Vanesa Ellis had no pest control experience. She'd also been out of the workforce for 15 years, having left a job at Wells Fargo to raise her kids. Then she opened a Mosquito Squad franchise in 2016, and it's thrived ever since. How'd she make the transition so easily? Because, Ellis says, her background helped prepare her in unexpected ways.
"I wouldn't change the experience of immigrating to the U.S. for the world," she says. Ellis moved from Argentina to the Bronx at age 11. She didn't speak English at the time, and had to quickly learn how to navigate new situations and take care of herself. That, she says, turned out to be a massive learning opportunity - and it helped her master Mosquito Squad, a pest control brand that's based in Maryland and has more than 200 locations, and then open a franchise with Conserva Irrigation, which provides sprinkler systems based on water conservation principles. Here's how she did it.
Are there things you learned growing up as an immigrant in the Bronx that translate to your entrepreneurial career?
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Startups - Spring 2024-Ausgabe von Entrepreneur US.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Startups - Spring 2024-Ausgabe von Entrepreneur US.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
The $20 Bill That Became Priceless
As I built my snack-food brand, Sun & Swell Foods, I kept hearing the same advice: Hustle for your customers. Never turn down business. Obsessively focus on ROI. So that's what I did-and although my company grew, it wasn't profitable. This began affecting me emotionally. I love my brand and care deeply about its success. Its challenges started to feel like my own.
THE BEST MARKETING DOLLARS I'VE EVER SPENT
Great marketing doesn't require huge budgets. We asked franchisees and franchisors to share their best marketing ROI-and their stories (on the following pages) will inspire you.
READ THIS BEFORE MEETING A FRANCHISOR
Thinking about buying a franchise? You should meet the franchisor-and you should know exactly how to approach that meeting-to ensure you're making the right decision.
THE BOLDEST NEW IDEAS IN FRANCHISING
These eight innovative businesses are now franchising-and maybe in a few years, they'll be climbing the Franchise 500 list too.
5 BRANDS GROWING IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS
Want to know how to rocket up in the Franchise 500 rankings? These brands all jumped over 150 spots since last year-and they're sharing the strategies behind their growth.
FRANCHISE 500 TOP 10
Meet the Leaders of the Franchise 500
TAX STRATEGIES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN 2025
Your taxes won't go up this year. But you can still find new ways to decrease your burden.
HOW TO CLOSE THE SALE (EVEN WHEN THEY SAY NO)
I'm the world's leading door-to-door sales expert. I've heard “no” endlessly. Here's how I close sales anyway-and how you can too.
'The Sword We Refuse to Die On'
Some people tell Chip and Joanna Gaines to play it safe, and to keep doing what made them famous in the first place. But they're ready to take more risks-because that's the entrepreneurial way.
Are You Feeling the Squeeze?
Many companies are struggling with rising costs and tighter margins. We asked six business leaders to share their solutions.