The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit

In this episode of Boardroom Buzz, Bill and Sarah share their inspiring journey from starting their pest control company in a basement to achieving over ten million dollars in annual revenue. They discuss the importance of core values, strategic growth, community engagement, and building a strong team to sustain their success. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, their insi...

Explore Brian Hopkins’ journey from firefighter to successful entrepreneur in pest control and pool care industries. Gain insights into organic growth, strategic branding, team management, and adapting to industry challenges without heavy marketing. In this episode: How Brian leveraged relationships in the pest control and pool industries to grow his businesses The parallels between pest control a...

Discover how Luke transitioned from an FBI analyst to leading a booming pest control business, scaling to nearly $24 million in revenue. Gain insights on effective marketing, team management, and the mindset needed to transform challenges into growth opportunities. Key Topics Luke’s unconventional career journey from FBI analyst to pest control business owner Building a premium brand through high-...

Explore Byron's inspiring story of taking over his family's pest control business at 22, navigating debt, and growing it to a $5 million company through innovative micro acquisitions, branding, and community-focused culture. Discover his insights on leadership, managing growth, and using modern tools like AI to enhance customer service. In this episode: Byron shares how he took over his family's p...

Most pest control companies get stuck doing the same thing day after day. Tim Whitt, a 40-year veteran in the industry, reveals how a mindset shift, similar to fighting insect behavior, can elevate your business to the next level. From humble beginnings as a termite helper to building a multimillion-dollar franchise, Tim shares the exact strategies that turned small-town pest control into a scalab...

Jeremy and Jason Julio host The Boardroom Buzz with guest David DeStefano of Digital Building Consultants, who shares his upbringing in Detroit and Kentucky roots, early entrepreneurial moments, and lessons from union commercial roofing in New York City. He describes starting a residential roofing business in college, how wrestling taught self-reflection and persistence, and how faith shifted his...

On The Boardroom Buzz, the Blue Collar Twins interview Ralph Citarella Jr., president of Bayonne Exterminating, about the company’s 100-year history and his path into the family business. He explains the firm was founded in 1926 by Harry Albert and purchased by his grandfather on May 1, 1945 after World War II, then grown by Ralph’s parents through added employees and involvement in the New Jersey...

Carmen Reno of Anchor Pest Control (East Brunswick, NJ) joins Boardroom Buzz to share how he bought a one-person, $130K business in 2005 after leaving IT for hedge funds, then grew it to $8.5M last year with a goal of $11M. He discusses evolving from a commercial-heavy model (multifamily and former restaurant work) toward more residential and wildlife services due to cash-flow delays in commercial...

Allan Draper shares how he entered pest control through his brother Brent’s door-to-door success, their failed early attempt to launch Freedom Pest Control, and Allan’s detour through banking and law school before quitting his legal job to cofound Proof in 2014–2015. He explains why they chose Detroit, how door-to-door jumpstarted early revenue, and how they bootstrapped with $100K while reinvesti...

Jeremy and Jason Julio interview Eric Triplett (“The Pond Digger”) about building and scaling a Southern California pond and aquatic business, surviving stage-four HPV-related tonsil cancer diagnosed in 2015, and the leadership lessons that followed. Triplett recounts noticing a swollen tonsil, facing seven surgeries over roughly three years, and temporarily shutting down his stressful constructio...

On The Boardroom Buzz, the Blue Collar Twins interview Chad Louk, founder of Prodigy Pest Control Solutions in Sarasota, Florida, about building a fast-growing, year-round pest control company and a separate Prodigy Marketing arm. Chad shares his start in door-to-door sales in 2015, launching and exiting an initial Naples partnership, then starting Prodigy with $7,000 and a used truck; he now runs...

In this episode of The Boardroom Buzz, Jeremy and Jason Julio interview Craig McGraw, Vice President of Trans American Trucking and Warehouse, a New Jersey-based family business founded in 1976 that specializes in logistics, warehousing, and heavy/oversize freight transport. McGraw explains how the company evolved from port container work into moving massive machinery—up to 300,000 pounds on 19-ax...

Building a Legacy Pest Control Brand in Charleston with Kevin Reif Jeremy and Jason Julio (the Blue Collar Twins) host The Boardroom Buzz with guest Kevin Reif, owner of Reif Environmental , discussing his path from door-to-door pest control sales across multiple states to launching his own company in Charleston, South Carolina. Kevin shares how Reif Environmental has grown organically to roughly...

In this episode of The Boardroom Buzz, the Blue Collar Twins sit down with Mat Rogers, the COO at Lizard Marketing . Join us to learn about Mat's career evolution from pest control to marketing. The impact of AI and digital tools on business growth and the strategies for branding and online presence in the service industry. You’ll learn: From Pest Control to Digital Marketing Navigating the Digita...

In this episode of The Boardroom Buzz, the Blue Collar Twins sit down with Jonas Olson, the founder and CEO of Pest Badger in Wisconsin and Michigan. Join us as Jonas shares his inspiring journey from lawn care to building a multi-million dollar pest control empire. Discover his strategies for scaling, marketing, team building, and the importance of relentless execution in business growth. You’ll...

In this episode of The Boardroom Buzz, the Blue Collar Twins sit down with Gary Journeaux, founder of Competitive Pest Services (CPS) – the largest independent, 100% Australian‑owned pest company with national coverage and a 200% money‑back guarantee. Gary bought a tiny one‑man pest business at 24, with zero experience on the tools, and grew it into a 200‑person operation with teams across Austral...

In this episode of The Boardroom Buzz, the Blue Collar Twins sit down with Lenny Gray, the guy other Utah killers call “the godfather of door-to-door.” Lenny started as an Orkin rep in the late 90s, built his own pest company from two dudes and a truck into the largest residential player in Utah, and went on to three separate exits across multiple branches. Today, he runs D2D Millionaire, helping...

In this episode of The Boardroom Buzz, the Blue Collar Twins sit down with Trevor Sharp and Scott Sandberg from Ruva Pest Control, the Utah door-to-door guys who packed up, moved to Connecticut, and built a high-retention pest brand from scratch. In just three years, Ruva has stacked close to 3,000 five-star Google reviews, blended aggressive door-to-door with disciplined digital, and built a cult...

What does it take to build a pest control company that wins—year after year—without relying on outside investors to do the heavy lifting? According to Chase Goodeill, it starts with the right people around you. This week, the Blue Collar Twins sit down with the owner of Pest Control Consultants to unpack why he and his partners joke they’re the “’96 Bulls”—a tight, competitive crew with complement...

Michael Garvey isn’t a full-time entrepreneur — he’s a full-time New Jersey state trooper who built a serious lawn fertilization and weed control business on his days off. The Blue Collar Twins sit down with the founder of Coastal Fertilization to unpack how discipline, structure, and smart partnerships turned a side hustle into a tightly run operation serving nearly 900 customers. Starting in 201...

Landscaping has long carried a rough-and-ready reputation — trucks with branches sticking out, stained shirts, and crews that “get the job done” but don’t always look the part. Brian Hatfield set out to rewrite that story. The Blue Collar Twins, Jason and Jeremy Julio, sit down with the President of ByDesign Landscapes to unpack how he built a brand where clean fleets, crisp uniforms, and elevated...

Most people in pest control don’t start their story in county jail — but Michael Keith did. The Blue Collar Twins, Jason and Jeremy Julio, sit down with the founder of Cal Coast Pest Management to hear how he went from a violent upbringing in South San Diego to building one of the most respected pest companies in the region. After doing time at 18 and cutting ties with his past, Michael bounced th...

From history teacher to CEO, Dan Peltz never planned on becoming an entrepreneur — but when he saw a gap in how young adults with special needs were supported after graduation, he built something extraordinary. This week, the Blue Collar Twins, Jason and Jeremy Julio, sit down with the founder of Shift New Jersey to uncover how a simple idea turned into a statewide service helping thousands — and...

What starts with a $400 window job in college turns into a 21-year power washing powerhouse. This week, the Blue Collar Twins, Jason and Jeremy Julio, sit down with Freddie Hodge, founder of Clearview, to unpack how a family business built on hustle, humility, and heart became one of New Jersey’s most respected exterior cleaning brands. From cleaning windows with his dad on weekends to running an...

What do a CrossFit gym, a frozen yogurt shop, and an ice cream parlor have in common? Jay Vigilante. This week, the Blue Collar Twins, Jason and Jeremy Julio, sit down with the serial entrepreneur who proves that saying “yes” and figuring it out later can build a life most people only dream about. From overcoming addiction in his early twenties to owning three thriving businesses on the Jersey Sho...