When ohDEER North Middlesex owner Bob Gaska started his business, he wasn’t just launching a new venture, he was stepping into an entirely new way of life. After twenty years in the Aerospace and Defense industry, Bob traded corporate routines for entrepreneurship when he stepped into his first season of All-Natural Deer, Tick, and Mosquito Control.
His first-year franchise experience was transformative: busy, humbling, rewarding, and undeniably fueled by his Massachusetts work ethic. That whirlwind year left Bob with lessons he knew other franchisees could benefit from. So he wrote a book, entirely on his own, titled One Year with ohDEER: Reflections and Lessons from My First Season as a Franchisee.
More than a memoir, the book is a candid field guide for anyone about to begin their own first-year franchise experience, whether at ohDEER or anywhere in franchising.
After two decades in corporate life, Bob realized he wanted something different: more impact, more autonomy, and more time with his family. As an outdoors-loving husband and father of two, he knew the frustration of tick-filled hikes and mosquito-heavy summer nights.
Because his family already preferred All-Natural products, ohDEER’s eco-friendly model felt like the perfect fit. “We all work too hard not to enjoy our homes and yards,” Bob explains. “The inconveniences and potential harm that deer, ticks, and mosquitoes bring are things we can control more, naturally.”
During his first year, Bob grew his operation from one truck to two, serving hundreds of local families. But the true reward wasn’t financial, it was freedom.
“Owning my own business means I can put my son on the bus in the morning, take my daughter for a walk, or go fishing with my dad. My days are still busy, but now they’re filled with things I choose.”
At the end of his first season, Bob sat down and documented everything he learned. He wrote about what worked, what he struggled with, and what he wished he’d known sooner.
The introduction of his book reads, “Greetings, fellow franchise owner. My name is Bob Gaska, and I just finished my first year as a franchise owner. It was exhilarating. I ditched the corporate world for a big ole tick and mosquito killing truck, and so far, I’m loving it.”
Bob didn’t write the book to repeat the technical training ohDEER already provides. Instead, he focused on what he calls the “soft skills” that shape every first-year franchise experience:
“I’m writing this to cover the mental juggling that comes with your first season. My goal is to help you deal with the daily demands and remind you that you have a team of ohDEER experts ready to help. You just need to pick up the phone!”
Throughout One Year with ohDEER, Bob blends practical advice with humor and honesty. His writing style makes it easy for new franchisees to see themselves in his story.
One of his strongest messages is the importance of expertise:
“Know your product and service better than anyone else. Learn everything you can about ticks, mosquitoes, and deer. The more knowledgeable you are, the more confident you’ll sound to your customers. Knowledge will sell more jobs than any marketing campaign.”
He encourages every new franchisee to develop a 15–20 second elevator pitch about ohDEER’s mission and value.
Bob’s perspective on customer service is refreshingly honest:
“You can argue all you want about work-life balance… yeah, yeah, yeah. Good luck with that! In year one, your customers own your time. It’s not forever, but in the beginning, you’ve got to do what it takes to build your reputation.”
His point: the first-year franchise experience requires hustle, but it pays off.
Bob’s personality is a blend of humility, humor, and honesty. During one of ohDEER’s #FranchiseeSpotlight features, he shared a few lessons that summarize his approach to life and business:
He also shared his favorite place: his family’s lake home in Maine, where he has spent more than 30 summers fishing, boating, and hiking. Watching his kids enjoy the same traditions is “absolutely priceless.”
Bob’s first-year experience wasn’t just about revenue, it was about connection. Coaching his son’s lacrosse team led to meeting Brendan Brady, who now helps film ohDEER’s professional video content.
These community relationships reflect what ohDEER is all about: good people helping good people.
“Franchising is about people, and people don’t often think they’ll be a franchisee when they’re little,” Bob says. “There’s a lot of life lived before that, and it all adds up to valuable experience.”
Even when writing his book, Bob never sought recognition. He simply wanted new owners to feel supported as they began their own first-year franchise experience.
“Every challenge you face has probably been faced before. If my experience can help someone avoid a mistake or feel more confident, that’s a win.”
In one season, Bob transformed from new owner to trusted mentor. His willingness to share the highs and lows of his first-year franchise experience reflects ohDEER’s culture of collaboration and support.
Franchisees who read One Year with ohDEER will find practical tips, relatable stories, and encouragement from someone who’s been exactly where they are. They will also feel a deep sense of pride in the ohDEER mission of helping families and pets enjoy the outdoors safely and naturally.
Bob ends his book with a message every franchisee can take to heart:
“Never stop learning. Never stop improving. And remember, every spray, every call, every satisfied customer is helping someone enjoy more time outside.”
Today, Bob continues to grow ohDEER North Middlesex with the same enthusiasm that carried him through his first season. His story shows what’s possible when someone leaves the corporate world to pursue something more fulfilling: freedom, family, and purpose.
His journey and his book are proof that the first-year franchise experience can be one of the most rewarding chapters of a person’s life.
If Bob’s story inspires you to explore franchise ownership and to build a business that reflects your values, ohDEER might be the right fit.
Learn more about ohDEER’s All-Natural, eco-friendly franchise opportunities and start writing your own story today.
