Episode 277: The Rise of Swimply: Pool & Backyard Rentals in 150 Cities with Founder & Chairman, Bunim Laskin
In this episode, we sit down with Bunim Laskin, the founder and CEO of Swimply. Swimply is an innovative platform that allows homeowners to rent out their swimming pools, similar to Airbnb but for pools. Bunim shares the inspiring story of how Swimply was born out of a simple neighborhood agreement and evolved into a multi-million dollar business. They discuss the challenges and successes of building the company, the impact it has on local communities, and the potential for future expansion into other rental markets like boats and sports facilities.
The conversation also touches on how Swimply provides pool owners with a way to recoup their maintenance costs and even turn a profit, while offering non-pool owners affordable access to private pools. Bunim also talks about the company's efforts to collaborate with pool professionals and the exciting new features and expansions that Swimply is launching.
Connect with Swimply & Bunim Laskin:
Topics Discussed:
[00:00:00] - Introduction and the early days of Swimply.
[00:01:00] - Meet Bunim Laskin, founder and CEO of Swimply.
[00:02:00] - Overview of what Swimply is and how it works.
[00:03:30] - The origin story: How Bunim turned a neighbor's pool into a community resource.
[00:04:40] - The evolution from knocking on doors to a nationwide platform.
[00:06:50] - Swimply’s expansion into new cities and countries.
[00:07:30] - Differences in user behavior across regions, with a focus on Arizona.
[00:09:20] - How pool owners can maximize their earnings on Swimply.
[00:11:30] - The community aspect: How Swimply fosters connections between people.
[00:12:45] - Balancing privacy and interaction between hosts and guests.
[00:15:00] - Challenges faced during the initial launch, including regulatory issues.
[00:16:50] - Insurance and liability concerns for Swimply hosts.
[00:19:30] - Verification processes for new hosts on the platform.
[00:21:00] - Collaboration opportunities for pool professionals with Swimply.
[00:24:10] - How Swimply is making pools financially sustainable.
[00:27:30] - Bunim’s vision for expanding Swimply beyond pools.
[00:30:50] - Memorable experiences and stories from the Swimply community.
[00:33:30] - Final advice from Bunim for aspiring entrepreneurs.
[00:35:30] - Where to find more information about Swimply and how to connect with Bunim.
Sponsors:
Lion Financial: Offering the industry's best financing options for pool projects. Learn more athttps://www.lyonfinancial.net/
