Meet Betty O’Leary of Go Swim Chicago

Today we’d like to introduce you to Betty O’Leary.

Betty, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I won my first swimming race at age six. (I still hold the record at that pool!) I competed until my late teens. Since then, I’ve been part of a master’s swim group, competed in some triathlons, and taught friends and family to swim. I’ve always loved to swim.

Fast forward to 2017…

I started teaching swimming here and there on nights and weekends for another business. It was exhilarating. I knew that I had found my calling and I wished I could do it full time.

My kids spent the holiday encouraging me to start my own business, and suddenly– fate was on my side.

I was laid off from my corporate relations job. Perfect timing!

My business, Go Swim Chicago, has been active and growing since then. You know that saying– if you love what you do it doesn’t feel like work? This is the best job I’ve ever had.

My first client was referred to me. He was uncomfortable in the water but had a dream of someday swimming with dolphins. Step by step, he learned to float, swim on his back and then his stomach. Most of all, he enjoyed his newfound freedom of swimming underwater in the deep end—a great start for getting in the ocean.

Every swimmer comes to the pool with their own unique fears and skill level. It’s immensely rewarding to help people become great swimmers at any age. My youngest student is four years old and my oldest is 82.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Anything creative or meaningful really does take a village. I’ve had critical support from my children, family, and friends.

After I was laid off, I went right into “let’s get down to business” mode. Coming up with a business name and logo; developing a business plan and marketing strategy; researching competition; finding the right pool for teaching– all before I got my first student.

During the process, I set up a weekly meeting with an ex-coworker who had also been laid off. We set goals every week. We were accountable to each other. Seven months later, we still have our Monday morning call. I also found a great mentor at SCORE, a nonprofit association that works with people for free to help their businesses grow.

Finding a pool was my biggest challenge. Athletic clubs, the Park District, university pools, senior facilities– all require you to be an employee. I wanted to be my own boss. I also wanted a pool with a deep end, since I work best with people who experience fear in the water.

After some persistent work, I found the perfect pool to teach both private and semi-private lessons.

My next hurdle was where do I get my clients? I knew that I needed to market my business and myself as a unique instructor. My kids helped me with my website and together we sent a mass email to family and friends. That spread the word initially, but I knew that social media is where your reputation can really grow. With the help of a new business coach, we’re a lot more visible online.

I am pleased with the results as my business has grown from 1 to 25 students.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Go Swim Chicago story. Tell us more about the business.
Go Swim Chicago takes a personal approach to swimming lessons.

I like to talk with my student about their past experiences, then we can visualize a plan together. This helps them feel a personal connection with the water.

My most recent student has only ever dangled her feet in the water until now. Her goal was to return to her home country a confident swimmer. She was nervous before we met.

We started our lesson by walking around the pool to get acquainted with the environment. I showed her the proper technique to climb down the ladder. We held hands so she felt comfortable. And, for the first time ever, she stepped into a swimming pool. WOW, this was exciting.

Within 45 minutes, she was able to submerge her shoulders, blow bubbles and begin to float her arms and legs. She didn’t have to hold on to me. I don’t think that I have ever seen a bigger smile in my life.

Some of my students have previous experience in the water. They come from group lessons that haven’t been successful, competitive swimming from year’s past, or they’re training for an upcoming athletic event.

Each person comes with a goal. I connect with all of my swimmers on an emotional level and teach them to overcome obstacles.

Often I am asked, “how long will it take me to learn how to swim?” My response is always, “it depends on how focused you are and how often you can practice.” The core elements are comfort, control and balance in the water. But the most important factor is being in the moment– not outside of your head, fearing the unknown. My students begin to recognize the “now” and let fear fall away.

With a compassionate teaching style, my students succeed.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is defined as success or failure brought by chance, rather than by one’s actions. So, we all experience luck, whether it be good or bad.

That’s life.

It’s what we do with the “good” or “bad” luck in our life that makes us who we are. We are forever evolving in that what we may have perceived as bad luck one day, years later we would look at as an opportunity to change.

Many of my students could say that they had bad luck – they never learned to swim as a child.

One of my students was in trouble and couldn’t scream for help because he kept on taking in more water. A relative saw him by the side of the pool and pulled him to safety. Bad luck?

He came to me at age 30 to overcome his fear. By the time he returned to his home country, he was swimming a beautiful freestyle and backstroke. He took his bad luck and turned it around into something very positive.

Pricing:

• Pack of four private 30-45 minute lessons – $160
• Pack of four semi-private (2 people) 30-45 minute lessons – $280
• Pack of four in-home private one hour lessons – $340

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.goswimchicago.com
• Phone: 6128341580
• Email: betty@goswimchicago.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goswimchicago/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/go-swim-chicago-chicago

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