Love to Swim and Tumble
Company: Love to Swim and Tumble School
Entry Submitted By: Robot Creative
Company Description: Love to Swim and Tumble School’s mission is to develop lifelong swimmers who are confident and masterful. Founded in 2001 by Mary Reilly-Magee, Love to Swim and Tumble School has locations in San Antonio and Schertz that provide swim lessons and tumble lessons. Students range in age from six months to adult, and in skill level from beginner to advanced. |
Nomination Category: Individual Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Entrepreneur – Service Businesses - Up to 100 Employees
Nomination Title: Mary Reilly-Magee, Owner and Founder
Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated entrepreneur during the eligibility period (up to 500 words):
Mary Reilly-Magee is an extremely determined businesswoman and entrepreneur. Passionate about drowning prevention, lifelong learning and building relationships, Mary began coaching at local area pools and fitness centers. After dealing with facility issues and scheduling conflicts, she wanted to provide a more stable environment that would better facilitate teaching children and adults how to swim. Inspired by her vision and dedication, Mary’s friends and family decided to pitch in and lend her the start up money she needed to build her own facility.
Due to her enthusiasm and determination, Love to Swim School quickly became successful and profitable. After paying back her family and friends, she wanted to do more to develop children’s fitness and created a tumble facility that was incorporated into her swim school. By 2008, Love to Swim and Tumble School’s sales had grown tremendously, allowing Mary to expand her reach and open a second location in 2009. Mary’s swim schools have already taught over 37,000 swim lessons to date, and Mary plans to open additional locations to provide more children with the opportunity to learn.
With two unique indoor facilities, Love to Swim and Tumble School is able to offer swim and tumble lessons year-round. Mary has developed a progressive approach for teaching, and the coaches on her staff are required to undergo extensive on-going training. With her child-centered teaching philosophy, parental involvement and highly-trained staff, Mary has been able to develop and maintain a reputation of excellence.
A certified Texas educator, Mary has established herself as an expert in her industry, written numerous articles for various publications, and is always inventing ways to engage and involve parents in their children's learning, (i.e. newsletters and informational sessions offered while kids swim). Mary speaks at various parenting groups and industry tradeshows, and provides free drowning-prevention demonstrations to students in local elementary schools. She has been a presenter at the American Swimming Coaches Association SwimAmerica™ National Conference and at the U.S. Swim School Association Annual Spring Conference. She currently serves as the Vice President and President-Elect of the U.S. Swim School Association, a national organization of professional aquatic directors.
List the URLs (web addresses) of any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that you would like the judges to see that support your nomination. IMPORTANT: List each URL on a separate line, begin each URL with http://, and enclose each URL in square brackets. For example, [http://www.yourcompany.com/pressrelease.html]:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/Summer_fun_swim_safety_95563734.html
http://www.love-to-swim.com/media/pdfs/spring2.pdf
http://www.sawoman.com/0907/upfront.html
http://www.love-to-swim.com/media/pdfs/express_news.pdf
Article and video segment on morning news show http://www.woai.com/entertainment/story/Teaching-your-kids-confidence-around-the-water/_v93zPJYYkK80PV9CKqZFw.cspx?articleID=849195
Company website features articles written by Mary and professional affiliations http://www.love-to-swim.com/news.html
Love to Swim and Tumble School was voted as Nickelodeon's Parents Pick for "Best Swim School in San Antonio" in 2009 http://www.parentsconnect.com/parents-picks-2009/san-antonio-tx-usa/best-san-antonio-swim-class
Provide a brief biography of the nominated entrepreneur (up to 100 words):
Mary Reilly-Magee, an athlete, passionate instructor, savvy businesswoman and mom, has spent the last 24 years of her life teaching students of all ages to swim. She is the founder of San Antonio-based Love to Swim and Tumble School, and the current president-elect of the U.S. Swim School Association. Mary has presented at the American Swimming Coaches Association SwimAmerica™ National Conferences, the U.S. Swim School Association Annual Spring Conferences, and at numerous “Mothers of Preschoolers” and parent-teacher organizations.