Today we’d like to introduce you to Coralee Flug.
Coralee, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
A long journey of some success, some failure and a lot of learned lessons. Before having children I had a career in interior design in Canada, I am a Canadian citizen who came to the USA with my then-husband, I never intended on being a stay at home mom but I was unable to work. After the waiting period I was able to attain my Green card and began freelance work. In WY I fell in love with volunteering that made an impact on my heart.
I will forever be grateful for being the lead coordinator of a huge community initiative building a playground, not just any playground but once that was designed by the kids and built like a habitat build, In 8 month a group of “stay at home moms” raised $180K and build a playground with approx 1500 volunteer all in a community of 6500 people. Every time I volunteer I learn something or meet someone.
Fast forward we transferred to Texas from WY and after 4 transfers I retired from interior design, it was no longer my passion and I just couldn’t start over again one more time. Once again moving to a place that I did not know a single person. When you don’t know anyone and are not sure what you want to do when you grow up …. volunteer. My first 3 years was a really a journey in meeting people, networking.
While in WY my children began to competitively swim. After 2 years of only swimming a summer program I went looking for a way to start a year-round swim team in Burleson as I didn’t want to be on the road every day. I have learned to ask questions and tell people what you are looking for – people know people. I was introduced to Dr. Andrew Ha, my years of networking allowed me to connect Sigma swimming with the City of Burleson. At the time I was contract working for a couple clients taking care of their social media which I continue to do pt.
When Sigma first started I just was really a swimmom who took care of the teams social media. My role evolved into more of an admin role. As my kids got older I continued my search for what I was going to be when I grew up. Some soul searching surfaced that I had a very uncomfortable relationship with the water – long story but bad experience as a kid which lead me where I am today.
How was I going to make this happen. An idea popped up when I was at the pool on spring break, a text conversation back and forth and I had to find someone who could make an introduction. I didn’t have to look far, across the pool sat the grandma of one of our swimmer, that grandma was my kids elementary school principal and I knew she had worked in the district for year. I asked the question and she introduced me to a girl who was once her student but now a teacher. We wanted to have all the 5th graders come to the pool and get an evaluation – the intention was we thought we would find kids we could reach out to for swim team.
The scary thing we found evaluating approx 1000 kids well over 1/2 could not swim, A new problem and more ideas, how do we fix that kids cant swim. My 10 year old self kept popping up. Last year 1000 2nd graders got lessons as part of PE a partnership with the ISD. I tell you all this as it has lead me to where I am today. A series of introductions has me sitting on the Drowning Prevention Board with the Fire Department, Vice Chair of the Be Healthy Burleson Board, working in partnership with Cook Children, Shanon Murphy ( Kidd Kraddick show), Safe Kids, City of Burleson and now have 3 pools and growing.
Social media management is still part of my world that feeds my creative and exposes me to different circles of people. Working with Woolard’s Custom Jewelers and Burleson Honey Tour
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting from scratch, building not just a business but a reputation of swimming as a viable sport in a community has come with its naysayers, we now struggle because we don’t have one pool big enough to host meets.
Please tell us about Sigma Swim.
I am known for connecting people. Connected Woolard’s Jewelry with Beautiful Evolution photography, I had an idea and out of that idea a necklace line was born.
I am known for the said squirrels in my head that come up with crazy ideas and not scared to see who we can put together to make them happen. I am not afraid to fail, I have learned sometimes those are the places the good stuff comes from.
My favorite thing is the pool doesn’t see the color of your skin, the disabilities or challenges you face, or even your age. Everyone can find a place to fit in, learn and thrive in the water.
My kids always say – Mom you do you, I wear one of the necklaces from Woolard’s reminding myself of this.
Sigma swim team with heavy focus on Drowning Prevention/ Swim School with 9 locations in the Metroplex – we pride ourselves on teaching.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have fond memories of my Grandparents house in the summer, Just being a kid, riding bikes, hanging out with cousins, raiding gardens and sitting around the backyard fire pit my grandpa built. My grandmother who turns 103 this summer has inspired me throughout my life, her sense of family and community is unmatched.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sigmaswim.org
- Phone: 8179918336
- Email: coralee@sigmaswimming.org
- Instagram: @sigma_swimming
- Facebook: @sigmaswimming
- Twitter: @sigmaswimming
- Yelp: Sigma Swimming
- Other: www.sigmaswimming.org
Image Credit:
Brooke Mathis, Kristin Morales
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