We were lucky to catch up with Jared Nelson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jared, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
Valuing people and doing what you say you will do is an investment in their lives, creating sustainable business relationships. Even if you fall short, own up to it, make it right, and always treat people with respect. It’s also important to provide growth opportunities for the ones that help build this day in and day out. That is what these companies were built on, and that’s what makes us different.
Jared, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I was born in Colombia, South America, and was adopted by an American family at a young age. I grew up in a family-owned construction business but never carried it on when my father retired. I worked in HR for many years after leaving the US Army in 2015. I worked my way up the ladder quite quickly and became the VP of HR for a company in the Metro. I left Corporate America to care for my parents, who were ill at the time. I was trying to find something to do that would not take me away from their care. I worked in the summer for an outdoor company, where I obtained much of the licensing required to be an applicator. As time passed, I realized that their values and business practices did not align with my moral compass; clients were not being serviced accurately, nor were they treated right. I recalled telling my father this, and he told me if I did not like it, do something to change it. So, I did. I created an LLC, transferred the licensing I earned into my own business, and left the other company behind. I started with an Amazon backpack mister, sprayed a few friend’s houses, and worked as a staffing specialist as I built the brand. COVID hit, and I was furloughed from my position as a staffing specialist; at that time, I dove head-first into the business and never looked back. Now, over six years later, I have successfully built an insect (The Mosquito Militia) and animal control brand (Mid-Sota Wildlife Ops.), which employs 13 veterans and services much of Minnesota. I have also created a graphics company (Cover 6 GraFX) and a business legal filing and management company (HQ Professional Services) to give back to my employees and strengths. This validates that not only can a business thrive during a pandemic, but there is also the ability to still achieve the “American Dream” by being a business owner from another country.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I started with an Amazon backpack blower and $20 in my pocket. I never chased funding or asked for any help with the financials. I put everything I made back into the business. By not borrowing and working for everything, I have successfully made a business model that is debt-free, and capable of staffing employees. I might have been able to scale the business faster with working capital. However, that was not the angle I wanted to go. Hard work and valued service pay off; it’s a marathon, not a race.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I believe my core story reflects this: everything I had to go through and transition through to do this business successfully through a pandemic is resiliency.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://themosquitomilitiallc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themosquitomilitia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMosquitoMilitia/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-j-w-42097610/
- Other: BBB: https://www.bbb.org/us/mn/elk-river/profile/pest-control/the-mosquito-militia-llc-0704-1000047704 TikTok: @theepestcontroloperative
Image Credits
Dylan Kraft: https://www.facebook.com/DKShoots1