Bill Dowd is the Founder, President and CEO of Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. He established Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in 1989, recognizing the need for professional urban wildlife control focusing on humane removal methods. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control have since had over 200,000 wildlife removals and exclusions with environment-friendly, poison-free methods since day one. Bill obtained his B.PhEd., from Brock University while playing varsity hockey. Bill also played hockey for the Ottawa 67's and was drafted by the then Stanley Cup Champion New York Islanders. Bill has grown Skedaddle to the largest urban wildlife control company in Canada which currently services over 75 municipalities in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Bill has also been a guest speaker for many municipalities and educational institutions on urban wildlife.
BeTheBoss.ca: Tell us about the Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Franchise concept.
Bill Dowd:The concept behind Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is the safe, ethical and humane removal of unwanted wildlife from family homes to commercial properties. Every city in North America has a growing population of wildlife and the need for an experienced, knowledgeable and professional wildlife removal company.
BTB: How and when did you become involved with Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Franchise?
BD: I am the founder of Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control and as such, have been fully entrenched in growing this business for over 25 years. I know this business inside and out and I am very excited to be franchising our business concepts. It is rewarding to see our business model being a success to our franchises in their local communities.
BTB: What was your background prior to joining Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Franchise?
BD: I have an athletic background which focused on teamwork. Therefore, as a franchiser, I am excited to work in a team environment with our franchises to make them successful. The franchisor and franchisee relationship needs to be a win-win situation for both parties. Humane Wildlife Control has fully been the focus of my business career. I’ve been dedicated to operating and growing Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control for over 25 years. We have been pioneering industry techniques, adapting our system to meet the changing needs of customers, wildlife and the environment. I believe that we have reached a comfortable threshold in our own operating business and I am happy to direct my attention to our franchises to successfully operate a Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control franchise.
BTB: What are some of the advantages in being a Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Franchise franchisee?
BD: There are lots of advantages of becoming a Skedaddle franchisee. You have the ability to work as much as or as little as you want, you are your own boss. It is a rewarding type of business being able to help people with their animal problems as well as being able to release the animals back into the environment safely. There is always going to be a need for wildlife removal as the wildlife population continues to grow in our cities and suburbs. It’s low risk and high yield business. We have an A+ rating with the BBB and are the preferred choice of SPCA’s and Humane Societies. That Franchise Group, our franchising partners, have over 41 years of franchising experience and have made hundreds of franchisees successful. Our support team has over 60 years of combined wildlife control experience.
BTB: Who is your ideal Skedaddle franchise business owner (franchisee)?
BD: My ideal franchisee is someone who has the motivation and drive to become successful through unparalleled customer service and the discipline to follow our time proven systems, procedures and techniques. We’ve created a system that is very thorough, structured and efficient and we hope to award Skedaddle franchises to candidates who are excited by this business model and will replicate our success in their local communities.
BTB: Tell us a little about the Wildlife Control Market?
BD: The market for professional wildlife removal is unlimited. The economic damage caused by wildlife has been conservatively estimated to be $22 billion dollars! Our industry is fragmented with many small time, unprofessional companies. They are usually doing everything and anything by themselves. They definitely don’t have the technology, support, marketing skills or sales training we provide to our Skedaddle franchises. Owning a home is a large financial investment. Homeowners do not want wildlife damaging their investment. Therefore, our business tends to be recession proof. Homeowners will not live with wildlife destroying their home. They need to do something and we want to earn their business. After we have humanely removed the animals from an attic, we also provide services to remove the insulation contaminated by animal feces. Finally, we install an environmentally friendly cellulose insulation. We provide a total solution to protect and restore the homeowners home investment. Very few companies can offer these services.
BTB: What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned in growing this Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control franchise?
BD: Some of the greatest lessons that I have learned throughout the years of growing this franchise is there is no substitute for hard work. We have a proven system and methods that our franchisees follow to become a great success. I get great enjoyment in seeing other people being successful with my business concept. It’s nice to see someone make a living doing wildlife control and knowing that their employees will be successful as well. Over our years in business, we have grown and learned from our mistakes to allow our franchises to hit the ground running. We strive for unparallel customer satisfaction since a satisfied customer will tell everyone about their animal issue and the exceptional work done by Skedaddle. Everyone has a wildlife story; whether it’s an uncle that had a bird come down a chimney or a friend who had a bat fly over their bed at 3am, you will be the local hero!
BTB: Do you have a mentor and is there someone you use for inspiration?
BD: Mike Kernaghan, The CEO and President of That Franchise Group. He has been franchising for 41 years and has grown a number of brands across Canada and the United States. As my partner in Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control franchising, we have a proven track record as both a successful franchisor and wildlife control operating company. We are committed to growing the Skedaddle brand across North America. I feel that having Mike and his franchise support team at That Franchise Group involved with Skedaddle, we are going to make Skedaddle a great success. Failure is not an option.
BTB: What advice do you have for someone looking to acquire a Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Franchise Opportunity?
BD: Wildlife control is a very rewarding career. If you like a fast paced business that is never dull or mundane, then Skedaddle would be a great fit. Even today, 25 years after I started Skedaddle, I wake up every morning excited about what the day will bring. Helping homeowners handling wildlife and being successful, who wouldn’t enjoy a Skedaddle franchise.
BTB: In your opinion, why do you think that Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Franchise would be a great franchise opportunity for someone?
BD: Skedaddle is a great franchise opportunity since you have the enjoyment of being in business FOR yourself but not BY yourself. This is a fun and rewarding business. It brings a sense of enjoyment for customers to see that the animals are being humanely removed, their homes and businesses are being properly animal proofed, and they get peace of mind with a home protection lifetime guarantee. It is all very rewarding in the end. We have the experience, technology, marketing and business systems to make you successful. There will always be a need for humane wildlife control so…..split, scram, scoot and call Skedaddle!
