Pest Empire Builder

Matt Williams
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The Pest Empire Builder is where pest control professionals come to level up; not just in business, but in mindset, leadership, and legacy. If you’re a pest control company owner who is growing, scaling and refining through your team, this show is your roadmap to time and financial freedom. We'll dive deep into high performing teams, sales, service, operations, a powerful business structure that leads to rapid growth. Every episode is designed to help you stop working in the business and start building a business that works for you.

  1. 19H AGO

    Build a Door-to-Door Team In-House (Without Outsourcing)

    If you’ve ever thought, “Door-to-door could grow my pest control business… but I don’t want to hire some expensive outside sales crew,” this episode is for you.  In this Pest Empire Builder Podcast episode, Matt sits down with Lenny Gray to break down how to build an in-house door-to-door sales team that actually works, without chaos, burnout, or wasted payroll. Lenny shares what most pest control owners get wrong when they try to “go all-in” too fast, why outsourcing door-to-door teams often fails, and how to set up your door-to-door program so you can scale profitably. You’ll learn how to recruit the right reps, how many people to hire (and why attrition is normal), what training must exist before your reps knock a single door, and the exact door-to-door KPIs that predict sales success.  If you’re battling rising PPC costs, expensive lead generation, and inconsistent growth, door-to-door can be your smartest lever, especially because it builds route density, reduces windshield time, and creates faster, more controllable customer acquisition in pest control. Highlights: → You’ll learn why starting with 5–8 reps is smarter than trying to manage 20 your first year, and how to reverse-engineer hiring based on a realistic revenue target per rep.  → You’ll hear Lenny’s “Law of 600” framework for new reps, why early struggles are normal and how consistency creates skill breakthroughs.  → You’ll get the most important door-to-door metrics to track, including knock-to-talk ratio, contacts per hour, qualifying ratio, closing ratio, and cancellation rates before and after the first service.  → You’ll also learn Lenny’s four-pronged recruiting system (personal network, social ads, off-campus, and on-campus recruiting) and why door-to-door can outperform digital marketing by building route density and lowering operational costs. Want to learn more about PEB? Check out the links below.  Email: support@pestempirebuilder.com Website: www.pestempirebuilder.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min

  2. JAN 23

    Business Partnerships Are Like Marriage (Here’s the Prenup)

    Business partnerships can grow your company faster, or trap you in a toxic mess that’s hard (and expensive) to escape. In this episode of the Pest Empire Builder Podcast, Matt Williams and Rob Greer break down the real truth about business partners, equity splits, and how to run a company with a partner (or operate “like a partnership” even when you’re solo). If you’ve ever wondered how to choose the right business partner, how to avoid partnership conflict, or whether it’s smarter to stay a sole owner, this conversation will save you headaches. They compare partnerships to a financial marriage, explain why visionary vs implementer dynamics matter, and reveal how clear boundaries (like the “playground fence” concept) create freedom inside the business. You’ll also hear practical frameworks for handling feedback, building a healthy leadership culture, and deciding when it’s time to walk away. Whether you’re in pest control, home services, inspections, or any entrepreneur-led company, this episode gives you a real-world guide to partnerships, accountability, and scaling without losing your mind. What You’ll Learn: → How to choose a business partner without creating a “financial divorce” → Visionary vs Implementer: the role split that prevents chaos → Why you can’t dump emotional stress on employees (but you can with partners) → The “fence” principle: boundaries that create freedom and trust → Why equity isn’t about control, it’s about contribution and upside → Rowers vs Sailors vs Navigators: building the right ownership team  → How to create a feedback culture without defensiveness → Why a buy-sell agreement is the business version of a prenup → When it’s time to renegotiate, restructure, or exit a partnership Want to learn more about PEB? Check out the links below.  EmailWebsite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min
  3. The Lie You’ve Been Told About Work–Life Balance as a Home Service Entrepreneur

    11/26/2025

    The Lie You’ve Been Told About Work–Life Balance as a Home Service Entrepreneur

    In this episode of the Pest Empire Builder Podcast, we break down how Josh went from 0 to $10M/year in pest control in under 7 years.If you’re in home services (pest control, home inspection, trades) and you want to scale without blowing up your life, this is for you.Learn how people, core values, and courage beat tactics every time. What You’ll Learn: → How Josh “fell into” pest control from a wrong phone number and turned it into a $10M+ empire → The mindset that took him from technician to leader to multi-location owner → Why home services is really a people business, no matter what you actually sell → How to use core values to hire, fire, and promote (without feeling like the bad guy) → The hidden synergy between home inspection and pest control and how to turn one into recurring revenue for the other → Practical ways to build a vulnerability-based culture where your team actually owns their mistakes → The reality of “whatever it takes” vs burning out your team and your family → Why your spouse/partner and inner circle can become either your ceiling, or your superpower Want to learn more about PEB? Check out the links below.  EmailWebsite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 min
  4. The Lie You’ve Been Told About Scaling Your Pest Control Company

    11/20/2025

    The Lie You’ve Been Told About Scaling Your Pest Control Company

    Want to grow your family pest control business beyond a one-man route? In this episode of the Pest Empire Builder Podcast, we unpack how Wilson took a tiny “Craigslist embryo company” in Denver and turned it into a real operation with thousands of services on the books.If you’re serious about scaling your pest control business and keeping your family (and sanity) intact, this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn: → How Wilson went from Michigan winters and dead-end job to buying a tiny pest control side hustle off Craigslist in Colorado → What an “embryo company” really looks like, and how they grew it from ~250 clients to 2,000+ services → The real pros and cons of working with family (and how coaching + personality profiles kept them from blowing up the business) → Why mindset > strategy > tools when it comes to scaling a pest control company → The difference between being self-employed vs. being a true business owner who creates jobs and freedom → How hobbies, motorcycles, trips, and time away actually fuel better leadership and decision-making → Adapting your service, systems, and culture to different markets (Denver vs. Michigan vs. Albuquerque) instead of copy-pasting someone else’s model → How to think about AI, tech, and changing customer expectations so your pest control company doesn’t get left behind → Practical tips for building processes, a fleet, and a leadership team that can handle real growth Want to learn more about PEB? Check out the links below.  EmailWebsite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min
  5. How to Build a Pest Control Team That Actually Lasts

    11/13/2025

    How to Build a Pest Control Team That Actually Lasts

    Want to scale your pest control business beyond a couple trucks without burning out or blowing up your margins?In this episode of the Pest Empire Builder Podcast, Chad Luke from Prodigy Pest Solutions breaks down how he went from zero relationships in a new city to $9–10M in 7 years and 40 techs on the road.If you own or lead a pest control company and you’re serious about growth, this conversation is your playbook. What You’ll Learn: → How Chad moved to a city where he knew no one and built a pest control empire from scratch → The exact role door-to-door sales played in getting from 0 to 50 trucks (and why it’s different today) → Why timing, luck, and market selection matter, and how to put yourself in the “right place, right time” more often → The turning point from “good salesman” to actual business owner (technical ops, office, and financials) → How to use technicians in the field to grow routes with simple neighbor/“cloverleaf” tactics → The mindset shift from “I have to do it all” to delegating and hiring smarter people than you → How Chad uses supercars as sales incentives and why culture is a huge lever for recruiting and retention → The hidden cost of a bad hire and why keeping good people beats trying to replace them → Why networking with competitors and masterminds will grow your business faster than hoarding secrets Want to learn more about PEB? Check out the links below.  EmailWebsite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min
  6. From Zero to 10 Trucks in 3 Years: Scaling Smart in Pest Control

    10/31/2025

    From Zero to 10 Trucks in 3 Years: Scaling Smart in Pest Control

    What does it really take to go from ground zero to a thriving multi-truck pest control business in just three years? In this episode of the Pest Empire Builder podcast, Matt Williams sits down with Scott Sandberg, co-founder of Ruva Pest Control, to unpack the grit, mindset, and strategic decisions behind one of the fastest-growing pest companies in the Northeast. Scott didn’t just start a pest control business, he and his two co-founders launched Ruva in a new city where they knew no one. From humble beginnings to managing a fleet of 10 trucks, Scott shares the real story behind their explosive growth, including the unexpected lessons, brutal mistakes, and mindset shifts that changed everything. You’ll hear how Ruva broke industry norms with a unique name, why they restructured employee compensation to attract A-players, and how they’ve cultivated a high-performance culture that’s primed for multi-location expansion. It’s not just about exterminating pests, it’s about building a scalable, values-driven business that changes lives. Takeaways: → Why aligning pay structure with company values attracts top talent → The importance of mentorship and learning from others’ mistakes → How investing back into your business is the best growth strategy → Why boundaries and personal discipline are crucial for entrepreneurs → The power of casting vision and building a leadership pipeline "It's not the knowledge that matters, it's being able to execute on it." If you found value in Scott’s journey, share this episode with a fellow business owner or aspiring entrepreneur. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Pest Empire Builder podcast so you never miss an episode that could change your business! Want to learn more about PEB? Check out the links below.  Email Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    55 min
  7. From Door-to-Door to Empire: Kyle Weaver’s Journey to Building a Multi-Million Dollar Pest Control Company

    10/23/2025

    From Door-to-Door to Empire: Kyle Weaver’s Journey to Building a Multi-Million Dollar Pest Control Company

    What if you moved across the country to a city where you knew no one, and built a thriving, multi-million dollar business from scratch? That’s exactly what Kyle Weaver did. In this episode of Pest Empire Builder, we uncover the mindset, marketing strategies, and deeply personal motivations that helped Kyle turn bold risk into massive reward. Kyle shares the rollercoaster story of starting his pest control company in San Antonio, Texas, after throwing a dart at the map post-2008 recession. With zero local connections, no safety net, and just a gritty determination fueled by his door-to-door sales background, Kyle overcame massive hurdles, licensing challenges, financial scarcity, and business plateaus, on his path to success. You’ll hear how he leveraged emerging digital marketing tools long before they were mainstream, how AI and automation are supercharging his current operations, and why personal growth and family priorities now drive every business decision he makes. It’s a conversation that’s equal parts strategy, heart, and real-life wisdom. Takeaways: → Start Where You Are: Kyle built his business in a new city with no network, just grit, hustle, and creative problem-solving. → Tech-Savvy Scaling: From PPC to AI phone scheduling, Kyle explains how leveraging technology helped him outpace the competition. → Redefining Success: True wealth isn’t always measured in dollars, it’s the freedom to never miss your kid’s soccer game. → The Power of Mentorship: Surrounding yourself with others who are further down the path can accelerate your growth and protect your joy. → Build the Human First: Your company won’t grow past the person leading it, Kyle unpacks how personal development fuels business breakthroughs. “My business is only going to grow to the human I am.” Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow entrepreneur, subscribe to the podcast, and take 5 minutes today to define your own version of success, then reverse engineer your business around it. Want to learn more about PEB? Check out the links below.  EmailWebsite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min
  8. Stop Playing the Victim: How Ownership and Vision Can 2x Your Business

    10/17/2025

    Stop Playing the Victim: How Ownership and Vision Can 2x Your Business

    Are you holding yourself back without even knowing it? In this episode of the Pest Empire Builder Podcast, host Matt Williams tackles a tough but vital truth: the only thing between you and your next big business breakthrough might be… you. Joined by 20-year pest control veteran Jeff Davis, this raw, real conversation explores how shifting from a victim mentality to full ownership can radically transform your business, and your life. Jeff shares his personal journey from hardship and limiting beliefs to purpose and empowerment, revealing how internal mindset shifts helped him reignite his passion for business. Together, Matt and Jeff dive into the power of vision, building a winning culture, and empowering your team to take the wheel. so you can finally start working on the business instead of just in it. Whether you're in a season where the wind is at your back or you're trudging through resistance, this episode will meet you where you're at, and call you higher. Takeaways: → Victim mentality kills momentum, stop blaming and start owning your outcomes. → You attract who you are, want better people? Be a better leader. → Culture begins at the top, your company will reflect your personal growth. → Freedom is found in discipline, clear vision and values bring direction, not restriction. → Empower your team, when people own the mission, they outperform. “I’m not going to attract what I want. I can only attract what I am.” -Jeff Davis  Ready to level up your leadership? Subscribe to the show, share this episode with a fellow business owner, and take 10 minutes today to journal your personal mission, vision, and values. Your future team will thank you.  Want to learn more about PEB? Check out the links below.  EmailWebsite Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min
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The Pest Empire Builder is where pest control professionals come to level up; not just in business, but in mindset, leadership, and legacy. If you’re a pest control company owner who is growing, scaling and refining through your team, this show is your roadmap to time and financial freedom. We'll dive deep into high performing teams, sales, service, operations, a powerful business structure that leads to rapid growth. Every episode is designed to help you stop working in the business and start building a business that works for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Williams
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Matt Williams
  • Show Website
    Pest Empire Builder