Multiply You Podcast

Aaron Veal is an Associate Certified Entomologist and the Owner and CEO of Phoenix Pest Control, which services customers in East Tennessee. He is a Marine Corps veteran with more than two decades of experience in the pest control space. “Rising from the industry ashes,” as Aaron says, Phoenix Pest Control is designed to stand out against the one-size-fits-all industry mold. 

With the rise of various Internet forums, blogs, and social media apps, misinformation and myths can spread like wildfire. When it comes to pest control, it’s best to trust the experts and avoid DIY solutions. But how can pest control companies educate customers and prove they have homeowners’ best interests at heart?

For Aaron Veal, the answer lies in productive, educational conversations. To achieve this, Aaron creates educational videos for customers (and potential customers) which answer all of their questions — even the ones they didn’t know they had. In doing so, customers are more likely to trust Aaron and his team, remain loyal, and find comfort in understanding the best possible solutions.    

In this episode of the Multiply You Podcast, Austin Clark is joined by Aaron Veal, the Owner and CEO of Phoenix Pest Control, to talk about strategies for educating customers, getting them to love you, and maintaining customer loyalty. Aaron also talks about the pros and cons of entrepreneurship, his advice for others wanting to start their own business, and his motivation for creating educational videos.

Erika Milenkovic is the Owner of Pest Czar, a top-rated pest control business in the Baltimore, Maryland, area. She is a registered pest control technician with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and is QualityPro and GreenPro certified by the National Pest Management Association.

Erika is a cancer survivor, artist, and mother of two who believes in small business, entrepreneurship, and community involvement. In 2013, she was named Innovator of the Year by the Daily Record for her nonprofit work. 

Growing a business is no easy feat — especially if you’re working remotely. Erika Milenkovic, who’s running her business remotely, had a 50% revenue increase last year and is continuing down a steady growth path. How does she do it?

According to Erika, you need to focus on three things: your customers, your people, and your services. When you solve customer pain points, empower your people, and continue training your team for high-level performance, your business will thrive no matter where you’re located.

In this episode of the Multiply You Podcast, Austin Clark sits down with Erika Milenkovic, the Owner of Pest Czar, to talk about the best business growth strategies. Erika discusses the pros and cons of working remotely, the value of building trust and empowering your team, and her favorite resources to grow your people and your business.  

Ed Bredemeyer is the Sales Director for North America at Pertinent Eco-Solutions, a company on a mission to protect the planet by reducing the use of traditional chemical pesticides. With experience in sales, marketing, and market development, Ed is considered an industry insider. He has over 25 years of experience in structural pest control and vector control, and he’s been with Pertinent Eco-Solutions for the last few years.

The pest control industry doesn’t slow down for anyone. Insects and rodents don’t care about recessions, governments, or pandemic-related challenges. No matter how the world changes, we need passionate and innovative leaders to drive pest control forward.

Ed Bredemeyer, who’s been on the management and sales side of the industry, loves seeing business owners work their way up from very little to growing and maintaining a business. Ed says there’s no crystal ball to see into the future, but he has hope for the industry. As long as leaders add value, invest in new technologies and tools, and learn about the different avenues of pest control, this industry will continue to thrive.

In this episode of the Multiply You Podcast, Austin Clark chats with Ed Bredemeyer, Sales Director for North America at Pertinent Eco-Solutions, about the evolving pest control industry. Ed shares how his career began, tips for staying educated and innovative, and the importance of adding value for consumers, owners, and applicators.

Patrick Boland is an Associate Certified Entomologist and the Director of Operations for ScherZinger Pest Control. In this role, he plans and monitors day-to-day business operations, oversees management staff in all markets, and ensures daily operations align with the company’s strategic goals. Patrick has been in the industry for over two decades and previously served as the President of the Future Pest Managers of Ohio.

With the rising cost of goods, supply chain disruptions, discontinued car models, and everything else that comes along with this inflationary period, it can be difficult to maintain business as usual. However, some companies are still growing despite the challenges. How do they do it?

For Patrick Boland, it’s about buckling down on efficiencies within your business. Since Patrick and his team wanted to avoid raising service rates through the roof, they looked elsewhere for optimization. From routing software and tightened schedules to referral recruitment and communication with their customer base, the ScherZinger team managed to work through inflationary challenges and grow despite the hardships.

In this episode of the Multiply You Podcast, Austin Clark is joined by Patrick Boland, Director of Operations at ScherZinger Pest Control, to talk about growing through tough times. Patrick shares his top recruitment strategies, the importance of company core values, and tips for investing in your company's future.

Lin Ellis is the Founder and President of Eco Friends Pest Control, which offers botanical pest control products that don’t contain harsh chemicals. Before founding Eco Friends, Lin worked for two other pest control companies that used both botanical and chemical pesticides. After noticing that botanical treatments worked just as well as chemicals, Lin created a company that offered environmentally friendly solutions without any pollutants. 

Eco-friendly pest control products are not always what they seem. Oftentimes, eco-friendly just means the product contains the lowest mixture of chemicals possible. And this could lead to harsh effects on people, pets, and the environment.

After working at an animal hospital and seeing pets in horrific conditions from contact with pesticides, Lin Ellis knew that something needed to change. So, she started her own company and crafted botanical, chemical-free pest control products that are safe for the environment. Now, Lin is on a mission to educate others and make a difference in the industry — and beyond.

In this episode of the Multiply You Podcast, Austin Clark is joined by Lin Ellis, the President of Eco Friends Pest Control, to talk about the importance of green pest control products. Lin shares why she transitioned to the pest space, how chemical-based pesticides can harm the environment, and her advice for businesses wanting to switch to green products.

Noah Besheer is the fourth-generation President of Gunter Pest & Lawn. He’s been working summers with the company since he was 15 years old, and in March 2020, he began working full-time as the Vice President of Marketing before moving up the ranks. Prior to his full-time role at Gunter Pest & Lawn, Noah had a 10-year career in marketing for larger companies, including the Four Seasons Hotel, Manifest Digital, and Famous Footwear.

The pest control industry is constantly evolving. Recently, businesses are focused more on technology, natural products, and innovative prevention methods. But no matter how much the industry changes, one thing will remain constant: the need for excellent customer service.

Although Noah Besheer didn’t know much about pest control after making a career shift, he used his knowledge of customer service, leadership, and marketing to help take the family business to the next level. From the Four Seasons Hotel to Gunter Pest & Lawn, Noah shares his journey and the lessons learned along the way.

In this episode of the Multiply You Podcast, Austin Clark sits down with Noah Besheer, the President of Gunter Pest & Lawn, to talk about his career move from marketing to running a pest control business. Noah also shares the changes he’s implemented in the company, his thoughts on the future of the industry, and how he’s staying educated.

Greg Pettis is the VP of Business Development for Nature-Cide, which provides all-natural pest control solutions. Additionally, he’s the President of Dominion Pest Control, LLC, which provides pest control and lawn care services to customers in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, area. Greg has nearly 30 years of sales and business management experience and has received extensive media coverage from outlets including NBC, Fox, PCT Magazine, and many others.

Many people in the pest control industry are hesitant to use environmentally friendly products. It isn’t because they don’t care about the planet — it’s because green pesticides often don’t work.

With negative past experiences using green products, Greg Pettis was reluctant to deal with them anymore. However, he took a chance on Nature-Cide’s products, and his outlook completely changed. After field testing Nature-Cide products, Greg saw significant results — and others noticed its advantages as well. On top of Greg’s personal account, the benefits of these products have been confirmed by third-party efficacy testing and two-year lab and field studies by the Florida Mosquito Control Association. So what’s the magic behind Nature-Cide?

In this episode of the Multiply You Podcast, Austin Clark chats with Greg Pettis, VP of Business Development for Nature-Cide, about the new wave of green pesticides. Greg shares the benefits of Nature-Cide products, how the pest control and pesticide industry may change, and his advice for companies on the fence about green products.

Mitch Shipman is an entrepreneur, self-described “bug baron,” and the Founder and Owner of Blue Beetle Pest Control. Blue Beetle was voted the best pest control exterminator in Kansas City for the past three years and is built on a foundation of training, growth, and improvement. The company strives to better serve customers, team members, business partners, and the greater community.

Nowadays, many people complain about the lack of motivated, enthusiastic employees. In reality, if you find yourself sifting through a meager talent pool, it’s probably time to look inwards and reevaluate your company’s hiring and retention strategies.

According to Mitch Shipman, attracting and retaining top talent starts with exceptional leadership. As a leader, you must constantly improve, invest in your team, offer hiring incentives, and think about what your dream candidates look for in a job. Once you’ve hired outstanding employees, you need to make them feel welcome, train them well, and continue fostering a positive work environment throughout their careers.

In this episode of the Multiply You Podcast, Austin Clark talks with Mitch Shipman, the Founder and Owner of Blue Beetle Pest Control, about the best strategies to attract, hire, and retain outstanding employees. Mitch explains why a skilled team starts with the leaders, breaks down his process for welcoming and training employees, and shares his tips for maintaining the magic beyond day one.

Matthew McReynolds is a Franchise Owner of Mosquito Joe of East Dallas-Fort Worth. The company provides mosquito control treatment to residential and commercial customers. Matthew is also the COO of Hero Home Services and has a history of working in the consumer services industry. He prides himself on helping leaders become the best version of themselves.

What does it take to be a leader in business? How can you build on your leadership skills and grow your company? 

No matter what industry you’re in, Matthew McReynolds says you need to be quick on your feet and willing to get your hands dirty. Especially as a leader, it’s vital that you challenge yourself, be intentional about building your team, and grow your skills in order to grow your company.

In this episode of the Multiply You Podcast, Austin Clark sits down with Matthew McReynolds, a Franchise Owner of Mosquito Joe of East Dallas-Fort Worth, to talk about his entrepreneurial journey. Matthew discusses the benefits of franchising, how his athletic background helps him lead a company, and other leadership lessons to grow a business.

Kristaps (Chris) Brencans is the CEO of On The Map Marketing, an award-winning digital marketing agency. Chris started out as the company’s Web Development Project Manager before moving up the ranks. Since then, he’s helped the company grow from $4 million in revenue in 2019 to a projected $6 million in revenue this year.

From the moment Chris built his first website, he knew tech was his calling. Throughout his career, he’s trained over 15 entry-level employees in the digital marketing field, built up web development, SEO, and SEM teams, and taken On The Map to over 100 employees.

You don’t need to be a marketing expert to take your business to the next level. However, there are some key concepts you should understand if you want a powerful marketing strategy. 

Expert Chris Brencans breaks it down into three factors for success. First, you must have a robust CRM system and understand the journey from lead to service. Second, you need to test strategies and determine your cost-per-lead. Lastly, you should invest in your Google Business Profile to attract the right customers. What other advice does Chris have to help you develop a solid marketing plan?

In this episode of The Multiply You Podcast, Austin Clark is joined by Chris Brencans, the CEO of On The Map Marketing, to dissect the various elements of effective marketing. Chris discusses his tips for budgeting, managing your Google Business Profile, and finding the right tools to track your journey. He also shares how you can get a free trial with On The Map Marketing. Stay tuned!