Summer Swim Academy (SSA) was established by the owner Marlee Armour in March 2015 after a successful 3rd year accounting class feasibility study at Western University. The case study won for the class and moved on to Western’s Ivey School of Business 2257 Accounting Case Competition. Marlee went on to earn the Student Opportunity Grant from her University to make this business idea a reality. She also was a participate in the Halton Region Summer Company program that offered mentorship and grants to student entrepreneurs. With the start up grants she was able to make the business a reality and acquire 35 clients in her first summer of business.
In year 2, Marlee was finishing up her business degree and became a participate of the Halton Region Starter company program for graduated students and spoke at the Global Entrepeneurs week about her experiences and success with the programs. In her second summer of business she grew her client base to over 100 and hired 3 other instructors.
SSA is a featured as a published case study in the Ivey School of Business 2257 Accounting course for students worldwide to study.
Coming into year 10 of operation, SSA employs up to 15 swim instructors/lifeguards every summer and serves over 500 families.
Marlee is looking forward to the success her business will bring in the future. She wants to ensure the ultimate level of safety in all backyard pools and continuing teaching hundreds of children in various Ontario cities the important life skill of swimming.
Academy Owner:
Marlee Armour is a graduate from Western University where she studied Business and earned her Masters in 2022 at Saint Mary’s University in Entrepreneurship. She has experience lifeguarding/Instructing for over 10 years and has been operating SSA for the last 10 years. She has a passion for helping kids become more confident with their swimming abilities and ensuring safe swim practices in all backyard pools. Marlee has been recognized for her effective teaching abilities and has been able to hire top notch instructors to represent SSA in various cities. It has been an absolute pleasure operating SSA and instilling the life skill of swimming to hundreds of children!