Meet Marina Mentzel

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marina Mentzel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Marina , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Our growth and success are significantly shaped by the support and investment of those around us. In my journey as the founder of urSwim, I’ve prioritized surrounding myself with a network of people who uplift and believe in our vision. Entrepreneurship can often feel like a solitary path, but having a community that supports your steps toward achieving your goals is crucial for sustained success.

Additionally, it’s important to practice grace and compassion towards oneself, especially during challenging times. Entrepreneurship inevitably involves hurdles, and maintaining confidence in your ability to overcome these challenges is key to personal and business growth. Remember, showing yourself kindness is not just a survival skill; it’s an essential component of thriving as an entrepreneur.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Swim instruction and aquatics management is a fragmented and overwhelmed industry offering overcrowded classes, unskilled instructors, and untrained lifeguards.

Drowning is the #1 preventable cause of death among children under the age of 4, a stark statistic that becomes even more concerning with the fact that 1 in 10 American homes now features a residential pool. Alarmingly, 75% of these drowning incidents occur in backyard pools. As the construction of residential pools continues to rise, urSwim has positioned itself as a pivotal force for change in this critical area.

At its core, urSwim is more than a swim instruction company; it’s a movement towards safer, more accessible aquatic education for everyone. It is broken down into three simple yet powerful revenue streams:

1. Personalized Swim Lessons at Home: We bring expert swim instruction right to our client’s doorsteps, providing tailored lessons in the comfort and privacy of their own pools.
2. Year-Round Lessons through Partnerships: By collaborating with top-tier indoor swimming facilities, we ensure that people have access to high-quality swim education all year round, regardless of the weather.
3. Professional Lifeguard Staffing and Swim Programs: Beyond teaching, we also staff commercial pools with certified lifeguards and offer structured swim programs, enhancing safety and skill for swimmers of all ages.

This three-pronged approach has not only allowed us to reach thousands of satisfied customers but also to expand our operations rapidly, which we have done with the launch of our franchise. urSwim brings high-quality consumer and commercial services without the need for costly brick-and-mortar establishments, making it a low-cost investment with high returns.

Now, with established locations in New York and Connecticut, urSwim stands at the precipice of further expansion. Our goal is bold but simple: significantly reducing drowning statistics through education and accessibility.

Joining urSwim as a franchise partner means more than starting a business. It’s an opportunity to be part of a mission-driven company that prioritizes water safety and the joy of swimming.

Being a Latina female founder + franchisor has presented its challenges that extend beyond being the only female in the room. Access to capital, mentorship, and just overall confidence in referring to myself as a CEO are at the top of the list. Ultimately, I have chosen to recognize these challenges and hustle through them. I hope that as I grow my brand, I cannot only deliver more to my customers but also connect myself with other female entrepreneurs/franchisees to mentor and support their entrepreneurial journey.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Seek Constructive Feedback – Seek it proactively. Use the information to better inform your decisions as you scale up your product or service.

Start Before your Ready – If your product or service is perfect by the time you bring it to market, you have already missed the mark. Invest as little as possible to get a MVP to market and adjust as needed. I have been in business for over 10 years, and I am constantly revisiting our products and services based on feedback.

Invest in your Education and Growth – It can be very easy to be consumed by the day-to-day operations of the business. Carve out a minimum of 8-10 hours per week to read and grow in your industry.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
We’re seeking franchisees who share our vision of promoting pool and water safety and providing peace of mind to families. Our franchisees will play a vital role in spreading this message and making a positive impact in your local communities they serve.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
@urswim

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