In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet sits down with Carrie Waltman, owner of America’s Swimming Pool Company (ASP) in Knoxville, Tennessee. Carrie is part straight-shooting entrepreneur, part nurturing mama bear, and all heart.
Her journey into franchising wasn’t planned—but it’s been nothing short of remarkable. From raising three children as a single mom to becoming one of the few female owners in the ASP franchise system, Carrie’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, anything is possible.
From Property Manager to Pool Pro
Carrie spent years managing condo communities and juggling emergencies like faulty gates and water leaks. One of her trusted vendors was a local ASP owner—a man who recognized Carrie’s grit, sales instincts, and unshakable integrity. After years of working together, he offered her something life-changing: the opportunity to train under him and eventually take over the business.
And that’s exactly what she did.
Today, Carrie is the proud owner of a thriving pool service company, working alongside her office manager and best friend, Corinne. Together, they’ve scaled the business from $300,000 to $1.4 million in just two years—while staying true to who they are.
“We’ll Figure It Out. We Always Do.”
If Carrie’s life had a motto, it would be this one.
Whether it’s firing an underperforming employee, juggling family needs, or pulling on gloves to clean pools herself, Carrie has a mindset rooted in resilience. Her calm, can-do energy comes through clearly in the episode as she recounts moments where others might have panicked, but she simply said, “We’ll figure it out.”
This attitude isn’t just a business tool—it’s a life philosophy she’s passed on to her kids, her employees, and even her clients.
Leadership with a Mother’s Heart
Carrie describes herself as a “mom” in every sense of the word—and not just to her three children.
She stocks her fridge for local teens, helped a neighbor raise an adopted child, and provides structure and support for her all-male team of pool techs. But don’t mistake her kindness for softness. She’s a leader who expects accountability, high standards, and follow-through.
“A good mama expects you to clean up after yourself. But she’s also the one you call when you’re sick, sad, or stuck.”
Clean Water Matters—In Pools and in Life
Carrie loves her work not just because of the pools, but because of the people.
She takes pride in restoring community pools that might otherwise be shut down by the health department. In one case, she and her team saved an entire neighborhood’s summer by quickly fixing a major structural issue in just two weeks. It’s this kind of impact—solving problems, bringing joy, and serving the community—that drives her.
She also appreciates being part of something bigger. ASP is under the Authority Brands umbrella, which provides marketing support, peer connections, and business coaching. Carrie speaks highly of the resources available, from pool school to field support to collaborative local advertising with other Authority Brands.
Building a Business—and a Legacy
At the heart of it all is legacy. Carrie wants her business to be something she can pass down—either to one of her sons or simply as a foundation of financial stability and family pride.
“I want to leave something behind that makes life better for my kids—and maybe even their kids one day.”
She balances that drive with smart boundaries, like no calls after 5 p.m. and work-from-the-water Fridays in the summer with Corinne. For Carrie, success isn’t just about revenue—it’s about living a life you love while helping others do the same.