Realizing she could do better than the commission she earned selling hot tubs at her former job, Carol Benoit, of Cranston, decided to dip her toes into business ownership.
Crystal Waters Hot Tubs LLC opened at 487 Jefferson Blvd. in Warwick in May 2021, named after Benoit’s daughter, who is one of two employees at the business.
The business sells Viking Spas Inc. brand hot tubs, which are made in Michigan, where Viking is located. Viking Spas was the recipient of the President’s “E” Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2012 for using components made in the U.S. to manufacture its spas.
Benoit says the manufacturer has been sending her 15 hot tubs per month, while supply chain constraints impacting foreign-made parts have limited the broader availability of hot tubs on the market.
Benoit said it was a “big investment” for her to lease out the property and start the business, but it’s working out so far.
“I’m blessed,” she said. “I’m selling a lot right now because I’m the only one who has them. If that wasn’t the case, I probably wouldn’t sell much right now.”
Marc Larocque is a PBN staff writer. Contact him at Larocque@PBN.com.
