Every strong franchise system begins with a story. The story of the ohDEER founders begins not in a boardroom, but in a backyard in Massachusetts, with twin daughters playing in the grass, a chocolate lab puppy running freely, and two parents determined to protect what mattered most.
Long before ohDEER became a recognized All-Natural Deer, Tick, and Mosquito Control franchise, it was simply a family’s solution to a problem in their own yard. Today, Kurt Upham and Colleen Upham are known as the founders behind one of the most trusted brands in natural pest control. But at its core, ohDEER is still about family, integrity, and helping others enjoy more time outside.
In 2006, Kurt Upham was watching deer destroy the landscaping around his home in Wayland, Massachusetts. Like many New England homeowners, he felt the frustration of seeing hard work and investment eaten away overnight.
The options available at the time relied heavily on synthetic chemical pesticides. That was not something Kurt wanted applied to the yard where his twin daughters played or where their chocolate lab rolled in the grass. He did not want residues left behind on plants, toys, or paws. He wanted a solution that worked, but also aligned with his values. So he got to work.
In his garage, Kurt began developing an All-Natural Deer Control formula. He tested it. Refined it. Tested it again. What he created was effective, plant-safe, family-conscious, and environmentally responsible. That formula became the foundation of what would later grow into the ohDEER franchise.
As tick-borne illnesses became more prevalent and mosquito populations increased across the Northeast, Kurt expanded his innovation. He applied the same science-driven principles when he began offering All-Natural Tick & Mosquito Control solutions. His approach remained consistent: He focused on science. He set honest expectations. He prioritized safety. He protected families and pets.
Kurt’s expertise has been recognized across the industry. In 2025, he was named New England Pest Management Professional of the Year, reflecting both technical excellence and leadership within the field. Yet despite the recognition, he remains hands-on. He continues refining products, staying close to operations, and ensuring that every ohDEER franchise owner inherits a system grounded in real-world expertise.
While the product innovation was Kurt’s, the expansion into an ohDEER franchise system was Colleen Upham’s vision. Colleen saw something powerful early on. Families across the country were facing the same challenges with deer damage, ticks, and mosquitoes. At the same time, entrepreneurs were looking for meaningful, values-driven business opportunities. She recognized that ohDEER could offer both: protection for families and a purpose-driven path to business ownership.
In 2014, the first ohDEER franchise location opened on Martha’s Vineyard. That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter. What started as a backyard solution evolved into a structured, scalable franchise system. Colleen built the operational framework that allowed ohDEER to grow intentionally. She focused on strong training, clear systems, and culture-driven leadership. Her goal was never rapid expansion at any cost. Instead, she prioritized sustainable growth, franchisee support, and alignment with the brand’s core values.
Today, the ohDEER franchise operates across multiple states, including Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Missouri, Texas, and Maine. Each new territory represents another community where families can enjoy more time outside with confidence.
Franchisees often describe Colleen as supportive, honest, responsive, and deeply invested in their success. Many say she is the best boss they have ever had. That reputation reflects how she leads every day, with transparency, and genuine care for the families behind each franchise territory. Colleen believes that growth should never come at the expense of culture. She protects the mission. She protects franchisees. She protects the integrity of the ohDEER brand.
Colleen recently shared her franchising insights as a featured guest on the Stars of Franchising podcast, presented by the Tariq Farid Franchise Institute at Babson College. She spoke about what it takes to grow a purpose-driven franchise system — from knowing when to pause growth to strengthen internal systems, to selecting franchisees whose values align with the brand’s mission. Colleen’s conversation emphasized not only her personal journey as an entrepreneur and mom, but also her commitment to helping others in the franchise community learn from her experience and think strategically about scaling with intention. Her participation on such a respected industry platform reinforces ohDEER’s place among thoughtful, value-oriented franchisors shaping the future of the franchise model.
The strength of the ohDEER founders lies in their complementary leadership styles. Kurt is the innovator and technical expert. He ensures product integrity and scientific credibility. His background in horticulture and entomology grounds the company’s treatments in research and practical experience.
Colleen is the strategist and franchising architect. She ensures the system is structured, scalable, and supportive. She focuses on leadership development, franchisee training, and sustainable expansion.
Together, they represent both sides of what makes a strong franchise: operational excellence and people-first leadership. The balance between science and systems, innovation and infrastructure, has allowed the ohDEER franchise to grow without losing its identity.
What makes the ohDEER founders different is not just their expertise, it is their motivation. Kurt Upham and Colleen Upham built this company for their own family first. Their twin daughters grew up watching the business evolve. Their chocolate labs continue to run freely on treated lawns. The mission was never theoretical; it was lived daily in their own backyard.
When ohDEER says “Enjoy More Time Outside,” it is not simply a slogan. It reflects how the founders live and what they value. They value family s’mores by the firepit. They value dogs chasing tennis balls without worry. They value neighborhoods where outdoor time feels safe and enjoyable.
Those values shape the entire ohDEER franchise system. From product development to marketing language to franchisee training, decisions are filtered through one central question: Would we use this in our own yard? That standard has guided the brand since day one.
