Shows / The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit
Boardroom Buzz is the straight-talk playbook for owners who built their service businesses from the crawlspace up and want to master the next move—whether that’s doubling down on growth or preparing for a life-changing exit.
Hosted by Jason & Jeremy Julio—“The Blue-Collar Twins” who turned a service-truck start-up into a multimillion-dollar success—and mentored by veteran deal-maker Paul Giannamore, the show turns boardroom finance into stories you’d swap over a tailgate. Expect 40-minute…
Episodes
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 74 — The Future is Now: A.I. Is Disrupting the Pest Industry
Paul makes a trip to the Holy Land, but has he found the Holy Grail? Tel Aviv’s high-tech hub creates a new generation of mousetraps. Paul visits with Ronen…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 73 — Plan Ahead: Entities and Estates with Attorney Phil Tortorich
Paul claims that this is “one of the most valuable sessions we have done thus far, if not the most valuable session, when it comes to very, very important…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 72 — Mike Agugliaro: From Vocational School to CEO Warrior
If you’re not too busy breaking fire boards or walking on crushed glass, step into The Boardroom with Mike Agugliaro. On his own at age 15, Mike chose the…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 71 — 7 Ways to Destroy Value in Your Business
"How do you best sabotage the wealth building exercise of growing a business?" sounds so gloom and doom. It could be re-stated "how do you increase the value…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 70 — HBS Search Fund Friends Find 10X in 6 Years
Class is in session. Log this one in your planner as a case study on search funds. Harvard Business School classmates, Jay Davis and Jason Pananos, left their…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 69 — Disclaimer: This is Not Financial Advice
A listener’s economic question kicks off this episode although Patrick admits to his own self-interest. Following the listener’s follow-up research on…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 68 — Marketing and More with #1 Bestselling Author Allan Dib
Paul goes unplugged in this interview. Literally. Maybe this was part of Paul’s plan to get Allan back for another episode, but the show must go on. This isn't…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 67 — Fighting for Family Business with Bryan Dodge
Guest Bryan Dodge kicks off the interview as the host as you’ll hear him interviewing Paul. Young Paul was an entrepreneur in the… farming industry?!? From…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 66 — Private Equity: A Sign of the Times
That’s a wrap on the Atlanta Sessions, but Paul is already heading back to Atlanta for a celebratory dinner. Congrats to Anticimex and Pestban! Patrick knows…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 65 — The Atlanta Sessions, Part 4: Anticimex North America President Brian Alexson
Congratulations to Brian Alexson on his recent promotion at Anticimex (AX). Quicker than you can say SMART, Brian rose the ranks from reporting to Senator…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 64 — The Atlanta Sessions, Part 3: Leadership Lessons with Andreas and Victoria Roos Olsson
Andreas was first mentioned in Episode 23 via shared credit for Nomor’s turnaround alongside Svein Olav Stölen and Robert Stierngranat. It’s time to put the…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 63 — The Atlanta Sessions, Part 2: Arrow Exterminators CEO Emily Thomas Kendrick & President Tim Pollard
How did Arrow Exterminators grow into the $300 million family business it is today? Step into The Boardroom as Emily Thomas Kendrick takes us back to Arrow’s…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 62 — The Atlanta Sessions, Part 1: Mr. Mister’s Mosquito “Mad Man” Matt Brill
What hatched as a Peugeot and an island dream, turned into the breeding grounds for the largest pure-play mosquito business, Mr. Mister. Evolving their…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 61 — For Everything There is a Season: A Time to Sow, a Time to Reap
Patrick and Paul have been busy during the break. Tune in to find out what they’ve been up to since the end of Season 1 and what's next for Season 2. The two…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 60 — Terminix CEO Brett Ponton's Industry Media Debut Opens Season 2 of the Buzz
Brett Ponton makes his first industry media appearance since taking over at Terminix. The Boardroom Buzz took the show on the road as Brett and Paul joined…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 59 — Project Black Bear
Welcome back to Season 2. Head over to ProjectBlackBear.com for a video-only episode. Subscribe to our YouTube channel - youtube.com/theboardroombuzz
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 58 — From Bubble to Boom: The M&A Supernova is on the Horizon
Before jumping into next week's Supernova presentation, Paul and Patrick catch up on all things M&A. Tune in to hear what the strategic acquirers have been up…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 57 — Kyle Varona on Exiting the Family Business in Style
From mixologist to MBA to management trainee, Kyle Varona traveled a road less taken into his family's pest control business. Instead of graduating into Fahey!…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 56 — Peter Schiff: Bet Your Assets He Likes Gold
Peter Schiff joins Paul for lunch at Dorado Beach to chat about currency, asset prices, and what is coming down the pipeline for America's economy. Peter is a…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 55 — Getting Out, Getting In, and Getting Crazy
Sally sells seashells by the seashore, but Shelley wants to know about selling her pest control company and starting back up in a nearby area. Brands, logos…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 54 — Win BIG or Go Home with Phillip Stutts
The marketing game is rigged. What would happen if advertising utilized a President-producing marketing machine? Phillip Stutts introduces his Undefeated…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 53 — Turning it Around the Responsible Way with Darin Huffaker
One year after selling Responsible Pest & Scorpion Services to Certus, Darin Huffaker recalls the glory and not-so-glory days. From California to Arizona to…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 52 — The Bug Guys on Breaking the Rules (of 23) and Selling to Certus
Tracy Judnich along with his two business partners, Joe and Jeremiah, led The Bug Guys to a solid (and speedy) exit. Certus has taken over, but looking back…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 51 — Boardwalk Empire: The Pest Control King of Atlantic City Sells to Anticimex
Paul Utts directed RID Pest Control to provide a more than comfortable lifestyle. Now writing the last chapter of his pest control career, he still has some…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 50 — The M&A Miniseries - Part 1: Anatomy of a Merger
Why not wait until Episode 50 to start at the beginning? The beginning of M&A (mergers and acquisitions) that is. In the miniseries foretold, legal structure…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 49 — Author Mike Michalowicz: Profit First, Clockwork, and Get Different
Before you can judge Patrick for his inability to explain Profit First, it's a better idea to ask the author. Mike Michalowicz gets his formal introduction to…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 48 — Franchising, Scarce Assets and the Tax Catalyst
It’s time to catch-up with some listener submitted questions. Serial entrepreneur Patrick can’t find a way to dodge the first question about franchising. Six…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 47 — Cashing in the Blue Chip, Selling the Family Business with PCT Top 100 CEO Jeff Phillips
Succession plans may sound easy compared to the alternatives. Hear how ripping off the Band-Aid compares to family buy-outs with strings attached. From…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 46 — Banking on Pest Control & Real Estate to Build a $70M Empire with Sean McCauley
Step into The Boardroom to hear how Sean McCauley built his empire. As the owner of Aantex Pest Control, Sean is now on pest control company number three…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitBonus Buzz — A New Start for PestPac with WorkWave CEO David Giannetto
There was little warning before WorkWave CEO David Giannetto walked into The Boardroom. Patrick's past PestPac experience sets the tone for this real…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 45 — A Suburban Family Goes Corporate with Jason Byer
The ink is still wet and the emotions are raw. Jason Byer opens up about his team and the guilty conscience he hid last year as he sold the family business…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 44 — Drag-Along, Tag-Along, Options and Agreements with M&A Attorney Mike Stanczyk
Mike Stanczyk makes time between closings for an encore appearance in The Boardroom. On this occasion, Mike fields shareholder agreement questions. From formal…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 43 — Service Agreements and The Recurring Reformation
Patrick survives the un-Texas weather to only later hear Paul tell him what he’s (not) worth. Between upcoming tax rate hikes and inflated valuations, wouldn’t…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 42 — Jeff Bain on the Power of Customer Retention
Jeff Bain knows how to learn from others. Taking notes from his insurance colleagues, Jeff knew he had to build an annuity-based pest control business. His top…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 41 — Leadership Lessons and Management Mantras with Edge COO Mitch Smith
Step into the Boardroom with one of Paul’s favorite pest control people. Mitch Smith discusses experiences which shaped his management style. He shares…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 40 — Expect the Opposite: The Sell-Side M&A Discussion Continues
The U Group held its semi-annual meeting in Tampa, and called on Paul Giannamore to present. Call it a press pass or Paul’s paparazzi; Patrick managed to find…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 39 — The Routing and 4-Day Workweek Wizard, Pam Blauvelt of Griffin Pest Solutions
Set aside what you think about routing for two hours, and step into the Boardroom with Pam Blauvelt of PCT Top 100 Griffin Pest Solutions (now a Rentokil…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 38 — The Dennis Rodman Paradox in Pest Control
Last week’s inspirational episode with Shelby Hawkins still has The Boardroom picking up the pieces. Paul summed up Shelby’s interview best: ‘no excuses’. It’s…
- The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit
Episode 37 — Five Stars for Pest Control Pioneer Shelby Hawkins
Shelby Hawkins found herself in pest control with 3 kids, 2 college degrees, 1 ex-husband, and 0 business experience. Her maternal determination brought her…
- The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit
Episode 36 — 2020 M&A Wrap-Up, Channel Partners, Joint Ventures and Patrick Preps Paul for a Board Meeting
What has Paul learned from The Boardroom Buzz, and how it has changed his perspective? It's only a matter of minutes before Paul reminds Patrick of his…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 35 — Twas the Listeners' Show of 2020
'Twas the night before Christmas, a Boardroom or house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The live traps were set by the chimney with care, It’s…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 34 — CEO Mark O’Hara of PCT Top 100 Anderson Pest Control on Building a Commercial Empire
Mark O’Hara stepped out to step up the family business. Is this wisdom for future generations of Buzz listeners? Mark served his time at both the US Army and…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitBonus Buzz — Anticimex Enters California, Acquiring Pro Pacific Pest Control
Exciting opportunities abound for David Billingsly, Shane Hoy, Ben Hoy, Jon Hoy, and the Pro Pacific Pest Control team. As Anticimex goes west, J. Peterman…
- The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit
Episode 33 — Buckle your Seatbelts and Prepare for the Exit
What could be worse : a multi-million dollar wiring snafu or another extortion at the closing? If that question is being posed, then you know it has been…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 32 — The Stevenson Sessions, Part 2: CFO Doug on Modern's Moneyball
Doug Stevenson and his brothers grew Modern Pest Services to $18 million before selling to Anticimex. It would be hard to find a process at Modern in which…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 31 — The Stevenson Sessions, Part 1: Scott Stevenson, the Modern Ambassador
If Scott Stevenson is the Senator, then Paul Giannamore is the Brother Whisperer. Paul has an epiphany moment as Scott turned the tables and questioned him…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 30 — John Myers, CEO of Rentokil North America: On Growing a $1.5 Billion Pest Control Business
For more than twelve years, John Myers, Rentokil North America CEO, has scaled a regional pest control business into a national empire. John describes the…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 29 — Sage Advice on Life, Relationships and Business with Mike & Debbie Rogers of Killingsworth
Not a week goes by where Paul and Patrick don’t hear about Episode 10 with Mike Rogers (if you haven’t listened to that episode, you might want to before you…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 28 — Family Business Realities : The Good, The Bad, and the Unproven with Jeremy Kreer
Jeremy Kreer grew up in a family pest control business. Jeremy opens up about Advanced Pest Management’s operations behind closed doors. All seems on-track for…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 27 — ‘The Tax One’ : Top 20 Accounting Firm Partner Cory Vargo Proves his Worth in the Boardroom
How do you make a show about tax more exciting? That is a low bar, but Paul and Patrick invited Dylan Seals to spice it up. Dylan literally hears every cough…
- The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit
Episode 26 — Benchmarking, Integrating, and the Great P&L Giveaway
It is one thing to look at the best industry performers, but what happens when you dig deeper into profit and loss statements? Anticimex CEO Jarl Dahlfors…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 25 — Jim McHale, CEO of JP McHale Pest Management, Steps into the Boardroom. Is the Buzz finally ready?
Jim McHale's dad knew his way around the bars. He cleaned beer taps when he wasn't logging hours at New York's Sing Sing maximum security prison. The prison…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 24 — The Stockholm Sessions, Part 2: ‘Swedish Beast’ Jarl Dahlfors, President and CEO Anticimex
Paul literally steps into Anticimex's boardroom in Stockholm and sits down face-to-face with CEO Jarl Dahlfors, for this intimate and hard-hitting interview…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 23 — The Stockholm Sessions, Part 1: Svein Olav Stölen, Turn Around Artist & Former Nomor CEO
High pricing for pest control got Svein Olav’s attention as COO of Swedish retail coffee chain, Espresso House. Little did he know that he’d follow the white…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 22 — Open Book : A Transparent Conversation with Jeff Annis and Dena Thomas from Advanced Services
Jeff Annis avoided pest control growing up. In fact, it’s the last thing on earth that he would choose to do. Which path led Jeff to building a flagship…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 21 — The Irony : U.S. Navy Officer to Harvard Business School to Pest Control Owner
As you can imagine, only a few people ever dream or imagine of getting into pest control as a career. Joe definitely took a unique path for his world to…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 20 — Life After a Death: How Brandon Hier Saved His Family’s Business, Sold it to Rentokil and Found Happiness in an Unexpected Place
Brandon Hier recalls his experience responding to the responsibilities he inherited when his dad passed away and then ultimately selling the family business…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 19 — Private Equity in Pest Control: Clairvest’s Michael Castellarin and Mohit Kansal Discuss Alternatives to a Change of Control Transaction with a Strategic Acquirer
Private equity has demonstrated increasing interest in the pest control industry. What’s the draw for the Clairvest Canuck combo of Michael Castellarin and…
The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or ExitEpisode 18 — From $250K to PCT Top 100 to an Exit: The Curious Case of Brandon and Brian Lunsford
As newly minted grads from the University of Georgia, the world was their oyster. But finding themselves in careers that no longer excited them, they decided…
- The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit
Episode 17 — A Sell-Side M&A Discussion Puts Patrick Under the Interrogation Lamp - Part 1
Paul and Patrick start the show by celebrating The Buzz’s #1 business podcast ranking in Seychelles. Episode 14 — Buy-Side: “The Opposite” tipped the scales…