Sometimes, the path to fulfillment lies in turning our passions into a powerful force for good. That’s exactly what inspired Tim and Katie Hall to launch Silver Bear Swim School, where they teach kids how to swim while fostering community and investing in people. By Lizzy Yeserski
COVER STORY
Sometimes, the path to fulfillment lies in turning our passions into a powerful force for good. That’s exactly what inspired Tim and Katie Hall to launch Silver Bear Swim School, where they teach kids how to swim while fostering community and investing in people.
“Our mission statement is: ‘People who love kids teaching kids to love swimming,’ so we really feel like children and the whole child are at the forefront of our mission,” explained Katie, co-founder and aquatics director.
Katie’s love of the water began at age 6 when her mom enrolled her in swim lessons to keep her busy. Soon enough, Katie began swimming competitively and eventually earned the opportunity to swim at the University of California, Berkeley, one of the nation’s top swimming programs. By the end of her fulfilling yet intense collegiate career, Katie felt burned out and was ready to start corporate life, leaving the pool behind – until the water came calling again.
“After about two years, I was missing the water for mental and physical health,” Katie explained.
She joined a local swim club where she reconnected with the sport and met Tim, an Ironman athlete and self-described “hack swimmer” who had been training. The two fell in love, married and relocated to Reno, Nevada. Shortly after the birth of their first child, Katie experienced a career epiphany.
“I just didn’t feel like I wanted to sacrifice time with my first child to go to work,” Katie recalled. “He was 6 months old, and I was visiting a friend, and she said, ‘Why don’t you guys join us for our swim class,’ and the rest was history!”
Seeing a gap in aquatic options in Reno, the couple realized they could build something meaningful, so they opened Silver Bear Swim School. Beyond a business venture, it represented a way to give back to the community and share a sport that had given them so much throughout their lives.
“Silver Bear begins and ends with family,” emphasized Tim, who serves as operations and financial director. “It permeates everything we do and how we treat the kids in the pool, our team and our customers. And, the good news is it’s been successful for business, and it’s translated really well to our franchisees!”
The Halls view their swim schools as aquatic classrooms to boost self-confidence and celebrate milestones. Parents, children and caretakers unite under one roof to bond and create lasting memories.
And the mission extends past teaching swimming. With drowning being the leading cause of accidental death in children under 4 in the U.S., Silver Bear’s work has a profound impact on the community. Studies show that swim lessons can improve a child’s chances of survival by 88%. This statistic drives the Halls to keep making a difference.
“More than anything, Silver Bear is about growth – student growth, family growth, staff growth. Whether it’s a partner, franchise partner, staff member or a student, we’re here to help them enjoy their time with us and experience personal growth,” concluded Katie.
Lizzy Yeserski