Two Stittsville students are wrapping up a second succesful season for their swimming lesson business.
Caitlin (above left) and Kylie Negus taught about 150 students this summer at Stittsville Swim, a business they run in the backyard of their parents’ home in Granite Ridge. Caitlin, 19 and Kylie, 17, started the business in 2013 after hearing about a similar program in Oshawa.
“We started because we live in the perfect area for it and figured we would have a lot of business,” said Caitlin.
“I also did not really enjoy getting up for work and having to go inside on a beautiful summer’s day and figured it would make my summer much more enjoyable to be outside and make my own hours,” she said.
Both students are former lifeguards at the Goulbourn Recreation Complex pool. Although they figure the closing of the pool (and cancellation of lessons) did send some business their way this summer, Caitlin says there are bigger factors to their success.
“People come to us for a private, outdoor setting and many people explained to us that they do not like bringing their children to indoor pools in the summertime,” she said.
The sisters organized a marketing campaign this year that included signs around the community, and a full web site and Facebook page.
The lessons are in a heated salt water pool, both instructors are fully-certified lifeguards, and the business is insured. They offer private and group lessons.
It’s a formula that seems to be working well, with most of the sessions running at full or almost-full capacity.
“We wanted one-on-one outdoor swimming instruction for our child in Stittsville,” said parent and customer Daniela Pluviati.
“Dealing with a small business owner allows for more dialogue and attentiveness in areas of swimming where the child is lacking in ability,” she said.
Caitlin says that Stittsville Swim will continue next summer, with registrations beginning on the web site in March 2015.
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Last day of the season at Stittsville Swim. Photo by Glen Gower
