PMP Industry Insiders

Hosted by Brought to you by Donnie Shelton and Dan Gordon

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Episodes

306

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

The PMP Industry Insiders podcast helps pest control and lawn care professionals grow their businesses. Every week, hosts Donnie Shelton and Dan Gordon talk with the biggest players in the pest control and lawn care markets about what’s changing in the industry and take listeners to the front lines of what the future holds.

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60 recent

August 20, 2026Episode 30635 min

Episode 287: The Multi-Million Dollar Question: Is Your Estate Plan Ready?

In this episode, Dan and Donnie break down why estate planning matters for pest and lawn business owners. With successful pest control companies potentially valued at 10 to 14 times EBITDA, the business can create a significant estate—and significant tax and succession challenges. The conversation covers federal estate tax exemptions, gifting strategies, revocable and irrevocable trusts, asset protection, probate, and ways business owners can structure their estates to protect their families and preserve the value they've worked so hard to create. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists: https://pcobookkeepers.com/ Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services: https://trianglehomeservices.com/ Sponsors: Coalmarch: https://www.coalmarch.com/podcast PestSure: https://www.pestsure.com/ Voice for Pest: https://www.voiceforpest.com/podcast Forshaw: https://www.forshaw.com/ PestPac by WorkWave: https://www.pestpac.com/pmpindustryinsiders Peer Groups: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/peergroups Insiders Conference: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/conference

August 13, 2026Episode 30539 min

Episode 286: Building a Purpose-Driven Company

This week, Dan and Donnie interview Dean Burnside, owner of Good News Pest Solutions, a faith-based pest control firm in Florida. They discuss Dean's journey to ownership, his decision to operate the business as a platform for ministry, how the company's values integrate into its culture, and the concepts, systems, and primary metric Good News Pest relies on to achieve its goals. Guest: Dean Burnside, President/Owner, Good News Pest Solutions Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists: https://pcobookkeepers.com/ Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services: https://trianglehomeservices.com/ Sponsors: Coalmarch: https://www.coalmarch.com/podcast PestSure: https://www.pestsure.com/ Voice for Pest: https://www.voiceforpest.com/podcast Forshaw: https://www.forshaw.com/ PestPac by WorkWave: https://www.pestpac.com/pmpindustryinsiders Peer Groups: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/peergroups Insiders Conference: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/conference

August 6, 2026Episode 30438 min

Episode 285: What's Really Driving the Pest Market?

This week, Dan and Donnie talk with analyst Tim Mulrooney about the current state and future prospects of the pest control industry. Tim shares insights about the long-term strength of the industry and near-term headwinds, such as weather, consumer behavior, and digital marketing costs. He also discusses the K-shaped economy and its potential effects on the industry. Guest: Tim Mulrooney, Group Head-Global Services, William Blair & Co. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists: https://pcobookkeepers.com/ Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services: https://trianglehomeservices.com/ Sponsors: Coalmarch: https://www.coalmarch.com/podcast PestSure: https://www.pestsure.com/ Voice for Pest: https://www.voiceforpest.com/podcast Forshaw: https://www.forshaw.com/ PestPac by WorkWave: https://www.pestpac.com/pmpindustryinsiders Peer Groups: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/peergroups Insiders Conference: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/conference

August 3, 2026Episode 30318 min

Top Takeaways from July | Insiders Rewind

Welcome to Insiders Rewind — Recapping July This month, we are looking back to: #281 - Is Complexity Killing Your Business #282 - HR Update: Noncompetes, Marijuana, Contractors & I-9s #283 - Why You Need a CD Playbook in Pest & Lawn #284 - The Death of Search Engine A HUGE shout to our sponsors! Coalmarch: https://www.coalmarch.com/podcast PestSure: https://www.pestsure.com/ Voice for Pest: https://www.voiceforpest.com/podcast Forshaw: https://www.forshaw.com/ PestPac by WorkWave: https://www.pestpac.com/pmpindustryinsiders Peer Groups: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/peergroups Insiders Conference: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/conference Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists: https://pcobookkeepers.com/ Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services: https://trianglehomeservices.com/ We’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and connect with us on social media @PMPIndustryInsiders.

July 30, 2026Episode 30238 min

Episode 284: The Death of Search Engines

In this episode, Donnie and Dan discuss how the traditional customer journey—web searching, reviewing multiple companies, and contacting businesses directly—is going away due to AI, comparing it to the shift from Yellow Pages to Google. Donnie also does a live demo of an AI agent researching and recommending local services, and he explains how business owners should respond to this shift in consumer behavior. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists: https://pcobookkeepers.com/ Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services: https://trianglehomeservices.com/ Sponsors: Coalmarch: https://www.coalmarch.com/podcast PestSure: https://www.pestsure.com/ Voice for Pest: https://www.voiceforpest.com/podcast Forshaw: https://www.forshaw.com/ PestPac by WorkWave: https://www.pestpac.com/pmpindustryinsiders Peer Groups: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/peergroups Insiders Conference: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/conference

July 23, 2026Episode 30137 min

Episode 283: Why You Need a CX Playbook in Pest & Lawn

In this episode, Dan and Donnie welcome Margaret Garcia, founder and CEO of Grit PPO, to discuss why every growing company needs a Customer Experience (CX) playbook and actionable steps to create one. Margaret explains why customer service shouldn't rely on tribal knowledge or individual personalities. Successful companies create repeatable systems that ensure every customer receives the same high-quality experience. Guest: Margaret Garcia, Founder & CEO, Grit PPO Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists: https://pcobookkeepers.com/ Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services: https://trianglehomeservices.com/ Sponsors: Coalmarch: https://www.coalmarch.com/podcast PestSure: https://www.pestsure.com/ Voice for Pest: https://www.voiceforpest.com/podcast Forshaw: https://www.forshaw.com/ PestPac by WorkWave: https://www.pestpac.com/pmpindustryinsiders Peer Groups: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/peergroups Insiders Conference: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/conference

July 16, 2026Episode 30044 min

Episode 282: HR Update: Noncompetes, Marijuana, Contractors & I-9s

In this episode, HR expert Jean Seawright joins Donnie Shelton and Dan Gordon to break down the biggest employment issues affecting pest control companies today. Jean explains what the FTC's recent action against Rollins means for non-compete agreements and why now is the time to review your employment contracts. She also covers the evolving workplace implications of medical marijuana, what employers need to know about reasonable accommodations, and why documenting impairment—not assumptions—has become increasingly important. Finally, Jean shares the latest guidance on independent contractor classification and an important warning about new I-9 enforcement standards. Guest: Jean Seawright, HR Update: Noncompetes, Marijuana, Contractors & I-9s Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists: https://pcobookkeepers.com/ Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services: https://trianglehomeservices.com/ Sponsors: Coalmarch: https://www.coalmarch.com/podcast PestSure: https://www.pestsure.com/ Voice for Pest: https://www.voiceforpest.com/podcast Forshaw: https://www.forshaw.com/ PestPac by WorkWave: https://www.pestpac.com/pmpindustryinsiders Peer Groups: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/peergroups Insiders Conference: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/conference

July 9, 2026Episode 29948 min

Episode 281: Is Complexity Killing Your Business

In this episode of the PMP Industry Insiders Podcast, Donnie and Dan tackle a challenge nearly every pest control and lawn care company faces: the slow creep of unnecessary complexity. From software overload and endless KPIs to outdated service offerings, bloated processes, and unnecessary meetings, they explore why business systems fail when execution breaks down and how pest and lawn companies can avoid this trap. Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services Sponsors: Coalmarch: https://www.coalmarch.com/podcast PestSure: https://www.pestsure.com/ Voice for Pest: https://www.voiceforpest.com/podcast Forshaw: https://www.forshaw.com/ Peer Groups: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/peergroups Insiders Conference: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/conference

July 6, 2026Episode 29813 min

Top Takeaways From June | Insiders Rewind

🎙️ Welcome to Insiders Rewind — Recapping June. This month, we are looking back to: Ep. 277 - What's happening with Rollins & What It Means for Pest Control M&A Ep. 278 - Gamifying Growth: Using Data to Help Your Team Perform Ep. 279 - The New Rules of Pest Control Growth with Jonas Olson Ep. 280 - Avoid These Hidden Risks in Pest Control A HUGE shout to our sponsors! Coalmarch: https://www.coalmarch.com/podcast PestSure: https://www.pestsure.com/ Voice for Pest: https://www.voiceforpest.com/podcast Forshaw: https://www.forshaw.com/ Peer Groups: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/peergroups Insiders Conference: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/conference Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists: https://pcobookkeepers.com/ Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services: https://trianglehomeservices.com/ We’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and connect with us on social media @PMPIndustryInsiders.

June 25, 2026Episode 29741 min

Episode 280: Avoid These Hidden Risks in Pest Control

This week, PestSure's Todd Burke & Kristina Phillips join Dan and Donnie to discuss risk exposures that pest control business owners may overlook. They cover cyber liability threats and real-world examples of breaches, employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) for wage and hour allegations and harassment claims, auto insurance complexities around company vehicles used for personal errands, and the importance of proper umbrella coverage given increasing claim costs. Guests: Todd Burke, COO & Kristina Phillips, VP & Director of Client Services, PestSure Hosts: Dan Gordon, PCO Bookkeepers & M&A Specialists: https://pcobookkeepers.com/ Donnie Shelton, Triangle Home Services: https://trianglehomeservices.com/ Sponsors: Coalmarch: https://www.coalmarch.com/podcast PestSure: https://www.pestsure.com/ Voice for Pest: https://www.voiceforpest.com/podcast Forshaw: https://www.forshaw.com/ Peer Groups: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/peergroups Insiders Conference: https://www.pmpindustryinsider.com/conference