2024 marked a monumental milestone for ohDEER—we proudly celebrated a decade of franchising! Over the past 10 years, the ohDEER franchising system has grown into a robust, thriving network of passionate entrepreneurs delivering all-natural solutions for deer, tick, and mosquito control. As we reflect on this remarkable journey, we invite you to join our family and become a part of this exciting and rewarding opportunity.
Founded in 2006, ohDEER started as a small operation born from ingenuity and passion. Kurt Upham, our founder, experimented in his garage to develop a deer repellent that was effective and natural. He expanded to offering All-Natural Tick & Mosquito Control and by 2014, the success of ohDEER’s all-natural approach inspired the launch of our franchise system. Franchising has made it possible for others to share in our mission of helping communities enjoy more time outside.
Today, ohDEER stands out as a trusted leader in the pest control industry, serving families and businesses across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Virginia. Our proven business model has empowered franchisees to build thriving businesses while delivering safe, chemical-free pest control solutions. This combination of innovation, community impact, and profitability is what sets ohDEER apart—and why the next decade is brimming with opportunity for new franchise owners.
At ohDEER, our franchisees are the heart of everything we do. The successes of our owners are a testament to the strength of our system, the power of collaboration, and the opportunities that lie within the ohDEER franchise network. As we celebrate 10 years of franchising, we’re especially proud of our two longest-standing franchise owners—Eddie Spindola of ohDEER Martha’s Vineyard and Dave Mulcahy of ohDEER South Shore—who have been with us since the very beginning.
Eddie’s journey began in March 2014 when ohDEER Martha’s Vineyard became the very first franchise location. At the time, Eddie was working as a landscaper for Kurt Upham’s mother, who quickly noticed his work ethic and dedication. Kurt saw an opportunity to expand ohDEER to Martha’s Vineyard and offered Eddie the chance to be part of the brand’s exciting future. Since then, Eddie has built a thriving business, becoming a staple in his island community.
A fun fact about Eddie: The properties on Martha’s Vineyard are so expansive that Eddie had to invest in longer hoses for his trucks! His adaptability, commitment to customer relationships, and excellence in service have cemented ohDEER’s reputation as a trusted name on the island.
Dave’s story began in June 2014 when he opened ohDEER South Shore. An outdoors enthusiast and family man, Dave quickly recognized the growing demand for safe, natural tick and mosquito control. Within just a year, he expanded his operations by launching ohDEER Cape Cod—a testament to his drive for growth and commitment to his community.
Today, Dave wears multiple hats: he owns and operates both locations and serves as the Chief Operating Officer for ohDEER Development. His leadership, expertise, and hands-on experience have been invaluable in growing our franchise network. As a Certified Franchise Executive and Conquer business coach, Dave understands the importance of continuous improvement and pushing the boundaries of success.
At ohDEER, community and collaboration are at the core of who we are. Our annual event is a celebration of our franchise family—a time to connect, learn, and grow together. The 2024 ohDEER Annual Event was no exception.
Franchise owners, the ohDEER development team, and the founders came together for a day packed with learning, networking, and celebration. Franchisees had the opportunity to meet directly with our CRM, product, and marketing vendors to address their unique business needs. Insightful roundtable discussions fostered idea-sharing and collaboration, while the award ceremony recognized franchise owners for their outstanding achievements, including:
The day concluded with a shared meal and an evening watching the Providence Bruins game in a suite—a perfect way to celebrate the camaraderie that defines the ohDEER family. Take a look behind the scenes at our Annual Event on our YouTube channel here.
As we celebrate a decade of franchising, there’s never been a better time to join ohDEER. Our proven business model, strong brand reputation, and commitment to innovation provide franchisees with a unique opportunity to build a profitable, meaningful business.
Here’s why franchise prospects like you should consider joining the ohDEER family:
Looking back on the past decade fills us with pride, gratitude, and excitement for the future. From our humble beginnings in a garage to a thriving network of locations across multiple states, the ohDEER story is one of innovation, community, and success. As we look ahead, our goals are clear:
If you are ready to own a business that combines profitability, meaningful impact, and the support of a proven system, now is the time to join ohDEER. We are seeking motivated individuals who share our passion for delivering safe, all-natural solutions to communities nationwide.
Interested in learning more? Reach out to Jereme at jereme@oh-deer.com to discover how you can be part of the ohDEER story.
As we celebrate 10 years of franchising, we want to extend our deepest thanks to our franchise owners, employees, loyal customers, and community partners. Your trust, hard work, and dedication have been the foundation of our success. Together, we’ve built something truly special—and we can’t wait to see what the next decade brings.
Here’s to growth, innovation, and continued success with ohDEER!Thank you to two amazing pest control publications for sharing our 10 years of franchising story. Check out the Pest Control Technology article here, and the Pest Management Professional article here.
