Aquapreneurship: Characteristics and business management practices of current and potential swim school owners

The purpose of this study was to investigate the entrepreneur characteristics, professional development, and business management training and practices of current and potential private swim school aquapreneurs. Entrepreneurial characteristics of female and male current and potential private swim school aquapreneurs were compared to entrepreneurs in general. The final purpose of the study was to identify recommendations for potential private swim school aquapreneurs, as presented by current private swim school aquapreneurs.;The entrepreneurial characteristics surveyed by questionnaire included parent employment, birth order, first born, risk and chance, competition, reasons for self employment, personal characteristics, motivation, working relations, goal orientation, youth activities, and preference for exercise. The professional development status of the current and potential aquapreneurs was investigated by asking about aquatic training and certification (child development, levels of swimming instructor, adapted aquatics, coaching, water exercise, synchronized swimming, aquatic management, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and certified pool operation); education; occupation; and membership in professional organizations. Business management training and practices investigated were the use of a business plan, marketing techniques, and managerial skills.;The study included 225 subjects. The 45 private swim school aquapreneurs were members of the National Swim School Association and/or MacTay Swim Schools. Potential private swim school aquapreneurs attended the 1991 Council for National Cooperation in Aquatics Convention, were members of the United States Water Fitness Association, or were aquatic directors for the Jewish Community Center Association or the Young Women's Christian Association.;Similarities and differences between entrepreneurial characteristics of the aquapreneurs (78.6% females) as compared to male entrepreneurs were identified. Current and potential aquapreneurs were similar to the entrepreneur in the areas of risk taking, competition, personal characteristics, motivation, and goal orientation.;The professional development of the current and potential aquapreneurs was strongest in the area of basic aquatic training and weakest in the areas of related occupational experiences and advanced aquatic training. Business management training and experience was strongest in the area of staff supervision. Limited training in accounting, marketing, advertising, promotions, and use of a business plan was indicated by current and potential aquapreneurs.