Do's & Don'ts of Business Start-Ups For Wildlife and Pest Control

Summary

In this episode of 'Living the Wildlife' as part of the Pest Geek Podcast family, Steven Van Tassel discusses the crucial do's and don'ts for starting your own wildlife control or pest control business. He emphasizes the importance of self-reflection on the motivations behind wanting to start a business, ensuring family support, understanding legal requirements, investigating the market, and starting slow. Van Tassel shares personal anecdotes and insights to guide listeners through the potential pitfalls and success strategies in the wildlife control industry, aiming to help aspiring entrepreneurs avoid common mistakes and leverage the experience of industry veterans for a successful venture.

Takeaways

• 💁‍♂️ Starting a wildlife control or pest control business requires a deep understanding of your motivations and goals.
• 💼 Ensure your spouse or partner is fully supportive of your business venture, as it can significantly impact your personal life.
• 📚 Educate yourself on the laws, regulations, and required licenses specific to your state or location for operating a wildlife or pest control business.
• 🔎 Conduct thorough market research to understand your competition and the potential demand for your services in your area.
• 💰 Recognize that wildlife control is a service-based industry, and income is directly related to the amount of work performed.
• 🚗 Understand the importance of having proper insurance, including commercial vehicle insurance and liability insurance, to protect your business.
• 🛠 Emphasize the importance of repairs in the wildlife control business as a significant revenue source, beyond just trapping animals.
• 📈 Consider obtaining a pest control license to expand your services and increase income potential, as pest control offers regular service calls.
• 🔧 Start your business slowly and consider part-time work initially to build up your clientele and experience without overextending financially.
• 📱 Pick a thoughtful and unique name for your business that doesn't limit future growth or sale potential.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Steven Van Tassel's podcast episode?

The main topic is about the dos and don'ts for starting your own wildlife control or pest control business.

What is the first principle Steven discusses about starting your own business?

The first principle is to deeply understand why you want to start your own business, considering if the motivation is money, flexibility, self-determination, or disliking taking orders from others.

Why does Steven emphasize knowing the laws and regulations before starting a wildlife or pest control business?

Understanding the laws and regulations is crucial to ensure compliance with business licenses, insurance requirements, and state-specific wildlife control or pest control regulations, protecting your assets and avoiding legal issues.

What does Steven say about the importance of market investigation for a new business?

Investigating the market is critical to determine if there is a viable customer base that can afford your services, as well as understanding the competition and potential income.

Why does Steven advise getting a pest control license even if you're primarily interested in wildlife control?

He suggests getting a pest control license to increase business flexibility and opportunities, as pest control can offer regular service calls and residual income, which wildlife control generally does not.

What caution does Steven give about choosing a business name?

He advises careful consideration of your business name to avoid personal identification with the business, which can affect business valuation and personal reputation. He suggests choosing a name that won't be regretted later and doesn't infringe on trademarks.

How does Steven recommend starting a wildlife or pest control business?

Steven recommends starting slow, possibly part-time, to gauge interest, develop skills, and understand the market, while keeping financial risks low.

What does Steven say about the role of a spouse or partner in starting a business?

He emphasizes the importance of having your spouse or partner's full support, as the business can demand long hours and affect personal relationships, and their support or involvement can be crucial for success.

Why does Steven mention the potential for self-employment to consume a person?

Self-employment can consume a person because the business demands constant attention, and there's no clear separation between work and personal life, which can lead to burnout and strain on personal relationships.

What long-term consideration does Steven highlight about the wildlife control industry?

He highlights that while the wildlife control industry can be profitable, it primarily generates income through service rather than products, making it labor-intensive and challenging to scale without additional effort or workers.