In this episode of the Journey Podcast, Rusty speaks with Adam and Courtney Carace, the husband-and-wife duo behind Pest-End, a pest control company that has seen significant growth in recent years. They share their journey from starting in the family business, to acquiring it, and scaling it to new heights. The conversation covers their experiences with leadership transitions, the importance of core values, and their ambitious goal of reaching $30 million in revenue by 2030. They also provide valuable insights and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the pest control industry and beyond.

📺 Full Episode on Youtubehttps://youtu.be/T5ve9nGVm4M

🗝️ Takeaways

• Pest-End started in 1977 and has grown significantly since then.
• The importance of family involvement in business.
• Transitioning leadership can be challenging but necessary for growth.
• Core values are essential for company culture and decision-making.
• Networking within the industry can provide valuable insights and support.
• Scaling requires attention to staffing and maintaining quality.
• Setting ambitious goals can drive a company forward.
• Self-awareness is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Investing in employee development is key to success.
• Maintaining a positive company culture is vital during growth.

🎙️ Connect with Rusty & Learn MoreVisit The Journey Podcast online or follow on social media for more insights and inspiration.

📲 Follow The Journey Podcast

• 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/prewettpestjourney
• 📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@theprewettpestjourney
• 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/prewettpestjourney
• 🍎 Apple Podcasts: Prewett Pest Journey on Apple Podcasts
• 🎧 Spotify: Prewett Pest Journey on Spotify

In this conversation, Rusty Prewett and Seth Garber discuss the evolution of the pest control industry, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy, key performance indicators (KPIs), and effective pricing strategies. Seth shares his journey from corporate sales to becoming a successful entrepreneur in pest control, highlighting the creation of FRAXN, a financial solution tailored for the industry. The discussion covers the significance of understanding profit and loss statements, the psychology behind pricing increases, and the valuation of pest control businesses. Listeners are encouraged to leverage available resources for growth and education in the pest control sector. 🗝️Key Takeaways

• Understanding KPIs is crucial for business success in pest control.
• FRAXN was created to provide financial clarity for pest control companies.
• Financial literacy can significantly impact business decisions.
• Gross margin is a key indicator of operational efficiency.
• Pricing strategies should be systematic and not based on emotions.
• Regular price increases are necessary to maintain profitability.
• The pest control industry often undervalues its services.
• Valuation of pest control businesses can vary greatly based on pricing and financial practices.
• Resources like Pest Daily can help operators improve their business acumen.

🎙️ Connect with Rusty & Learn MoreVisit The Journey Podcast online or follow on social media for more insights and inspiration.

📲 Follow The Journey Podcast

• 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/prewettpestjourney
• 📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@theprewettpestjourney
• 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/prewettpestjourney
• 🍎 Apple Podcasts: Prewett Pest Journey on Apple Podcasts
• 🎧 Spotify: Prewett Pest Journey on Spotify

🎙️EP 60: 4 Steps to Leading Change - Feat Ryan Tate, Rogue Pest Solutions (Part 2)

In this conversation, Rusty Prewett and Ryan Tate discuss the critical aspects of leading change in various contexts, emphasizing the importance of changing perspectives on change, discerning specific needs for change, obsessing over the 'why' before the 'what', and being bold in implementing changes. They explore the challenges leaders face in managing change and the necessity of fostering a culture that embraces growth and improvement. The discussion also highlights the significance of effective communication and the role of leadership in guiding teams through transitions.

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TmY4wPjrKpw

Takeaways

• Change is inevitable and must be led, not avoided.
• Growth and comfort cannot coexist; progress requires discomfort.
• Leaders must take responsibility for leading change effectively.
• Understanding the 'why' behind changes is crucial for buy-in.
• Critics, bystanders, and advocates react differently to change; leaders must address all three.
• Tolerating mediocrity hinders progress and change.
• Being bold in decision-making can lead to significant impacts.
• Discernment is key in identifying what specifically needs to change.
• Effective communication fosters a culture of trust and engagement.
• Leaders should focus on building relationships and recognizing efforts to inspire their teams.

4 Steps to Leading Change*credit 👉 Craig Groeschel

1. Change how you think about change. 2. Discern what specifically needs to change. 3. Obsess about the "why" before the "what". 4. Be bold, because tweaks never change the world.

🎙️ Connect with Rusty & Learn MoreVisit The Journey Podcast online or follow on social media for more insights and inspiration.

📲 Follow The Journey Podcast

• 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/prewettpestjourney
• 📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@theprewettpestjourney
• 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/prewettpestjourney
• 🍎 Apple Podcasts: Prewett Pest Journey on Apple Podcasts
• 🎧 Spotify: Prewett Pest Journey on Spotify

🎙️EP 59: 6 Steps to Leading & Empowering Your Team - Feat Ryan Tate, Rogue Pest Solutions In this conversation, Rusty Prewett and Ryan Tate discuss the importance of leadership development, sharing insights from a recent leadership event they attended. They explore the challenges of balancing day-to-day operations with personal growth, the significance of investing time in leadership, and the steps to effectively train and empower team members. The discussion emphasizes the need for modeling behavior, choosing the right people, and creating a culture of feedback and trust within organizations. They also highlight the importance of reproducing leadership skills for future generations. Watch it on Youtube: https://youtu.be/irWRtN1XgCQ

Takeaways

✔️ Investing time in leadership events can reignite passion. ✔️ It's essential to fill your cup before pouring into others. ✔️ Success in leadership is about developing successors. ✔️ Choosing the right people is crucial for growth. ✔️ Modeling behavior is the first step in leadership. ✔️ Training should involve hands-on coaching. ✔️ Empower team members to take ownership of their roles. ✔️ Creating a culture of feedback fosters growth. ✔️ Trust is vital in delegating responsibilities. ✔️ Reproducing leadership skills ensures long-term success.

6 Steps to Leading & Empowering Your Team*credit 👉 Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

1. I do it. 2. I choose people to do it with me. 3. I do it and they are with me. 4. They do it and I am with them. 5. They do it. 6. They do it and someone is with them.

🎙️ Connect with Rusty & Learn MoreVisit The Journey Podcast online or follow on social media for more insights and inspiration.

📲 Follow The Journey Podcast

• 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/prewettpestjourney
• 📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@theprewettpestjourney
• 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/prewettpestjourney
• 🍎 Apple Podcasts: Prewett Pest Journey on Apple Podcasts
• 🎧 Spotify: Prewett Pest Journey on Spotify

🎙️In this episode, join Rusty as he's interviewed by Kristen Reeder on the podcast, 'Leading Locally: A Podcast by Leadership Lee County'. Rusty is an alumni of the Leadership Lee County program and was a guest on LLC's newly launched podcast, which offers listeners insightful discussions on leadership, community impact, and local initiatives.

Leading Locally: A Podcast by Leadership Lee County (ep 4) From Insurance to Insects: Rusty Prewett on Embracing Challenges

Rusty Prewett knows what it means to pivot with purpose. After nearly 15 years in the insurance world, he recognized the industry was shifting and so was he. In this episode, Rusty shares how he transitioned from insurance to launching Prewett Pest Control, a business built on adaptability and people-first values. From building trust in a new industry to hiring the right team and developing leaders across locations, Rusty brings practical insights and honest reflections on what it takes to grow a business that's both resilient and rooted in impact. Whether you're leading a team or dreaming of your next big move, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger and lead better.

Connect with Leadership Lee County Instagram: @leadershipleecounty Website: www.leadershipleecounty.org Leadership Lee County's nine-month, immersive program identifies and develops a select group of leaders who live or work in Lee County and have the potential to provide the leadership needed to solve problems of community and statewide significance.

