pool Co. in Hilton Head, which is owned by Jeff Flournoy, a multi-unit franchisee which owns the Augusta, Georgia location.

How did you learn about the brand?

I had been in the pool business for quite some time and I heard about the ASP brand and its growth. 

I heard that they were opening a location in my area and I jumped at the opportunity to find out more information.  After applying for the position I was offered an interview with Jeff and Stewart Vernon, CEO of ASP.  I was ultimately hired based on my extensive credentials and experience within the industry.

What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

The proven success of the company and a system backed by years of experience makes for an efficient management scenario through ASP.  I have seen and been a part of pool companies in the past and now working for a franchise there is no comparison.  ASP has an incredibly professional system.

What makes your business different?

The personable pool service is what separates ASP from its competitors.  We make it a point to listen to our customers and build a trusting relationship, because it’s very important to have someone you trust in your backyard.   At ASP we have a high standard of communication with our customers and we treat them all with the utmost respect, making sure they are always satisfied.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

The greatest challenge with starting a new business is gaining market share from the established presence of existing companies.  I am extremely confident that with the ASP system and my experience we can break through this barrier and flourish throughout the community. 

Do you see any parallels between your previous work and now?

The level of professionalism from my work in the hotel business is the biggest asset brought to the table.  As a manager, I hold a high standard of professionalism, which is perfect because I feel that my values line up perfectly with those of ASP.

What are your expansion or development plans?

We are currently working on building a presence in the community and expanding our customer base in the first year.

Do you have any hobbies or passions outside of business?

My greatest passions would be fishing, playing golf, and Appalachian State football!  I am a huge fan and I still actively follow them.

About America’s Swimming Pool Company

America’s Swimming Pool Company, the Nation’s most respected swimming pool maintenance and repair franchise, was established in 2001 by Stewart Vernon of Macon, Georgia. The company was built on the belief that providing the highest-quality pool maintenance with competitive pricing and a high level of dependability will attract customers. Since 2005, ASP has expanded into 93 territories in the Southeast, servicing over 175 cities and nine states across the country. At this point, the company manages over 60 million gallons of water per week and renovates or remodels more than 250 pools each year. For information, please visit www.ASPpoolco.com