After years of settling for low-quality, ineffective mosquito sprays for his lawn, Nick Spencer, Mosquito Mary’s founder and CEO, decided to find a better solution. Spencer wanted to create a spray that was not only effective but also safe for families and pets to use all summer long without worrying about hazardous chemicals. By Kelsi Trinidad
After years of settling for low-quality, ineffective mosquito sprays for his lawn, Nick Spencer, Mosquito Mary’s founder and CEO, decided to find a better solution. Spencer wanted to create a spray that was not only effective but also safe for families and pets to use all summer long without worrying about hazardous chemicals.
In 2019, a year after starting to build its proven concept, Mosquito Mary’s premiered its signature spray made from a unique concentrated blend of essential oils and plant extracts, designed to eliminate, kill and repel mosquitoes and ticks where they breed. With targeted applications, the company’s trained technicians use the spray to create a continuous barrier against pests, which lasts up to 21 days. Customers loved the spray, and Spencer decided to dive into franchising.
Since the start of Mosquito Mary’s franchising journey in 2020, franchisees have been able to sustain their business through the pandemic and also thrive. That’s largely in part due to the company’s mobile-based concept, which allows franchisees to maintain a low-cost, high-profit business. “It’s almost like a recession-proof business,” said Kimberly Moody, Mosquito Mary’s new business development specialist. “Our franchisees didn’t have to shut down during the pandemic; they grew.”
Boasting a growth rate of 700% in just the last year, Mosquito Mary’s invested in expanding its call center to provide additional support to franchisees and their customers. “We went from two customer service representatives to 10 representatives in a snap of a finger,” said Spencer. “We approached 1,000 new customers just in the month of May.”
The company’s call center is one of its most valuable assets for both customers and franchisees. Customer service representatives handle everything, including making franchisees’ routes, scheduling and, most importantly, sending new customers to franchisees. “When you sign on, they’ll immediately flood the market with a marketing campaign,” explained Moody. “Just the branding and the colors alone draw massive attention.”
Mosquito Mary’s places a tremendous emphasis on providing support to its franchisees, so they can achieve their goals with ease. From day-to-day operational support and field training to creating a strong marketing plan, the company is available to assist franchisees at any point while running their business.
“Their goal is to get 300-plus houses for each new franchisee for the first season,” Moody said of the company’s aspirations. “I’ll tell you, they’re doing a good job at getting that accomplished. They’ve got it down to a science; with every territory, they know exactly how to grow it.”
Prospective franchisees don’t need prior mosquito control or pest control experience. Within the Mosquito Mary’s family, franchisees come from a diverse background of professions and from all walks of life. “It’s for anybody with an entrepreneurial spirit that wants to go into business for themselves but wants a business model that is already prominently established and extremely successful,” said Moody.
At the heart of the brand is an ardent desire to help the local community as well. For those within the Mosquito Mary’s family, their job is about more than eliminating pesky pests. It’s about forging a connection with the community and helping your neighbors enjoy the outdoors again.
Kelsi Trinidad