🎙️ Connect with Rusty & Learn MoreVisit The Journey Podcast online or follow on social media for more insights and inspiration.

📲 Follow The Journey Podcast

• 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/prewettpestjourney
• 📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@theprewettpestjourney
• 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/prewettpestjourney
• 🍎 Apple Podcasts: Prewett Pest Journey on Apple Podcasts
• 🎧 Spotify: Prewett Pest Journey on Spotify

In this conversation, Rusty interviews Raymond Kidwell from Voice for Pest, discussing the evolution of phone systems in the pest control industry, the integration of AI and intelligent call routing, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. They explore how technology can enhance customer service, the role of bots in handling calls, and the need for specialization in call handling to improve efficiency. The discussion emphasizes the critical nature of communication in pest control and how leveraging technology can lead to better customer experiences and business outcomes. In this conversation, Raymond and Rusty discuss the critical role of data and AI in optimizing workforce management and enhancing customer engagement. They explore how effective communication channels can improve customer retention and the importance of adapting to customer preferences. The discussion highlights the potential of technology solutions to drive business efficiency and the need for businesses to leverage data for informed decision-making.

Takeaways

• Voice for Pest started as a phone system and networking business in 1993.
• The company evolved to focus on the pest control industry about 15 years ago.
• Integrations with CRMs are a key differentiator for Voice for Pest.
• AI enhances customer interactions by understanding industry-specific terminology.
• Intelligent call routing improves efficiency in handling customer calls.
• Bots can handle mundane tasks, freeing up human agents for more complex issues.
• Data collection is crucial for making informed business decisions.
• Specialization in roles leads to better customer service outcomes.
• Technology should be actively managed to maximize its benefits.
• The future of customer service will increasingly rely on AI and data analytics.
• Data analysis is crucial for understanding workforce performance.
• Effective communication channels enhance customer engagement.
• AI can identify customer retention risks before cancellations occur.
• Businesses should focus on adapting to customer communication preferences.
• Data-driven decisions can significantly improve business efficiency.
• Understanding peak call times helps in scheduling and resource allocation.
• Automated logging of customer interactions saves time and improves accuracy.
• Retention strategies should be based on actual customer feedback and data.
• Companies often overlook the importance of customer retention in growth strategies.
• Technology can provide insights that were previously unattainable.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Voice for Pest and Background 03:06 Evolution of Phone Systems in Pest Control 06:05 AI and Intelligent Call Routing 08:46 The Role of Bots in Customer Interaction 12:00 Optimizing Customer Experience with Technology 14:52 Data-Driven Decision Making in Pest Control 18:13 The Importance of Specialization in Call Handling 21:02 Leveraging Technology for Efficiency 23:50 Managing Customer Communication Effectively 26:51 The Future of AI in Customer Service 31:27 The Importance of Data in Workforce Management 36:22 Optimizing Communication Channels for Customer Engagement 40:24 Leveraging AI for Customer Retention 47:04 Enhancing Business Efficiency through Data Analysis 52:14 Adapting to Customer Preferences in Communication

Check out Voice For Pest at www.voiceforpest.com

🎙️ Connect with Rusty & Learn More

Email: [email protected] Visit The Journey Podcast online or follow on social media for more insights and inspiration.

📲 Follow The Journey Podcast

• 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/prewettpestjourney
• 📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@theprewettpestjourney
• 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/prewettpestjourney
• 🍎 Apple Podcasts: Prewett Pest Journey on Apple Podcasts
• 🎧 Spotify: Prewett Pest Journey on Spotify

EP 56: The ACOR Principle – A Simple Framework to Attract, Convert, Optimize, and Retain Customers for Business Growth

Watch the full video, with illustrations, on Youtube: https://youtu.be/DaqbCyHT_oc

Welcome back to The Journey! In this episode, Rusty dives into a powerful business principle he learned during his insurance career—the ACOR Principle (Attract, Convert, Optimize, Retain). Rusty breaks down this simple yet transformative framework that applies to any business, from pest control to restaurants, and shows how it can drive sustainable growth. Using real-world examples and a hand-drawn visual (check out the YouTube video!), Rusty explains how to attract prospects with marketing, convert them into customers with effective sales, optimize their lifetime value through cross-selling and referrals, and retain them with intentional customer service. Packed with actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for business owners looking to streamline processes, boost ROI, and build a loyal customer base.

Key Topics Covered:

✅ The ACOR Principle Explained– A universal framework for growing any business.

✅ Attracting Customers – How marketing and lead generation start the journey.

✅ Converting Leads – Why the right sales process can make or break your growth.

✅ Optimizing Relationships – Cross-selling, referrals, and maximizing lifetime value.

✅ Retaining Customers – The power of intentional customer service and win-back strategies.

✅ Systems for Scale – Using automation and follow-up to multiply your marketing ROI.

Rusty also shares lessons from his insurance days, practical pest control examples, and tips for turning lost customers into "win-backs." Whether you're a solopreneur or scaling a multi-million-dollar business, this episode delivers a blueprint you can sketch on a napkin and implement today!

Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome Back to The Journey: Introducing the ACOR Principle

0:31 – Rusty's Background: Learning ACOR from the Quantum Club

1:14 – What is the ACOR Principle? A Simple Framework for Any Business

2:09 – Why Watch on YouTube: Visualizing ACOR with Rusty's Hand-Drawn Diagram

2:58 – **A: Attract** – How Marketing and Lead Gen Bring Prospects In

4:47 – **C: Convert** – Turning Prospects into Customers with Sales

6:30 – The Cost of Bad Conversion: A Dry Cleaning Story Gone Wrong

8:49 – Training for Conversion Success: From 20% to 80% Close Rates

10:03 – **O: Optimize** – Cross-Selling and Referrals to Maximize Value

13:04 – The Referral Loop: Sending Customers Back to Attract

14:55 – Handling "No's": Putting Non-Converters Back in the Funnel

17:27 – Persistence Pays Off: Following Up for Years to Win Business

19:28 – **R: Retain** – Intentional Customer Service to Keep Customers Loyal

21:34 – Retention Tactics: Welcome Gifts, Newsletters, and Community Events

24:45 – Analyzing Lost Customers: Turning 90% Retention into 92%

28:02 – Winning Back "Lost Souls": Strategies to Reclaim Past Customers

31:11 – Applying ACOR Anywhere: From Pest Control to Restaurants

34:06 – Scaling with Systems: Automating Follow-Ups for Free Marketing

34:48 – Final Thoughts: Take ACOR to Your Team and Get Started

🎙️ Connect with Rusty & Learn More

Email: [email protected] Visit The Journey Podcast online or follow on social media for more insights and inspiration.

📲 Follow The Journey Podcast

• 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/prewettpestjourney
• 📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@theprewettpestjourney
• 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/prewettpestjourney
• 🍎 Apple Podcasts: Prewett Pest Journey on Apple Podcasts
• 🎧 Spotify: Prewett Pest Journey on Spotify

EP 55: PEACO Fest 2025 – A Sneak Peak of Prewett Pest's Annual Company Kickoff

Welcome back to The Journey! In this episode, Rusty and the PPC team recap PEACO Fest 2025, their annual company-wide event designed to energize, educate, and engage their entire team.

Rusty, Brittney (Director of HR), Mike (East Alabama Service Center Leader), and Danny (Service Team Leader) share highlights, insights, and practical advice from this impactful event. From detailed logistics and planning tips to competitive team-building activities, guest speakers, and celebrating employee achievements, this episode is filled with practical strategies to foster deeper connections, enhance company culture, and drive growth.

