We here at GOBankingRates want to help get our nation’s small businesses back on their feet after the COVID-19 pandemic. To do that, we’re highlighting readers’ favorite small businesses around the country, and shining a spotlight on what makes them special to their customers and their towns.
In this edition of our Small Business Spotlight series, we’re featuring Skeeter Reaper, an Illinois-based family-owned and operated pest control business that prides itself on fast, efficient and transparent service. Here, we chat with co-owner Ashlee Gaither about how starting a business has benefited her and her husband’s home life, the example she wants to set for her three children and why you should “start now” if you’re dreaming of starting a business of your own.
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Was there a particular moment or experience that inspired you to start your business?
After the birth of our son, our third child, we knew we needed a change. Our son was born at the beginning of the COVID epidemic and things were shockingly eerie. Job security was a major concern, not to mention our family’s health. My job in the foodservice industry was at a stand-still, as well as my recovery from an emergency C-section, and my husband [Dean] had to quickly get back to work. He was working from before the sun came up and wasn’t home until almost dark. We both were at a loss for where to turn from here. We knew we couldn’t have a valuable home life while being apart for so long.
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We decided that we would finally take action and take our skills and start our own business that we could be proud of. I handle all of the behind-the-scenes mechanics of the business, and my husband uses his skills and knowledge in pest control to administer the applications. It was intimidating to take such a leap, especially with so much at stake, but it has been so rewarding to have each other so close and to be able to build something together.
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What did you take from past experiences or jobs that you knew you wanted to be a part of your new business?
My husband has over eight years of experience from prior lawn care positions in his past employment. I have studied psychology, art, management, web development and UI/UX design in college. I am a forever student, and I am still learning as we go. By taking all of our previous knowledge and experience and mixing it together, we have created a working potion that is Skeeter Reaper. We are always working on new ways to improve and test different methods for better results for our customers and prospective customers.