Franchise ownership for dads is an amazing opportunity. Father’s Day is a time to honor the role that dads play, not just as caregivers and role models, but as leaders, protectors, and everyday heroes. At ohDEER, our community is full of fathers who embody those values both at home and in their businesses, living proof of how franchise ownership for dads can align with family priorities. These are our dad-trepreneurs, fathers who have taken the leap into franchise ownership to build something meaningful for their families, their customers, and themselves.
Whether they’re spraying yards, managing their team of technicians, or attending a school event between appointments, these dads are redefining what work-life balance can look like. They’re building strong local businesses while staying present for bedtime stories, soccer games, and weekend adventures.
This Father’s Day, we’re proud to share the stories of our ohDEER dads.
Many franchise systems offer franchise ownership for dads and claim to provide flexibility and family balance, creating a tough decision for a prospective entrepreneur. Here is what set ohDEER apart for some of our incredible owners:
At the heart of ohDEER’s brand is the belief that families deserve to enjoy their yards without worrying about the health risks of ticks, mosquitoes, and chemical pesticides. That belief hits home for many of our franchise owners, who are raising families of their own and understand firsthand how important safe outdoor spaces really are.
“As a father of young kids I understand that parents are starting to see tick and mosquito control as not just a luxury, but a necessity in fighting insect-borne diseases,” said Wes Davis, owner of ohDEER Central Virginia “ohDEER gives us the opportunity to build a thriving business that will make a positive impact in our community.”
For Wes and many others, joining ohDEER wasn’t just a career move, it was a personal mission. Franchisees don’t just sell a service, they help families safely enjoy the outdoors, using all-natural solutions that protect both landscapes and lives.
One of the most powerful things ohDEER franchise ownership offers is the freedom to be present. For dads who have spent years in corporate roles with rigid schedules and long commutes, the ability to control their own time is nothing short of life-changing.
“It gives me flexibility to be with my young kids and family,” said Jay Lodi, who owns ohDEER Southeastern MA & Northern RI. “I’ve got three young kids and when I was working in corporate America before this, I was working until 6:30, and by the time I would get home my kids would be going to bed. That had really changed, now I’m able to drop them off and pick them up from school and make sure I’m able to go to all their events.”
Jay’s story is one we hear often. The idea of being “busy” hasn’t changed, but now that busy schedule includes things like school plays, sports games, and everyday moments that used to be missed. Franchise ownership for dads can be a tough decision, especially when so many systems claim to offer work-life balance. But for Jay, ohDEER delivered.
Bob Gaska, owner of ohDEER North Middlesex, also reflected on how franchise ownership has transformed his family life:
“Nothing brings me more joy than having the freedom of time,” Bob said. “Owning my own business has allowed me to be in control of my timeline. My days are insanely busy, but they are now busy with the activities that I dictate (for the most part). The ability to take my son fishing, go golfing with my dad, or just take a walk with my wife and daughter is absolutely priceless.”
That autonomy isn’t just a perk, it’s a priority. At ohDEER, we believe the best businesses are built not at the expense of personal lives, but in support of them. Bob’s story is a perfect example of how franchise ownership and a rich family life can go hand-in-hand.
Chris Murphy, a veteran and long-time ohDEER franchise owner of ohDEER North Shore, emphasizes how deeply rooted ohDEER is in family values and team spirit.
“It is a family-oriented franchise and I’ve got 4 kids,” Chris said. “We have come such a long way since I first got into it. This is my 8th year renewing my franchise agreement. They are as honest as anything I’ve seen.”
He compared the support he’s received to his time in the military: “To draw a parallel with the military, there is a lot of teamwork even though we are our own independent owners. There is teamwork, they are always looking out for us. With the other franchisees, whenever there is a problem or issue we all work together to make sure that we are all able to do a good business and make money together.”
That spirit of camaraderie and collaboration is a big part of why so many dads are drawn to ohDEER. They’re not just joining a franchise, they’re joining a community.
The heart of our brand beats just as strongly within our Development Team, many of whom are also dads who chose ohDEER because of what it stands for.
Todd Lamson, our Senior Director of Operations, recently reflected on a simple yet powerful moment with his daughter that brought the ohDEER mission to life in a personal way:
“Recently, my daughter and I went for a hike — something we haven’t done in a while. At a particular point on the trail, she looked around, smiled, and said, ‘I like that we’ve been spending more time outside lately.’ She was right. And that simple moment was on my mind for the rest of our hike. Since joining ohDEER Development Corporation, I’ve been immersed in a business that helps people reclaim their outdoor spaces — not just our customers, but our franchisees, too. We believe in a vision where more time outdoors isn’t just a luxury, it’s part of a healthier, more joyful life. I’m pleased to see how that mission has worked its way into my own life, too. Work and life don’t always pull in opposite directions. Sometimes, when they align, they enhance each other in beautiful and unexpected ways. Grateful for the chance to be a part of leading a brand that lives its values — and for a kid who reminds me to notice when I’m actually living mine.”
Jereme Shelton, ohDEER’s Vice President of Franchise Development, is a father of four who also lives the brand’s values:
“As a dad of four, I know firsthand how precious time outside can be, whether we’re hiking, biking, or playing in the backyard with our puppy. ohDEER’s mission resonates with me because it’s personal. Families deserve to enjoy their yards without worrying about ticks and mosquitoes. Helping new franchisees build businesses that protect those moments is something I’m proud to be a part of.”
At ohDEER, supporting franchise ownership for dads isn’t just a business strategy, it’s a reflection of who we are. We believe that building a business should never come at the cost of missing life’s meaningful moments.
Jereme also shared, “It’s incredibly fulfilling to help build something that doesn’t just generate revenue, it gives dads the freedom to actually be ohDEER daddies. For me, that means being present for school drop-offs, softball games, and the everyday moments that matter. It’s engrained in our culture to be there for people, just like a great dad always is.”
And finally, the story of ohDEER begins with a dad.
Kurt Upham, our founder, created the original All-Natural Deer Control in his garage in 2006, not as a business idea, but as a way to protect the plants in his yard from deer feeding while keeping his young twin daughters safe from chemical exposure and insect-borne illness. Today, those same twin daughters have graduated high school and are off to college next fall!
That small act of fatherly care became the foundation for a company that now serves thousands of families and supports dozens of franchisees across the country. At ohDEER, we’re proud to support these men as they build lives rooted in purpose, presence, and more time outside, showing what franchise ownership for dads can truly look like.
Interested in learning more about franchise ownership for dads? Discover how ohDEER can help you build a business and still make it home for bedtime. Get in touch with us via our franchising website.
