The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit

Explore Brian Hopkins’ journey from firefighter to successful entrepreneur in pest control and pool care industries. Gain insights into organic growth, strategic branding, team management, and adapting to industry challenges without heavy marketing.

In this episode:

How Brian leveraged relationships in the pest control and pool industries to grow his businesses
The parallels between pest control and pool service models
Strategies for organic growth and community engagement
Challenges faced during business transitions and solutions implemented
The importance of branding, professional appearance, and customer service
Practical tips on route management, hiring, and tech training
The significance of leveraging technology and digital reviews for business expansion
Long-term goals: scaling operations and potential franchise opportunities

Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business?

• Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com

Connect with the hosts:

• Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com

Connect with Paul:

• Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

Discover how Luke transitioned from an FBI analyst to leading a booming pest control business, scaling to nearly $24 million in revenue. Gain insights on effective marketing, team management, and the mindset needed to transform challenges into growth opportunities.

Key Topics

Luke’s unconventional career journey from FBI analyst to pest control business owner
Building a premium brand through high-end service and pricing
Leveraging digital marketing channels like SEO, pay-per-click, and automation
Structuring and scaling team hierarchies for rapid growth
The importance of KPIs and data-driven decision-making
Handling operational crises like catalytic converter thefts and staff turnover
Strategic leadership traits: accountability, motivation, and detailed involvement
Personal health and maintaining work-life balance amidst rapid expansion
Future goals: aiming for a $100 million revenue by 2032

Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business?

• Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com

Connect with the hosts:

• Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com

Connect with Paul:

• Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

Explore Byron's inspiring story of taking over his family's pest control business at 22, navigating debt, and growing it to a $5 million company through innovative micro acquisitions, branding, and community-focused culture. Discover his insights on leadership, managing growth, and using modern tools like AI to enhance customer service.

In this episode:

Byron shares how he took over his family's pest control company at age 22 after his father's passing
The challenges of transforming an insolvent business into a thriving enterprise
His unique approach to micro acquisitions and organic growth strategies
Building a strong brand with branded trucks and local marketing efforts
The importance of customer service and community engagement in business success
His perspective on using AI responsibly for customer interactions and marketing
Lessons learned about managing people and cultivating a positive work culture

Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business?

• Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com

Connect with the hosts:

• Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com

Connect with Paul:

• Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

Most pest control companies get stuck doing the same thing day after day. Tim Whitt, a 40-year veteran in the industry, reveals how a mindset shift, similar to fighting insect behavior, can elevate your business to the next level. From humble beginnings as a termite helper to building a multimillion-dollar franchise, Tim shares the exact strategies that turned small-town pest control into a scalable, innovative empire.

You’ll discover:

How to leverage niche markets like lawn care to diversify your revenue streams and redefine your service categories.
The importance of protecting your business name and intellectual property before scaling.
Why adopting a ‘why not’ mindset can unlock explosive growth and new opportunities.
Practical steps on hiring for character, building leadership, and succession planning to secure your company’s future.
How to confront the negative “bloodsuckers” in your business, internal or external, and turn them into opportunities for improvement.

Tim’s insights are about more than pest control, they’re about mindset shifts, strategic branding, and creating a culture that repels the pests of poor leadership and internal sabotage. His story of moving from corporate routines to owning his own franchise is a blueprint for entrepreneurs everywhere who want to challenge the status quo. If you're ready to turn your passion into a thriving, scalable business—this episode is your must-listen. Perfect for service business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, or anyone tired of doing what everyone else does, Tim’s advice will inspire you to ask: Why not?

Guest Tim Whitt is a serial entrepreneur, author of Infested, and founder of Pied Piper Pest Control. Known for his innovative approach and candid insights, he’s helping operators rewrite the rules of the industry, and his franchise model is just getting started. Tune in and discover how to fight the pests that threaten your business, and more importantly, how to prevent the ones hiding within.

Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business?

• Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com

Connect with the hosts:

• Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com

Connect with Paul:

• Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

Jeremy and Jason Julio host The Boardroom Buzz with guest David DeStefano of Digital Building Consultants, who shares his upbringing in Detroit and Kentucky roots, early entrepreneurial moments, and lessons from union commercial roofing in New York City. He describes starting a residential roofing business in college, how wrestling taught self-reflection and persistence, and how faith shifted his focus from “provisions” to purpose after business and personal lows. DeStefano emphasizes relational client service, integrity, and caring for employees’ families, while explaining NYC’s complex waterproofing environment and high insurance costs. He discusses building multiple entities including an AI platform and “Digital Dave” digital-twin concept centered on shared data ownership, advising businesses to learn prompting, protect data, and adopt AI strategically for long-term advantage.

You'll learn:

Detroit Roots and Hustle
Grandpa’s Roofing Lessons
Wrestling Mindset for Business
Faith Shift and Hard Lessons
Relationships Build Trust
NYC Roofing and Waterproofing
Insurance and Mega Projects
Hiring Ownership Mindset
Vision And Integrity First
AI Crossroads And Data Ownership
Prompting And Team Enablement
Finding Aligned People
Therapy And Staying Grounded
AI Implementation And Privacy
Discipline And Market Opportunity

Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business?

• Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com

Connect with the hosts:

• Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com

Connect with Paul:

• Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore