Hiring & Managing Employees: Michael Mattson of Valley Pest Co. | PCM 138

📅 August 26, 2025 ⏱️ 42:31 🎤 Michael Matson, Jesse

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0:00

Michael Matson's Background

Michael Matson introduces himself as the owner of Valley Pest Co. in Knoxville, Tennessee, and shares his unique high school experience.
0:26

Parent's Occupations & Family

Michael discusses his parents' professions and his family dynamics, including having four sisters and now four sons of his own.
1:16

High School Struggles & College

Michael reflects on his academic struggles in high school and his decision not to pursue higher education, favoring hands-on learning.
7:52

Pest Control Career Start

Michael recounts how he stumbled into the pest control industry through a chance encounter at a restaurant where he worked.
12:58

Starting Valley Pest Co.

Michael details the origins of Valley Pest Co., including a challenging business partnership and lessons learned from starting his own venture.
18:22

Hiring First Employees

Michael shares his experience hiring his first employees, including the challenges of finding the right fit and dealing with employee turnover.
25:00

Customer Acquisition & Growth

Michael discusses his strategies for acquiring customers, particularly through Facebook groups and an automated review system.
31:44

Future Goals & Market Focus

Michael outlines his five-year vision for Valley Pest Co., emphasizing fine-tuning systems and deepening market penetration rather than immediate expansion.

Speakers

Michael Matson

Owner of Valley Pest Co.

Jesse

Host

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Prioritize getting out of the field to focus on business growth, as doing the work yourself limits expansion.

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Don't delay hiring an administrative assistant; they can free up significant time for revenue-generating activities.

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Invest in dual-facing dash cams for company vehicles as a safeguard against distracted driving and for potential insurance discounts.

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Leverage social media platforms like Facebook groups for lead generation, especially if your target demographic is active there.

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Implement an automated review system (like Clickie) with customer incentives to significantly boost your online reputation.

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Micromanage new technicians initially with ghost inspections until trust is established to ensure quality and brand representation.

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Focus on fine-tuning your systems and dominating your current market before considering expansion to multiple locations.

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