Nick Trowbridge

Swim school owner. Thoughtfully growing. ETA, acquired in 2023, building location #2. Swam at Cal, consulting, tech.
Sharing what worked and what didn't.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

Intro time! In June 2023 I bought 5 Cities Swim School, an indoor learn-to-swim school near San Luis Obispo, CA. We were teaching about 500 lessons a week.

In June 2026 we got up to 1,500.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

@goodhandscap 66! It’s usually under 60 by now. Almost feels tropical.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

Teaching kids to swim taught me a lot about leadership, especially consistency.

Kids relax when they know what's coming. Same cues, same routine, every lesson.

Teams are the same way. Weekly routines, structured meetings (EOS!), pre-reads, regular development sessions.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

@guessworkinvest Sounds like it IS your wheelhouse

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

@molzer They missed this in the Idiocrocy documentary

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

@ConnorAbene @baldassarreted no question

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

When you're doing an industry focused search, check:

- Is there a trade association?
- How many members?
- Is there a conference people actually show up to?

If yes, you're not buying alone.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

I would do a lot differently the second time around.

One thing I'd do again: buy in an industry with a trade association.

I'm at the US Swim School Association national conference this week. A few reasons it matters for anyone searching:

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

The hallway. (or more accurately the hotel bar…)

The best part isn't the sessions. It's hanging out with owners who've already solved the problems you're facing.

Pricing, staffing, a bad year, a second location. Someone here has been through it and will tell you what they'd do differently.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

Deal flow. (If you’re looking)

1,250+ member schools. Owners who've run schools for decades.

Some of them will sell one day. Better to know them before they list.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

The sessions.

Benchmarks for pricing, enrollment, staffing and capacity. Hiring and retention. AI for ops and sales. Marketing and community growth. Pool design and air quality. Adaptive swim. Building systems so the school runs without the owner.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

@Schornack Now when you’re purchasing software, you have to analyze their AI strategy and trajectory. Things are changing too fast not to.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

@lawyer4SMBs Even further, don’t work with anyone like this is any part of your value chain. It’ll come around at some point.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

@Schornack Have any prompt suggestions you’re willing to share?

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

@ConnorAbene We just added communication style, email structure, and communication channel selection to our training program. Very helpful!

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

@PrivatEquityGuy Would love to hear some insight!

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

@Codie_Sanchez Working on this. The 80% is really hard for some. Gotta be ok letting go.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

Mostly I'm here to learn and connect with other owners, searchers, operators, and aquatics pros. Always happy to trade notes.

Also looking to fill a few roles as we grow. DMs open.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

Intro time! In June 2023 I bought 5 Cities Swim School, an indoor learn-to-swim school near San Luis Obispo, CA. We were teaching about 500 lessons a week.

In June 2026 we got up to 1,500.

[Nick Trowbridge @trowbridge_n]

Now we're building our second location. Just closed on the property via SBA.

Over the next couple months I'll share the search, the first 3 years, the SBA loan and build, how we hire, and other fun stuff like trainings, AI or industry insights.

What do you want to hear about?