Pest control owner David Coleman is the debut guest in Eric and Sawana’s new downtown Anthem studio, and he traces a 13-year climb from a single route to a nine-truck operation serving Anthem and the North Valley. He started spraying houses in the early 1990s, learned the trade under Burns Pest Elimination, and built his own company on nothing but word of mouth and treating people fairly. Now eyeing a doubling of his fleet in 2026, he explains why he brought in a fractional COO, finally invested in SEO, and why admitting his weak spots is what keeps the business growing.
The talk widens into Anthem’s tight-knit business scene, recapping the Chamber Gala at the Bearded Barber and its award winners, from Tennessee Grill to the Rotary Club of Anthem. Coleman closes on the volunteer-run Holiday Light Cruise he leads each December, a free tradition that rolls past neighborhoods and assisted-living communities to spark a little Christmas magic.
Key takeaways
- David Coleman grew his Anthem pest control company from a single route to nine trucks over roughly 13 years, almost entirely through word of mouth with no ad spend.
- He credits sustainable growth to knowing his weaknesses and hiring for them, bringing in a fractional COO and starting SEO work to plan a doubling of his fleet in 2026.
- The Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce Gala at the Bearded Barber honored local standouts including Tennessee Grill and the Rotary Club of Anthem, with David serving as title sponsor.
- Emerging Business of the Year went to Brian Long, who grew his Anthem venture to roughly 250 customers in about nine months.
- David leads the free, volunteer-run Anthem Holiday Light Cruise, driving a Jeep strung with 10,000-plus lights on a route that loops past local assisted-living communities.
- His advice to new business owners: stay authentic in a small town, reach first base before swinging for a home run, and never franchise before your own operation is solid.
Related: Eye on Anthem podcast