We recently had the chance to connect with Andy Patel and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Andy, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me really depends on whether it’s a weekday or the weekend. They’re totally different worlds. On weekdays, my morning starts with family: I help get my nine year old son, who’s in fourth grade, ready for school and walk him to the bus stop. After that, it’s coffee in hand as I dive into emails, client messages, and ongoing projects. Around 10:30 AM, my offshore development team comes online, so I’ll hop into meetings to get everyone aligned and make sure tasks are moving forward.
Afternoons are a mix of lunch and working on content for my agency. It could be anything from a podcast outline to a new blog post or ad campaign. By 3:30, my son’s home from school, and the three of us (my wife, son, and I) do a family workout at 4 PM. It’s a great way to break up the day and have some fun together. After that, I’m pretty much off the clock work-wise. Evenings are all about family. Practicing baseball with my son, playing music together, dinner, and our evening Hindu rituals before everyone winds down for bed. Once the house is quiet, I usually spend a little time on creative projects or practicing my Shehnai, which I play at Indian weddings.
Weekends are a whole different story. I’m usually traveling somewhere in the U.S. to play for a wedding. If it’s a cool spot, I’ll bring the family along; otherwise, I’ll make it a quick trip. Honestly, I love it! It’s a lot of fun and has turned into a really enjoyable side business.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure! I’m Andy Patel. After graduating from Georgia State University in 2005 with a degree in computer science, I jumped right into the digital marketing world. In the early days, I did a bit of everything. Web design, hosting, SEO, web development, you name it. But over time, I realized my real strength (and passion) was in marketing, especially when it came to helping businesses grow.
That led me to specialize in digital marketing, with a particular focus on pay-per-click, mainly Google Ads and Meta Ads. I found my sweet spot working with pest control companies, so I decided to go all in on that niche. Today, I work exclusively with pest control businesses, helping them generate high-quality leads and grow through smart, data-driven ad strategies.
I also host the Pest Control Internet Marketing Podcast, where I share insights, trends, and practical tips for pest control business owners looking to get ahead online. I love what I do, and I’m always working on new ways to help my clients succeed in an industry that’s constantly evolving.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world happened back in college. Growing up, I had a pretty strict upbringing. My dad ran a tight ship, so I didn’t get to do a lot of the things most kids did. When I finally got to college at 18, it was like someone opened the cage. I went a little wild that first year. Lots of parties, not a lot of focus on my studies. It was fun, but I definitely lost sight of my priorities.
Then, one day in my sophomore year, I was walking to an English class I was actually failing. Out of nowhere, I had this realization: I’m not a kid anymore. I’m going to have real responsibilities one day. A family, parents to take care of, people counting on me. My parents had worked hard to give me a shot at success, and I owed it to them (and myself) to step up. That night, I went home, cleaned my room, and made a decision to get serious about my degree, about learning real skills, and about my future. I cut back on the partying, got organized, and honestly, my life’s been on an upward path ever since. It’s funny how one random moment can completely shift your mindset, but that’s exactly what happened for me.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Honestly, suffering taught me things that success never could. I didn’t grow up with a lot. My parents weren’t wealthy, and I watched them work incredibly hard just to provide a decent life for our family. We never took fancy vacations or had anything extravagant, but we always had what we needed. That kind of upbringing, seeing my parents grind day in and day out after coming to this country with nothing, really shaped my perspective. It gave me a deep appreciation for hard work and made me determined to build a better future for my own family.
The hardships I witnessed were the ultimate motivator. Even now, after finding some success in my business, those lessons stick with me. I try to pass that perspective on to my son, too. It’s tough as a parent. You want to give your kids everything, but you also don’t want to take away the drive that comes from facing challenges. I truly believe that a little struggle builds character and ambition in a way that success alone never can.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I protect at all costs is staying rooted in my heritage. Even though I was born in England and grew up in the States, my parents are originally from India, so I grew up speaking Gujarati and being very involved in our local Hindu temple. Hinduism has a ton of rituals, festivals, and traditions, and while I’ve definitely questioned aspects of it over the years (and still do), I’ve come to appreciate just how rich and vibrant the culture and the religion really are.
We live in Lilburn, just outside Atlanta, and honestly, one of the main reasons we chose this area is because of its proximity to the Hindu temple. My family and I are pretty involved there. I help with the music, my wife and son participate as well, and it’s really become a central part of our lives. These traditions keep us connected to our roots and reinforce values like family, hard work, and treating others with respect and kindness. It’s something my wife and I are intentional about passing on to our son, so he grows up with a strong sense of identity and appreciation for where we come from.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Right now, the thing I’m working on that probably won’t pay off for another 7–10 years is my world music project, Surya Ensemble. After spending two decades building my digital marketing business and getting it to a point where it basically runs itself, I’ve been able to carve out more time for my passion: music. I play the Shehnai, a traditional Indian oboe that’s incredibly tough to master, and I’ve been working at it for over a decade now.
While I love performing at Indian weddings, I realized that most folks at those events aren’t there for the music. They’re focused on the celebration. There’s always a handful of people who genuinely appreciate what I do, but as a musician, it’s not always the most rewarding environment. That’s what inspired me to start Surya Ensemble last year. It’s a world music group based in Atlanta, and our lineup includes everything from Persian percussion to harp, viola, and even cultural dance. We’re still in the early days. Figuring out the brand, building an audience, and learning the ropes of live events. But it’s incredibly fulfilling.
Honestly, I’ve invested a lot into this project with no expectation of an immediate return. The real reward comes from people actually buying tickets and showing up just to hear us play. Even if it takes years to really take off, it’s worth it to know we’re building something unique and sharing our passion for these instruments and this music with others. I’m excited to see where it goes in the next decade.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.andypatel.pro/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andypatelpro
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andypatelpro/
- Twitter: https://x.com/AndyPatelPro
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyPatelPro/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndyPatelPro
- Other: https://pcimpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ (My Podcast)
