What if you could eliminate all your repetitive administrative tasks? In this episode, Dan and Donnie discuss the potential for leveraging "agent AI" technology in your pest control business. Donnie also walks through a software demo and shares how to begin creating an AI personal assistant so you can make better use of your time. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Mar 06, 2025•39 min•Ep. 217
Welcome to Insiders Rewind, the new monthly recap series from the PMP Industry insider Podcast! In this episode, Brett The Editor, takes you through the most impactful moments from February's episodes. Ep. #212 - A 7 Point Plan To Get Ready For The Season Ep. #213 - 3 Takeaways From Beyond Service Ep. #214 - 4 Pest Industry Trends For 2025 Ep. #215 - A Top 100 Turnaround Whether you're in the pest & lawn industry or a business leader looking for growth strategies, Insiders Rewind delivers ke...
Mar 03, 2025•14 min•Ep. 219
The Bugman's Brian Olson joins Dan and Donnie to share how he turned around his Top 100 pest control business after struggling to achieve growth and profit goals. He shares the lessons he's learned by getting laser focused on KPIs in pursuit of becoming a customer- and team-centric firm with 80 percent recurring revenue. Guest: Brian Olson, President/CEO, The Bugman Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Feb 27, 2025•42 min•Ep. 216
This week Dan and Donnie check in with David Billingsly, a consultant with The Billingsly Group and the facilitator of the PMP Industry Insiders Peer Groups. David covers four trends he's seeing among companies in the peer groups and how to apply them to your business to get better in 2025. Guest: David Billingsly, The Billingsly Group & PMP Industry Insiders Peer Groups Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Feb 20, 2025•41 min•Ep. 215
This week, Dan shares his observations from WorkWave's Beyond Service user conference, which took place earlier this month. He covers can't-ignore topics from the event, including the ubiquity of artificial intelligence tools, an increased focus on key performance indicators and the mark private equity investors are making on the pest and lawn industries. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Feb 13, 2025•38 min•Ep. 214
Industry veteran Patrick Quigley is back on the podcast to discuss how to prepare for the busy pest control season now. He shares a 7-point plan to overcome common challenges and set your team up for success. Guest: Patrick Quigley, President, Sales Training by Design Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Feb 06, 2025•43 min•Ep. 213
Welcome to Insiders Rewind, the brand-new monthly recap series from the PMP Industry Insider Podcast! In this episode, Brett The Editor, takes you through the most impactful moments from January’s episodes. Episodes Featured: 207: 2025 Marketing Trend Shifts w/Alex Booth 208: Recapping 2024 & Forecasting 2025 w/Dan and Donnie 209: The Long Game: Mastering Exit Planning w/Dan and Donnie 210: Passing the Torch Part 1 w/Charlie, Chaz & Carley Church 211: Passing the Torch Part 2 w/Howard an...
Feb 03, 2025•16 min•Ep. 212
This week, Anti-Pesto's Howard Bright and Conner Bright join the show to discuss how they are transitioning the company to the next generation of leadership. They talk about the challenges and opportunities presented by the succession process with a focus on the importance of relationships, learning from others and transparency. Guests: Howard Bright & Connor Bright, Anti-Pesto Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Jan 30, 2025•34 min•Ep. 211
On this episode, Dan and Donnie welcome the leaders of Getem Services, a 103-year-old, fourth-generation family pest control business. Charlie Church, owner and president, and his children Chaz Church, VP of operations, and Carley Church, marketing and HR manager, discuss how they're working toward a smooth transition to the next generation of ownership. Guests: Charlie Church, Chaz Church & Carley Church, Getem Services Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie She...
Jan 23, 2025•40 min•Ep. 210
On this week's episode, Donnie and Dan discuss the importance of long-term exit planning for your company. They cover common exit strategies for pest and lawn care business owners and emphasize the need for clear financial goals and contingency plans in case of unexpected events. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services
Jan 16, 2025•38 min•Ep. 209
On this week's episode, Dan and Donnie review the industry's track record in 2024 and share their predictions for 2025. Tune in to hear them discuss economic news, pest- and lawn-specific trends, technology, M&A and more. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services
Jan 09, 2025•47 min•Ep. 208
Coalmarch's Alex Booth joins the show this week to discuss changes in marketing trends for 2025, including competition, AI and more. They cover strategies for optimizing for AI search, how Alex would spend a $100,000 marketing budget and the importance of knowing your company's strengths. Guest: Alex Booth, Digital Marketing Consultant, Coalmarch by WorkWave Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Jan 02, 2025•44 min•Ep. 207
This week, Dan and Donnie welcome Sellify AI Founder Thomas Lundberg to the show to discuss the benefits of selling pest control with AI via text message. They cover his background in the industry, growth potential and use cases for the product, including upselling, cross-selling, setting appointments and winbacks. Guest: Thomas Lundberg, Founder, Sellify AI Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Dec 19, 2024•36 min•Ep. 206
In this episode, Dan and Donnie welcome Emily Thomas Kendrick and Tim Pollard of Arrow Exterminators back to the show. They discuss their approach to keeping a small company feel even as they exceed $400 million in revenue, why and how they choose an annual theme and what's in their growth plans for 2025 and beyond. Guests: Emily Thomas Kendrick, CEO, and Tim Pollard, President & COO, Arrow Exterminators Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Ho...
Dec 12, 2024•47 min•Ep. 205
This week Dan and Donnie welcome Faye Golden, new National Pest Management Association president, to the podcast. She shares her goals and initiatives, including a new individual certification program, how she plans to share the "hidden secret" of pest control careers and pressing regulatory issues. Guest: Faye Golden, Director of Government Affairs, Cook's Pest Control & President, NPMA Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Dec 05, 2024•37 min•Ep. 204
Coalmarch's Derek Cummings joins the show to discuss the changing search landscape and its effect on pest and lawn marketing strategies. He covers the increasing integration of AI in search engines, a rise in search on social media directly and how not to get overwhelmed about being 'everywhere.' Guest: Derek Cummings, Team Lead, SEO, Coalmarch Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Nov 21, 2024•37 min•Ep. 203
This week, Dan and Donnie are breaking down the outcome of the 2024 election. They analyze how the results will affect the pest and lawn industries in key areas, including taxes, labor and inflation, and they emphasize the importance of focusing on business fundamentals. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services
Nov 14, 2024•40 min•Ep. 202
PestSure's COO Todd Burke & Board Chairman Mike Rottler, CEO of Rottler Pest Solutions in St. Louis, join the show to talk about a hot topic in the insurance market: auto insurance claims. They discuss how to think about insurance as a PMP, why auto settlements are increasing and practical things you can do to avoid a so-called 'nuclear verdict.' Guests: Todd Burke, COO & Mike Rottler, Board Chairman, PestSure Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, T...
Nov 07, 2024•44 min•Ep. 201
This week Dan and Donnie celebrate and reflect on more than four years and 200 episodes of the podcast! They cover how the podcast got started; their favorite guests, shows and topics; and the lessons they've learned from the show and implemented in their own businesses. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services
Oct 31, 2024•42 min•Ep. 199
On this episode, Donnie and Dan discuss the intricacies of the due diligence process in pest and lawn mergers and acquisitions. They explore the perspectives of both buyers and sellers and review the three major work streams in due diligence: legal, operational and financial. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services
Oct 24, 2024•46 min•Ep. 200
On this episode, Donnie and Dan walk through answers to recent questions they've received from podcast listeners. Topics include tracking your critical number, how to develop your leadership skills, the best business advice they've ever received, customer service training and more. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services
Oct 17, 2024•45 min•Ep. 198
With the busy season behind us, Dan and Donnie dive into the state of the market. From economic factors like inflation and interest rates to industry-specific trends, they break it all down and give you the insights you need to finish the year strong. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services
Oct 10, 2024•41 min•Ep. 197
On this episode, Dan and Donnie welcome Steve Durham, former owner of EnviroCon Pest in Tomball, Texas. He explains how he successfully transformed his company by moving to a recurring revenue model. Steve talks about the discipline required to get away from one-time work, move to auto billing, transition to triennial service — and ultimately exit. Guests: Steve Durham, former owner, EnviroCon Pest Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Service...
Oct 03, 2024•39 min•Ep. 196
On this episode, NPMA's CEO Dominique Stumpf joins Dan and Donnie to discuss what's new at the association and what PMPs can expect from PestWorld 2024. Highlights include a nearly sold out exhibit hall, an improved first-timers experience, a new initiative called NPMA Basecamp, featuring fireside chats and opportunities for attendees to learn and engage with leaders, and more. Guest: Dominique Stumpf, CEO, National Pest Management Association Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Spe...
Sep 26, 2024•30 min•Ep. 195
On this episode, Dan and Donnie discuss smart strategies pest control operators can use to fund their growth by reducing taxes. They cover tax rate basics, accelerated depreciation, the importance of tax planning and other tactics for reinvesting tax savings into your business to scale and improve the value of your business long-term. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Sep 19, 2024•31 min•Ep. 194
Trent and Amanda Ragar, owners of Natural State Pest & Lawn in Lowell, Ark., join Dan and Donnie to discuss their efforts to build a great workplace, including programs they use and activities they do to foster employee engagement. Natural State was recently named to PCT's 2024 Best Places to Work rankings in the medium employer category. Guest: Trent & Amanda Ragar, Owners, Natural State Pest & Lawn Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangl...
Sep 12, 2024•42 min•Ep. 193
On this episode, Sheri Spencer Bachman shares her journey from second-generation PMP to founding her consulting firm, Pest Control Business Coach. She discusses best practices for developing salespeople, including training, role playing, tracking and more. Guests: Sheri Spencer Bachman, Owner, Pest Control Business Coach Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Sep 05, 2024•38 min•Ep. 192
Pest control industry veteran Raymond Kidwell, Director of Business Development at Voice for Pest, joins the podcast to discuss AI's potential to enhance customer service and call center operations in the pest and lawn industries. He explores the benefits of AI-powered phone systems, such as call monitoring and scoring, and he addresses the limitations at this stage in the game. Guest: Raymond Kidwell, Director of Business Development, Voice for Pest Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&am...
Aug 29, 2024•42 min•Ep. 191
On this episode, Certus Pest CEO Dave Bradford joins Dan and Donnie. He shares insights on the importance of employee and customer retention, data visibility and long-term value creation. They also cover growth opportunities for Certus and the company's unique approach to evaluating branch performance. Guest: Dave Bradford, CEO, Certus Pest Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services...
Aug 22, 2024•44 min•Ep. 190
James Szojka, co-founder of Yard Dawgs in Calgary, Alberta, joins Dan and Donnie to share his experiences and strategies for using social media ads to market his lawn care company, emphasizing the importance of tracking lead sources and continuously testing and optimizing ads. He covers the difference between ads on Facebook and Instagram compared with Google, how to approach lawn care vs. pest control and much more. Guest: James Szojka, co-founder of Yard Dawgs in Calgary, Alberta Hosts: Dan Go...
Aug 15, 2024•44 min•Ep. 189
