Time With The Boss: Ruthie Zarren

Ruthie Zarren
LITTLE FISHES SWIM SCHOOL

Website: LittleFishesSwimSchool.com
Industry: swim instruction

Education: Tulane University, Bachelor of Science in management

Family: son, Nathan; significant other, Mark

What is your mission?
To give children a lifesaving skill for life – the ability to swim. Also, to never have to turn away a family who is interested in giving their children this skill. The growing wait list for our classes was the impetus for Little Fishes Swim School’s second location, which opened on Saturday, May 31, 2014, at 17359 Edison Ave., Chesterfield, Mo. 63005.

What was your first job?
Working at my father’s car dealership in high school.

What was your worst job?
Telemarketing. I cannot sell something I don’t believe in 110%.

What led you to your industry?
I was on maternity leave from my position at Enron when they imploded. I became a stay-at-home mom and took Nathan to the pool every week. I decided that the next phase of my career must combine my passions for child development and safety and my love of the water.

How do you try to differentiate your business from others in your industry?
Unwavering commitment to premium customer service; 93-degree, environmentally friendly, healthy saltwater pools; unique, developmentally appropriate curriculum; certified, professional instructors; and fostering a nurturing and encouraging environment for all children as they build self-confidence and  learn a skill for life.   

What’s the hottest trend in your industry, and are you going to jump on board?
Survival swimming lessons are taught all across the country. Their methods include simulating drowning experiences to teach the child. We will never adopt these practices, as they are not healthy for a child’s physical, emotional or cognitive development. Our lessons provide a nurturing, fun, developmentally appropriate experience.

What’s the hardest part of your job?
Like most entrepreneurs who are also parents, it is balancing my professional and personal life and finding that harmonious place.

What’s the best part?
Seeing fearful, crying children turn into amazing swimmers that love the water in our school.

What best advice would you share with new entrepreneurs?
Never get comfortable or complacent. Constantly look for ways to improve and innovate to stay the best at what you do.

What’s your favorite place in St. Louis?
The fun, tropical environment all year round at Little Fishes Swim School!

What book is on your nightstand?
Honduras travel guide. Now that the Chesterfield location is open, I am going to take a vacation to Honduras and learn how to scuba dive!

What has made you successful in your industry and in St. Louis?
Research, hard work, perseverance, comprehensive and continual marketing, and an awesome, dedicated staff

What do you like to do in your free time?
Swim and other forms of exercise, art (collecting and creating), and traveling to places I’ve never been.  
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