Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Harrington.
Matt, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Owning a franchise, particularly in the pest control industry, seems a weird progression in my career. After numerous years working in operations and finance at the higher education institutions of USC and AFI (American Film Institute), my positions at both were eliminated in reorganizations.
Not one to rest on my laurels and wanting to take more control of my own destiny, I reached out to a franchise consultant. Based love of gardening, dogs and talking to people, we narrow my search down to Mosquito Squad. The Squad was looking to expand into the California market for the first time and I was the first to sign up in the Los Angeles market.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a very bumpy road. Entering a completely new industry and being one of the first for the franchisor in this market, neither of us knew what to expect.
North East Los Angeles is a very different market to anything the company was accustomed to. The higher-value properties with much smaller lot sizes was alien to corporate. What they were used to back east didn’t work and wasn’t applicable out west. The initial marketing recommendations and suggestions were off. The culture out here was different. Things didn’t work with product blend here as is did back there. On top of the restrictive licensing requirements, hiring my own staff and working out of my home at the height of COVID. Well. It was consistently just making it work day-by-day, keep adjusting as necessary, and keep moving things forward the best I could with the tools I had.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Mosquito Squad is a pest control company that specializes in, as you might expect, the abatement and control of mosquitoes in addition to other pests and arthropods.
In my first year I was Mosquito Squad Rookie Franchise of the year. With a small but committed team and just one van (compared to most franchises starting with at least two). I had to adjust. I instituted and then successfully juggled and ran two teams (morning and afternoon) which no other operation was doing. And that was on top of starting operations later than others. I am also the only openly LGBT owner in the organization, maybe even in pest control in Los Angeles. I don’t necessarily lean into it, but I definitely wanted to acknowledge and give back to my community, and so partnered with a local charity during Pride month.
What matters most to you?
My husband, dogs and my employees. My dogs are my boys. My employees are my lads.
My husband is my rock and supports this crazy leftfield move.
My boys keep me grounded, keep me in the moment and all that unconditional love I couldn’t do without.
I couldn’t do the job without the lads, their commitment, their ability to roll with the punches and their sense of humor. Being a boss for the first time, I feel you have to be committed to and supportive of your employees. We’re a team, we just have different roles.
Pricing:
- $101 to $299 per treatment depending on property size
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mosquitosquad.com/pasadena/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mosquitosquadpasadena/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MosquitoSquadPasadena/
