It’s not every day you see a woman in the pest control industry, let alone one running a successful termite and pest control company approaching its 30th Anniversary.  Unless you meet Susan Fries, owner of ECOLA Services, a pest and termite control company dedicated to alternative treatments.

Fries (pronounced “freeze”) purchased Ecola in 2000, making it her passion and purpose to offer effective, but gentle alternative termite and pest treatments.  “People need to know they have a choice on what methods to use on/in their home.  There are powerful, effective, and healthier alternative methods available. Ecola will individualize the best solution to fit their needs and lifestyle.  That gives the customer the opportunity to view their options and decide whether or not to tent their property,” Fries states.  The “Termite Lady,” as she is known in the industry is not afraid to even get down and dirty and show up at a job fully prepared to do the termite work herself.

Prior  to  entering  the  industry,  Susan  worked  at  Max  Factor Cosmetics and in jewelry sales in Canada.  She even appeared on the day time show Days of Our Lives; more than a dozen commer- cials, and won a car for dancing on American Bandstand.

Before her venture into pest control, Susan had wanted to impact her world in a big way. Susan saw that opportunity in alternative termite and pest control early on.  She became an advocate for “green” treatments when  confronted with the importance of sustaining an alternative approach to pest control due to family health issues. Her son, Tyson battled chronic asthma that sent him to the hospital numerous times as a direct result of chemicals used and allergies not known until he was tested.

Fries is proud of the fact that Ecola cares and is motivated in her vision for the future to continue setting the standard for other companies in her quest to protect people’s health, their investments and the environment.  By personally  using  less  and  less  chemicals  through  modern  technology, Susan hopes to minimize the use of chemicals worldwide and truly help with informing people of their indoor air quality and how it affects their health.

She is also aware of the importance of the pest control industry. “There would be a lot more sickness and death in the world without the  work  of  the  pest  control  industry  and  the  chemicals  used. However,  at the same time, less is more as we need to know our options and be smart about our living environment.”

Running a company with more than 50 employees that serve from San Luis Obispo to San Diego isn’t always easy.   Especially  as a woman owner in a male dominated industry.  “Many companies have given alternative treatments a bad name. There are many imposters and chemicals that are not truly alternative.”

Susan takes pride in her accomplishments:  recipient of the 2012 Angie’s  List  Super  Service  Award,  Best  Green  Exterminator  from 2007-2012  by LA Magazine;  2010  Woman  In Business  award  by Business  Journal,  and Business  owner  of the Year  by the United Chamber of Commerce; and being featured on the History Channel’s Modern Marvels, KTLA News Channel and KCAL9, to name a few.

Yet, despite her successes, Susan knows that women and mothers face a lot of challenges in the working and corporate world and stresses the importance of being knowledgeable.   “From my personal and business trials I’ve learned that you don’t know what you don’t know…and what you don’t know can hurt you.  I’ve come to realize that the more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know.” When not working hard to lead the way in alternative treatments, Susan has been hosting a syndicated radio show since 2010 on KKLA 99.5 FM dedicated to inspiring  and encouraging  people. (The show airs on Saturdays and additional information can be found at www.suefries.com).