Veteran Entrepreneurs Simtob and Barbat Invest in Ann Arbor

September 01, 2011 ­– Ann Arbor, MI – Jack Barbat and Richard Simtob met through their connection with Wireless Toyz. Barbat has extensive franchise experience as the co-founder of Wireless Toyz, a national wireless retailer with approximately 100 stores in 12 states. Jack developed the concept and created the systems that propelled its national growth. An experienced businessman today, Jack also owns 6 Wireless Toyz retail locations and is an investor in multiple real estate investments in Michigan, Arizona and Florida. Simtob joined Wireless Toyz and marketed the franchise program nationally. Wireless Toyz grew to 196 locations in 2007 and was sold. He has extensive franchise experience including being a franchisee in Canada, co-founding and growing the 40-unit Talking Book World franchise in 2001 and today he is a partner in Zoup!, owns FranchisesforSale.com and now co-owns a Goldfish Swim School franchise.
 
It was through working together that the two colleagues decided to partner in The Ann Arbor Swim School LLC, that holds the Goldfish Swim School franchise in Ann Arbor. They were impressed with the concept developed by Jenny Vanker McCuiston and Chris McCuiston who combined their educational background with their passion for athletics to offer a truly unique experience to swimmers of all ages and ability levels. The Ann Arbor franchise that they awarded to Simtob and Barbat is the third Goldfish Swim School in the franchise.
 
It is no small investment to build the state-of-the-art 10,000 sq. ft. facility, according to the Goldfish Swim School website getting started requires $950,000 to $1,200,000. The swim school features private changing rooms, heated floors, shower towers, a heated swimming pool designed to appeal to children, a snack shop and a swim shop, all in a fun, tropical setting. “We were able to learn from the first two sites developed and improve on the experience for our students and parents,” remarked Richard, “we are pleased with the outcome.” “The Ann Arbor community has been supportive of our efforts and it has been a pleasure for us to invest here.” It seems to be paying off already – in the first 10 days they already had more than 300 students signed up. When fully staffed the school will employ approximately 40 staff and instructors.
 
Goldfish Swim School is Michigan’s first aquatic facility dedicated entirely to indoor swim classes and programs for children, ages 4 months to 12 years. This fun environment eliminates the anxiety that often accompanies traditional swimming lessons by providing warm-water pools, small class sizes and a focus on perpetual learning that allows children to progress naturally. Instead of lessons that start and stop with the seasons, Goldfish students go year-round, and are less likely to forget what they’ve learned and naturally build trusting relationships with the instructors.
 
Classes for all ages and skill levels began in August 2011. Goldfish Swim School is located at 2107 West Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. For more information on the school visit www.goldfishswimschool.com, call 734.864.5555 or email swimannarbor@goldfishss.com.

Contact Information

Carey Jernigan

VP Development

re:group

(1) 734-327-6630

carey.jernigan@regroup.us