A Bright Spot in a Dark Economy: 1-800-GOT-MOLD? Awards First Multi-State Master Franchise To Bring Dog-Centric, Home-Based, Royalty-Free Business Opportunity to 22 Territories in North Carolina, South Carolina

TAMPA, Fla., July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- 1-800-GOT-MOLD?®, America's first dog-centric, home-based, royalty-free, mold inspection franchisor has awarded a two-state Master Franchise for North Carolina and South Carolina, which will result in a build-out of 22 territories, company President Allen Castleman announced today.

Michael Childers, president of the business consulting firm Nelson-Childers Inc., will open his base operation in Charlotte NC and provide sales, training and support for the rest of the franchisees in his territory. The Nelson-Childers firm specializes in business valuations and due diligence consulting.

"I love that we 'Do well by doing good!'" said Childers, echoing the company's motto. "I think 1-800-GOT-MOLD? brings tremendous value to homeowners and building owners by assessing and identifying mold issues and healing sick homes, independent of any vested interest in remediation."

1-800-GOT-MOLD?, a Mycelium Holdings  subsidiary, does not do remediation, but works as a consultant for the homeowner to make sure the job is done properly and the mold is not spread throughout the house. Because medical studies show clear links between mold and chronic sinusitis, asthma, allergies, and even depression, the company's focus is on its customers' health.

"I am very excited to build out my market area by educating local information leaders and marketing within my communities. I also love the opportunity to work with my four-legged partner in delivering peace of mind to our customers," Childers said.

Childers, who holds an MS in engineering from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Yale, will meet his specially trained mold-detection dog on Aug. 9 in Tampa, where 1-800-GOT-MOLD? begins the first two-week training course for new franchisees. A three-day segment of the course, developed and conducted by a team of nationally recognized experts, will focus on the fundamentals of bioaerosols, indoor air quality and building science.

Dogs are central to the 1-800-GOT-MOLD? system because, while traditional mold inspection methods may detect a mold problem, they often fail to locate the source without doing a lot of damage, creating unnecessary costs and in some cases making the problem far worse. A properly trained and handled dog can pinpoint the location of hidden mold growth, allowing the handler to use standardized testing methods and other instruments to confirm the dog's findings less destructively, and at a lower cost.

"Our dogs are not just tools," cautioned company founder and CEO Jason Earle. "They are healthy, happy, beloved members of each franchisee's family. Each dog is carefully matched for personality to her new human partner, and we only accept franchisees who love dogs. It's one of our first questions."

All 1-800-GOT-MOLD? dogs are rescued female black Labradors or Labrador mixes, who receive 1,000 hours of scent and obedience training before being paired up with their new lifetime partner.

Like many involved with 1-800-GOT-MOLD?, Childers had some personal experience with mold before he discovered the company. He also has extensive experience in evaluating businesses.

"I have worked with private equity groups and independent business owners for eight years helping companies improve their operations and increase their profits. During the past couple of years I tracked available business opportunities through connections within the private equity and venture capital communities, through internet-based business and franchise listing services and through economic development directors in various communities," Childers said.

"I discovered the 1-800-GOT-MOLD? opportunity and was instantly intrigued. Mold growth had been recently discovered behind cabinets and walls during a kitchen renovation at my sister's house. The project was delayed so the mold could be remediated.

"While researching to learn more about the impact of mold in the home, information about 1-800-GOT-MOLD? and their website surfaced. The more I learned, the more interested I was to join the 1-800-GOT-MOLD? Team," Childers said.

"It is a powerful statement for a man with Michael Childers' background and expertise to determine after all his research that 1-800-GOT-MOLD? is the one company that meets his standards and fulfills his desires to succeed, and to help other people improve their health and homes," said President Castleman.

1-800-GOT-MOLD? is America's first home-based, dog-centric, royalty-free franchise specializing in residential mold inspections, mold testing and mold remediation consulting. Because medical studies show clear links between mold and chronic sinusitis, asthma, allergies, and even depression, the company's focus is on its customers' health. Located in Tampa FL and Princeton NJ, the company is expanding nationwide through franchising.

1-800-GOT-MOLD? is a subsidiary of Mycelium Holdings LLC.

Websites: http://www.myceliumholdings.com ; http://www.1800gotmold.com

SOURCE Mycelium Holdings