Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Keliehor
Hi Audrey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started Audswimmers with a dream to make swimming lessons more accessible, tailored, and impactful. After three years of hard work and dedication, I’m so proud of what I’ve built and excited to expand even more in 2025. From the beginning, I’ve prioritized access and availability, offering flexible scheduling to meet the needs of my clients and their families.
At the heart of my swim program is a commitment to water awareness, water safety, swim development, and water therapy. I’ve always believed that swimming is more than just a skill—it’s a life-saving necessity and a source of confidence, joy, and even healing. That’s why I tailor every lesson to the individual, whether it’s a child taking their first steps in the water, an adult learning to swim for the first time, or someone seeking therapeutic support.
As I look ahead to 2025, I’m excited to continue expanding Audswimmers, staying true to my mission of creating accessible, personalized swim lessons that foster a lifelong love of and confidence in the water.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but that’s the reality of small business ownership—it’s a constant game of catch-up and learning as you go. When I started Audswimmers, I had to adapt quickly to the challenges that came with running a swim school. Weather inconsistency in Florida is a big one. Planning outdoor lessons around unpredictable rain and storms taught me to stay flexible while still maintaining the consistency my students need for progress.
Working with children brings its own set of challenges. Children are vulnerable, and as a coach, I’ve had to learn how to meet them where they are—whether that means calming fears, building trust, or finding creative ways to help them feel safe and confident in the water. That balance of flexibility and commitment to consistency is essential because it creates the structure my students need to improve and grow.
Every challenge has been a learning opportunity, and Audswimmers has progressed, I’ve gained so much insight into what it takes to balance my own growth with the needs of my students and their families. It’s not always easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Audswimmers, I specialize in creating an all-inclusive swim program that prioritizes access and availability for everyone. As a travel swim school, I bring lessons directly to my clients, offering the convenience of learning in familiar and comfortable environments. As the head swim coach, I personally design individualized lesson plans tailored to each student’s unique needs, goals, and abilities.
What truly sets Audswimmers apart is my dedication to inclusivity. Over 45% of my students are on the spectrum, and I take immense pride in creating a program where they feel safe, supported, and empowered. To better serve these students, I am currently pursuing an advanced certification in adaptive water therapy, which will equip me with specialized techniques and a deeper understanding to address a wide range of needs. This certification will enhance my ability to create transformative, individualized experiences for every swimmer, ensuring they can thrive in and around the water.
I’m most proud of the impact Audswimmers has had—not just in teaching swimming but in building confidence, fostering joy, and creating lifelong water safety skills. It’s an honor to work with such a diverse range of students and to play a role in their growth both in and out of the water.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk and reward is a saying my father has repeated throughout my life, and it’s something that has shaped how I view risk-taking. For me, taking risks is about calculated hope—stepping into the unknown with a plan but also trusting in the process.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken with Audswimmers was expanding to new locations. I didn’t know if word-of-mouth referrals would be strong enough in these new areas, or if the extra drive time and effort would pay off. But I believed in the quality of the program I was offering and took the leap, trusting that clients would see the value and spread the word. Thankfully, they did, and the reward has been worth it.
Another layer of risk comes with running a seasonal, contract-based business. As a swim coach, my schedule is deeply tied to the weather and the natural ebb and flow of seasons. In the winter months, there’s always uncertainty about when the season will truly start or end based on weather patterns. Balancing that unpredictability while ensuring consistency for my clients and income for myself is a challenge I’ve learned to navigate over my three years in business.
While risks can be daunting, I’ve found that with thoughtful planning, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt, they often lead to growth and opportunities that are well worth the initial uncertainty. For me, risk-taking is about believing in what I’ve built and knowing that the rewards come to those who are willing to take the chance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://audswimmers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audswimmers_school/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1TcVc56yJ4/
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/s3CosofzBTybgbDe9
