1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-willis-1b487817/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mosquito-hunters-franchisee-pilots-new-service-line-humbug-holiday-lighting-with-great-success-2725608" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Beth Willis</a> has been a franchisee with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquitohunters/info">Mosquito Hunters*</a> for six years and in that time, she has doubled her territories with the brand. Much of her growth can be attributed to the multiple service lines offered by the brand, from mosquito repellent services to pest control.&nbsp;“My customers trust me and know me so they come to me first when they need additional services, which is what makes the ability to offer several service lines so great,” she said.For her first several years with the brand, it was a seasonal business, especially given the fact that her territories cover the Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area. However, Willis is no longer limited to a seasonal model;&nbsp;<a href="https://mosquitohuntersfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mosquito-hunters-franchisee-pilots-new-service-line-humbug-holiday-lighting-with-great-success-2725608" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mosquito Hunters</a> recently launched a new service line, Humbug Holiday Lighting, which gives franchisees even more opportunities to scale their business year round.Willis was one of the first franchisees to pilot the new program and has already experienced impressive growth, gaining 50 new customers over the course of six weeks. The addition of this new service line has also had a positive impact on Willis’ employee retention.&nbsp;“This service line filled in the other parts of the year where I couldn’t offer my other seasonal services. Now, I am able to get better employees because I can offer full-time work and a better opportunity for them,” she said.1851 Franchise spoke with Willis about her journey into franchising and her plans for the future.&nbsp;FEATURE QUESTIONS1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Willis:&nbsp;I am an entrepreneur at heart. I had a traditional job when I graduated from college and decided it was not for me. I opened an insurance agency and had it for 10 years, then I sold it. After that, I opened an online store for about five years.Then I decided to go into franchising so I didn't have to keep reinventing the wheel. I started with Mosquito Hunters about six years ago; it was a seasonal business, so it allowed me to keep working with my online store in the off season.&nbsp;1851: How have you leveraged the multiple service lines offered to customers to help you scale your business?Willis:&nbsp;My biggest tool for growth is my reputation. Spending six years with Mosquito Hunters means that people know and trust me. I have always been customer-service focused, because I hate when service people don’t call back or when they don’t show up when they say they will. That was never going to be me and my business.My customers trust me and know me so they come to me first when they need additional services, which is what makes the ability to offer several service lines so great.I have been able to scale my business substantially over the years. I added my second territory in year three. Year five, however, started posing some challenges for me; I felt like I kept starting over with employees, because my services were seasonal at the time. My employees would leave for the winter and sometimes not come back. Mosquito Hunters realized this was something other owners found to be challenging as well and a factor that was hindering growth. They’ve found another service line to overcome this: Humbug Holiday Lighting.&nbsp;This service line filled in the other parts of the year where I couldn’t offer my other seasonal services. Now, I am able to get better employees because I can offer full-time work and a better opportunity for them.&nbsp;That is one of the best things about Mosquito Hunters; they have been really adaptable and willing to grow. Sometimes it’s scary if your vision doesn’t align with a franchise brand, but Mosquito Hunters is very willing to listen and take feedback. That’s how Humbug came about because franchisees wanted something year round and it has been really great. They are approachable, and they really listen.&nbsp;1851: You were one of the first Mosquito Hunters franchisees to pilot the Humbug Holiday Lighting service line for a year. How did that go for you?Willis:&nbsp;I was terrified to try it, to be honest. When I first started with the brand six years ago, I was very business-minded and confident with my entrepreneurial abilities, but I was not a pest control expert, which was the part that made me nervous. However, I just learned as I went along.That fear came up again with this new concept because I didn’t have experience with getting on ladders and setting up holiday lighting. I was one of the last pilot franchisees to say yes because I was so apprehensive about it.Eventually, I decided to move forward with it and, once I decide on something, I go one-hundred and a trillion percent in. I jumped in with both feet and learned as I went. I didn’t know how to measure houses accurately and how to calculate the amount of materials I would need at first. I did make some mistakes, but that’s how I learned. I got 50 new customers for six weeks of work, which I’m very pleased with.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Willis:&nbsp;I don’t do anything just a little bit; I do everything full force. I want to continue to grow. I hope my kids can work in this business someday.My oldest daughter is 18 and in college, and she helps in the summer when she is home. My next oldest child is 16 and he is ready to start helping too. This will be my retirement and something I can pass down to my kids — if they are interested in taking it over — or I can sell it one day.ABOUT MOSQUITO HUNTERS:Before the thousands of happy clients, before the franchising, even before the incredible mustaches, Mosquito Hunters started with a single backpack sprayer and a dream. Since becoming a part of Happinest Brands, Mosquito Hunters has quickly become one of the fastest growing pest management franchises in the United States. Mosquito Hunters exists to help our customers and their pets safely enjoy outdoor living spaces by keeping the mosquitoes and ticks at bay. Mosquito Hunters makes mosquito control affordable and effective, and provides mosquito control services guaranteed by our Client Happiness Promise. Mosquito Hunters is a 2023 Franchise 500 brand, ranking no. 497 for its financial strength and stability, unit growth and brand power.&nbsp;

