A PMP start-up story: My T-shirt collection overfloweth

Key takeaways

• A PMP start-up owner reflects on his first year of saying “Yes” to every conference, trade show, and networking event.
• The “swag” (especially T-shirts) collected from these events became a physical map of his first year of growth.
• The T-shirts represent more than just brands; they represent connections, lessons learned, and the realization of being part of a larger community.

Hey everybody! It’s my annual Thanksgiving article. 2025 has been a crazy year for me.

In February, I had to go to the emergency room because my heart was racing at 177 beats per minute, and it wouldn’t go back into rhythm. Doctors said my sleep apnea is causing stress on my heart and created this reaction. They disregarded the theory that my wife is putting her pillow over my face at night. 

On March 5, I had an emergency appendectomy. On July 5, my son Caleb got bitten on his foot by a copperhead snake. He reacted badly to the bite and spent nearly 72 hours in the ICU at a hospital in Tulsa, Okla. In August, my heart did it again while traveling, and I ended up in a Nebraska emergency room. In September, I got the $133,000 bill for the snake bite, but thankfully, my heart did OK with the sticker shock. Also in September, I tore my rotator cuff while working out at the gym. 

Despite these setbacks, 2025 has been an incredibly rewarding year. I am very thankful:

▶ I consulted with more than 50 businesses this year through RV There Yet Pest Consulting and did pro bono work for eight small companies. I got a couple of cool shirts as presents.

▶ I was the chairman for the 89^th annual Purdue Pest Management Conference. We had our highest attendance since the pandemic, and we had a record number of vendors. They gave me an awesome T-shirt for my efforts.

▶ I am finishing up my second year of Pest Posse Perspective with Culley Christensen and fellow Pest Management Professional (PMP) columnist Foster Brusca. They gave me a sweet T-shirt. (Do you see a pattern here?).

▶ I joined the Osage Hills (Okla.) Volunteer Fire Department — and yep, I got T-shirts there, too. 

▶ I was voted onto the Board of Elders at my church, and I hosted Schoplahoma! — a Lutheran men’s Christian retreat — at my home
in September. 

▶ I am finishing up my 19^th year writing for PMP. I didn’t get a T-shirt, but they did give me branded golf shirts to wear while I was their “Booth Babe” at the National Pest Management Association’s PestWorld 2025  last month. 

▶ Marty Roberts (Rid-A-Bug), Greg Pettis (Nature-Cide), Stuart Aust (The Aust Group) and I hosted morning worship at PestWorld 2025. It was amazing!

Some of my friends in the pest control industry are also expressing gratitude this year:

Dan Baldwin, BCE

Hawx Pest Control

“I’m thankful I have the support and connections to make The Guarded Harvest Project [helping Kenyan farmers] a reality”

Nicole Gorman

Evans Termite and Pest

“I’m thankful for working with my chemical reps to push me outside of my comfort zone and try new products. And I thank Pete for suggesting it.”

Stuart Aust

The Aust Group

“I am grateful I get to work with my sons Chris, Nick, Dan and our dear friend Jake!”

Richard Christner

Whitmore Pest and Wildlife Control

“I am thankful for the processes we put in place this year, giving us strong and predictable growth. Our [standard operating procedures, or] SOPs have reduced stress on our team and allowed us to keep moving forward”

Carrie Campbell

Hatfield Pest Control

“I am thankful for our young team. The oldest person on our staff is 38, and the average age is just 27. They are killing it! I am also excited to be developing in-house training and updating our handbook.”

Jeremy Goins

Pesky Critters

“I am thankful for our customer base — 35 years and counting — and our new referral program. We’ve implemented a $25 credit when a client refers a friend to us. I also thank Pete, whom I lean on heavily. He helps me see answers to my questions.”

Andrew Reynolds

Pesky Critters

“I am thankful for our technicians. They make sure our customers are educated and satisfied.”

Kevin Lemasters

Action Leadership

“I am excited to be launching PCO Leader Academy this year and helping grow leaders in our industry.”

Have a great Thanksgiving! God bless you, and thanks for reading my column for 19 years!