AAA Pest Control is a veteran-owned business that has been operating for 25 years. They specialize in recurring pest control services, giving clients ongoing protection from all household pests. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and outstanding Google and Yelp reviews, AAA Pest Control is an outstanding example of what it means to be a successful and thriving business.
Customers describe AAA Pest Control’s services as knowledgeable, professional, reliable, timely, and efficient–characteristics that all businesses strive toward. But how can businesses in Oakland Park accomplish this and thrive in what they do just like AAA Pest Control does? Long-time Oakland Park business owner at AAA Pest Control, Bill Robles, weighs in.
Growing from a One-Man Operation to a Full Team
For the first 4-5 years, Bill was running a one-man operation. In the early days of growing his business, he had to work side jobs. He says it took him a while to earn referrals and build trust, but once he did his business flourished, primarily as a result of hard work, persistence, happy customers, and word-of-mouth.
Today, AAA Pest Control has a large team of dedicated men and women, some of whom have been with the company for over a decade. Bill explains that the key to keeping employees comes down to incentive. “Incentive is the best way to go as far as I’m concerned. I’ve even had people leave, then come back, all because of incentive. The more they learn, the more they make, the more incentive they have to stay.”
In addition to a dedicated team, it is also essential to maintain lasting relationships with customers. “Pest control is a very personal business,” Bill explains. Since you’re in people’s homes, rooms, closets, and even cabinets, your customers want someone they trust.
Regardless of the industry, trust is valuable in sustaining long-term relationships with clients. Bill says he has had accounts that have been with him for 20 years, and even has jobs where the people got divorced and he ended up doing both houses.
Small Gestures Make the Biggest Difference
When reflecting upon how successful businesses have evolved and changed in Oakland Park throughout the years, Bill observes that “businesses are growing, getting more modernized, and Oakland Park is becoming more than it ever used to be.”
By simply going the extra mile and offering little services other companies in your industry don’t, you can win over customers and watch your business thrive. For example, many pest control companies in one or two of the four main specialties, but AAA Pest Control does it all. Not only do they treat everything from small to large pests, but they also offer bug identification and supplies for DIY pest control – something Bill says no other companies do. These little details attract customers that other pest control services do not, and they give the customer the option to take matters into their own hands.
Other small gestures Bill has his team take include not blocking driveways, not tracking things inside, and having the proper inside and outside etiquette.
Don’t be Afraid to Hire Green
Another idea Bill emphasizes is the importance of being willing to “hire green.” Hiring green means hiring someone who doesn’t have prior experience or training in the industry so you can start with a blank slate and train them the way you want them to be trained.
Bill explains that “it can be difficult to find help and train people the way I like it done. Sometimes when you hire someone who has worked for another company, they have habits that you don’t want them to have. Someone who is completely green may take longer to train, but they end up being the best employees.”
Advice for New Entrepreneurs
Bill is a successful businessman who has advice for others who are just getting started. “I tell people don’t give up – it’s never easy and it’s always going to be difficult. I went through tough times and still do, but if you give up you’re bound to fail. You can make a business doing anything as long as you don’t give up.”
When remembering the obstacles Bill has faced in his journey, he recalls several times that people told him he shouldn’t or couldn’t do something. Although loved ones may say these kinds of things out of love or fear, Bill says you shouldn’t listen to those kinds of people. “The worst thing people can do is tell you you can’t do it. I never let my kids say they can’t – especially to each other. There is always a way to do something.”
For All of Your Pest Control Needs
For any and all pest control needs, visit Bill at AAA Pest Control at 1395 E Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
