The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit

Meet Jason & Jeremy Julio—the Blue-Collar Twins—as they trade gym whistles for board-room banter and join producer-turned-host Dylan Seals behind the mic. In their debut as co-hosts they unpack: Side-Hustle Genesis – the late-night kitchen-table brainstorm that birthed Last Bite Mosquito & Tick.Scaling While Clocked-In – juggling lesson plans, beach-club shifts, and 55 techs by reinvesting every dollar.The Potomac Playbook – how CIMs, buyer psychology, and a discipline 90 % of sellers flunk drove an eight-figure deal with Viking Pest / Anticimex.Seller Blind Spots – retention metrics, seasonality traps, and the DIY mistakes that leave millions on the table.Round 2: Ruff Stuff – their new dog-waste start-up, why it’s today’s mosquito moment, and the five-year path to another flip.Level-Up Rituals – ultra-marathons, charity paddles, and mindset hacks that keep their teams resilient and hungry.Coming Up – teaser for next week’s Servpro deep-dive with restoration king John Majeski. Stick around for Dylan’s quick CTA to Paul Giannamore’s Private-Equity Masterclass playlist—then fire up that 100-mile mindset of yours. From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com http://www.ruffstuffnj.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd Timestamps 00:00 - Cold-open – Jason Julio on fear & resilience 00:35 - Dylan Seals grabs the mic & introduces the Blue-Collar Twins 01:40 - First meeting in San Juan, karaoke-loving “Mexican,” and Potomac memories 03:10 - Humble beginnings: Long Branch childhood, teaching careers, twin dynamics 04:15 - Multiple side-hustles & the light-bulb moment: “What about mosquito control?” 05:00 - Rejecting the franchise route; deciding to build Last Bite from scratch 06:50 - One truck to statewide: early scaling playbook & brand evolution 07:25 - TCNJ football days & how college camaraderie shaped their operator roles 14:40 - Level-up charity challenges: 217-mile bike ride, Eli Manning match, next 100-mile ultra 24:20 - What happens after you call an M&A advisor—Potomac’s diligence process demystified 26:40 - Yin-and-yang leadership: Jason’s strategy vs. Jeremy’s operations 28:50 - “90 % of owners aren’t ready”: systems, books, and timing the peak before you list 31:15 - SIMs, buyer meetings, and Potomac’s gatekeeping of your calendar 33:00 - Strategics vs. Private Equity 101 & the lure of the “second bite” 35:20 - Exit revealed: Viking Pest (Anticimex) acquires Last Bite; why seasonality mattered 36:55 - Navigating the 12-month earn-out and protecting customer retention 41:25 - Rough Stuff launch: why dog-waste is today’s mosquito moment & barriers are low 42:35 - Is America too lazy to scoop poop? Market adoption math & service pricing 44:30 - Five-year plan: grow Rough Stuff to $4–5 M and flip again 50:55 - Boardroom Buzz community shout-out & podcast mission going forward 52:45 - “Episode 201—big shoes to fill” – official hand-off & next-week teaser 53:20 - Dylan’s outro, CTAs to Potomac & the Private-Equity Masterclass playlist 54:00 - Closing credits & final reminders to connect with Potomac M&A

Meet Jason & Jeremy Julio—the Blue-Collar Twins turned eight-figure sellers— as they step in as your new co-hosts of The Boardroom Buzz. In their maiden voyage they flip the script, putting mentor Paul Giannamore in the hot seat to uncover the back-alley hustle that took him from inner-city Chicago to building Potomac M&A into a middle-market powerhouse. You’ll hear: How the twins scaled a New Jersey pest-control roll-up while teaching full-timePaul’s early days flipping farm gear, tech-banking in the dot-com frenzy, and spotting gold in fragmented service marketsWhy CEOs should obsess over root-cause thinking (and Paul’s daily “thinking walks”)The inside story of hiring Franco “The Mexican” and building a 25-deal pipelineWhat makes fire-suppression, lawn, and niche res-service verticals today’s M&A greenfield Stick around for Paul’s blunt take on leverage, buyer psychology, and the mindset shift owners need three years before an exit. From Gym Teachers to Service Leaders: The Julio Twins' Story | Last Bite Mosquito, Viking Pest https://youtu.be/DAYxtzhswxs From PE Teachers to Pest Control Owners: The Julio Twins Share Their POTOMAC Experience https://youtu.be/HAx9noqsqTo https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore www.potomaccompany.com https://bluecollartwins.com Produced by: www.verbell.ltd 00:00:00 Cold-open – Paul on “no pep-talks, only strategy.” 00:00:56 Jason & Jeremy Julio frame the episode’s purpose. 00:02:56 Teacher-to-$15 M exit – twins recap scaling while holding day jobs. 00:04:53 Paul’s childhood: Chicago schools → Italy & Spain. 00:09:10 Cornell years, full scholarship & skipping community college. 00:11:55 First deal – buying a combine attachment at a farm auction. 00:18:20 Dot-com boom: Lehman → Credit Suisse tech-M&A under Frank Quattrone. 00:24:40 Private-equity at American Capital → founding POTOMAC (2003). 00:27:05 Discovering pest-control M&A; the Orkin/Terminix duopoly era. 00:31:05 Philosophy: “Put the seller first—profit follows.” 00:34:50 Shift from deal-maker to “psychodynamic” CEO coach. 00:38:00 Legacy talk – “Play the hand you’re dealt better than anyone.” 00:40:55 Enter “the Mexican” — Franco’s gladiator-style interview story. 00:46:25 Daily routine & thinking leverage (25 k steps, no morning calls). 00:54:00 Smashing limiting beliefs: four-minute-mile analogy for owners. 00:59:40 What’s hot in M&A: lawn-care roll-ups; fire-protection next. 01:06:05 Advice to 18-year-old Paul: guard health, seek balance. 01:08:10 Top travel picks – Istanbul, Switzerland, Japan keep calling. 01:12:50 Dylan Seals outro – CTA to POTOMAC M&A Masterclass playlist.

Brian Gottlieb, author of Beyond the Hammer, joins Patrick Baldwin in The Boardroom to share his inspiring story. From launching his home improvement business with just $3,000 and a folding table, Brian built a thriving organization with 600 employees. He attributes much of his success to a people-first leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of developing employees and fostering a strong company culture. How can leaders ensure their people are set up to achieve their highest potential? Brian dives deep into the idea that businesses grow only as much as their people do. He explains the value of becoming a training organization, creating an environment where every team member feels invested in the mission. With tools like his Sphere-Center-Sphere feedback framework, he highlights how effective communication and belief can motivate employees to improve and contribute at their best. What would happen if leaders focused on inspiring belief in their teams every day? Finally, Brian discusses how business discipline—simplifying processes, forecasting growth, and setting clear goals—can help companies avoid complexity and achieve sustainable results. He stresses that building a great business requires more than good ideas; it takes focus, consistency, and trust in the team. What steps can you take to simplify your business and create a culture of growth and accountability? Tune in to discover actionable strategies to transform your leadership and your organization.

Fred Wingate, owner of Noosa Pest Management, joins Nick Bartolo and Patrick Baldwin to share his inspiring journey from professional water skier to thriving entrepreneur in the pest control industry. His story is rooted in discipline and resilience, values that have guided his approach to both sports and business. Fred emphasizes the importance of a people-first philosophy, demonstrating how strong relationships with customers and employees alike are the cornerstone of lasting success. By fostering trust, valuing contributions, and encouraging collaboration, he has cultivated a company culture that drives growth and loyalty. How can businesses effectively balance meaningful relationship-building with the demands of operational efficiency to achieve sustained success?   Noosa Pest Management’s growth strategy under Fred’s leadership prioritizes refinement over rapid expansion. Over the past year, Fred made strategic decisions to raise prices for certain services and eliminate less profitable offerings, resulting in a significant boost to net profits despite modest overall growth. His disciplined focus on quality over quantity underscores the impact of thoughtful decision-making in driving sustainable success. Looking ahead, Fred plans to launch an inside sales program to broaden outreach while maintaining exceptional service standards. What role does strategic risk-taking play in achieving sustainable growth while preserving a company’s core values?   Fred’s vision extends beyond business operations, with a deep commitment to community impact. Fred and Ellen Wingate founded the Logan Jett Research Foundation, to help improve the lives of everyone touched by epilepsy, fund research for treatment options while working toward a cure, and provide a network of resources and support. As Noosa looks to the future, Fred remains focused on innovation and customer service, ensuring the company continues to grow with integrity and care. How can organizations weave social responsibility into their business strategies while staying true to their core objectives? Learn more about the Logan Jett Research Foundation here: https://www.loganjresearch.org/

An audio rebroadcast from POTOMAC.TV. Nick Bartolo turns the mic on Paul Giannamore to discuss his strategy for selling fire protection businesses. Paul reveals how a formal sell-side process, combined with competitive leverage, drives transaction multiples to new highs.  Learn how you can maximize the value of your fire protection business in the growing M&A market and cut taxes on the transaction.  Recorded at NFPA 2024 in Orlando, Florida. In this episode: Importance of competitive auctions in fire protectionWhy sell-side representation mattersTips for preparing years ahead of saleCommon challenges in M&A dealsSuccess stories in raising multiples

Robert Pittman, owner of Tuxedo Mosquito Control, joins Nick Bartolo and Fat Pat aka Patrick Baldwin to discuss his journey in developing a specialized mosquito control business centered around family values and focus. Taking over from his father-in-law, who founded the company, Robert has upheld a culture that treats employees like family—a principle that’s integral to the company’s success in a seasonal industry. By prioritizing fair pay and taking a genuine interest in employees’ well-being, Robert has cultivated a loyal, motivated team. How can other leaders foster similar commitment and loyalty among their employees? Tuxedo Mosquito’s strength lies in its unwavering commitment to a single focus: mosquito control. By specializing, rather than expanding into general pest control, Robert has built a trusted brand known for expertise in this niche area. He views this narrow focus as a competitive advantage, differentiating Tuxedo from broader pest control companies. Despite occasional encouragement to diversify services, Robert firmly believes in the power of specialization to set his business apart. Is this strategy the right approach for all niche businesses, or might it limit future growth? To ensure the right people are in the right roles, Tuxedo Mosquito uses the Culture Index, a tool that helps them hire individuals whose skills and traits match the demands of the job. By defining ideal profiles for each position, Robert has minimized hiring mismatches and created a team that operates with minimal oversight. This hiring strategy has allowed Tuxedo to maintain a cohesive, efficient team that is aligned with the company’s values. How might similar tools benefit other businesses in finding and retaining talent that truly fits their unique culture?

Chase Hazelwood, CEO of Go-Forth Pest Control, shares insights on embracing change for growth. He discusses the importance of first-order thinking, which simplifies challenges to foster innovation. By focusing on foundational strategies, organizations can enhance service delivery and profitability. Chase emphasizes that employee turnover can be beneficial, allowing for the replacement of underperformers with top talent. Resilience in decision-making and maintaining momentum amidst challenges are key themes in navigating organizational change.

Wall Street equity analyst, Jamie Clement, joins Paul and Patrick and takes a hard look at the current state of the economy, focusing on how it impacts both consumers and the pest control industry. With rising costs hitting American households—particularly those in the lower income brackets—the discussion centers on how this economic squeeze could affect pest control operators. As consumers feel the pinch, businesses might face challenges with customer retention and acquisition. Could economic pressures fundamentally change consumer behavior in sectors like pest control? Jamie dives into the potential impact of tariffs and tax reductions on inflation. He makes it clear that tariffs are inflationary, leading to higher costs for everyday items, which are often passed on to consumers. Speculating on future economic policies, Jamie warns that it might be premature to declare inflation under control, given the potential for more price hikes. How might further inflation affect industries that rely on a stable consumer base? Jamie reflects on the challenges of managing businesses, especially in industries like pest control, where regional and cultural differences can complicate operations. Jamie stresses the importance of clear, honest communication with investors and warns against assuming everyone understands industry specifics. As companies navigate these complex times, how can businesses better tailor their strategies and messaging to align with market realities?

Shad Teerlink and Nephi Julien, co-owners of Evolve Pest Control, share their wild journey from a mere 323 clients to a successful mult-million dollar exit. They reveal how they overcame financial hurdles through aggressive door-to-door sales and creative strategies. The duo emphasizes the importance of hiring aligned with core values to maintain culture during rapid growth. They candidly discuss the stress of building a business and the tough decision to sell, driven by competitive market conditions. What innovative approaches could you apply to your own business?

Kyle Waltz, the owner of Conserv Wildlife Services, steps into The Boardroom with Patrick Baldwin and Nick Bartolo. It's clear that this isn't Kyle's first rodeo in the wildlife arena. Kyle shares about the challenges and opportunities he faces, and what he's learned along the way. With so many moving parts, how can businesses ensure they have the right structure and expertise to navigate this specialized field? Kyle shares the story of his company's strategic shift from wildlife control to pest control, focusing on the need to increase recurring revenue. There were challenges, particularly in retraining technicians who are used to selling higher-ticket wildlife services. To tackle this, Kyle’s team introduced higher commissions for pest control sales which helped motivate the technicians and drive results. What creative approaches can businesses take to incentivize and support their teams during periods of operational change? In discussing business growth, Kyle highlights acquisitions as a powerful way to scale. He stresses the importance of thoroughly analyzing potential acquisitions, including comparing financial metrics and pricing models, to ensure the acquired businesses align with existing strategies. This careful evaluation helps identify growth opportunities while minimizing risks. With so much at stake, what should companies focus on when assessing acquisition prospects? Audio mixing and editing by www.verbell.ltd.