Meet Yael Roush | Founder of Little Kickers Swim School and Kickin’ It Kids Gym

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yael Roush and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yael, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
What inspires me most is watching a child who was once terrified of water suddenly light up with confidence and joy. That transformation doesn’t happen by accident – it happens because we’ve created an environment where kids feel safe, supported, and genuinely excited to learn.

I’m inspired by our instructors who stay year after year, becoming not just swimming teachers but mentors who kids look forward to seeing every week. When you invest in people who are truly passionate about what they do, magic happens in the pool. These aren’t just part-time jobs for our team, they’re careers built around making a real difference in children’s lives.

What drives me every day is knowing that we’re not just teaching swimming skills – we’re giving kids a lifelong relationship with water that could literally save their lives. We’re building their confidence, showing them they can overcome fears, and proving that with the right support, they can achieve things they never thought possible.

The swim industry has accepted high turnover and inconsistency for too long, but I’m inspired by the possibility of doing better. When parents tell us their child talks about their swim lesson all week, or when a formerly fearful kid jumps in the deep end with a huge smile – that’s what keeps me passionate about transforming how swim education should work.

We’re not just running a swim school; we’re proving that putting people first creates extraordinary results for everyone.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
LittleKickers Swim School was born from a vision to completely transform how swim instruction works. What sets us apart isn’t just that we teach swimming – it’s that we’ve reimagined the entire experience around consistency, quality, and genuine fun.
I’m most proud of how we take care of our people. I’ll be honest – we haven’t always gotten this right, but we’ve learned that investing heavily in our instructors is what will truly set us apart moving forward. When you pay well above industry standards and treat your team as the skilled professionals they are, everything else falls into place. Our instructors stay, kids build real relationships with their teachers, and families see consistent progress week after week.
Getting here wasn’t easy. My sister was my business partner for 10 years, and earlier this year we made the difficult decision that I would buy the company from her. It was ultimately the best decision for both of us and for the business, but transitions like that test everything you think you know about leadership and vision.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that the industry’s acceptance of high turnover isn’t just bad for business – it’s bad for kids. When you’re constantly cycling through instructors, you’re disrupting the trust and continuity that children need to truly thrive in the water. We’re proving there’s a better way.
I want the world to know that we’re not just running another swim school – we’re changing the entire industry. Our goal is to be the best in the country, and that doesn’t mean producing Olympic swimmers. It means having the best instructors who can teach any age, any level, with fun being the absolute foundation of every lesson. We’re showing that when you put people first – both your team and your families – extraordinary things happen in the pool.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a must – even if there’s no concert, the natural beauty is stunning.
Head to Vail, Aspen, or Breckenridge depending on the season – skiing/snowboarding in winter, hiking and mountain biking in summer. The mountain town vibe is quintessential Colorado.
Farmers market, then whatever outdoor activity matches the season – maybe kayaking or white water rafting?

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to give a shoutout to my EO forum group – these incredible entrepreneurs who have walked alongside me through some of the most challenging times in both my business and personal life. Having the support system of people who truly understand the entrepreneurial journey is invaluable. They’ve celebrated the wins, helped me navigate the tough decisions, and reminded me why this mission matters when things got difficult.
My husband deserves enormous credit too – he’s not just my partner in life but my cofounder at Kickin’ it Kids Gym. He’s my grounding force, the one who keeps me centered, Most importantly, he believes in me. That unwavering faith and support gives me the confidence to do what I’m meant to me.
And finally, my daughter Sivan – she makes me a better human every single day. Watching her grow, seeing the world through her eyes, understanding what kids really need to feel safe and confident – she’s unknowingly shaped so much of how we approach our work with children. She reminds me daily why creating these positive, nurturing environments for kids isn’t just business, it’s about building the foundation for who they become.
None of this happens in isolation. Success is definitely a team sport, and I’m grateful for the incredible team supporting me both personally and professionally.

Website: https://www.littlekickersco.com

Instagram: littlekickersswim

Image Credits
Allie Al-Mabuk
Stephanie Marilee