Testimonials

“Our tenure as franchisees with Silver Bear has been nothing short of exceptional. Grounded in principles of honesty and hard work, the company’s mission to teach children to swim in a safe and enjoyable environment deeply resonates with us.”

Purchasing a Silver Bear Swim School Franchise has not only been a great investment, but it has given us the rare opportunity to work together in a true family business.

Tim and Katie have developed proven swim instruction curriculum for children which is second to none. They have impressively created a brand throughout the community that will be hard for a competitor to replicate. They have done this by a focus on “CUSTOMER SERVICE.” The manifestation of their efforts is reflected by the enormous waitlist we have, and we have only been open for five months!

I am not sure how other franchises work; however, Tim and Katie always make you feel supported. For us, they have been there every step of the way offering their support and resources to us in any way they could.

If you are privileged to be offered a Silver Bear franchise, I suggest you jump at the opportunity. It will be the best decision you will ever make.

Doug Poirier – Owner Silver Bear Swim School Northwest Reno, NV

“Taking the jump to become the inaugural franchised location of Silver Bear Swim School has been an incredible experience for us. Devon became familiar with Silver Bear and the founders, Tim and Katie Hall, during his college days at UNR. It was through this connection that we developed a strong appreciation for their dedication to swimming and their commitment to running a successful business while maintaining impeccable standards of instruction and fostering a rewarding work place. Living in Utah County, we keenly observed the need for high-quality swim education for children in our community. It was our personal connection with Tim and Katie, coupled with their integrity and passion for the sport, that convinced us they were the ideal partners for this venture.

Our tenure as franchisees with Silver Bear has been nothing short of exceptional. Grounded in principles of honesty and hard work, the company’s mission to teach children to swim in a safe and enjoyable environment deeply resonates with us. Tim, Katie, and our fellow franchise partners exemplify the ethos of loving kids and instilling in them a love for swimming.

Though we encountered challenges along the way, Silver Bear’s collaborative problem-solving approach has consistently provided reassurance and support. Overall, our experience with the franchise has been incredibly rewarding, and we are grateful for the opportunity to positively impact children’s lives through swimming.”

Tynette and Devon Millington - Owners Silver Bear Swim School Lehi, UT

Meet Our Franchisees’

Tynette Millington – Lehi, UT

Tynette oversees the operational backbone of the Lehi business and leads the Baby Bear program with care and precision. With a strong background in accounting and business management, she brings deep expertise to every aspect of the school’s operations. As a mother, she recognized the need for a high-quality swim facility in her community—and found a way to combine her professional skills with her passion for family and active living. Tynette holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and is a certified CPA, using her experience to help build a business that’s both impactful and sustainable.

Devon Millington – Lehi, UT

Devon’s journey with Silver Bear Swim School began as a college student at the University of Nevada, Reno. The positive culture, strong leadership, and joy he experienced while teaching children to swim played a pivotal role in shaping his path. Inspired by that experience, Devon set out to bring the Silver Bear mission—and its values-driven approach—to families in his Utah community. With a Master’s degree in Behavior Analysis and a minor in Business Management, Devon combines educational expertise with a deep commitment to helping children thrive through swim education.

Nicole Poirier – Northwest Reno, NV

Originally from New Hampshire, Nichole spent her formative years in Las Vegas, where she thrived as both a competitive swimmer and soccer player. Her early experiences in aquatics and youth sports included roles as a referee, lifeguard, WSI Instructor, and LGTI Instructor—laying the foundation for her passion for teaching and leadership. In 2014, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Nichole began working for Silver Bear Reno in January of 2011 and has never looked back. Over the course of a decade, Nichole has held several management positions and been an integral part of program development. She was the Site Director of Silver Bear Sparks, the first Swim Team Head Coach, and the pioneer of the Special Abilities Program which launched in 2016. Nichole’s passion for Silver Bear and teaching children to swim is shared with her family members and she has enlisted their help in the launch and management of Silver Bear Northwest.

Apart from her time at the pool, Nichole still plays on local soccer teams and enjoys Lake Tahoe adventures and hiking with family, friends, and her dogs. Nichole is excited to continue to educate children about water safety and share her passion for swimming with the community.

Craig Poirier – Northwest Reno, NV

Craig is the co-owner of Silver Bear Swim School Northwest. He grew up in New Hampshire and Virginia near the ocean where there was an emphasis on learning to swim and the love and respect for water. He started swimming lessons with his mom at the age of 6 months. Though he never swam competitively, he has always enjoyed swimming and water activities.

Craig worked in restaurants as a pastry chef in Las Vegas and Los Angeles for over 12 years. During this time, he helped open several restaurants, created menus, trained staff, and was a contestant on the TV show Top Chef. Craig has attained a breadth of experience working in Special Education by assisting his mother and sister, who are Special Education teachers. He has volunteered in their classrooms and chaperoned field trips. Craig worked at Silver Bear Sparks for a little over a year, before he and Nichole started the process of building Silver Bear Northwest. Craig loves seeing students grow and progress each week in their swim skills and is grateful to be a part of such a successful program. He looks forward to helping Silver Bear grow as one of the company’s newest leaders.