We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alevtina Kolesnikova. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alevtina below.

Alevtina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

When I first arrived in the USA, I was already deeply rooted in the world of professional sports, having been a national swimmer and swim coach in Russia. However, language barriers and a lack of connections made it challenging to find a job with established swimming clubs here. I began offering private lessons to kids and adults, which allowed me to build relationships and prove myself despite my limited English.

Over time, I found myself with a growing client base of over 30 athletes. My passion for coaching professional athletes led me to work with a small triathlete club while continuing my private lessons. Within six months, my reputation had spread, and I was coaching over 50 athletes. At that point, I decided it was time to take the leap and establish my own swim club. I found a pool to rent, and that’s how my journey as a swim club owner began.

Alevtina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As the owner and head coach of a USA Swimming club with over 120 swimmers, my journey with this beloved sport began long ago.

Originally from a small town in Russia, I started swimming at the age of 7. My journey began when my first coach spotted me at an outdoor farmers’ market and invited me to try a class. He saw potential in me, and from that moment, I was hooked. I’d travel every day to another city, taking two buses by myself, but I loved every minute of it.

At 10, my family moved to Moscow, where I joined an Olympic training school. There, we practiced twice a day, 10 times a week. By the time I was 14, I had qualified for the Russian national team and was among the top athletes in the country. However, at 17, I decided to step away from competitive swimming. My times weren’t improving, and the relationship with my coach wasn’t positive.

I began a new chapter as a private swim instructor, and within two years, I had built a small team of adult swimmers. We competed in open-water events, and many of those swimmers are still active today.

At 21, I moved to the USA. Now, four years later, I run a swim club with 120 athletes, some of whom are among the top in Texas and the USA. This journey has been incredible, and I’m grateful for every step along the way.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Starting a business was intimidating, especially because it was during COVID. Many teams and clubs were closing, and lots of kids were quitting. I wasn’t sure if it was the right time, but my husband gave me the confidence I needed. He told me, “I’ll be with you every step of the way. Don’t worry about the money—just do what you love, and I’ll support you no matter what.”

Fortunately, I didn’t lose any money, and the business started growing right away. I started small, with just 2-3 kids in each lane. But from those modest beginnings, the club quickly expanded, and I’m grateful for the support that helped me get started.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I met my business partner, Coach Aras, seven years ago at a Life Time facility. Back then, I wasn’t planning on starting my own school, but I was so impressed with how he worked with kids. He had this incredible ability to communicate with them, and I remember thinking, “If I ever open a school, I want him by my side.”

Four years later, we reconnected at a pool. I got his phone number, and soon after, we started working together. Since then, he’s taught me so much, bringing positivity, motivation, and happiness to our team. We’ve become best friends, and the kids absolutely love him. I couldn’t imagine this journey without Coach Aras.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/nta/page/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apluseswimmingschool/profilecard/?igsh=Mm1nd29hZGhudnNq
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/ZjJsaHnh4yMfoWEr/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

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