18 Sep From Construction to Business Owner: Chris Built a Career in Pest Control
Chris did not originally plan on a career in pest control.
He was working in construction when the housing market slowed dramatically in 2008. With fewer new homes being built, Chris needed to find another way to make a living.
That search led him to pest control.
Seventeen years later, the 41 year old has turned an unexpected career change into his own successful business. He has built his customer base entirely through word of mouth and has reached the point where he needs to hire help to keep up with demand.
When One Career Slowed Down, Another Door Opened
In 2008, Chris was working in construction when opportunities began disappearing.
He needed something different and found his way into pest control.
At first, it was simply a way to keep working. But Chris stayed with it, learned the profession, and continued improving his skills.
As he puts it, “You do it long enough to get good at it.”
Eventually, Chris realized he could take what he had learned and build something of his own.
He worked toward starting his own pest control business and became an entrepreneur.
Building a Business Through Reputation
Today, Chris does not have a website and does not advertise his business.
His customers come through word of mouth.
That kind of growth is built on reputation. When customers are satisfied with his work, they recommend him to others. Those recommendations have helped his business grow to the point that Chris is reaching the limit of what he can handle alone.
During his busiest season, he says he can work as many as 80 hours a week.
That is one of the realities Chris does not hide about entrepreneurship. Owning a business can create opportunity, but it can also require long hours and hard work.
For Chris, the next stage of growth may mean bringing in additional help.
Learn the Trade Before Starting a Business
For someone interested in pest control, Chris recommends starting by working for an established company.
A larger pest control company or another employer willing to train new employees can provide an opportunity to learn the profession, gain experience, and work toward the licenses needed to advance.
Chris describes a progression from an applicator level to a field representative level and eventually an operator level, which can lead to the opportunity to own a pest control business. Specific licensing requirements can vary depending on the state and type of pest control work, so anyone interested should check the requirements where they live.
The important lesson from Chris’s experience is to learn the trade before trying to build the business.
A Career He Never Expected
Chris entered pest control because he needed work.
Seventeen years later, he has developed a skilled profession, become a business owner, and built a customer base strong enough that he is ready to expand beyond what he can do by himself.
His career is a reminder that an unexpected change does not have to be the end of the road.
Sometimes it introduces a completely different one.
For someone willing to learn a skill, gain experience, and build a strong reputation, a job that begins out of necessity can eventually become an opportunity for entrepreneurship.
Subscribe to our newsletter below to stay informed about upcoming events and receive more stories like Chris’s.