**Our “Scout Spotlight” blog series introduces you to the people that make Pool Scouts great. We’ll offer you a little insight into a member of our team, their background, and what makes them unique!**
Michael Wagner was born in California but grew up a military brat who lived in many spots and traveled around the world. Michael graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with degrees in Economics and Spanish. Prior to Pool Scouts he worked as the Corporate Sales Officer for Chartway Federal Credit Union. Before Chartway, Michael was the Global Client Services Leader for DuPont Sustainable Solutions. He held multiple senior leadership roles for Coastal Training Technologies Corporation (acquired by DuPont) over a 19-year career. As the President of Pool Scouts, Michael oversees the business and works to drive growth and ensure franchisee support.
If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why?
I have always wanted to visit Fiji. I’m a surfer and have read many stories and seen tons of pictures. In addition to having perfect waves, it looks beautiful.
What is one book or podcast you have read/listened to lately that you would recommend?
Despite it being an older book, The Winner Within by Pat Riley is a book that has stuck with me over my life. Great lessons on teamwork and leadership.
What are some of your favorite franchising or Pool Scouts memories to date?
Some highlights have been:
What is one thing you are excited about for where Pool Scouts is heading?
We have an incredible group of franchisees and so many new ones over the past two years. Watching them grow is so rewarding. Also, we have the best team we have ever had of true professionals who really care about our franchisees. Seeing them engaged in their work and passionate about helping franchisees is priceless.
If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
I would be a dolphin. I love the ocean, like to surf, and like seafood.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I love to play soccer, golf, and surf and to combine travel opportunities with any of those activities.
What is one goal you’d like to accomplish during your lifetime?
I would love to be able to travel at will around the world while I’m still young enough to enjoy it someday.
How do you prefer to start your day?
I love starting the day off with a workout of some sort. Whether I’m lifting at the gym, biking, running, or surfing it is hard to have a bad day if I start it out active and early.
What led you to this career?
I have been involved in start-ups most of my professional life. Fortunately, my friendship and contact with Kevin Wilson afforded me this opportunity to help start and lead Pool Scouts with a spectacular group of people.
What energizes you at work?
Achieving milestones and celebrating them gives me great energy at work. Seeing our franchisee accomplish new things, having our team members make connections that count, and watching the brand grow fuels my fire each day.
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
In order to get another (better) opportunity make the most of the one you have in front of you. That advice came from a mentor/boss early on in my first career.
What’s one thing you’re learning now, and why is it important?
I am constantly learning more about franchising and dealing with franchisees who are in different stages of their business. I’m also constantly learning how personal situations affect business performance for franchisees and how to constantly be aware of what the “why” is behind a situation. This is very important in helping empathize with our owners.
Give me a fun fact about yourself.
I have traveled to 41 countries in my life and have been to the following continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
