Advertise on podcast: Voice for the Industry Podcast

Brian Starnes, founder and CEO of Context Overlay, joins us to discuss how businesses can transform employee training through real-time, hands-on learning. Drawing on his experience with Pest SOS, Brian shares what inspired him to build a software SOP platform that provides visual, click-by-click guidance directly within the tools employees already use. He explores why context is critical as AI evolves, how in-the-moment training can improve efficiency and customer interactions, and what’s next for Context Overlay. Whether you’re a pest control owner, business leader, or operations manager, this episode offers practical insights into improving training, streamlining workflows, and helping teams learn by doing.

Pest control entrepreneur and industry veteran Jeff Davenport takes us behind the scenes of building, scaling, and ultimately selling one of California’s larger independent pest control companies. From founding Official Pest Prevention in 2000 to navigating its acquisition by Anticimex in 2021, Jeff shares the lessons that shaped his approach to growth, sales, and business strategy. Jeff dives into the key metrics pest control owners should be tracking to improve sales performance and accountability, along with what it takes to build a scalable call center system that can consistently convert opportunities into customers. He also shares strategies for maintaining performance standards across growing teams and creating a more predictable customer acquisition engine. Finally, Jeff looks ahead at his next chapter and discusses how technology will continue to reshape sales and customer acquisition in the pest control industry. Whether you’re a pest control owner, sales leader, marketer, or operator, this episode offers practical insights into building stronger sales systems, improving accountability, and creating sustainable growth.

What does it take to grow a second-generation family business from $500K to more than $5M in revenue? In this episode of Voice for the Industry, Jennifer Miller, co-owner of Miller Pest Solutions, shares her journey from in-person inspection sales to executive leadership and ownership. Jennifer discusses the challenges and opportunities of growing a family-owned pest control company, expanding into multiple markets, implementing EOS, and building teams and systems that can support rapid growth. She also shares valuable insights on leadership, accountability, avoiding burnout, and shifting your mindset from day-to-day operations to long-term vision. Whether you're leading a family business or looking to take your pest control company to the next level, Jennifer's experience offers practical lessons for building a stronger organization and a sustainable future.

Most pest control companies are still relying on outdated or cookie-cutter marketing strategies—and it’s costing them real growth. In this episode, Andrew Peluso, founder of Pesty Marketing, shares his journey from knocking on doors in the field to building a specialized marketing agency focused on the pest control industry. He breaks down why generic marketing fails in this space, what most owners get wrong when trying to generate leads, and how a deep understanding of the industry changes everything. Andrew also reflects on standout data-driven marketing initiatives that show how creative outreach can shift perception and drive engagement. Looking ahead, he dives into how AI, analytics, and emerging technology are starting to reshape digital marketing and lead generation for pest control companies—and what strategies actually produce qualified leads and revenue, not just clicks and impressions.

Many pest control companies focus heavily on growth—but building a people-first culture and lasting community impact is what truly sets great leaders apart. In this episode, Rusty Prewett, owner of Prewett Pest Control, shares his journey from the insurance world into the pest control industry and the lessons he’s learned while growing a customer-focused business. Rusty dives into what leadership looks like in a service-driven company, how investing in people creates stronger teams and better customer experiences, and why community involvement remains a core part of long-term success. He also gives an inside look into his own podcast, the conversations shaping the industry today, and where he believes pest control is headed as AI and technology continue to evolve. From leadership and culture to innovation and industry growth, this episode delivers valuable insights for anyone looking to build a stronger business and make a bigger impact in the industry.

Most pest control and service companies are missing a massive opportunity to use AI and video to improve technician performance, build customer trust, and reduce churn. In this episode, Raymond sits down with Jared Nygren of Approve to explore how AI-powered verify calls, proof-of-service videos, and real-time performance tracking are transforming field operations—cutting cancellations by up to 27% and turning technicians into trusted brand ambassadors. Jared shares how measuring KPIs like time on site and chemical usage, automating quality assurance, and leveraging smart accountability tools can create healthier, more predictable growth. If you’re ready to close the trust gap, motivate your team without micromanaging, and future-proof your operation, this episode is your blueprint for leading in the age of AI.

Most people don’t realize how much consumer perception shapes the pest control industry—and how organizations like The National Pest Management Association, the Alliance are working behind the scenes to change it. In this episode, Jim breaks down what the Alliance is, how it educates consumers on the value of hiring professionals, and what’s coming in 2026. He also shares how the Alliance is leveraging technology, AI, and modern marketing strategies to expand its impact, while clarifying how it’s funded and its relationship to the National Pest Management Association. Finally, Jim explains how pest control companies can get involved and access resources designed to support growth and industry collaboration. This episode is a practical look at how industry-wide collaboration is shaping the future of pest control.

Many pest control companies want rapid growth, but few understand the leadership, culture, and long-term strategy required to sustain it. In this episode, Paul DiLorenzo shares the leadership principles and business strategies that have helped him grow within the pest management industry for more than 20 years. From scaling operations and maintaining strong company culture to successfully bringing teams together under one brand, Paul breaks down the non-negotiables every pest control company should focus on to create lasting success. Drawing from his experience as both an industry leader and President of the Florida Pest Management Association, Paul shares how the FPMA is helping shape the future of pest control through advocacy, education, and industry support. He explains how the association connects professionals, regulators, and partners to strengthen the industry’s voice and keep companies ahead of evolving regulations and customer expectations. Paul also highlights the growing importance of association involvement, the challenges pest control businesses will face in the coming years, and how strong leadership and adaptability—supported by organizations like the FPMA—will be key to long-term success.

Specially trained detection dogs can locate pests and rodents with over 95% accuracy—far beyond what human inspectors can achieve. In this fascinating episode, Alex Hernandez, a canine scent detection expert with 15 years of experience, reveals the science behind these elite teams and why single-purpose, rigorously trained dogs consistently outperform generalist pups. From third-party certifications to daily scent imprinting, Alex breaks down the disciplined training protocols that ensure precision in complex environments like hotels, supermarkets, and homes. Through real-world stories—including his first bed bug case in a Connecticut Macy’s—Alex explains the subtle behavioral cues that signal a true alert and why the human-canine partnership is critical to success. Whether you’re a pest control professional, property manager, or homeowner, this episode uncovers a proactive, science-driven approach that prevents costly infestations and transforms the way we think about pest detection.

Industry expert Jeff Davis, CEO of Coalmarch, takes us behind the scenes of leading a marketing and technology powerhouse in the home services industry. From his early career in SaaS and operations to guiding Coalmarch’s evolution, Jeff shares the lessons that shaped his leadership and the strategies that drive high-performing teams. Jeff dives into what modern leadership really looks like in growth-oriented companies and explains how turning customer insights into actionable strategies can create lasting loyalty and measurable revenue increase. He also shares practical approaches for using real marketing metrics—beyond vanity numbers—to guide investment and strategy. Finally, Jeff offers his perspective on the AI era in home services, discussing automation, digital innovation, and the trends that will define the next decade. Whether you’re a service business leader, marketer, or operator, this episode provides actionable insights to navigate change, leverage technology, and lead with impact.

Chris Anderson, VP of Sales and Co-founder of Applause, shares his expertise on scaling sales teams and driving growth in the home services industry. Drawing on his data-driven approach, Chris breaks down the newly released 2026 Benchmark Report and what the findings mean specifically for pest control operators. From why technicians are the real marketing team to how customer satisfaction motivates beyond money, he reveals the strategies and incentives that actually work in home services. Chris also explores the evolving standards of reputation management—explaining why a 4.5-star rating is no longer good enough—and shares real-world examples of businesses applying these insights to maximize engagement, retention, and long-term success. Whether you’re a pest control operator, team leader, or industry professional, this episode provides actionable, research-backed insights to elevate every aspect of your business.

Unlock the blueprint for scalable, sustainable growth in the pest control industry with Bhavini Kamdar, founder and CEO of Infinity Business Services. In this episode, Bhavini breaks down how rock-solid processes, clean data, and strategically deployed remote teams turn chaotic growth into smooth, profitable operations—without burning out your in-house staff. She shares real-world examples of what top-performing companies do differently, from proactive AR and automated collections to clear role ownership, software optimization, and smart use of AI that enhances (not replaces) people. Whether you’re an owner, manager, or scaling leader, you’ll walk away with practical frameworks to align your people, processes, and technology so your business runs efficiently, cash flow stays healthy, and growth feels intentional—not reactive.

Most pest control professionals underestimate how quickly AI is transforming industry training—and ignoring it could mean falling behind. In this episode, Foster Bruska, industry veteran, full-time content creator, and founder of Pest Posse, breaks down how AI is moving beyond buzzwords to become a real competitive advantage in pest management. Drawing from his multimillion-dollar sales career and hands-on training experience, Foster shares practical ways AI is reshaping technician development, customer communication, and operational growth—from continuous education and AI-powered scripting to automated training tracking and smarter strategies. While highlighting how platforms like Voice for Pest are already integrating AI, he reinforces a crucial truth: technology works best when paired with strong mentorship and human connection. This conversation is a must-listen for owners, managers, and technicians looking to future-proof their careers and lead the next wave of industry innovation.

In this episode of the Voice for the Industry Podcast, Brian Quispe, co-founder of OcuTrap, discusses the innovative technology behind their smart trapping systems. The conversation covers the journey from concept to creation, the challenges faced, and the solutions provided by Aki Trap to make pest control more humane and efficient. Brian shares insights into the company's future developments, including AI integration and software enhancements, aiming to revolutionize the pest control industry.

In this episode, the founder of Pest AI, a platform revolutionizing the pest control industry through advanced CRM solutions and AI integration. They discuss Anthony's journey from pest control consultant to tech entrepreneur, the evolution of CRM usage in pest control, and the importance of AI in enhancing customer service and operational efficiency. The conversation also touches on consumer expectations, the future of AI in the industry, and how technology is leveling the playing field for smaller companies.