When Zoe Schultz first started teaching swimming lessons in 2007, she never imagined it would lead to running one of the most loved community swim schools in the Adelaide Hills. Back then, she was a 21-year-old new mum with a baby on her hip, a borrowed pool, and a passion for teaching kids to swim.

“I started teaching swimming at the local outdoor pools,” Zoe says. “But each winter they would close, which meant I had to find other work during the ‘off’ season. I loved teaching and didn’t want to lose that connection with my swimmers just because the weather changed.”

By the end of the summer in 2012, she had had enough. She decided she wanted to find a permanent solution. And began searching for a pool where families could swim all year round.

“After a bit of searching, I found a local family who was happy to share their indoor home pool, and that’s where Junior Flippers was born,” she tells Business Builders.

“There wasn’t a big business plan or a grand opening. It was just a simple idea and a willingness to give it a go,” Zoe laughs. “My motto at the time was, if it doesn’t work, I’ll find something else.”

However, Zoe’s plan did work. In fact, it worked so well that her little idea quickly grew legs (or fins). “Once I saw the joy on the kids’ faces and the support from local families, I knew I was onto something special,” she says.

A family friend came up with the name, while another designed the logo. Before long, Junior Flippers had turned from a small home-based swim school into a full-blown business.

“Families kept coming back, word spread, and before long, I was busier than I ever imagined,” Zoe says. “Looking back now, it’s amazing to think how that one small step, finding a pool and taking a chance,  became the start of our family business.”

From a backyard pool to a community favourite

There was nothing flash about the early days of the business. It was just Zoe,  a group of kids, a pool and some passion.

“I started Junior Flippers at Forest Range in Term 2, 2012, with just 23 kids,  two nights a week,” she recalls.

“It was a humble beginning, but full of heart. I was juggling life as a new mum and first-time business owner, learning as I went and doing everything from scheduling to teaching.”

Those early months were a blur of late nights, lesson planning, and baby wrangling. “The biggest challenge was finding balance… managing family life while trying to build something meaningful for the community,” Zoe admits.

“There were moments of doubt, exhaustion, and trial and error, but seeing the kids improve, gain confidence, and love the water made it all worth it.”

For Zoe, teaching has always been as much about technique as it is about connection. “I wasn’t just teaching swimming; I was building relationships and creating a place where kids felt safe, supported, and proud of what they could do,” she explains.

She tells Business Builders those first backyard classes laid the groundwork for everything that followed. “I didn’t realise it at the time, but those small classes in a backyard pool were the foundation of something much bigger.”

Today, Junior Flippers has two pool locations, operates six days a week, and sees more than 550 smiling faces come through the doors each week.  “It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. That growth still blows me away,” says Zoe.

Getting the family involved

While Zoe was the one who had the initial spark of an idea, Junior Flippers quickly became a family operation. “The idea really started with me,” she says, “but my partner Matt and our parents were incredibly supportive from the very beginning.”

Matt took on the behind-the-scenes like bookkeeping and pool maintenance, while Zoe focused on teaching and planning.

“They helped me keep everything running smoothly. From setting up my admin and bookwork to looking after our baby, Amber, so I could teach in the evenings,” she says. “Even though I was the one who first dreamed it up, it turned into a real family effort. Everyone pitched in when they could, whether it was moral support, helping set up lessons, or celebrating every small milestone along the way.”

Their biggest milestone to date? Eleven years after renting the same Forest Range pool, Zoe and Matt finally bought the property. “It’s such a rewarding feeling to know it’s really ours,” Zoe exclaims.

She credits the business’s success to that of her team. “If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that teamwork really does make the dream work,” Zoe says. “We all have each other’s backs and step in when needed.”

Her teaching team has become like an extended family, too. “Claire and I manage the classes and schedules, swapping around to make our ‘mum life’ fit in with the business,” she explains. “Connor, our one-on-one special needs guru, brings endless patience and heart to his lessons. We balance each other so well. Whether we’re teaching side by side or working solo, we share the same vision and teaching philosophy.”

A first big splash

Zoe says Junior Flippers’ first success came just a few terms after its inception. “What began as a few small classes in a family’s backyard pool suddenly grew faster than I could have imagined,” Zoe says. “Before I knew it, my schedule was full, and I couldn’t return to my old outdoor teaching jobs — I was too busy teaching my own swimmers!”

That was when she realised this wasn’t just a hobby, it was the real deal. “Families were trusting me with their children’s swimming journeys, and new enquiries kept coming in week after week. It was both exciting and overwhelming, but mostly it was proof that there was a real need for year-round swimming lessons in our community.”

Zoe remembers the exact moment it clicked. “I remember standing by the pool one evening, watching a group of confident little swimmers I’d taught from their very first lessons, and realising, ‘This is it. This is the real deal.'”

Growing pains and gains

Today, Junior Flippers is a thriving, family-run hub of community spirit. Between their two pool locations in Woodside and Forest Range, Zoe and her team teach 100s of children each week. “One of our teachers is my cousin. He’s been with us for ten years now,” she says. “It really is a family operation through and through.”

Even her kids have joined the entrepreneurial fun. “As a mum of four, my own kids are also part of the journey,” she laughs. “They use the property to run their own little enterprise, selling baked goods and fresh produce. It’s a great way for them to learn about hard work, responsibility, and community.”

As for the challenges, Zoe says they don’t often butt heads. “Honestly, tricky moments are few and far between. We’re lucky to have such a supportive and like-minded team. Our biggest challenge right now is finding the right person to join us as we continue to grow,” she says.

More than swimming lessons

At the heart of Junior Flippers is a philosophy that swimming is about much more than learning the right strokes.

