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

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people, with white hair, sitting on couch, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands in Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-in-manassas-and-fredericksburg-virginia

BooXkeeping

Tech-Driven Bookkeeping: How BooXkeeping Franchisees Are Embracing the Future

tech-driven-bookkeeping-how-booxkeeping-franchisees-are-embracing-the-future

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier's State-of-the-Art Facilities and Multi-Discipline Approach Fuels Franchise Owner Success

fitness-premiers-state-of-the-art-facilities-and-multi-discipline-approach-fuels-franchise-owner-success

Melting Pot

Melting Pot 50th anniversary photo, featuring three people enjoying celebratory drinks and fondue

Melting Pot Celebrates 50 Years of Fondue Magic With a Year of Special Menus, New Offerings and Unforgettable Moments

melting-pot-50th-anniversary-fondue-celebration

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Kathy Turner: The Filta Franchisee Keeping LA's Kitchens Cooking (and Green)

kathy-turner-the-filta-franchisee-keeping-las-kitchens-cooking-and-green

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

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

&pizza - Fast-Casual Pizza Chain Begins Franchising - 1851 Franchise

&pizza Embraces Franchising To Fuel Bold New Growth Strategy

andpizza-franchising-ceo-mike-burns

CFOs See Recession as Likely in ’25; Why Now Is the Time To Water the Franchise Buyer Seeds

cfos-see-recession-as-likely-in-25-why-now-is-the-time-to-water-the-franchise-buyer-seeds

franchise supplier award design with Locate AI logo and 1851 Franchise badge

Franchise Real Estate Services | Locate AI — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

locate-ai-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support: 1851 Supplier Highlights

Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support: List of Franchise Suppliers

emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Coffee and Analytics: Franchising and AI — Future-Proofing Your Business in an Uncertain Economy

franchising-and-ai-economic-uncertainty

Coffee & Analytics: The Secret to Attracting Multi-Unit Franchisees

coffee-analytics-the-secret-to-attracting-multi-unit-franchisees

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Franchisee Spotlight: Ralph and Felice Ehrman of Welcomemat Services

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS