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Celebrating the small business and entrepreneurial spirit! Join us in promoting your brand!

Taking Back the Backyard: How Kelli & Alex Keep Michiana Buzz-Free 

Taking Back the Backyard: How Kelli & Alex Keep Michiana Buzz-Free

Taking Back the Backyard: How Kelli & Alex Keep Michiana Buzz-Free Kelli Stair and Alex Welsch always knew they wanted to run a business together but weren’t sure what type of business they wanted. As they explored franchise opportunities, one problem kept coming up: evenings in their backyard were anything but relaxing. “We’d spent so […]

Bookkeeping Today, LLC: Teri Pascone’s Rapid Rise to Success 

Bookkeeping Today, LLC: Teri Pascone’s Rapid Rise to Success

Bookkeeping Today, LLC: Teri Pascone’s Rapid Rise to Success The Bold Leap from Corporate to CEO When Teri Pascone launched Bookkeeping Today, LLC full-time, she thought it would take years to build a business that could replace her corporate salary. Eight months later, she made her dream a reality. Teri walked away from the corporate […]

From Childhood Hustle to Thriving Business: How Cierra Scoops Keeps Growing 

From Childhood Hustle to Thriving Business: How Cierra Scoops Keeps Growing

From Childhood Hustle to Thriving Business: How Cierra Scoops Keeps Growing    Photo by Chuck Konkle When Cathy Konkle pitched a business idea to her 10-year-old daughter, Cierra, she had no idea it would turn into a decade-long success story. What started as a way for a young girl to earn some extra spending money […]

Innovate or Evaporate: Building a Winning Michiana Small Business Culture by Mike Ronchetti

Innovate or Evaporate: Building a Winning Michiana Small Business Culture

Innovate or Evaporate: Building a Winning Michiana Small Business Culture by Mike Ronchetti The local small business landscape is a relentless race, where standing still is akin to moving backward. We are experiencing a hyper-competitive business market, where our companies must relentlessly evolve, adapt, and innovate to not just survive, but to truly thrive. Smart […]

Reclaiming Your Confidence: 6 Powerful Strategies for Business Owners

Reclaiming Your Confidence: 6 Powerful Strategies for Business Owners

Reclaiming Your Confidence: 6 Powerful Strategies for Business Owners Owning a business is an adventure—one filled with highs, lows, and plenty of unexpected twists. Some days, you feel unstoppable, ready to conquer every challenge. Other days, self-doubt sneaks in, making you question your abilities, decisions, and even your worth as an entrepreneur. If that sounds […]

Visionaries Who Shaped the Modern World

Visionaries Who Shaped the Modern World

Visionaries Who Shaped the Modern World Entrepreneurs are the driving force behind innovation, industry, and economic growth. From the assembly lines of the early 20th century to the digital revolutions of today, visionary leaders have transformed the way we live, work, and connect. I have been advised by several sources to study successful business owners […]

Janice Lampos: The Artist Who Never Stops Creating 

March 2025 Artist of the Month - Janice Lampos: The Artist Who Never Stops Creating

March 2025 – ARTIST OF THE MONTH Janice Lampos: The Artist Who Never Stops Creating Janice Lampos has never known a life without art. As long as Janice can remember, creativity has been part of her identity – from sketching as a child in a pre-TV era to painting vibrant cityscapes later in life. What […]

What does your Brand represent? 

What does your Brand represent?

What does your Brand represent? When looking at your Brand, accountability may be the furthest from your mind, however, whether we realize it or not, our accountability can gain or lose us business, thus impacting our Brand. To whom are you accountable? Here are a few of my accountability partners: • Me! I must discipline […]

The Courage to Succeed: Staying Fearless in Your Entrepreneurial Journey

The Courage to Succeed: Staying Fearless in Your Entrepreneurial Journey

The Courage to Succeed: Staying Fearless in Your Entrepreneurial Journey Starting and growing a business takes more than a great idea—it takes courage. Every entrepreneur faces challenges, from financial risks to self-doubt, but success belongs to those who push forward despite fear. Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the determination to act in spite […]

Alejandro Saucedo’s Success Through Grit and Grace

Alejandro Saucedo

Alejandro Saucedo’s Success Through Grit and Grace Q: Alejandro, could you share what inspired you to start Indiana’s Elite Cleaning? A: I’m a third-generation professional cleaner, and my greatest inspiration has been my grandparents.  They were originally migrant field workers, but they were offered the opportunity to leave the harsh conditions of that world through […]

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Taking Back the Backyard: How Kelli & Alex Keep Michiana Buzz-Free

Taking Back the Backyard: How Kelli & Alex Keep Michiana Buzz-Free

Kelli Stair and Alex Welsch always knew they wanted to run a business together but weren’t sure what type of business they wanted. As they explored franchise opportunities, one problem kept coming up: evenings in their backyard were anything but relaxing.

“We’d spent so many nights getting run inside by mosquitoes,” Kelli recalls. So, when Alex stumbled upon Mosquito Joe, a company specializing in outdoor pest control, it immediately piqued his interest.

“Did you know you could spray to keep mosquitoes away?” Alex asked.

“Yeah, it’s called Deep Woods Off,” Kelli replied skeptically.

Alex shook his head. “No, you spray the yard, and then mosquitoes don’t bother you.”

Kelli’s response? “Uhh, yes please!”

That conversation set everything in motion. Kelli and Alex saw an opportunity to build a business and to help other families reclaim their outdoor spaces. Soon, Mosquito Joe of South Bend was born, offering eco-friendly, family-safe pest control solutions to make backyard living enjoyable again.

Figuring It Out, One Challenge at a Time

As Kelli and Alex quickly discovered, there’s no finish line when owning a business.

“I thought you learned what you needed to know and did it,” Kelli admits. “But being a business owner means constantly growing. Every year, there are new lessons, steps, and complexities to figure out.”

From managing operations to customer service, marketing, and the technical aspects of pest control, the learning curve never stops. For Kelli and Alex, that’s been both a challenge and an opportunity.

“There is no ‘I made it!’ moment,” Kelli explains. “It’s more like, ‘I figured that out, now what do I need to learn next?’”

To keep the momentum going, this dynamic duo finds it helpful to celebrate the wins, no matter how small.

“When you’re constantly solving problems, it’s easy to feel like everything is just one big challenge,” Kelli says. “And challenges without reward aren’t fun at all.”

Kelli and Alex take the time to acknowledge victories like figuring out a new system, hitting a business milestone, or simply receiving a heartfelt thank-you from a customer.

“We love helping people enjoy their backyards,” Kelli says. “Hearing from happy customers who can finally relax outside again is the best reward.”

A Greener Approach to Outdoor Pest Control

When people think of pest control, they often picture harsh chemicals and heavy-duty sprays. However, Kelli and Alex focus on safety for families and the environment.

From day one, Mosquito Joe of South Bend has prioritized an all-botanical approach to pest control, using plant-based solutions as the first line of defense against mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests.

“Focusing on natural treatments as the first step sets us apart,” Kelli explains. “We have synthetic options when needed, but 99% of our barrier sprays are all-botanical.”

Mosquito Joe of South Bend’s commitment to safe, effective pest control doesn’t stop with their products. They’re also proud members of the Pollinator Protection Program and have earned Gold-Tier Status in the EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program. These recognitions highlight their dedication to environmentally responsible practices.

“These systems are game changers,” Kelli explains. “They’re set on timers but can also be activated from a smartphone app. It’s like having a technician on call 24/7.”

Misting systems are particularly effective for lakeside properties, outdoor kitchens, patios, and pool areas that might need extra protection. Instead of waiting for a scheduled treatment, homeowners can control their mosquito protection with the push of a button.

The benefits extend beyond residential backyards. Kelli and Alex are also introducing misting systems for restaurants and outdoor venues, giving businesses a way to keep guests comfortable and bug-free.

“We’re creating environments where people can truly enjoy the outdoors—whether it’s a backyard barbecue or a night out on a restaurant patio,” Kelli says.

With their passion for innovation, Kelli and Alex are proving that mosquito control can enhance outdoor living in a way that’s safe, effective, and hassle-free.

For families with kids and pets, this makes a world of difference. Kelli and Alex understand that outdoor spaces should be places of fun and relaxation, not a battleground against bugs or harmful chemicals. Their treatments are designed to protect without sacrificing safety.

On top of prioritizing safety, Kelli and Alex maintain a customer-first approach.

“We don’t show up, spray, and leave,” Kelli says. “We take time to educate our customers, answer questions, and make sure they understand what we’re doing and why it works.”

Their eco-conscious mindset and exceptional service have helped Mosquito Joe of South Bend become a trusted name in the community.

Turning Skepticism into Success

Like any new business, Mosquito Joe of South Bend had to prove itself. People weren’t always sure if mosquito control was worth the investment.

Year two was a turning point for the duo.

“When customers came back for another season, it was huge,” Kelli recalls. “It validated that what we were doing worked.”

Year after year, their customer base continues to grow, thanks to Kelli and Alex’s dedication to service, communication, and results.

“We don’t treat a yard and move on,” Kelli says. “We take the time to understand each customer’s concerns and ensure they get the best possible outcome.”

That commitment paid off in a big way. In their fourth year, Mosquito Joe of South Bend was recognized as a Top Gun Franchisee, an award given to the highest -performing locations in the company.

For Kelli, the biggest wins happen in backyards across South Bend—like the time she played mosquito detective for a customer whose treatments weren’t working.

“I knew there had to be a breeding ground somewhere,” she says. After multiple inspections, she finally spotted a tiny plastic bag tucked under some bushes, holding just enough water for mosquito larvae to thrive.

“That was the last time I doubted our process,” she says. “If you can find the source, you can fix the problem.”

That persistence and problem-solving set Mosquito Joe of South Bend apart, turning skeptics into believers, one mosquito-free yard at a time.

The Future of Outdoor Comfort

After five years in business, Kelli and Alex are still finding ways to offer even more convenience and protection for their customers.

Their latest innovation involves misting systems—an automated, on-demand mosquito control solution that puts power directly in the hands of homeowners.

Beyond the Bugs: Advice for the Journey

Starting a business is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming. That’s why Kelli and Alex believe having the right support system is key.

“Find a mentor who has built a business the way you want to build yours,” Kelli advises. “Ask questions, listen to how they solve problems, and learn from their experience.”

Beyond mentorship, she stresses the importance of community. Running a business can feel isolating at times, especially when facing new challenges. Surrounding yourself with people who understand the entrepreneurial journey can make all the difference.

For Kelli and Alex, success isn’t about knowing everything from the start, it’s about being willing to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward. Their advice? Leap, keep asking questions, and celebrate your wins—big or small.

A Backyard Revolution

As mosquitoes start making their seasonal return, Mosquito Joe of South Bend is ready to help families take back their outdoor spaces.

Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a relaxing evening on the patio, or a family gathering by the lake, Kelli and Alex want to help customers love their outdoor spaces again.

“We want people to be able to step outside and enjoy their yards without worrying about mosquitoes,” Kelli says. “That’s what makes this work so rewarding.”

To learn more about their services or schedule a treatment, visit Mosquito Joe of South Bend.

 

Written by Eleni Owens | Photos by Gary Riggs Photography

Taking Back the Backyard: How Kelli & Alex Keep Michiana Buzz-Free
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