Today we’d like to introduce you to Curtiss and Jemila Wheeler.
Hi Curtiss and Jemila, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2012 I (Curtiss Wheeler) started a career in the pest control industry. Initially, I had no intentions on staying long but used the job as a stepping stone until I received my degree in 2014 in Business Management. I started off as a utility person in the company servicing some apartment/condo communities and practically doing whatever I was asked. I just kept my head down and kept working. I was offered the opportunity to run a residential route which is single-family residential homes a few months later and took it. In 2014, me and wife Jemila had our first son Dailen and in 2016 our second son Tatumn was born so naturally you become complacent because my primary focus was providing for my family with a stable job. After some time in the industry, I started to develop a passion for pest control. I would start to study how to fix issues. I started to become an industry nerd. I started developing relationships with clients that went beyond just the job itself. Clients begin to trust you in their homes, around their families, confide in you with conversations outside of the scope of the job. I watched their kids grow from little kids to young adults going off to college. Over the years, I began to gain experience where I was a preferred technician out of my office.
When new clients would call in for service, I was the go-to when they asked for the most experienced technician. I became the office standard that when other technician’s customers were unhappy I would take over the clients account to fix the ongoing problem and fix the relationship between the customer and company. Even in my service area, I would have people reach out to me and say my neighbor loves you can you service my home. At my branch I became the trainer for new employees throughout the company. Without going into specifics after a while I felt the opportunity of growth was unattainable but I developed a passion in my career. I remember in year 8, I started to grow frustrated within my career and started trying to find a way to grow. I started applying for jobs. I even had other pest control companies reach out but just never felt right. Other guys from other companies would stop and say hey come join us. I remember interviewing for one of top 2 companies in the industry and it was similar “Hey come in and work hard you Could become a manager” but it was like proving myself all over again and nothing is promised.
Then I decided to take a state test for certified operators from the Georgia Department of Agriculture in the pest control industry. I took the test and passed the state test which was incredibly hard. It took me almost five months of studying day and night. I felt surely I would get a spark out of becoming a certified operator. This will surely advance my career. I went and took another state test for Category 41 Mosquito and passed that test. I remember one night talking with my wife and saying I think this is it. I remember saying I don’t want to do this anymore. There were some real deep conversations trying to figure out why my career never advanced but I refused to make excuses or play the blame game. She asked me what is it that you love about your job? I immediately said the people and fixing their problems. We immediately knew that being a certified operator meant more. We could open our own company. Grow our own company. Leave a legacy for our two sons. It took me ten years to realize that instead of proving to everyone else my worth that I never recognized it myself.
Our company “Allsect Pest Control” came from something so simple. I realized every time I left someone’s house, I always said your “All Set” in other words no worries the job is done. So me and my Wife Jemila came up with the slogan “You’re All Set with ALLSECT!” We began working on logos and branding. I started to develop the website. I started to do research on the industry. I studied other pest control companies trying to learn how to set myself apart. On March 14th, 2023 the Department of Agriculture approved our company license. This is the beginning of an amazing journey for our family. With Jemila as co-owner, we have high expectations as she has been fully supportive of this life-changing move. I think the lesson here is sometimes what you really want to accomplish is right in front of you but it just takes time. Your end goal is not everyone else’s. Your path might be different than the traditional employee but you know what? That’s ok! Control your destiny!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s never easy starting a business. There is so much that goes into it. A lot of sleepless nights. Developing anxiety on top of the anxiety you had before knowing that I’m doing this and my income is solely going to be my responsibility. Coming home after work and working on the business was exhausting still trying to be a Husband Father and Son!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Allsect Pest Control provides Residential/Commercial Pest control services. Whether is simple preventative maintenance, Mosquito Control, Rat and Squirrel trapping, snake repellent, Bee Control, etc.
Allsect Mission which will set us apart is “Building relationships one house at a time” We believe every home is different and with that Allsect offers customizable Pest control plans collaborated between Allsect and the Client.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I believe Covid-19 was scary. Although the pest control industry did well during the crisis, it impacted a lot of people. I had no option of staying home during the pandemic. I had to entire homes risking not only my health but my families health. It just teaches you that you can even in crisis, you have to push through.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.allsectpestcontrol.com
- Instagram: @allsectpestcontrol
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090496416659&mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Linkedin: allsectpestcontrol
- Twitter: @allsectpest