At the heart of the ohDEER franchise is not just an innovative service model, it is a set of core values that shape every decision Kurt Upham and Colleen Upham make. These values are not corporate buzzwords. They are lived standards that began in their own backyard and continue across every territory today.
The ohDEER founders built this all-natural deer, tick, and mosquito control franchise around six guiding principles: Original, Honest, Dedicated, Educated, Effective, and Reliable.
Together, those values form O.H.D.E.E.R. — and they define who we are.
The ohDEER founders were pioneers in their industry. Long before “all-natural” became a trend in home services, Kurt Upham developed the first All-Natural Tick & Mosquito Control program in the MetroWest Massachusetts area, alongside an All-Natural Deer Control solution. Kurt created these treatments because he did not want synthetic chemical pesticides applied where his daughters played or where their chocolate labs ran. That early commitment to safe, plant-conscious, family-first solutions positioned ohDEER as the original all-natural deer, tick, and mosquito control franchise in its market. Today, that originality still defines the brand.
Honesty is non-negotiable within the ohDEER franchise system. We do not promise unrealistic outcomes. We do not claim “tick-free” yards. We do not use fear-based sales tactics. Instead, we educate customers about risk reduction, seasonality, and realistic expectations. Customer service interactions are never deceptive or pressure-driven. The ohDEER founders built this business on trust, and that trust begins with transparent communication. When families invite us onto their property, they deserve straightforward answers and realistic guidance.
Dedication at ohDEER goes beyond completing a service call. It reflects a deeper commitment to protecting families from tick-borne and mosquito-borne illnesses while also safeguarding landscapes from deer damage. The ohDEER founders understand firsthand how personal this mission is. They built the company to protect their own family. That same level of dedication is expected across the franchise network. Every treatment, every yard evaluation, and every customer interaction is guided by the belief that we are protecting more than grass and plants. We are protecting birthday parties, backyard barbecues, kids playing tag, and dogs chasing tennis balls. Dedication means showing up consistently and taking that responsibility seriously.
Education is one of the most important pillars of the ohDEER franchise. Being educated means we never rely on scare tactics. We rely on knowledge. The ohDEER founders believe informed families make better decisions. That is why education is woven into the brand’s DNA. Franchise owners regularly share tick-borne illness prevention tips, mosquito reduction strategies, yard improvement insights, and pet safety guidance. This educational mindset stems directly from Kurt Upham’s background in horticulture and entomology. Scientific understanding drives product development, but it also drives communication. We explain why ticks are active when temperatures are above freezing. We discuss deer feeding patterns by season. We share practical ways homeowners can improve their outdoor environments.
All-Natural solutions does not mean less effectiveness. It means thoughtfully formulated and properly applied. The effectiveness of the ohDEER franchise treatments comes from both formulation and application technique. Technicians are trained in a thorough saturation method that ensures proper coverage of high-risk areas. That training reflects the high standards set by the ohDEER founders from the beginning. Families choose the ohDEER franchise because they want solutions that align with their values without sacrificing results. Effectiveness is not optiona, it is expected. The combination of science-backed formulas and precise application methods ensures that our treatments deliver meaningful protection while remaining family-conscious.
Reliability is where values meet action. When a new customer signs a quote, we service their property within the first three days. After each service, a door hanger is left to notify homeowners that their yard has been treated. If a customer feels their last service was not effective, we provide free resprays. If questions arise, we respond promptly. Timeliness and communication are core operational standards across the ohDEER franchise system.
For Kurt Upham and Colleen Upham, ohDEER’s core values were never created in a conference room. They were shaped in their own backyard.
Those values now guide every ohDEER franchise location across multiple states. They shape how franchisees serve customers. They influence how leadership supports owners. They define how the brand grows.
From its beginnings in Massachusetts, the ohDEER franchise has expanded thoughtfully into new markets where outdoor living is part of daily life. Each state added to the system reflects a commitment to protecting landscapes, reducing tick exposure, and helping families reclaim their yards.
This growth has never been about headlines. It has been about sustainability. Infrastructure has grown alongside territory count. Training has evolved with expansion. Leadership has remained involved and accessible.
For prospective franchisees, the story of the ohDEER founders matters. Founder-led brands carry a level of accountability and authenticity that cannot be manufactured. Kurt and Colleen built this company from the ground up. They tested the treatments. They refined the messaging. They built the culture. And they did it for their own family first.
As the ohDEER franchise continues expanding into new communities, the mission remains unchanged. Kurt Upham and Colleen Upham remain committed to delivering an All-Natural Deer, Tick, and Mosquito Control franchise built on science, safety, and family values.
The story began with twin daughters and chocolate labs in a Massachusetts backyard. It continues across multiple states, through dedicated franchise owners who share the same desire to protect families and preserve outdoor living.
At its heart, ohDEER is not simply about pest control. It is about leadership grounded in integrity. It is about entrepreneurship that supports family life. It is about creating a business model that allows others to build meaningful careers while helping their own communities.
The ohDEER founders set out to protect their backyard. In doing so, Kurt Upham and Colleen Upham built something much larger: a mission-driven, family-focused franchise system helping families everywhere enjoy more time outside.
