What happens when a custom suit business crashes during COVID... and mosquitoes invade Southern California? Meet Kim Welch, a fearless franchisee who turned a pandemic pivot into a 2-territory empire with Mosquito Squad.
This episode of Franchise Envy dives deep into:
00:00 – Franchise Envy Wednesdays: What to expect
00:32 – Welcome Kim Welch, Mosquito Squad owner
01:55 – From Colorado to Cali: No mosquitoes… until COVID
03:15 – Fashion → Pest Control: When the clothing biz collapsed
05:20 – “We saw a need... and seized the moment”
06:40 – Picking Mosquito Squad over the competition
08:30 – Getting licensed + Squad School training
10:12 – “I didn’t sign up for this!” Marital strain & early struggles
13:00 – Year 2 breakdown: Ready to walk away
15:00 – Grit, validation calls & making the franchise work
18:45 – Income reality: What franchisees really make
21:30 – Investing $175K with a ROBS plan: Why and how
23:00 – Seasonality, cash flow & the entrepreneur rollercoaster
25:20 – Hiring mistakes & her “Oh crap” moment
28:30 – Dead possum in the fly trap? Yep, that happened
30:10 – Kim’s mindset shift: CEO, not technician
32:00 – The franchisee mistake that could sink you
33:20 – “Ask for help sooner. You’re not alone.”
35:00 – Final thoughts & franchise advice from Kim
36:30 – How to connect and explore franchise ownership
💡 Thinking about franchising? Drop your questions in the comments!
Ready to explore franchise opportunities? Click the link below to schedule a call with me—my services are FREE!
https://www.zorakle.net/assessment/welcome/ionfranchising
Discover the true stories of the hustle, heart, and innovation fueling franchises across the globe : https://www.youtube.com/@FranchiseRoadTrip