How to Own a Franchise While Keeping Your Day Job

Introduction

Patrick Findaro, co-founder of Vetted Biz, introduces Josh Ambrose, the franchisee of Mosquito Hunters operating in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Florida. With a diverse background in the military and corporate world, Josh shares how his experience has applied to entrepreneurship, how he got into franchising, and what it’s like running a small business.

Josh Ambrose’s Background

Josh never saw himself as a business owner. He joined the Marine Corps straight out of high school, served for over 24 years, and retired last year. During his transition from military life, Josh started exploring various options. He first looked into Amazon’s DSP program, which is similar to a franchise model without the territory costs. However, there was no territory available near his location.

At this point, a friend of his, also from the Marine Corps, suggested working with a franchise broker. The broker, Bill Easton, eventually introduced Josh to franchise opportunities that suited his needs.

Why Choose Mosquito Hunters?

Josh explains that one of the reasons he chose Mosquito Hunters was the lower startup costs compared to other franchise opportunities. Being able to operate from home was also a significant advantage, although it presented some challenges due to the restrictions of his HOA.

Another crucial factor for Josh was the recurring revenue model. Unlike businesses where customers only come once every several years, Mosquito Hunters offered a consistent flow of recurring customers, providing more stability and long-term growth potential.

Franchise Experience and Support

Josh highlights the advantages of being part of Mosquito Hunters, which is owned by Happiness Brands. This umbrella company handles marketing at a high level, leveraging scale to drive down costs and utilize top-tier resources, such as SEO services from leading firms.

One thing that sets Mosquito Hunters apart is the “ground game” — their local, on-the-ground marketing strategies. The company believes in reinforcing its centralized marketing efforts with door hangers, road signs, mascot promotions, and gathering Google reviews. These efforts help generate the additional touchpoints needed to convert potential customers.

Personal Background and Values

Josh attributes much of his drive to his upbringing and time in the Marine Corps. Growing up, he worked with his father, who held two jobs, and that work ethic carried over into his military career. Josh worked hard to become an officer in the Marine Corps, pursuing night classes and going beyond what was required.

The discipline and drive he learned early on helped him transition smoothly into business ownership. He emphasizes that owning a business is not for everyone — you need to be driven and willing to face the challenges.

Running the Business

Josh currently has two full-time technicians, a marketing assistant, and is in the process of hiring a virtual assistant from the Philippines. He finds value in delegating tasks and empowering his team, drawing from his experiences in the Marine Corps, where he learned the importance of letting others take responsibility.

In his area, residential customers make up most of the revenue. While there is potential for growth in commercial clients, that part of the business requires more focused outbound sales efforts. Josh notes that his team also goes out of their way to create a positive customer experience. Small gestures, like leaving dog treats or handwritten notes, help build relationships and differentiate their services from competitors.

Seasonality and Expanding Services

In Florida, Mosquito Hunters operates almost year-round, taking only about a month off during the coldest season. To address the seasonality of the business, Josh is exploring holiday lighting services, which could complement his existing operations and help cover the offseason.

Family and Time Management

Balancing work and family can be challenging, shares Josh who has three children. He emphasizes the importance of delegating tasks and recently reached the point where he needed to bring on a virtual assistant to help reclaim some personal time.

Josh also stresses the value of continuous improvement. He believes in always finding ways to improve, whether it’s through his own experiences, the experiences of other franchisees, or feedback from trusted advisors.

Advice for Franchisees and Franchisors

Josh offers several pieces of advice:

1. Don’t close doors on opportunities: always listen to what others have to say.
2. Know yourself: understand whether you have the drive to be a business owner.
3. Consider funding carefully: it’s easier to get an SBA loan on the front end than it is to secure financing once the business is already running.

Concluding Thoughts

Josh highlights the importance of having a positive mindset. Franchisees with a negative mindset tend to struggle, while those who stay positive and take ownership of their success usually do well. Extreme ownership, as outlined by Jocko Willink’s book, is a principle that Josh holds dear, and it’s a crucial factor in achieving success in business ownership.