The Journey Podcast - Navigating Pest Control & Business

Join Rusty Prewett as he takes his business, sales, and marketing background and breaks into a new industry by starting a pest control company. Gain valuable insights as he interviews notable experts from both within and outside the pest control industry! Topics include marketing, branding, sales, operations, developing a team and company culture. Rusty will share real-life experiences and updates as he documents this journey.

EP 56: The ACOR Principle – A Simple Framework to Attract, Convert, Optimize, and Retain Customers 03/22/2025

EP 56: The ACOR Principle – A Simple Framework to Attract, Convert, Optimize, and Retain Customers 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: 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 online or follow on social media for more insights and inspiration. 📲 Follow The Journey Podcast 📘 Facebook: 📺 YouTube: 📸 Instagram: 🍎 Apple Podcasts: 🎧 Spotify: /episode/index/show/prewettpestpodcast/id/35817755

EP 55: PEACO Fest 2025 – A Sneak Peak of Prewett Pest's Annual Company Kickoff 03/08/2025

EP 55: PEACO Fest 2025 – A Sneak Peak of Prewett Pest's Annual Company Kickoff 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! /episode/index/show/prewettpestpodcast/id/35586220

EP 54: From Side Hustle to Scaling – How Magic City Pest Control Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business 02/23/2025

EP 54: From Side Hustle to Scaling – How Magic City Pest Control Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business 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: 📍 YouTube: 🔊 Listen now and get inspired to take your business to the next level! /episode/index/show/prewettpestpodcast/id/35394055

EP 53: Visit With EOS Implementer, David King, After PPC's 2 Day Annual Planning 02/07/2025

EP 53: Visit With EOS Implementer, David King, After PPC's 2 Day Annual Planning 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 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: 📍 YouTube: 🔊 Listen now and take your business to the next level! /episode/index/show/prewettpestpodcast/id/35200210

EP 52: Reflections and Resilience: Lessons from 2024 (Part 2) 01/31/2025

EP 52: Reflections and Resilience: Lessons from 2024 (Part 2) EP 52: Reflections and Resilience: Lessons from 2024 (Part 2) Welcome back to The Journey! In this episode, Rusty Prewett continues his deep dive into 2024, sharing both the hard-fought wins and the unexpected challenges that shaped his company’s trajectory. If you missed part one, go back and catch up on the goals and benchmarks set for the year. Now, in part two, Rusty takes you behind the scenes of what it really took to grow a pest control business—from hiring key players to overcoming financial roadblocks. Key topics covered: Celebrating Wins: The first-ever PEACO Awards trip, hiring pivotal leadership, and expanding into Huntsville. Building a Stronger Team: The impact of hiring a Director of Sales, an HR Director, and top-tier talent. Financial Challenges & Lessons Learned: The challenges of forecasting, cash flow planning, and finding the right bookkeeping partner. A Hard Hit from Google: Losing 1,500+ five-star reviews overnight and the determined comeback. Scaling for 2025: The importance of SOPs, fire prevention (not just firefighting), and strategic planning for growth. Rusty also shares his mindset going into 2025, including an upcoming trip to the Scale event by Pest Daily. Whether you're in the pest control industry or simply navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom and practical insights. ⏱ Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome Back to The Journey: Recapping Part One 0:35 – Why Reflecting on 2024 is Crucial for Growth 1:26 – Celebrating Wins: The First-Ever PEACO Awards Trip 3:07 – Hiring a Director of Sales & Their Shift to Operations 4:06 – PEACO Fest: The Annual Team Event & Special Guest Speaker 5:38 – Key Leadership Hires: Bringing in an HR Director & Recruiter 7:03 – The Game-Changer: How Our HR Director Made an Immediate Impact 9:03 – The Challenge of Financial Forecasting & Cash Flow Management 10:56 – Transitioning to FRAXN for Bookkeeping & The Learning Curve 11:43 – Expanding Into Huntsville: Acquiring a Mosquito Business 12:49 – Joining the Alabama Pest Control Association Board 13:26 – Challenges Faced in 2024: From Google Woes to Scaling Struggles 14:31 – Losing 1,500+ Google Reviews Overnight & Fighting Back 16:00 – Turning a Setback Into a Comeback: Rebuilding Our Reviews 17:00 – The Need for Scalable Processes & SOPs for Growth 18:25 – Fire Prevention vs. Firefighting: A Key Leadership Lesson 19:44 – Preparing for 2025: Why Strategic Planning is Essential 20:26 – Looking Ahead: Attending the Scale Event by Pest Daily 22:00 – Closing Thoughts: Lessons Learned & A Mindset for Success 23:08 – Call to Action: Leave a Review & Stay Connected 🔗 Follow the Journey: 📍 YouTube: /episode/index/show/prewettpestpodcast/id/35101830

EP 51: Reflections and Resilience: Lessons from 2024 (Part 1) 01/24/2025

EP 51: Reflections and Resilience: Lessons from 2024 (Part 1) EP 51: Reflections and Resilience: Lessons from 2024 (Part 1) Welcome back to The Journey: Navigating Pest Control and Business! In this exciting episode, Rusty Prewett reflects on a whirlwind 2024 and kicks off 2025 with fresh goals and lessons learned. Join Rusty as he shares insights from a year full of challenges and triumphs, including: Achieving $1.8 million in new sales and lessons from ambitious targets. Growing the company to $3.7 million in revenue and expanding operations. Hiring and onboarding a stellar team while fine-tuning processes. Successfully entering a new market with a new acquisition. From the sunny beaches of Destin, Florida, Rusty offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the ups and downs of growing a pest control business, proving that every setback is a setup for growth. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or simply curious about the pest control industry, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Follow the Journey👇📈 Watch on Youtube: 0:00 Welcome to 2025: Reflections from Destin, Florida 1:02 Podcast Goals for 2025: Consistency and Growth 1:51 The Purpose of the Podcast: Documenting the Pest Control Journey 2:33 Recap of 2024 Goals: Wins, Challenges, and Lessons Learned 3:52 Starting from Scratch: Launching During the Pandemic 4:44 Scaling Up: Aiming for $3 Million in Revenue in 3 Years 5:37 2024 Goals Overview: Sales, Hiring, Training, and Expansion 9:52 Sales Goals: Targeting $2.7 Million in New Sales for 2024 13:22 Lessons from Falling Short: The Importance of Ramp-Up Time 15:09 Hiring Goals: Adding 7 Salespeople and Achieving 4 Hires 16:19 Building a Team: Onboarding and Training Successes 17:23 Revenue Growth: Ending 2024 with $3.7 Million 18:06 Focus on Retention: Processes for Termite, Pest, and Mosquito Services 18:46 Market Expansion: Entering Huntsville with a Mosquito Business Acquisition 19:10 Takeaways and Next Steps: Wins, Losses, and Lessons to Share 20:03 Looking Ahead: Plans for Consistency and a Fresh Production Team 20:22 Stay Connected: Follow Us on Facebook /episode/index/show/prewettpestpodcast/id/34997595