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Name: New Jersey Deer Control

Type of business: Deer Repellent Spraying Service

Address: P.O. Box 8365 Red Bank, N.J. 07701

Telephone: (732) 995-7264

Web site: www.njdeercontrol.com

Number of employees: 4

Founded: 2007

Top officers: Spiro Economou, partner; Mark Jameson, partner; Michael Schumacher, manager; and Chris Markham, founder/partner

How would you describe your business?

"We are a deer repellent spraying service specialized to protect homeowners with flower beds," said founder-owner Chris Markham. "We protect people's landscaping from deer. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the U.S. and we have one of the most dense deer populations approximating 200,000 and they are causing many problems including: damaged landscaping for homeowners; accidents to motorists; and an ecological imbalance. They thrive where we live in edge habitats and have a lack of predators."

What makes your business special?

"The natural repellent we use in spraying the landscaping, that I invented 10 years ago. As a wildlife biologist, I was designing and installing butterfly and hummingbird gardens and the deer were eating and destroying my work. The deer repellents I found in nurseries didn't work. I spent two years in field tests, researching, and experiments with various formulae to protect all kinds of plants and shrubs with natural ingredients so it would be harmless to humans, pets, and won't damage trees, shrubs, and flowers, or the deer themselves.

"This natural repellent is mixed within hours of being applied. The application blankets the landscaping with a fine mist, which is odorless to humans but to the deer is foul smelling and distasteful. The deer find the yard unappealing and move away helping to eliminate ticks and deer droppings."

What goals do you have for the business?

"We are trying to protect people's landscaping and give an understanding that deer aren't evil animals. We are giving people an alternative to being angry at the deer."

How has your business changed?

"In 2007, when I brought in, my two partners to start the business I had 82 customers. Now we have over 600 customers. Other ways the business has changed is that the deer have expanded and the deer are more of a problem than I had initially anticipated with them going into more urban areas."

What was your most important deal?

"Having my repellent formula patented in 2007 and starting New Jersey Deer Control by bringing in my friends as partners to grow the business."

What changes do you expect in your business in the next 10 years?

"I see the deer becoming more of a problem and the public looking at them as a nuisance. A lot of towns have sharpshooters come in. But this causes passionate debate about how to deal with the deer. We don't affect the deer population itself. We provide a way to deal with it."

What's the most important thing you've learned in your business?

"Deer are very smart animals and they continue to evolve to survive in today's urban environment. You have to stay openminded. We use scientific approach to our methods so just keeping our minds open to that as things change. We see different things every year as the deer change."

What advice would you give to someone considering this work?

"We pride ourselves as being experts in the field we are in. This is the only thing we do. This is our specialty. We're not landscapers -- we don't cut lawns, or in winter shovel snow. So I would say to someone to carefully consider what area they are interested in. If they are interested in the area of wildlife, find out as much information as you can and apply to be an apprentice or volunteer with organizations or businesses with this specialty."

Is there anything else you would rather be doing?

"No. I like the life I've created for myself. I am fortunate to work with three very good people. I'm expecting my first child in November, so life is good."