The Boardroom Buzz: Grow, Sell, or Exit

Hosted by The Boardroom Buzz

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252

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Jun 2026

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About the show

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 deep-dives that unwrap one real transaction and one valuation lever you can pull today, plus quick “Market Pulse” riffs that flag shifts every operator should watch. If you’re a majority or significant-minority owner eyeing the $5 M–$100 M revenue range, tune in for gritty war stories, step-by-step tactics, and the confidence to choose your own endgame. New episodes every Thursday. Presented by POTOMAC M&A .

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60 recent

June 11, 2026Episode 24450 min

Why Avoiding Debt Made Byron Barnes the Youngest Millionaire Pest Control CEO

Explore Byron's inspiring story of taking over his family's pest control business at 22, navigating debt, and growing it to a $5 million company through innovative micro acquisitions, branding, and community-focused culture. Discover his insights on leadership, managing growth, and using modern tools like AI to enhance customer service. In this episode: Byron shares how he took over his family's pest control company at age 22 after his father's passingThe challenges of transforming an insolvent business into a thriving enterpriseHis unique approach to micro acquisitions and organic growth strategiesBuilding a strong brand with branded trucks and local marketing effortsThe importance of customer service and community engagement in business successHis perspective on using AI responsibly for customer interactions and marketingLessons learned about managing people and cultivating a positive work culture Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business? • Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com Connect with the hosts: • Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com Connect with Paul: • Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

May 28, 2026Episode 24348 min

How Asking 'Why Not?' Transformed My Business and Can Change Yours Too

Most pest control companies get stuck doing the same thing day after day. Tim Whitt, a 40-year veteran in the industry, reveals how a mindset shift, similar to fighting insect behavior, can elevate your business to the next level. From humble beginnings as a termite helper to building a multimillion-dollar franchise, Tim shares the exact strategies that turned small-town pest control into a scalable, innovative empire. You’ll discover: How to leverage niche markets like lawn care to diversify your revenue streams and redefine your service categories.The importance of protecting your business name and intellectual property before scaling.Why adopting a ‘why not’ mindset can unlock explosive growth and new opportunities.Practical steps on hiring for character, building leadership, and succession planning to secure your company’s future.How to confront the negative “bloodsuckers” in your business, internal or external, and turn them into opportunities for improvement. Tim’s insights are about more than pest control, they’re about mindset shifts, strategic branding, and creating a culture that repels the pests of poor leadership and internal sabotage. His story of moving from corporate routines to owning his own franchise is a blueprint for entrepreneurs everywhere who want to challenge the status quo. If you're ready to turn your passion into a thriving, scalable business—this episode is your must-listen. Perfect for service business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, or anyone tired of doing what everyone else does, Tim’s advice will inspire you to ask: Why not? Guest Tim Whitt is a serial entrepreneur, author of Infested, and founder of Pied Piper Pest Control. Known for his innovative approach and candid insights, he’s helping operators rewrite the rules of the industry, and his franchise model is just getting started. Tune in and discover how to fight the pests that threaten your business, and more importantly, how to prevent the ones hiding within. Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business? • Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com Connect with the hosts: • Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com Connect with Paul: • Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

May 21, 2026Episode 24243 min

The Truth About Building a Relational Business in a Transactional World

Jeremy and Jason Julio host The Boardroom Buzz with guest David DeStefano of Digital Building Consultants, who shares his upbringing in Detroit and Kentucky roots, early entrepreneurial moments, and lessons from union commercial roofing in New York City. He describes starting a residential roofing business in college, how wrestling taught self-reflection and persistence, and how faith shifted his focus from “provisions” to purpose after business and personal lows. DeStefano emphasizes relational client service, integrity, and caring for employees’ families, while explaining NYC’s complex waterproofing environment and high insurance costs. He discusses building multiple entities including an AI platform and “Digital Dave” digital-twin concept centered on shared data ownership, advising businesses to learn prompting, protect data, and adopt AI strategically for long-term advantage. You'll learn: Detroit Roots and HustleGrandpa’s Roofing LessonsWrestling Mindset for BusinessFaith Shift and Hard LessonsRelationships Build TrustNYC Roofing and WaterproofingInsurance and Mega ProjectsHiring Ownership MindsetVision And Integrity FirstAI Crossroads And Data OwnershipPrompting And Team EnablementFinding Aligned PeopleTherapy And Staying GroundedAI Implementation And PrivacyDiscipline And Market Opportunity Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business? • Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com Connect with the hosts: • Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com Connect with Paul: • Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

May 14, 2026Episode 24150 min

How a 100-Year Family Business Evolved Through Generations of Challenges

On The Boardroom Buzz, the Blue Collar Twins interview Ralph Citarella Jr., president of Bayonne Exterminating, about the company’s 100-year history and his path into the family business. He explains the firm was founded in 1926 by Harry Albert and purchased by his grandfather on May 1, 1945 after World War II, then grown by Ralph’s parents through added employees and involvement in the New Jersey Pest Management Association (NJPMA). Ralph describes leaving the business during his parents’ divorce, bartending after graduating from TCNJ in 2002, and returning at 26 as a managing partner with a goal to reach $1M revenue, learning from early mistakes like building his own website. He discusses industry professionalism, regulation, consolidation, succession issues, his NJPMA leadership roles, earning board-certified entomologist credentials, current operations (six technicians, $1.4M revenue), marketing limits, customer mix, and prioritizing family and sustainable growth. Century Old Company OriginsDad Returns And ExpandsWhy Stay In New JerseyRalph Jr Early Work YearsComing Back At 26First Big Goals And MistakesTrade Associations And Compliance Industry Future And ConsolidationCorporate Buyout FalloutLegacy Reputation PressureMentors And Association SupportRunning The Business DailyContent Marketing Next Step Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business? • Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com Connect with the hosts: • Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com Connect with Paul: • Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

May 7, 2026Episode 24050 min

The Surprising Shift from Commercial Dominance to Residential Profitability

Carmen Reno of Anchor Pest Control (East Brunswick, NJ) joins Boardroom Buzz to share how he bought a one-person, $130K business in 2005 after leaving IT for hedge funds, then grew it to $8.5M last year with a goal of $11M. He discusses evolving from a commercial-heavy model (multifamily and former restaurant work) toward more residential and wildlife services due to cash-flow delays in commercial receivables, plus the strategic value of recurring revenue and high-margin one-time work. Reno covers rebranding with a new logo inspired by his former bed bug dog, billboards across Middlesex/Monmouth, heavy social media, and building a review-driven culture that produced roughly 12,000+ Google reviews. He highlights EOS, hiring a CFO and strong leaders, using Clipboard CRM, AI tools for sales coaching and call handling, key KPIs, and lessons from two failed acquisitions, plus his view that technology and consolidation will widen the gap between small and large operators. You'll learn: Anchor OriginsFrom IT to Pest ControlCommercial vs Residential ShiftScaling to Eight FiguresRebrand and BillboardsEOS and Leadership StructureTraining SOPs and AICRM Efficiency with ClipboardOwner Role and NJPMAMosquitoes and Seasonal ServiceCFO Discipline at Five MillionHiring for Culture FitBorrowing from HVAC and RoofingBuilding a Review CultureKPIs and Lead TargetsAI Phones and Virtual AssistantsPlanning the Exit StrategyShifting to Residential and WildlifeAdvice and Acquisition Mistakes Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business? • Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com Connect with the hosts: • Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com Connect with Paul: • Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

April 23, 2026Episode 23949 min

How Failure Fueled Allan Draper's Multi-Million Dollar Success in Pest Control

Allan Draper shares how he entered pest control through his brother Brent’s door-to-door success, their failed early attempt to launch Freedom Pest Control, and Allan’s detour through banking and law school before quitting his legal job to cofound Proof in 2014–2015. He explains why they chose Detroit, how door-to-door jumpstarted early revenue, and how they bootstrapped with $100K while reinvesting profits and paying themselves modestly. Draper discusses lessons from repeated failures, self-doubt, and the importance of extreme ownership, resilience, and isolating what a leader can control. He outlines Proof’s growth to roughly 120 trucks, the decision to add partners for sales recruiting, and how he replaced himself operationally to pursue other ventures. Draper also describes building Bug Bucks from a 2020 Facebook group into a media/community platform and conference focused on peer networking, plus his routines, goals, and focus on legacy. You'll learn about: Failure Mindset ShiftOwnership LessonsLaunching Proof in DetroitBootstrapping and GrowthPartners and Stepping BackAha Moments and New VenturesWhy Building WinsRisk Tolerance and StressFitness and Matt RogersWhat Is Bug BucksBug Bucks Con NetworkingMentors From AfarDaily Routine and JournalingDisconnecting and Online AdviceConfidence Through Failure Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business? • Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com Connect with the hosts: • Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com Connect with Paul: • Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

April 9, 2026Episode 23851 min

From Big Ponds to Big Leaps: Eric Triplett's Story of Innovation and Tenacity

Jeremy and Jason Julio interview Eric Triplett (“The Pond Digger”) about building and scaling a Southern California pond and aquatic business, surviving stage-four HPV-related tonsil cancer diagnosed in 2015, and the leadership lessons that followed. Triplett recounts noticing a swollen tonsil, facing seven surgeries over roughly three years, and temporarily shutting down his stressful construction division while setting longtime employees up with their own contractor licenses, then focusing on retail, service, and recurring maintenance. He explains how his fish obsession led from aquariums to ponds, the origin of the “Pond Digger” name, his patents (including the Helix Pond Skimmer), and a business model that includes substantial monthly and seasonal maintenance. He discusses podcasting and content creation (The Deep End, Pod House), using AI for marketing, studying DISC/Enneagram, and pursuing growth to $12M by aligning company goals with employee goals. You'll learn about: Eric's Diagnosis And MindsetBusiness Pivot During TreatmentOrigin Of The BrandScaling And Market RealitiesRecurring Revenue MaintenanceSurviving 2008 And Learning BusinessManufacturing Patents And Products Content Journey And Podcast RebrandPod House RulesGoals and Team AlignmentBorn to TeachScaling Systems and DelegationLeadership Psychology ToolsCancer Mindset ShiftStarting in a New MarketUsing AI for MarketingLegacy and Exit Strategy Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business? • Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com Connect with the hosts: • Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com Connect with Paul: • Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

April 2, 2026Episode 23753 min

From Door to Door to Industry Leader: Chad Louk's Pest Control Journey

On The Boardroom Buzz, the Blue Collar Twins interview Chad Louk, founder of Prodigy Pest Control Solutions in Sarasota, Florida, about building a fast-growing, year-round pest control company and a separate Prodigy Marketing arm. Chad shares his start in door-to-door sales in 2015, launching and exiting an initial Naples partnership, then starting Prodigy with $7,000 and a used truck; he now runs three offices (opening a fourth near Jacksonville), 54 trucks, and expects ~100 sales reps with ~30% attrition. He explains shifting from heavy door-to-door (still ~65% of customers) toward inside sales and technician-led sales, emphasizing technical training, retention (14% churn vs ~25% industry), production-based tech pay, and review generation (3,500 reviews, 4.9 rating). Chad discusses growth pains from 50% annual expansion, no-debt scaling, hiring leaders including a CEO, community branding, and plans for PCT 100, multi-state growth, and sharing equity with key employees. You'll learn: Door Knocking RootsEthics And RetentionStarting Prodigy From ScratchScaling Offices And MarketingRep Earnings RealityTraining And DifferentiationBeyond Door To DoorTech Pay And ReviewsCommunity PresenceStress and MindsetBreaking Past One MillionMentors and Early LessonsAcquisitions and No Debt Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business? • Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com Connect with the hosts: • Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com Connect with Paul: • Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

March 26, 2026Episode 23641 min

Inside The Freight: Craig McGraw on Navigating the Heavy Transport Industry

In this episode of The Boardroom Buzz, Jeremy and Jason Julio interview Craig McGraw, Vice President of Trans American Trucking and Warehouse, a New Jersey-based family business founded in 1976 that specializes in logistics, warehousing, and heavy/oversize freight transport. McGraw explains how the company evolved from port container work into moving massive machinery—up to 300,000 pounds on 19-axle trailers—serving industries like nuclear plants and fast-growing data center construction. He describes the relationship-driven nature of sales, frequent travel and industry conferences, and how projects are awarded and managed. The conversation covers scaling limits tied to equipment costs and lead times, operational headaches like high insurance, “nuclear verdicts,” staged accidents, permitting complexity, and the role of political advocacy for trucking infrastructure and permit harmonization. McGraw also discusses community involvement through Seton Hall programs, Team Walker, and the YMCA, and shares views on AI, autonomous trucks, and power demands for data centers. Learn about: Oversize Freight Reality How Trans American Started What They Haul TodayOversize Road ChallengesFamily Roles and TeamBreaking Into Heavy HaulSales Built on RelationshipsSeton Hall and MentoringGrowth to $35M RevenueWarehousing and Real EstateFleet Size and Industry ScaleInsurance Politics and RiskFraud Accidents and CamerasCommunity Boards and VolunteeringLocations and Scaling StrategyData Centers and Global FreightCustoms Delays, AI Future and AI Permit PlanningFamily Legacy LeadershipService Reputation CultureLeading the Sales Team Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business? • Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com Connect with the hosts: • Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com Connect with Paul: • Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore

March 19, 2026Episode 23543 min

Building Legacy: Kevin Reif on Growing a Pest Control Brand Organically

Building a Legacy Pest Control Brand in Charleston with Kevin Reif Jeremy and Jason Julio (the Blue Collar Twins) host The Boardroom Buzz with guest Kevin Reif, owner of Reif Environmental, discussing his path from door-to-door pest control sales across multiple states to launching his own company in Charleston, South Carolina. Kevin shares how Reif Environmental has grown organically to roughly double its prior annual revenue (from about $360K) by emphasizing referrals, retention, strong branding, and community relationships rather than scaling large door-to-door teams. He describes building a fun, values-driven culture, hiring technicians through social media, paying top-of-market, pricing for quality service, and delegating to maintain work-life balance. The conversation also covers strategic local partnerships, use of Clicky and influencers, green product options, bee removal and hive relocation, leadership development through mentors, and his routine, faith, and low-stress approach to business growth. You'll learn: Door to Door OriginsLaunching Reif EnvironmentalOrganic Growth StrategyBranding That SticksHiring Through CultureBalancing Routes and PayStrategic Local PartnershipsOrganic Pest ApproachMentors and LeadershipFaith and Stress ManagementDaily Routine and BrandingFive Year Growth VisionPest World House NetworkingSales Roots and Ethics Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business? • Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com Connect with the hosts: • Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com Connect with Paul: • Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore