Meet Kaija Saarinen: Owner/ Operator, Green and Gone Pest Solutions

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaija Saarinen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaija, is there something you believe many others might not?
I disagree that starting your business has to be a big all or nothing risk. The idea of quitting your job and putting every penny you have (or taking out a huge loan) to put into your venture is romanticised but not always practical for every business. This mindset of the only way to be successful is to be fearless and put it all on the line is not the only way to be successful. Big risks and short timelines for financial turn around can devastate a lot of entrepreneurs. Pest control is a service based business, so you need to build up your clientelle in order to be successful and that does not happen overnight. I dove 100% into my business as I launched, but I kept my bartending job a few nights a week while building my business, just to ensure the bills were always paid without borrowing. I lost a lot of sleep with that scehdule, but it was beneficial for investing into the business without having to depend on loans and repayment concerns if my business growth was not as I had predicted. You need to trust your gut and choose the path that is right for you. Do not feel pressured to make risks that do not make sense for you or your business.

What should our readers know about your business?
Green and Gone Pest Solutions is a structural pest control company based out of Kenora, ON. We offer environmentally friendly pest management for our clients as well as educational programs for businesses and institutions on prevention, inspection and management of pests. Our company focuses heavily on customer service and education and that really sets us apart from our competition. Clients are usually stressed, upset and even embarrassed calling about their pest issue and taking the time to address their concerns and educate them can go a long way to improve their day. I am most proud of the reputation of my business. We have excellent reviews and generate most of our business from referrals from satisfied clients. My business got to where it is today by putting in a lot of hours and learning from my mistakes. My favourite saying is “new plan,” because when something is not working, you cannot get dragged down or feel defeated by it. You need to be proactive and try something different. I also love mentorship for this purpose. I have learned so much from those that have more experience than myself and I really love to help out those just starting. I feel like learning hard lessons in your entrepreneurial journey gives you the knowledge and experience to help out others and allow them a smoother ride if possible. My advice is to reach out to those you admire and respect in your field or that have reached goals you aspire to. People are so willing to share their experiences and advice and truly love to see others succeed.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a huge shout out list, but the Northwest Business Centre in Kenora is always the first organization I credit for my businesses success. I participated in a grant program called Starter Company, that helped me to write my business plan and educated me on the finer points of starting and running a business. They also awarded a grant of $5,000 for start up costs once the program was completed. I had envisioned starting my business for many years but without the knowledge, confidence and funding from this program, I do not think I would have started Green and Gone Pest Solutions. They also offer a huge variety of ongoing education for entrepreneurs, and are great just to check in with. Especially in the early years of my business I would often book appointments with the manager Ally just to see what opportunities were available for my business, and bounce ideas off of her. She was amazing at connecting me with the right people and organizations to reach my goals. I would highly recommend entrepreneurs check out their local business support organizations. For me it was the push and assistance I needed to get my business off the groud.

Website: www.greenandgone.ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenandgone

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