Mosquito Hunters

After a successful career as a corporate attorney and experience working in both business development and operations,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-rearden-11438a4/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-corporate-attorney-launches-mosquito-hunters-and-humbug-holiday-lighting-for-year-round-revenue-2727614" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Matt Rearden</a> found himself looking for more freedom, flexibility and creativity — something he experienced working in his family’s small business. In pursuit of the freedom of business ownership, but knowing he did not want to build a brand new business from the ground up, Rearden began researching franchises.Although he initially considered various franchise opportunities, from coffee shops to other service-based businesses, Rearden ultimately chose&nbsp;<a href="https://mosquitohuntersfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise&amp%3Butm_medium=referral&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-corporate-attorney-launches-mosquito-hunters-and-humbug-holiday-lighting-for-year-round-revenue-2727614" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mosquito Hunters</a>, the 140-plus-unit pest control concept, because of the business model and opportunity to support his community.“I don't love pest control; I don't love mosquitoes,” Rearden said. “But I like helping people. I like serving people. I like building a team.”While pest control in Florida is a highly viable stand-alone business that provides a nearly year-round revenue opportunity as is, Rearden still had some lingering concerns about the potential seasonality of the business. After learning of&nbsp;<a href="https://humbugholidaylighting.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-corporate-attorney-launches-mosquito-hunters-and-humbug-holiday-lighting-for-year-round-revenue-2727614" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Humbug Holiday Lighting</a>, an additional service line that parent company&nbsp;<a href="https://happinest.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-corporate-attorney-launches-mosquito-hunters-and-humbug-holiday-lighting-for-year-round-revenue-2727614" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Happinest Brands</a> had recently introduced into the business model, he reached a turning point. Working in both the pest control and holiday lighting space will allow Rearden to further diversify his revenue streams, market multiple services to a single customer base to maintain steady revenue, and provide consistent year-round employment opportunities for his team.“When the opportunity to do both Mosquito Hunters and Humbug Holiday Lighting together was presented — and it was essentially a bolt-on service line that made the franchise a year-round business — it really got my attention,” Rearden said. “Having the two brands helped push me over the edge. It was an opportunity to use the same systems, the same vehicles, and the same team members to offer several services, and to get in at what most would consider the ground floor of a growing and cutting-edge brand.”Having launched his&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquitohunters/info">Mosquito Hunters</a>&nbsp;business earlier this summer, Rearden is already experiencing the flexibility of business ownership. Notably, though, business ownership has also brought Rearden a sense of fulfillment beyond his own role and career.“What gives me joy in the business is when customers appreciate what we've done for them,” he said. “Like when a customer says, ‘I actually went out and bought lawn furniture because I can use my yard now,’ or when parents tell me their kids can play outside without getting bitten by mosquitoes. That’s what brings a smile to our face.”Looking toward his first season of holiday lighting services and his longer-term growth plans,&nbsp;Rearden emphasizes his commitment to a great customer experience. Whether he has 100 customers or 1,000, he wants to ensure he has the infrastructure in place to provide the best possible service every time.“I bought two territories to start. For me, the plan is to treat customers right. When people know what we do and how we do it, the growth is going to come,” he said. “That’s what I’m focused on more than anything else. Rather than serving large, I want to serve well. If we can’t serve 100 customers well in one truck, I’m not going to put the second truck out there. I want to make sure we treat our customers the way we treat our family and close friends.”For entrepreneurs looking to follow a similar path, Rearden says Mosquito Hunters and Humbug Holiday Lighting can be a strong investment opportunity.“The delta for Humbug Holiday Lighting and Mosquito Hunters for me was three things: It was a reasonable initial investment, it was a scalable business that has growth potential, and it was the systems and processes available to help me achieve the growth I want,” he said. “I would encourage anyone looking to get in to understand that it’s a reasonable investment and to ensure they have the resources they need to support themselves and their teams for the first six months to one year. This will give you the freedom to be intentional about growth as we have been, setting you up to build a successful, sustainable business.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquitohunters/info">https://1851franchise.com/mosquitohunters/info</a>.

Former Attorney Launches Mosquito Hunters and Humbug Holiday Lighting for Year-Round Revenue

Mosquito Hunters Franchise Grows in Orlando With Attorney

1851 Franchise

Matt Rearden, who recently opened in Orlando, Florida, was driven to invest after learning of the opportunity to offer services through the complementary brands.

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Former Corporate Attorney Launches Mosquito Hunters and Humbug Holiday Lighting for Year-Round Revenue

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Following a decades-long corporate career in global sourcing and green energy,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-lopez-48a785377/">Gina Lopez</a> began considering a pivot. She wanted financial freedom, but having risen to the leadership level, any corporate career move would likely require relocation, and she was determined to stay in Greenville, South Carolina. So, she turned to franchising.“What really triggered us to look at business ownership was that we wanted to have more control over our destiny from a financial perspective,” she said. “I had learned quite a bit about scaling businesses, making and keeping them profitable, even in tumultuous times, so I felt like I had the skills I needed to do it on a smaller business scale.”After connecting with&nbsp;<a href="https://happinest.com/">Happinest Brands</a>, the parent company of&nbsp;<a href="https://mosquitohuntersfranchise.com/">Pest Hunters-Mosquito&nbsp;</a><a href="https://humbugholidaylighting.com/">Hunters-Humbug Holiday Lighting</a>, Lopez completed a thorough due diligence process before deciding to bring&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquitohunters/info">Hunters-Humbug</a> to her community.“We spent several months having conversations, going through due diligence — all those things,” she said. “I really liked that Happinest had a growth objective. They intended to continue to expand their brands and service offerings, so I felt like it was a good place to land.”“At&nbsp;<a href="https://happinest.com/">Happinest Brands</a>, we combine decades of franchise expertise with a commitment to continuous innovation,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmartinfranchisedevelopment/">Eric Martin</a>, senior vice president of franchise development. “By leveraging technology, automation and data-driven systems, we’re helping franchisees operate more efficiently, improve customer experiences and scale smarter — while still maintaining the personal, community-focused service that defines our brands.”Since launching, Lopez has leaned into this growth objective as a part of the larger Happinest system and within her own business, embracing new technologies, staffing strategically and taking advantage of opportunities for additional visibility where possible.<h2>Leveraging AI and Automation</h2>As she has grown, Lopez has taken a strategic look at where technology can step in, as well as where it absolutely shouldn’t. By staying on the cutting edge of technology, Lopez learned early on that there were tools available to help her clear the all-too-common hurdle of working&nbsp;in the business rather than&nbsp;on it.By considering where technology can augment the business and team’s performance, rather than replacing the people themselves, Lopez has established a cost-efficient operating model for today and set the stage for long-term scalability within the business.“I’ve leaned into automation quite a bit,” she said. “It’s a pretty good substitute for adding people for about 80% of cases. And it’s kind of a natural evolution for a business like this to integrate some of these things because it’s really how people are used to behaving now… They’re no longer making phone calls; they’re sending inquiries online. They’re used to chatbots.”As the technology develops, Lopez is also keeping a close eye on the data it yields, using it to make smart decisions for the business.For example, she built an AI agent that can generate 90-day cash flow forecasts and acquisition plans. She performs detailed return-on-investment analysis on additional fleet vehicles at specific revenue points to ensure her expansion is backed by real data.“Business is a combination of taking your own knowledge and leveraging AI, and some of that is just a gut check,” she said. “For me, the AI analysis is typically confirmation of what I was thinking anyway, but with real numbers and a tangible business plan that I can look at and say, ‘Okay, am I executing to this?’”While the tools and technology have been key to her success, Lopez’s commitment to the human element remains an important part of her strategy.<h2>Prioritizing Connections, Locally and Nationally</h2>Having created a strong baseline with the Hunters-Humbug system and her own technology integration, Lopez has been able to focus even more closely on the interpersonal aspects of the business. From networking locally to contributing to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bhg.com/home-checkup-after-winter-11931911">Better Homes &amp; Gardens article</a>, Lopez keeps her focus on the visibility and relationships that will drive the business.“Leaning into networking and becoming an active member of the community has been so valuable for me,” she said. “Having worked in corporate America, my network was global, but this is a different network now. I’m really leaning into different business networking groups and fellow business owners to find opportunities to increase my sphere of opportunity. As the owner, you’re the face of the business, and you have to build a reputation through relationships.”As she looks toward the future, Lopez is leveraging the three-pillar revenue model that includes mosquito control, pest control and holiday lighting. With a blend of AI-driven efficiency and a real commitment to her Greenville community, Lopez is building her business and securing her family’s future.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit <a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquitohunters.">https://1851franchise.com/mosquitohunters.</a>&nbsp;

Photo of Pest Hunters-Mosquito Hunters-Humbug Holiday Lighting Gina Lopez

Gina Lopez, owner of Hunters-Humbug of Greenville, blends executive-level data analysis with a high-touch community presence, reimagining what home service franchise leadership looks like.

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Photo of Pest Hunters-Mosquito Hunters-Humbug Holiday Lighting franchise owner Jake Jones

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Photo of Hunters-Humbug franchisees Robert and Karen Hoffman

Starting With Holiday Lighting, Franchisees Find Success Year-Round With Hunters-Humbug’s Three-In-One Model

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Graphic with Pest Hunters-Mosquito Hunters-Humbug Holiday Lighting logo & Jose Alvarado photo

Why This Former Banker Bet Big on the Pest Hunters-Mosquito Hunters-Humbug Holiday Lighting Franchise — And Won

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<a href="https://mosquitohuntersfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise&amp;utm_medium=referral%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Elite%20Window%20Cleaning%202-minute%20drill">Pest Hunters-Mosquito Hunters-Humbug Holiday Lighting</a>, the 140-unit pest management and holiday lighting franchise, continues to grow both in footprint and infrastructure, now with the addition of industry veteran&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtka">Court Aiken</a> as its new brand president. With 24 years of experience in the franchise industry, including time spent with Cold Stone Creamery, Dunkin’, Clockwork Home Services/Direct Energy, Neighborly and Threshold Brands, Aiken has experience in operations, mergers and acquisitions, compliance, customer service, finance, and brand leadership. Now, in his new role with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquitohunters/info">Hunters-Humbug</a>, Aiken will work alongside both franchise owners in the system and members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://happinest.com/">Happinest Brands</a> leadership team to propel the future success of the Hunters-Humbug brand.While Aiken sees clear business potential in the Hunters-Humbug model, much of what drove him to join the team was less tangible. In addition to a scalable business, Aiken sees clear value in the leadership team's approach. This alignment was a key contributor to his choice to join and will continue to inform how he steers the network as everyone throughout it pursues healthy, impactful growth.“I very quickly identified the love and dedication that everyone at Happinest shares for their brands, and it’s not just siloed into the brands that a single person might work for,” Aiken said. “It truly is a cross-functional team where everyone helps each other. The passion is palpable. One of the things that struck me very early on was that the development team at Happinest maintains their relationships with the people they’re bringing into these brands long after the ink is dry on the franchise agreement. The strength and power of these relationships is truly unique, and I’m excited to be a part of an amazing team that focuses on this aspect of the business.”<h2>Aiken’s Vision for Hunters-Humbug’s Long-Term Growth</h2>Aiken joins the Hunters-Humbug team at a unique inflection point. After&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquitohunters/mosquito-hunters-three-in-one-franchise-model-2729107">officially rolling out its three-in-one model</a> last spring, Hunters-Humbug has significantly expanded the revenue potential for its franchisees and opened the door to even stronger long-term growth.“I truly believe in and endorse the idea of us not just being a mosquito control or abatement company but moving into the pest control space,” Aiken said. “The mosquito control space has become crowded both with other franchises and mom-and-pop operations — even lawn care companies have jumped in with both feet. Branching out to pest control allows us to differentiate ourselves, and adding holiday lighting only compounds the impact even further.”With this in mind, Aiken is embracing a franchisee-first leadership approach, prioritizing the support, resources and additional innovations that will propel growth. While Hunters-Humbug was built on a foundation of mosquito control, the addition of pest control was a big step, and the brand has now positioned franchisees to enter the lighting world with both holiday lighting services and the potential to provide permanent lighting solutions.“My vision is for Hunters-Humbug to be the leader in this space,” he said. “And it’s not just one space. I really look at our market as two spaces. We’re a pest control franchise, and we’re also a lighting franchise. And the team and I are incredibly well-positioned to take us to the next level in both industries.”<h2>Driving the Next Generation of Hunters-Humbug With Collaborative, Hands-on Leadership</h2>Reflecting on his career to this point, Aiken says one of the best pieces of advice he has received is to “listen first, talk later.”“When I was younger and trying to establish myself, I always wanted to be the smartest person in the room and make sure people knew it, but I’ve learned that I learn much more from the people around me than I could ever hope to know on my own,” he said. “This has taught me to be methodical… to make sure I’ve truly processed what people are saying before giving a deliberate and measured response."As Aiken steps into his new role, he carries this lesson with him, making a concerted effort to prioritize a collaborative approach and work alongside the Hunters-Humbug owners who have “boots on the ground” each day. By hearing what they have to say and not just falling back on default rules, Aiken will support and empower owners in the ways they actually need, driving success at both the unit-level and system-wide.“I’m not the kind of person who likes to sit behind the computer and tell people to do things because I think they’re the right things,” he said. “The beauty of Hunters-Humbug is that I’ve joined a team that shares that vision. When we’re making decisions for the Hunters-Humbug brand and for the franchisees, we’re asking for feedback. We’re looking to franchisees to give us their opinions.”&nbsp;“And as much as I love the franchisees, I love the technicians even more because they’re often the ones actually doing the work; they’re the ones who have to live with the decisions that we make,” he continued. “Getting out and spending time in the field with the owners and their techs is incredibly important to me. I’m a very hands-on leader.”With Aiken at the helm, Hunters-Humbug is poised to enter its next phase, balancing aggressive market expansion with a deep, personal understanding of the franchisee experience. Combining his decades of corporate expertise with the practical lessons he learned as a franchise owner himself, Aiken is charging toward the future with a high-powered, multi-service model that remains rooted in the success of the people behind it.&nbsp;To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquitohunters">https://1851franchise.com/mosquitohunters</a>.&nbsp;

Photo of Pest Hunters-Mosquito Hunters-Humbug Holiday Lighting president Court Aiken

Aiken, who brings over two decades of franchise experience and a deep passion for franchisee relationships and support, will lead the brand’s next major growth phase.

Former Corporate Attorney Launches Mosquito Hunters and Humbug Holiday Lighting for Year-Round Revenue

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