Key Topics Covered:

✅ Event Planning Essentials – How they organized a two day event. ✅ Team-Building Activities – Insights into competitive and engaging team events. ✅ Leveraging Educational Sessions – Making the most of guest speakers and vendor partnerships. ✅ Employee Recognition & Motivation – The importance of awards and peer recognition. ✅ Protecting Your Brand – Strategies for maintaining a positive company image both internally and externally.

Rusty and the team also explore employee motivation strategies, the importance of maintaining a strong company culture, and practical insights for businesses of all sizes looking to host meaningful team events.

⏱ Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome & Introduction to PEACO Fest 2025 0:30 – Purpose of Annual Company Retreat 1:10 – Timing & Significance of the Event 2:07 – Event Format & Sales Bootcamp 3:34 – Brittany Fannin's Introduction & HR Insights 4:08 – Brittany's Experience & First Impressions 6:00 – Employee Connections & Event Highlights 8:40 – Team Competitions & PEACO Games Explained 9:11 – Team Organization & Core Values 10:11 – Competitive Spirit & Event Highlights 12:17 – Event Logistics & Planning Insights 14:14 – Employee Engagement & HR Perspective 15:49 – Final HR Thoughts & Advice 18:00 – Mike Fowler's Perspective & Event History 20:46 – Sales Bootcamp Details & Impact 22:31 – Event Day Activities & Awards Overview 25:06 – Operational Impact of Company Retreat 27:22 – Employee Recognition Program & MVP Awards 30:37 – Event Energy & Company Morale 31:11 – Team Competitions & Camaraderie 32:33 – Timing & Celebrating Team Achievements 34:32 – Encouragement for Hosting Company Events 35:47 – Vendor Partnerships & Value of Training 37:04 – Speaker Engagement & Employee Interest 39:15 – Danny Dunson's Introduction & Journey 41:02 – Danny's Four Rs of PEACO Fest 45:18 – Protecting the Brand: Employee Responsibilities 49:39 – Company Culture & Energy Reflections 53:55 – Employee Motivation & Personal Leadership 56:30 – Encouragement for Company Events 57:22 – Final Thoughts & Wrap Up

🔗 Connect with Prewett Pest Control:

📍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prewettpestcontrol 📍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prewettpestcontrol/ 📍 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@prewettpestcontrol642

🔗 Connect with The Journey Podcast:

📍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prewettpestjourney 📍 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prewettpestjourney/ 📍 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theprewettpestjourney

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to elevate your company culture!

EP 54: From Side Hustle to Scaling – How Magic City Pest Control Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business

Welcome back to The Journey! In this episode, Rusty Prewett sits down with Kenzie Prosch, owner of Magic City Pest Control, to discuss his unexpected path into the pest control industry and how he built a thriving business from the ground up.

Kenzie shares how a broken-down car led him into pest control, his experience bootstrapping the company with just $100, and the strategic moves that helped him scale to $2.5M in revenue. From door-to-door sales to leveraging Facebook marketing and acquisitions, Kenzie's journey is packed with real-world lessons on growth, leadership, and business strategy.

Key Topics Covered:

✅ An Accidental Entrepreneur – How Kenzie fell into pest control and never looked back. ✅ Bootstrapping to $2.5M – Starting with just $100 and growing a profitable business. ✅ The Power of Networking – Why building relationships with competitors can fuel success. ✅ Acquisitions & Expansion – Lessons from buying businesses and entering new markets. ✅ Marketing that Works – How Magic City Pest Control scaled using Facebook ads and referrals. ✅ Avoiding Costly Mistakes – What Kenzie wishes he knew about marketing and lead nurturing.

Kenzie also dives into the importance of tracking KPIs, how to keep costs down while growing, and why revenue per mile is one of the most critical numbers in his business. If you're in pest control or looking to scale a service business, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won't want to miss!

⏱ Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome Back to The Journey: Introducing Kenzie Prosch 0:27 – Magic City Pest Control: Kenzie's Background & Business Origins 3:08 – First Steps into Pest Control: From Elementary Education to Entrepreneurship 5:18 – Early Challenges: Juggling Five Jobs While Starting Out 8:45 – Breaking into the Industry: From Technician to Branch Manager 12:16 – Scaling Up: Recruiting Sales Teams & Growing to 1,000 Customers 15:10 – Making the Leap: Why Kenzie Left His Corporate Job to Go All-In 18:08 – Bootstrapping the Business: Starting with Just $100 21:32 – The Power of Referrals: How One Customer Sparked Growth 25:40 – Facebook Marketing Success: Driving Leads for Just $25 per Sale 30:12 – Acquisitions & Expansion: Growing into Birmingham & Huntsville 35:16 – The Importance of Networking with Competitors for Business Growth 40:28 – Scaling Challenges: Managing Growth & Expanding into New Markets 45:10 – Key KPIs That Matter: Why Revenue Per Mile is a Game-Changer 50:42 – Lessons from the Journey: What Kenzie Would Do Differently 55:12 – Long-Term Vision: Goals for Magic City Pest Control in the Next 5 Years 1:00:01 – Final Thoughts & Where to Connect with Kenzie

🔗 Connect with Kenzie & Learn More: Visit Magic City Pest Control online or follow them on social media to stay updated.

📍 Follow The Journey: 📍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prewettpestjourney 📍 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theprewettpestjourney

🔊 Listen now and get inspired to take your business to the next level!

EP 53: Visit With EOS Implementer, David King, After PPC's 2 Day Annual Planning

Welcome back to The Journey! In this episode, Rusty Prewett sits down with David King, an EOS Implementer, to break down the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and how it has transformed Rusty's business over the past three years. From quarterly planning to accountability charts, they discuss what it takes to implement EOS effectively and how it helps businesses scale while maintaining clarity, accountability, and simplicity.

If you've been considering EOS or need a refresher on how to get back on track, this episode is packed with real-world insights, including how Rusty's company rebooted its EOS approach after hitting a plateau.

Key Topics Covered:

• What EOS Is & Why It Works – The six core components of EOS and how they keep companies aligned.
• Lessons from the Pandemic – How businesses running on EOS thrived through uncertainty.
• The Importance of Accountability – Why every role in a company needs ownership and clear measurables.
• Keeping It Simple – How overcomplicating systems can slow down growth and what to do instead.
• Building a Winning Team – How EOS helps get the right people in the right seats.
• The Power of Scorecards – Tracking key measurables to ensure business success.

Rusty and David also share game-changing leadership lessons, including why "inspect what you expect" is a crucial mindset for any business owner. Whether you're self-implementing EOS or just exploring better ways to streamline your operations, this episode is full of practical takeaways to help you grow.

🔗 Learn More About EOS & Connect with David King:

Visit eosworldwide.com and search for David King to find expert guidance on implementing EOS for your business.

⏱ Timestamps

0:00 – Welcome Back to The Journey: Introducing David King 0:21 – Revisiting EOS: Why Rusty Brought David Back After 3 Years 1:15 – What Does an EOS Implementer Do? 3:00 – How EOS Helped Businesses Thrive During the Pandemic 5:18 – Rusty's EOS Journey: From Startup to Scaling 7:03 – The Power of a Reboot: Getting Back to EOS Basics 9:22 – The Six Core Components of EOS & How They Work 12:16 – How EOS Protects a Business from a Visionary's Chaos 14:41 – Accountability Charts: Why Every Role Needs Ownership 17:00 – Simplifying for Success: The Key to Long-Term Growth 19:26 – The Role of Scorecards & KPIs in Business Performance 22:03 – Key Leadership Lessons: "Inspect What You Expect" 25:00 – Building a Strong, Trust-Based Company Culture 28:42 – Final Thoughts & How to Get Started with EOS

Follow The Journey:

📍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prewettpestjourney📍 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theprewettpestjourney

🔊 Listen now and take your business to the next level!