“We’re building confidence, trust, and life skills,” Zoe says. “Our mission is simple: to introduce children to the water in a safe, supportive, and positive way.”

Her family values are woven into everything they do. “We believe that if you don’t try, you don’t learn. And that’s exactly how we approach teaching and running the business,” she says. “Every child is encouraged to take small steps that lead to big rewards, and that same philosophy guides us as a family and a team.”

Zoe’s signature phrase,  “Let me hold your hand, and you can trust me”,  sums it up perfectly. “That’s something I often say to nervous swimmers,” she says. “But it’s also how we operate behind the scenes. Trust, patience, and teamwork are the foundation of Junior Flippers, and those values come straight from our home.”

Tough times and turning points

Like many small businesses, Junior Flippers faced its biggest test during the pandemic. “Without a doubt, COVID was one of our toughest challenges,” Zoe admits. “The uncertainty, constant changes to regulations, and lack of clarity around where we fit… were we education, fitness, or recreation? That made things incredibly difficult.”

But the team refused to sink. “We spent countless hours on the phone, rearranging schedules and juggling classes just to stay afloat,” she says. “It tested our patience and resilience, but it also reminded us why we do what we do. Families relied on us, kids missed the water, and our community kept cheering us on.”

Zoe says the experience was character-building. “We adapted, stayed flexible, and supported one another through every setback. Looking back, it made us stronger —both as a business and as a family.”

Pride, progress, and property

Buying the Forest Range property in October 2023 stands out for Zoe as one of the proudest moments.

[Buying the property] “gave us a permanent home on the land that we work and the freedom to grow,” she says. But the accolades don’t stop there. The team has also received staff awards recognising their dedication and heart.

“Perhaps the proudest moment of all,” Zoe says, “has been watching it come full circle. Working alongside Claire and both our daughters, who we once taught to swim, and seeing Claire and Connor reach 10 years of service. Together, we’ve created a safe, welcoming environment for thousands of families near and far.”

A unique swim school

Junior Flippers is nothing like a typical swim school with large classes in a noisy sports centre. “We offer a private, personal setting where only one to two classes run at a time — unlike large centres that operate ten or more,” Zoe explains. “Every child learns differently, so we pride ourselves on being flexible and adaptive in the moment.”

That flexibility extends beyond the pool as well. Over the years, they’ve transformed the space to better serve families by adding new changerooms, extending the building by five metres, and creating a comfy kitchen and viewing area. “Outside the pool area, children can enjoy playing on the slide and lawn games,” Zoe says. “I really enjoy standing in the kitchen watching our swimmers run around on the lawn and enjoy the sun after their lesson.”

There’s even a small farm vibe. “We’ve brought more life to the property with cows, sheep, alpacas, and chickens, which adds a special touch for swimmers as they make their way to lessons,” she says.

Junior Flippers’ community spirit

Zoe’s commitment to community runs deep. “We offer free swimming lessons for children under one year old, and we aim to donate $2,000 each year to local community groups and schools,” she says. “We also provide a discount for the third and subsequent children in a family to make swimming lessons as affordable as possible.”

That generosity has made Junior Flippers a local favourite.

Zoe hopes the impact of Junior Flippers extends beyond the swimming classes she teaches to students.

“As Australia is an island nation, we hope to help reduce drownings by teaching children to swim confidently from a young age,” she says. “Beyond safety, we want families to experience the many benefits of water. How it helps regulate emotions, promotes calmness, and brings joy and connection.”

She adds, “For our staff, we hope they feel fulfilled knowing they’ve created meaningful bonds with the children and families they teach. Over time, many of these relationships have grown into lasting friendships.”

Ultimately, Zoe says, it’s all about nurturing confidence, both in the water and in life. “I hope the next generation develops a lifelong love and respect for water, creating cherished memories at the beach, lake, or pool — just as we did growing up.”

Australia’s Favourite Family Business

Being named as a finalist  for Australia’s Favourite Family Business 2025 was, in Zoe’s words, “absolutely huge”.

“I still see us as a small family business in a rural area, so to be shortlisted feels incredible,” she says. “The support from our family and community has truly blown me away.”

The recognition, she says, “confirms that all the effort from the long days to the late nights, to  the early mornings, and the holidays spent cleaning the pool, truly matters.”

As for what’s next, Zoe’s dreams are as expansive as ever. “I’ve been exploring the idea of introducing water therapy. Not only for children who face daily challenges but also for anyone seeking a quiet, calming space to relax, regroup, and find their happy place,” she says.

She’s also keen to expand the business into aqua fitness and aerobics programs.
“These classes could provide not only physical benefits but also social connections and emotional support, which are so important in today’s busy world,” she says. “Looking further ahead, my dream is to create a welcoming hub where families and individuals feel safe and empowered around water. A place that nurtures confidence, health, and happiness across generations.”

A legacy of love

When asked what kind of legacy she hopes the Flippers Swim School leaves behind, Zoe’s answer is heartfelt and hopeful. “I hope to leave a legacy of love, resilience, and connection. I want my children and future generations to know the value of hard work, community, and the joy that comes from doing something meaningful together as a family,” she says.

For Zoe, Junior Flippers is a living, breathing example of what can happen when passion, perseverance, and purpose come together.

“I want the kids to feel proud of what we’ve built — a safe, welcoming space where people grow confidence in the water and in themselves,” she says. “Ultimately, I hope they carry forward the passion for helping others and the belief that with dedication and heart, they can create something truly special that lasts for generations.”

Junior Flippers is a finalist and the overall winner of Australia’s Favourite Family Business  2025 Competition. You can find out more about the rest of our finalists here.

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