Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriana Albury and Amy Martin.
Hi Adriana & Amy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
We’re Adriana and Amy, co-founders of SoFlo Swim Co., a mobile swim school based in South Florida. Our story goes all the way back to the summer of 2010, when we met and instantly connected. Over the years, we’ve not only become close friends but also natural business partners. We’ve always found joy in teaming up, whether it was for small business ideas, creative projects, or working with kids.
Our professional backgrounds have always revolved around children. From babysitting and after-school care to working in education and youth programs, we’ve both built careers rooted in teaching and child development. I (Adriana) have been teaching swimming lessons since high school and even while attending veterinary school, my passion for working with kids in the water only grew. I eventually introduced Amy to the world of swim instruction, and it quickly became a shared passion of ours.
I (Amy) have a background in recreation and sports management, with a focus in recreational therapy, which perfectly complements the patience, adaptability, and care we bring to every lesson. After several years of doing private swim lessons individually at clients’ homes, we realized we could create something even more impactful together. That’s how SoFlo Swim Co. was born.
We built SoFlo Swim Co. with the mission of providing high-quality, personalized swim instruction in the comfort of our clients’ own pools. Our approach is rooted in safety, trust, and connection. We’re proud to be a small business built on friendship, shared values, and a deep commitment to helping children (and adults!) feel confident and safe in the water.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most small businesses, the road hasn’t always been smooth, but every challenge has helped us grow. In the beginning, one of our biggest hurdles was learning how to navigate client communication. Setting clear expectations, creating policies, and most importantly, enforcing them was something we had to develop through experience. We had to find the balance between being understanding and professional, while also protecting our time and the integrity of our service.
Another challenge we’ve faced is growth. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have more demand than we can handle, but expanding hasn’t been easy. The quality of our lessons and the trust we build with families is everything to us, so finding instructors who meet our standards and who we feel confident putting in front of clients has been a slow and thoughtful process. Our training is extensive because we care deeply about consistency and safety.
And of course, being based in South Florida and running an outdoor business, the weather is a constant variable. During peak season, unpredictable rain and storms can really throw off our schedule. We often have to cancel or reschedule lessons, which can be tough for both us and our clients. Still, we’ve learned to stay flexible and keep communication strong so we can work through those disruptions as smoothly as possible.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about SoFlo Swim Co. ?
SoFlo Swim Co. is a mobile swim school serving families across South Florida. We specialize in private, at-home swim lessons, bringing high-quality, personalized instruction directly to our clients’ pools. Our focus is on water safety, confidence, and skill-building for swimmers of all ages, from infants to adults.
What sets us apart is the level of care, customization, and connection we bring to each lesson. Because we work one-on-one in our clients’ own environments, we’re able to tailor every session to the individual’s needs, comfort level, and pace. We’re not just teaching swim techniques, we’re building trust, confidence, and a lifelong respect for water.
In addition to swim instruction, we also offer lifeguarding services for private events and mobile CPR certifications, perfect for families, nannies, or anyone who wants to be better prepared in emergency situations. These additional services align with our mission to promote water safety and preparedness in every aspect of life.
We’re incredibly proud of the reputation we’ve built. Parents trust us not only for our professionalism and consistency, but for the way we connect with their children. Our backgrounds working with kids in various settings, combined with our strong communication with families, allow us to create a calm, encouraging, and safe learning environment.
One of the things we’re most proud of as a brand is our commitment to doing things the right way, even if it means slower growth. We’re not a one-size-fits-all swim school. Every instructor is carefully trained to meet our standards, because our clients deserve the very best experience.
Ultimately, SoFlo Swim Co. is about more than just swim lessons, it’s about empowering families with life-saving skills, building confidence in and around water, and making swimming a positive, lifelong experience. We want readers to know that we take our role in your family’s water journey seriously, and we’re honored to be a trusted part of so many South Florida families’ lives.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
We’ve been really fortunate to have worked in a variety of settings over the years, and through those experiences, we’ve crossed paths with some amazing mentors, people who have supported us, challenged us, and helped shape who we are today, both personally and professionally.
Our biggest piece of advice for finding mentors or building a strong network is to stay open, curious, and genuinely interested in connecting with others. Relationships don’t always start with a formal mentorship, it can be a boss, a coworker, or even someone you meet in passing who shares valuable insight or encourages your growth. We’ve found that being approachable, friendly, and willing to learn has naturally led to meaningful connections over time.
We also believe in showing up and being involved. Whether it’s through local community events, industry workshops, or even social media, putting yourself out there and being authentic can go a long way. People are often more open to connecting and sharing their knowledge than you might think, you just have to be willing to ask and engage.
For us, networking has never been about “collecting contacts,” but about building real relationships. Many of the opportunities we’ve had came from simply being kind, hardworking, and staying in touch with people we’ve met along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sofloswimco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofloswimco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sofloswimco/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/soflo-swim-miami-6
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/hDjSeqq
