Janet Thrasher, President of Thrasher Termite & Pest Control, headquartered in Los Gatos, was named the Grand Prize winner in the "Business Women Have Come A Long Way" contest sponsored by 123print.
Women account for 70 percent of all privately held small-business start-ups. In recognition of this fact, 123print celebrated Women in Small Business Month by giving out prizes to the top three submissions in their "Business Women Have Come A Long Way, Baby" contest.
Applicants were required to submit a picture of them and their female-owned small business along with how they got started, what challenges they faced or anything else that has inspired them in 100 words or less. Thrasher's entry was selected as the Grand Prize winner based on based on creativity and uniqueness, plus the most inspirational story. Winners were announced Oct. 31, 2013.
Janet Thrasher's winning entry:
"When my husband died unexpectedly, instead of being the office manager for our termite and pest control business I became the sole owner. Suddenly I had to make all the decisions while learning more about termites, ants, bees and fleas than I ever thought I would. When I was at my lowest, other pest control operators stepped in to help. Competitors on paper, these people proved themselves to be true friends. Now, thirteen years later, my company has tripled in size, we've opened a second branch, and I'm still inspired by my selfless colleagues who put people above profit."
About Janet Thrasher
Janet Thrasher is a Santa Clara Valley District Director of Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC); member of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), 2012 recipient of the QualityPro designation for excellence in pest management, and 2011 Affiliate of the Year by the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. She has more than 30 years of experience in pest management and holds an operator's license with the Structural Pest Control Board of California (PR-5009).
About Thrasher Termite & Pest Control, Inc.
The company was founded in 1979 by Duff and Janet Thrasher with the mission to provide value to its customers, and a fair, stable workplace for its employees.Thrasher Termite & Pest Control, Inc. performs residential and commercial termite inspections, treats structures for infestations of wood destroying organisms, and repairs structural damage. The company also provides residential and commercial integrated pest management, including prevention, exclusion, and pest control treatments for ants, bees, fleas, cockroaches, mice and other pests. The company delivers termite and pest control services from both its branch offices in Silicon Valley and in San Diego County.