Business Opportunity: Aqua‐Tots Swim Schools

With over 30 swim school locations throughout the country, Aqua‐Tots Swim Schools is the largest national swim school business in the United States.

A franchise system is only as strong as its franchisees. A well run franchise reflects well on the entire system and a poorly run franchise affects the sales and reputation at not only that swim school, but at all the shops. Aqua‐Tots Swim Schools is looking for franchise owners who value the reputation that Aqua‐Tots has built for great swim instruction in a clean, fun setting. This does not mean that you have to be wealthy or have previous experience in the swimming industry. It means that you want to own an Aqua‐Tots Swim School and run it as good as or better than any in the Aqua‐Tots chain. It also means that you are willing to invest your own money, or invest together with a partner, to own one of the best swim schools in the USA.

Ideal Candidate: Aqua‐Tots franchisees come from all walks of life but they share a common passion for running their own business and for helping children learn a “Lesson for Life”. Naturally, you will need to like working with children. Skills in customer service, marketing, people management and a financial understanding will help you. Owning an Aqua‐Tots franchise(s) is both challenging and personally fulfilling. If you want a business that helps future generations of children develop one of the most important life skills, owning an Aqua‐Tots franchise is right for you.

Industry Overview: The children’s sports industry has grown to become an inherent part of the economic landscape of life. Statistics report that the desires for parents to provide their children with safe extracurricular activities indicate a steady triple figure annual growth for our industry within the next ten years. In 2007, 54% of children ages 5 to 14 took part in some kind of organized sport activity. 48% of these active children participated in more than one sport over the year. Swimming was listed in the top class of sport for children of these ages. With child drowning leading cause of accidental death, Aqua‐Tots is dedicated to being part of the solution to water safety.

Key Business Features: A Bold Idea.  A Thriving Business.
Our 4,000 to 5,000 square foot indoor retail swim schools cater to the explosive children’s services industry. With
Aqua‐Tots longevity (in business for over 20 years!) and a strong financial history, it has shown this industry is both
recession‐proof and financially sound. Children’s services remain in demand by parents and give us the reason we
continue to expand to this strong demographic market.

Competitive Advantage: Aqua‐Tots Swim Schools is a retail franchise that serves the children’s services industry. Aqua‐Tots Swim Schools is the largest national swim school business in the United States with over 30 swim school locations throughout the country.

Total Investment Range: $274,000 to $527,000
Liquid capital: $50,000 to $100,000
Net worth: $500,000 and up Company Units: 1 Franchise Units: 11
Working Capital: $35,000
Minimum Market Size: 100,000
Average # of Employees: 20
For further information, please Contact:
Brian W. Dumas, Business Intermediary
715 N. Washington Blvd., Suite E, Sarasota, FL 34236
941.925.1511 office 941.650‐5991 cell
bdumas@murphybusiness.com

New Business opportunity: Pop‐A‐Lock Mobile Locksmith & Vehicle Tech Services

Pop-a-Lock, a Mobile Locksmith & Vehicle Tech Service is offering a franchise business opportunity in the Southwest Florida area. “A Nationwide Name You Can Trust!”
Pop‐A‐Lock was founded in 1991 by local law enforcement officers in Lafayette, Louisiana who recognized the universal need for Pop‐A‐Lock’s unique services. In a way, Pop‐A‐Lock is a private extension of public security services. We take safety very seriously in everything we do, we are focused on security for all of our customers. Pop‐A‐Lock has grown to become the largest full‐service mobile locksmith and related tech service business in the United States.

• Excellent Opportunity for Your Ongoing Income and “Wealth Creation” over time
• Pop‐A‐Lock provides service in over 3800 cities, over 140,000,000 in total US population coverage
• Pop‐A‐Lock offers Franchisee Focused Strategic Competitive Advantages that are Sustainable!
• The Dominator in the Business as the Largest “Mobile Technical Service” Provider
• Low Start‐up Cost ‐ Low Working Capital. Exclusive Territories
• No Location or Build out Needed ‐ Quick “Time to Market” & Revenue Generation
• Pop‐A‐Lock Provides National Account Revenue Opportunities to Our Franchisees
• Recommended by FranSurvey, Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Franchise 500”
• “EDU” Program (Child Locked In, Unlocked at No Charge) ‐ Public Service – Media Attention! –
More Business!
• Become A Franchisee – We Help You Hire and Train Employees/Techs. We Show You How to
Market. We Provide You With Additional Significant Customers and Customer Opportunities ‐ You
make $$$

Ideal Candidate:
• Pop‐A‐Lock Seeks Experienced Entrepreneurs & Business Executives
• No Industry Experience Needed.
• Our Franchisees are Former Executives, Retail Managers, Teachers, CPAs, etc
• Ability to follow a proven successful duplicate-able business model

Role of Franchisee:
• First question we ask a potential candidate: Are you comfortable speaking with other business
owners?
• Build business through implementing PAL’s marketing programs.
• Supervise the techs that PAL trains for the franchisee
• Enhance National Customer relationships at the local level
Competitive Advantage:
• There is No Other National Competitor ‐ Pop‐A‐Lock is the Only National Brand – The Category
“Killer”

Total Investment Range: $60,000 ‐ $200,000
Liquid capital: $50,000 ‐ $85,000
Year Founded: 1991
Franchising Since: 1995
Net worth: $250,000 – $400,000
Franchise Units: 187
Working Capital: $30,000 – $115,000 SBA Registry: VetFran Discount:
Average # of Employees: 3 to start States

Those interested please contact:
Brian W. Dumas, Business Intermediary
715 N. Washington Blvd., Suite E, Sarasota, FL 34236
941.925.1511 office 941.650‐5991 cell
bdumas@murphybusiness.com

Avoiding Potential Pitfalls of U.S. Income Tax Reporting Requirements

Reprinted with permission by author Renea M. Glendinning, CPA of Sarasota
Many foreign nationals dream of being able to live, work and raise their families in America. This dream comes true for quite a few of them. The enjoyment of the rights and privileges of living in America also comes with responsibilities. Not the least of these responsibilities is compliance with the reporting requirements of the U.S. income tax system for its residents.
One of the biggest mistakes that a new resident of the U.S. can make is to not be informed of how the tax reporting system applies to them and their specific circumstances. Many foreign nationals assume that the tax system in the U.S. is similar to that of their home country. This can be a very costly assumption to make, as each country has its own unique set of rules.

The first thing that needs to be determined is when the foreign national actually becomes a U.S. income tax resident. There are various rules that must be applied in order to determine when tax residency begins or ends, including visa status, dates entered or departed the country, number of days of physical presence in the calendar year and potential benefits under an income tax treaty between the U.S. and their home country. Making this determination can be quite a confusing and complicated task. Once the foreign nationals have determined that they are resident in the U.S. for purposes of income tax, they need to know what to report. Unlike some other countries, the U.S. tax laws require their tax residents to report their worldwide income. For instance, if foreign nationals receive interest income on their bank accounts in their home country, this interest income is subject to reporting on their U.S. income tax return. The same holds true for pensions, rental income, capital gains or any other type of income they receive from whatever source. This does not generally result in a double taxation due to the availability of tax credits and income tax treaty benefits. In addition, income that may not be subject to income tax in their home country could very well be subject to income tax in the U.S. Again, it is crucial to never assume that the tax laws of the countries are the same or similar.

Not all of the reporting requirements relate directly to the imposition of income tax. There are many disclosure requirements that apply to U.S. income tax residents, regardless of whether they have been residents their entire lives or have just recently become residents. This includes the disclosure of foreign non‐ U.S.) bank accounts, closely‐held companies and trusts. It also encompasses the receipt of a gift or inheritance from a foreign person. It is important to not confuse tax reporting with disclosure reporting. For example, the receipt of a gift or inheritance from a foreign person is not subject to income tax, but it is subject to disclosure.

The principal of a foreign bank account is not taxable for income tax purposes, but the account details must be disclosed. Each item subject to disclosure has its own form that must be completed and submitted to the proper authority by specific dates. The penalties for non‐compliance or late compliance can be severe, i.e. , the penalty for not disclosing the existence of a foreign bank account could result in a penalty of one‐half of the account balance or $100,000, whichever is greater.

This article is not intended to alarm or discourage anyone from making the move to the U.S. Its intent is purely to inform. Many immigrants are unaware of the U.S. tax reporting and disclosure requirements.
Unfortunately, not all U.S. tax professionals are fully aware of all the necessary disclosures. It is especially
important that foreign nationals work with a tax professional that is knowledgeable with their specific issues
and can help them avoid the potential pitfalls.

I would be happy to assist you with any of your questions. Please call (941‐365‐4617) or email
(rglendinning@kbgrp.com).