Justin Kendall’s Military Skills Propel his Richmond, VA Pest Control Business
In pursuing a career following military service, Justin Kendall took the Army slogan “Be All You Can Be” to heart. Now a Pestmaster franchisee, Kendall has actively pursued education, professional development and leadership roles within the company and industry while happily maintaining a busy family life.
As a signals intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army from 2008 to 2012, Kendall gathered information about the enemy’s communications and activities to help his superiors formulate strategies for attack. As a civilian, he formulated his own strategies for success, opening a Pestmaster franchise in August 2018 to provide pest control services for residential, business and governmental customers in the Richmond, Va., area. Since then, Kendall has been named Pestmaster’s franchisee of the year and has received other accolades for employing best practices and leading the fastest-growing franchise in the Pestmaster system.
In the military, you become very good at following systems.
Franchisee Success
In addition to his service with the Army, Kendall has 13 years of previous experience in residential pest control. He sought to capitalize on skills and experience honed in the military and private sector in becoming a franchise owner. “In the military, you become very good at following systems,” he says, and that has been key to his success as a franchisee.
“I chose Pestmaster as they were the No. 1 small business pest control provider for the federal government,” Kendall says, adding that he also liked joining a large organization to achieve better purchasing power. Today Kendall’s Pestmaster operation includes four technicians, two salespeople, an office manager and six service vehicles, and he’s currently looking at buying out other franchisees and purchasing additional territories.
Kendall has approached his work in the private sector with the same vigor and commitment he devoted to his work in the military. He has taken on leadership roles within the company and industry, serving as a director on the Virginia Pest Management Association Board and on the Pestmaster Franchise Advisory Board. He has also been involved in various national pest management committees and councils.
Leading the Way
In his work with Pestmaster, Kendall has encouraged other franchisees to share best practices and use all the tools available from the franchisor, including participation in digital campaigns and search engine optimization. Kendall has expanded his industry and business knowledge, as well. He has achieved an associate certified entomologist (ACE) designation through the Entomological Society of America, and taken business courses through Harvard and Cornell business schools. Kendall also has his own consulting firm, providing strategy and mergers-and-acquisitions advice for other pest control businesses.
He manages to balance his professional activities with community involvement and a happily busy family life. Kendall and his wife have six children who are homeschooled, with a baby expected in November. “We love to spend time as a family, playing board games, card games and traveling.”
For more information about the Pestmaster franchise, visit https://pestmasterfranchise.com.
Pestmaster Franchise
Pestmaster, with its 40 years of experience, takes a holistic approach to pest control by using integrated pest management techniques and employing sustainable solutions that are safe for people and the environment. Before initiating treatment, technicians conduct a thorough assessment of the property to ensure effective solutions that won’t disrupt the ecosystem.
Integrated pest management or IPM, as defined by federal law, is “a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks.” The law requires federal agencies to use IPM in their pest management activities and to promote IPM in their regulations, procurement and other activities.
