Meet Miren Oca | Founder of Ocaquatics Swim School

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

Hi Miren, what do you attribute your success to?
Every child needs to learn to swim in South Florida because there is water everywhere and we have so many opportunities to enjoy the pools, beaches and lakes in our area. However, unfortunately drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children under 5 in this state. Ocaquatics is a locally owned, community involved business and we provide really positive, fun swimming classes in our 5 indoor, warm water, beautiful facilities so that families can be safer around the water.

What is the most important factor behind your success and the success of your brand?
We feel that our culture is what sets us apart and makes us special. We’re incredibly fortunate to work with over 160 team members of diverse backgrounds that range in age from 16 to 80. We believe in servant leadership and strive to create a leadership culture around relationships with our team members. We take care of the people we work with and they take amazing care of our swimmers and their families.

What’s the most important lesson business has taught you?
Since our last interview in August 2017, we opened a 5th location in Miami. We have also gained our B Corp certification and we are celebrating our 30th year in business this February. We are excited to continue growing in the south florida community in a positive and sustainable way!

Since our opening in 1994, we have always provided a huge benefit to our community by teaching these life saving swimming skills. And over the years we have grown into an organization that wants to make a positive impact on our families, our team members, our community and our planet by using the power of our business as a force for good. We believe that doing the right thing for people and the planet can also be profitable. And, our team members are dedicated because they want to work with a company that is making a difference.

I think we’re starting to see customers put pressure on companies to be better. Our families and team members are voting with their dollars on where they spend their money, and they’re also voting on where they want to work. And they want to work with organizations that are making a difference.

We are very excited to attain B Corp certification in 2022. We have always tried to be a good company. When we discovered B Corp, we found a way to objectively measure ourselves and discovered implementable ideas for improvement.

Certified B Corps are for-profit companies that focus on a triple bottom line of people, planet and profit while also using their business as a force for good. They are companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability. We were evaluated on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to how we treat our community and the planet. It is like a LEED certification for a building or Fair Trade certification for coffee.

There are currently more than 8,000 companies in the world that are B Corp Certified. AND we are proud to be the VERY FIRST swim school in the world to have ever received B Corp Certification!

Our goal has been to become certified to show that “normal, everyday” businesses can do well by doing good and become B Corp Certified. But the process can be somewhat overwhelming for companies. My advice is to start right now, where you are, with a small change that you know will be better for the world. Small actions can have a big impact and make it easier to make the next small change. Every little positive change you make in your business adds to the critical mass of the movement. Each drop, when added to another, becomes a ripple that continues on and can inspire and help others. So I would encourage other business owners that are looking to make an impact through more conscious business practices to just start… start small…. but start today.

One of my favorite quotes:
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” Albert Schweitzer

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Every child needs to learn to swim in South Florida because there is water everywhere and we have so many opportunities to enjoy the pools, beaches and lakes in our area. However, unfortunately drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children under 5 in this state. Ocaquatics is a locally owned, community involved business and we provide really positive, fun swimming classes in our 5 indoor, warm water, beautiful facilities so that families can be safer around the water.

What is the most important factor behind your success and the success of your brand?
We feel that our culture is what sets us apart and makes us special. We’re incredibly fortunate to work with over 160 team members of diverse backgrounds that range in age from 16 to 80. We believe in servant leadership and strive to create a leadership culture around relationships with our team members. We take care of the people we work with and they take amazing care of our swimmers and their families.

What’s the most important lesson business has taught you?
Since our last interview in August 2017, we opened a 5th location in Miami. We have also gained our B Corp certification and we are celebrating our 30th year in business this February. We are excited to continue growing in the south florida community in a positive and sustainable way!

Since our opening in 1994, we have always provided a huge benefit to our community by teaching these life saving swimming skills. And over the years we have grown into an organization that wants to make a positive impact on our families, our team members, our community and our planet by using the power of our business as a force for good. We believe that doing the right thing for people and the planet can also be profitable. And, our team members are dedicated because they want to work with a company that is making a difference.

I think we’re starting to see customers put pressure on companies to be better. Our families and team members are voting with their dollars on where they spend their money, and they’re also voting on where they want to work. And they want to work with organizations that are making a difference.

We are very excited to attain B Corp certification in 2022. We have always tried to be a good company. When we discovered B Corp, we found a way to objectively measure ourselves and discovered implementable ideas for improvement.

Certified B Corps are for-profit companies that focus on a triple bottom line of people, planet and profit while also using their business as a force for good. They are companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability. We were evaluated on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to how we treat our community and the planet. It is like a LEED certification for a building or Fair Trade certification for coffee.

There are currently more than 8,000 companies in the world that are B Corp Certified. AND we are proud to be the VERY FIRST swim school in the world to have ever received B Corp Certification!

Our goal has been to become certified to show that “normal, everyday” businesses can do well by doing good and become B Corp Certified. But the process can be somewhat overwhelming for companies. My advice is to start right now, where you are, with a small change that you know will be better for the world. Small actions can have a big impact and make it easier to make the next small change. Every little positive change you make in your business adds to the critical mass of the movement. Each drop, when added to another, becomes a ripple that continues on and can inspire and help others. So I would encourage other business owners that are looking to make an impact through more conscious business practices to just start… start small…. but start today.

One of my favorite quotes:
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” Albert Schweitzer

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?
Florida for Good is an initiative which funds free resources, collaborative opportunities and networking connections to facilitate the spread of business for good in our state. I am super grateful that there is a new chapter of Florida for Good in Miami (FFGM) that was launched this year!

FFGM is the connector between B Corps, Conscious Capitalism members, 1% For The Planet members, and other like minded, values aligned organizations and networks. They also have an online presence that promotes business responsibility to all companies, posts relevant events, offers a business directory of like-minded businesses, and provides resources.

https://floridaforgood.com/ffgm/

Website: ocaquatics.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocaquatics/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miren-oca-80561261/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ocaquatics

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ocaquatics