We were lucky to catch up with Cristos Birbilis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cristos , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Being a business owner is incredibly rewarding, but like anything, it comes with its challenges. I absolutely love what I do—I get to make a real difference in people’s lives, set my own standards for quality, and create a welcoming environment for my clients. But yes, there are moments when I wonder what it would be like to have a regular job with set hours and fewer responsibilities.

One of those moments happened recently. I had just wrapped up a long day of back-to-back swim lessons, my energy was drained, and I still had scheduling, client follow-ups, and administrative work to tackle. I remember standing by the pool, watching the last few ripples settle in the water, thinking, Wouldn’t it be nice to just clock out and leave work at work?

But as I sat down to send my last email of the day, I got a message from a parent telling me how their child, who had been terrified of the water just weeks ago, was now swimming confidently and loving it. At that moment, the exhaustion faded, and I was reminded why I do this.

The challenges of running my own business are worth it because the impact I get to make is deeply personal and fulfilling. Sure, a regular job might have a clearer work-life balance, but the flexibility, purpose, and growth that come with being a business owner make this the right path for me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Owning a swim lesson business in Escondido has been an incredible journey. I’ve always loved teaching and working with people, and my previous jobs brought me a lot of joy. But one thing that always stood out to me was how expensive swim lessons could be, making it hard for many families to afford them.

That’s part of what drove me to start my own business—I wanted to make high-quality and affordable swim lessons more accessible while still providing a fun, safe, and professional experience. Everyone deserves the chance to learn how to swim, not just those who can afford high-priced programs.

Now, I get to serve my community in a way that aligns with my values. I’ve built a business that not only teaches swimming but also helps families feel confident about water safety. Seeing a child go from fearful to fearless in the water makes all the hard work worth it!

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One book that has had a huge impact on my entrepreneurial mindset and approach to running my swim lesson business is The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant. Kobe’s philosophy on hard work, discipline, and continuous improvement really resonated with me—not just as a business owner but as someone who is always striving to be better at what I do.

One of the biggest takeaways from the book is Kobe’s obsession with the details. He didn’t just train hard—he trained smart. He analyzed everything, looking for ways to improve every little aspect of his game. That mindset has stuck with me in my business. I constantly ask myself:
✅ How can I make lessons even more effective?
✅ How can I better serve my clients?
✅ How can I improve my time management so I can take on more students without sacrificing quality?

Another thing that really stood out was Kobe’s mental toughness. Business ownership isn’t always easy—there are long days, unexpected challenges, and moments of doubt. But reading about how he pushed through adversity reminded me that success isn’t about avoiding challenges; it’s about embracing them and using them as fuel to grow.

The Mamba Mentality has taught me that consistency, passion, and a relentless commitment to improvement are what separate good from great. Whether it’s teaching swim lessons or running a business, I apply that same mindset every day.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building an audience on social media for Polar Bear Swim Club came down to consistent, engaging content that educated, inspired, or entertained. We focused heavily on short-form videos (Reels, TikToks, and Shorts) with strong hooks, real success stories, and actionable swim tips. Posting frequently (3-5 times per week), engaging with our audience, leveraging trends, and using storytelling helped us build a loyal following. Instead of just showcasing lessons, we highlighted kids overcoming fears, parent testimonials, and fun, high-energy swim sessions.

For those just starting, the key is to start now and focus on 1-2 platforms (Instagram & TikTok are best for swim businesses). Post consistently, engage with your audience, and make your content relatable and shareable. Use storytelling rather than just instructional posts, and don’t be afraid to test different styles to see what resonates.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://polarbearswimclub.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polarbearswimclubsd?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554738227216

Image Credits

Trinity Quindo