Mosquito Hunters Franchisee Pilots Humbug Holiday Lighting

1851 Franchise

Willis has grown her business impressively over the past six years. With a new service line, she can offer year round services and has already seen growth in the first six weeks.

Mosquito Hunters Franchisee Pilots New Service Line, Humbug Holiday Lighting, with Great Success

mosquito-hunters-franchisee-pilots-new-service-line-humbug-holiday-lighting-with-great-success

Comfort Keepers

How This Comfort Keepers® Franchisee Grew From One Acquisition to a Powerhouse

how-this-comfort-keepers-franchisee-grew-from-one-acquisition-to-a-powerhouse

Caring Transitions

What Makes Caring Transitions the Premier Franchise Choice for Senior Move Management

what-makes-caring-transitions-the-premier-franchise-choice-for-senior-move-management

Jollibee

Photo of Jollibee mascot and two smiling people in Jollibee pajamas

How Jollibee’s Culture Fuels a Global Brand People Love

franchise-culture-brand-success

petbar

petbar franchise logo tenth 10th anniversary

10 Years Strong: How petbar Turned One Dallas Boutique Into a Fast-Growing National Franchise

petbar-10-years-strong-franchise-growth

Griswold

Beaumont Enterprise: Local Woman Brings Griswold Home Care Franchise to Greater Beaumont, Texas

griswold-home-care-greater-beaumont-opening

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 Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

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

How AI Is Transforming Restaurant Operations and Franchises

ai-impact-restaurants-franchises-human-centric-technology

Round Table Pizza Franchisees Take FAT Brands to Court Over Marketing Fund Mismanagement

round-table-pizza-franchisees-take-fat-brands-to-court-over-marketing-fund-mismanagement

FAT Brands Nears Bankruptcy as Creditors Demand Repayment of $1.3 Billion Debt

fat-brands-nears-bankruptcy-as-creditors-demand-repayment-of-13-billion-debt

Callaway Sells Majority Stake in Topgolf to Private Equity for $770 Million

callaway-sells-majority-stake-in-topgolf-to-private-equity-for-770-million

Keith Sizemore headshot, Radiance Holdings

Radiance Holdings Names Keith Sizemore Chief Development Officer

keith-sizemore-radiance-holdings-cdo

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

image of manar landis and maha zirn kashoor from griswold franchise in oklahoma city

Sisters Channel Humanitarian Experience Into New Griswold Franchise Serving Oklahoma City Families

griswold-franchise-oklahoma-city-north-manar-landis-maha-zirn-kashoor

image of stephen westerman and matthew westerman, owners Fort Walton Beach Two men and a junk truck

Twin Brothers Move From Managers to Owners with New TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK Franchise on the Gulf Coast

twin-brothers-two-men-and-a-junk-truck-fort-walton-beach

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

What Makes Mellow Mushroom a Strong Franchise Investment? Insights From the Panos Family’s Metro Atlanta Portfolio

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

The Top 15 Pet Supplies and Retail Franchises for 2025

the-top-15-pet-supplies-and-retail-franchises

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

The 15 Top Pet Grooming Franchises To Consider for 2025

the-15-top-pet-grooming-franchises-to-consider

Mosquito Hunters Franchisee Pilots New Service Line, Humbug Holiday Lighting, with Great Success

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS