Schopen Pest Solutions to move HQ

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July 5, 2017

The author marks a big turning point in his business: Purchasing new headquarters. Photo: Pete Schopen

The author marks a big turning point in his business: Purchasing new headquarters.
Photo: Pete Schopen

I purchased a former grocery store in downtown McHenry, Ill., to become the new corporate headquarters of Schopen Pest Solutions. We now have 8,000 sq. ft. and two suites. Our objective is to provide pest management out of the larger area while selling pesticides out of the smaller suite. I figure I have enough room for 12 techs, four office staff, one manager and me.

It was a nerve-wracking day sitting at the title company’s office and signing booklets of agreements as thick as War and Peace. Seriously, my loan contract made the Affordable Healthcare Act look like a leaflet. In fact, halfway through the process I turned to my attorney and said, “Shouldn’t I be reading this stuff?”

As I was changing the locks on the building and getting my contractor keys for the project, I couldn’t help but think how far Schopen Pest Solutions has come during the past 11 years. It really does seem like yesterday that I approached Pest Management Professional Publisher and Editorial Director Marty Whitford about writing the “Start-up Diaries” column for the magazine. At that time, I was working out of my basement. I was by myself, with no employees — or clients.

As my company grew, it began changing. When I hired my first two techs, I was storing their trucks at my house and they were working out of my garage. I stored their pesticides in a small, three-shelf cabinet. When we move into our new digs in October, we will have a 20×30-ft. room with multiple shelving units to store our rodent products alone. My new office will be as large as my current biller’s and programmer’s offices combined.
 

A new instar

You know how pests go through metamorphosis? Call this Schopen Pest Solutions’ fourth-instar stage: First I was in my home; then I was hiring techs. Next, we moved into a rental property. Now, we have our very own building!

This former grocery store will soon be “abuzz” with Schopen Pest Solutions employees. Photo: Pete Schopen

This former grocery store will soon be “abuzz” with Schopen Pest Solutions employees.
Photo: Pete Schopen

Not only are my building and address changing, but I am also changing as an owner. Recently, I had a meeting with my office staff and told them I could no longer leave the office to visit customers because there is too much going on with the company and the new building. I always looked at myself as the “wild card.” If we couldn’t get a technician to someone’s home, then I would go. That won’t work anymore.

Another thing I have to change is my weight: One of the stipulations put in place for us to buy the building was assuring the banks I’ll be around long enough to pay off the loan. Therefore, I had to take out a $250,000 life insurance policy on myself to protect the loan. To get the best rate possible, I have to weigh 220 lbs. That means that as I type this, I have to lose 16 lbs. in six weeks to get the preferred price. Goodbye, sodas and fast food.

Next month, I’m going to take you through the process, from start to finish, on how I bought this building. It was three months of hard work, but I hope it will pay off big dividends for us in the future.

This experience has been exciting, scary, frustrating and wonderful, but it hasn’t been without casualties. Recently I had to retire my longtime compressed-air sprayer, Wilson. He still works, but he looks like hell. He’s been bumped, dragged and dropped too many times. Also, my very first flashlight holder frayed and tore apart in April. Then again, 11 years for a flashlight holder is a good run.

As always, thank you for following me on this journey. It means a lot knowing you’re out there, cheering us on.


Schopen is owner and founder of Schopen Pest Solutions, McHenry, Ill. You can email him at pete@schopenpest.com or reach him via Twitter: @schopenpest; Instagram: @peteschopen; or Facebook: Schopen Pest Solutions, Inc.

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