1851

Local couple, Ralph and Felice Ehrman, raised their two children, Erik and Rachel, in the Bolingbrook and Naperville area in Illinois&#39;s suburbs of Chicago. Now, new to being empty nesters, they are bringing a new business to the area to give back to the community that has given them so much.

The Ehrman&rsquo;s will be opening their <a href="http://welcomematfranchising.com/franchise-opportunities/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisee-spotlight-ralph-and-felice-ehrman-of-welcomemat-services-12348" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Welcomemat Services</a> in the beginning of June to assist the local businesses grow. Welcomemat Services uses a unique technology to target new residents in the area and provide them with a welcoming package with promotional items, gift cards, and other branded items. The thought process is that with the help of Welcomemat, local companies will build a relationship with the new residents before they turn to the bigger national chains.

This will be the first Welcomemat in Illinois. They are very excited to bring the new business to the town they have called home for the past 20 years and help out their neighborhood businesses thrive in the growing economy.

What were you doing before partnering with Welcomemat?

Ralph: I have worked as an air traffic controller for the past 31 years in the Chicago Center in Aurora. I&#39;ve been franchise owner since&nbsp;2014 when I joined OrderUp.com

Felice: I have worked in a variety of different businesses over the years. I worked as a PC specialist for almost 10 years after I graduated from Bradley University. I then worked as an independent contractor and a sales associate for smaller, locally owned businesses.

How did you hear about Welcomemat and what made you ultimately decided to commit?

Ralph: Since I work for the government, I will be required to retire in August 2019 but I know I will not be ready to stop working. Felice and I recently became empty nesters when our youngest child went off to college so we were looking for a new adventure. I have always wanted to own my own business but due to time constraints and high-risk of starting a new business I knew franchising was the answer. One thing I really liked during my last experience of being a franchisee was interacting with the community, which I was hoping to continue to do.

Welcomemat Services made the Entrepreneur 500 list, which is how I first found out about the company. Welcomemat fit my desires to work with and give back to the community. Additionally, being on the Entrepreneur 500 list was a solid validation for me to invest my time and money in the business.

Why will Bolingbrook and Naperville be a great market for your Welcomemat?

Ralph: We are actually the first Welcomemat location in Illinois so are very excited to bring the new business to the state and our hometown. We raised our children in Bolingbrook so have a solid support system in town. Naperville has many more companies that will definitely be our target clients.

Visit the <a href="https://atourfranchise.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisee-spotlight-ralph-and-felice-ehrman-of-welcomemat-services-12348" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">International Franchise Association&rsquo;s @OurFranchise website</a> for more stories of passionate local franchise owners, employees and their communities.

Franchisee Spotlight: Ralph and Felice Ehrman of Welcomemat Services

1851 Franchise

Ralph and Felice Ehrman are preparing to introduce the community they've called home for 20 years to their brand new business, Welcomemat Services. 

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

franchisee-spotlight-ralph-and-felice-ehrman-of-welcomemat-services

Home Halo

Home Halo’s 160-Step Launch Process: Setting Franchisees Up for Success

home-halo-franchise-launch-process

VA Reimbursement: A Unique Opportunity for Home Halo Franchisees

va-reimbursement-a-unique-opportunity-for-home-halo-franchisees

Home Halo’s "Frank" Method: Coaching Franchisees to Greatness

home-halos-frank-method-coaching-franchisees-to-greatness

home-halo-dan-deak-personal-journey-headshot

Dan Deak's Personal Journey: From Caring Son to Home Halo CEO

dan-deaks-personal-journey-from-caring-son-to-home-halo-ceo

10 Reasons Why You Should Invest in a Home Halo Franchise

10-reasons-why-you-should-invest-in-a-home-halo-franchise

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Dave’s Hot Chicken Sold to Roark Capital in $1 Billion Deal to Fuel Global Expansion

daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

How To Sell Just One Franchise: What You’ll Learn at FranCamp NJ 2025

how-to-sell-just-one-franchise-what-youll-learn-at-francamp-nj-2025

House Passes Tax Relief Package With Key Benefits for Small Businesses and Franchises

house-passes-small-business-tax-relief-bill-2025

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

The Ultimate Guide To Selling Franchises: How to Leverage Franchise Expos

how-franchisors-can-leverage-franchise-expos-to-drive-success

How Franchise Brands Can Prepare for the Rise of AI-Driven Advertising

how-franchise-brands-can-prepare-for-the-rise-of-ai-driven-advertising

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition — Point of Differentiation

how-to-position-your-value-proposition-with-a-point-of-differentiation

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

What You Need To Know About Low-Cost Franchise Opportunities

what-you-need-to-know-about-low-cost-franchise-opportunities

Sola Salons Franchisee Grows Salon Freedom Into a Multi-State Powerhouse 

sola-salons-franchisee-grows-salon-freedom-into-a-multi-state-powerhouse

Dan Yangas Brings Family Flooring Legacy Full Circle With Footprints Floors Franchise in Naperville 

Dan Yangas Brings Family Flooring Legacy Full Circle With Footprints Floors Franchise in Naperville, Illinois

dan-yangas-brings-family-flooring-legacy-full-circle-with-footprints-floors-franchise-in-naperville-illinois

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Sean Phelan & Caring Transitions logo

From Tech to Transitions: Why This Caring Transitions Franchisee Left the Corporate World To Help Families Navigate Life’s Hardest Moves

sean-phelan-caring-transitions-franchise-austin

Franchisee Spotlight: Ralph and Felice Ehrman of Welcomemat Services

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS