How Two Corporate Professionals Became Pool Scouts Franchise Owners

Lauren and Edson Cruz knew their corporate roles no longer offered the control or long-term stability they wanted, which is what led them to explore Pool Scouts* franchise ownership. After years of planning for financial independence through real estate and private lending, they wanted a business they could actively build together. Opening a Pool Scouts franchise in Wesley Chapel gave them a way to take that next step with a model they could trust and grow as a family.

“One thing Edson had been saying a lot is, ‘I want to have more control over the income we're bringing in,'” Lauren said. “Coming into this, we don't have business degrees, but it's clear that this is something possible for the average person willing to put in the work.”

For years, the couple had talked about building a business that could eventually be passed down to their children. Their introduction to franchising came during a multi-brand franchise conference, where they met a franchise coach who helped them explore models that aligned with their values and goals.

Lauren and Edson came into franchising as remote corporate professionals — Lauren working as a systems administrator in the banking industry and Edson in a corporate W2 role. Despite the flexibility of remote work, both felt limited by the ceiling of traditional employment. They wanted a scalable business they could build together, and franchising offered the structure they needed to start quickly without reinventing the wheel.

Their motivation was simple: They wanted control, freedom and a business they could eventually pass on to their children. They see entrepreneurship as a way to shift the traditional narrative about career paths. “We want to change the trajectory of not having to go the traditional route of college just to get a job until retirement,” Lauren said.

The Cruzes found that the Pool Scouts model gave them structure to rely on but didn’t box them in. The brand’s established processes help them manage the work, and they say it’s reassuring to have that foundation while still being able to run things in a way that works for them.

“When considering acquiring a brand new business, a franchise offers a proven track record,” Lauren said. “If you follow their standard operating procedures, it will work.”

They also value the safety net that comes with being part of a strong brand. “We have all the marketing tools,” Edson said. “We also have an operations coach who guides us. It's helpful to have immediate support.”

From their early days as newlyweds mapping out their financial future to their current role as franchise owners in a thriving Florida market, Lauren and Edson have built a path defined by intention, discipline and teamwork. Pool Scouts gives them the structure, tools and support needed to keep moving forward — and the freedom to build a business that reflects their family’s goals.

“There are far more opportunities out there than you realize until you start exploring and making connections,” Lauren said. For the Cruzes, Pool Scouts marks the beginning of something they can build as a family and watch grow alongside their children.