College Roommates and Entrepreneurs Tackle Chicagoland’s Mold and Air Quality Industry

“I grew up in Southington, CT,” said Erik Sager, franchisee of the Chicago’s Green Home Solution territory. “I left the east coast and attended North Park University in Chicago for my bachelor’s degree majoring in accounting.” Sager has stayed put ever since and has built a pretty extensive professional network.

After his schooling, Sager began to work for Wintrust Mortgage as a sales assistant. “During my short time at Wintrust, I discovered the need for mold mediation solutions due to the extensive research and knowledge on the real estate industry,” he explained. Sager connected with his college roommate, Erik Brorson, and they decided that Chicago had a special need for a mold mediation solutions. “The opportunity presented itself. Erik and I have backgrounds that lend itself to this industry, his being in property management,” said Sager. He later explained that mold is a top deal breaker when selling a home, due to this there is a great demand within the area. Therefore, in March of 2014, just a year and a half after graduation, Brorson and Sager purchased the territory and started Chicago’s first and only Green Home Solutions*.

“Erik is the expert on the science behind the product and mold mediation. I consider him the project manager and he always seems to figure out the solution to problems,” said Sager when addressing the roles and business relationship the two have. Sager finds himself in the development role within the business. “I build relationships with our clientele.”

Based in Tyrone, PA, Green Home Solutions is an environmentally-friendly franchise that specializes in improving indoor air quality both residentially and commercially. By using their mold inspection, testing, remediation methods as well as their probiotic maintenance systems. The brand began in the early 2000’s and is now operating in 175 markets with 60 more expected to open in 2018. Not only does Green Home Solutions focus on the mold mediation, the brand focuses on air quality as a whole, keeping families and pets in mind.

What drew the two to the brand was the extremely affordable cost, the support within the franchise system and the budding opportunity for growth. “Green Home Solutions is a low investment with great opportunity for high return,” he explained. “It was the only franchise we looked at. We immediately saw and will always appreciate the support you get, not only from the corporate team but also from the other franchises. It’s not a competition, they all want you to see you succeed,” Sager reiterated when speaking highly of the opportunity.

Additionally, Chicago is an amazing potential for growth. “I saw this immediately, especially since I was in the real estate industry. The population provides opportunity and people are always moving in and out needing a company to service their home before an inspection,” said Sager. “Also, everyone wants better air quality within their homes and that is something we are called in for.”

Sager and Brorson have seen growth every year since they began with the brand. Throughout the five years as franchisees, the two have serviced over 1000 homes within the Chicagoland area. When speaking about expansion, Sager explained, “There is always talks about expanding. There is a great opportunity for Chicagoland expansion and taking a stronghold of great Chicago is something we have in mind for the future.”