Episode 104: Jo Stone, Julie-ann James, and Paul Thompson - Swimming Provider Panel

Today’s episode is unique. James invites a panel of professionals within the children's swimming activities sector; Jo Stone, the co-founder of Puddle Ducks, Paul Thompson, an entrepreneur, founder, and executive chairman of Water Babies, and the swimming industry pioneer, Julie -ann James of Aqua Babies Global. They have a great conversation debating current issues in the baby swimming industry, ranging from the difficulties in recruitment and training of apprentice swim instructors, to energy bills and how they're affecting kids' access to swimming pools. If you’re looking for information on how to navigate this unique niche as a startup, tune in! 

Tune in as the panel speaks about:

• Biggest challenges they're facing in the baby swimming Industry at the moment 

• How they are going around huge demand for their services from parents

• The most innovative solutions they've seen

• The struggle in recruitment and training of  apprentice teachers into the industry and the approaches they're taking

• Their reasoning behind the huge contrast in terms of employment after the Covids economic downturn

• How they're using technology in their practice and business (AI swimming tutor)

• Challenges in infrastructure technology (pools) more around the UK

• The one thing they'll pick to solve most of these challenges

• Golden nuggets for independent providers and startups around the swimming niche

… and so much more! 

Check out their Companies:

Aqua Babies: www.aquababies.com 

Puddle Ducks: www.puddleducks.com 

Water Babies: www.waterbabies.co.uk 

Connect with them:

Paul's LinkedIn: Paul Thompson

Jo's LinkedIn:      Jo Stone

Julie's LinkedIn:  Julie-ann James

Connect with James:

Instagram: @james_ventures

Facebook: Coordinate Sports FB Page

LinkedIn: James Moore

Coordinate cloud: The Drive Phase Podcast

Resources:

UK Active: www.ukactive.com 

Swim Coach Asia SCA: www.swimlifeinternational.com 

Swimming Australia:www.swimming.org.au

Swimming Teachers Association: www.sta.co.uk