Fourth‑generation owner Shane Reese joins Zach and Jacob to share the nearly 100‑year story of General Exterminating, an Erie‑based pest control company that began with his great‑grandfather’s Depression‑era decision to find a “recession‑proof” business. From shooting rats in basements with a .22 in the 1930s to today’s regulated, highly professional structural pest control operation, Shane traces how each generation has adapted while serving some of the same accounts for more than nine decades.​

Shane talks about growing up in the business (born on a Friday, in the office by Monday), learning the trade from an employee with 50+ years of experience, and modernizing operations with new technology while respecting his parents’ “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mindset. He opens up about working side‑by‑side with his dad, navigating loud but productive disagreements, keeping family and business separate, and planning a thoughtful transition so the fifth generation won’t face the same sudden hand‑offs his father did.​

Along the way, he shares wild on‑the‑job moments—from hazmat‑suit cleanups to bedbug‑ and roach‑infested homes—plus the quieter realities of ownership: 2 a.m. worries, long days, and the pride of maintaining a 94‑year reputation for “great service at a decent price.” If you’re interested in multigenerational succession, small‑business resilience, or what it really takes to carry a family company to 100 years and beyond, this episode offers a candid, down‑to‑earth look inside a legacy pest control business.​

This podcast is sponsored by Zac Wild CFP, CEPA financial advisor with Edward Jones. Zac works for business owners who are interested in maximizing their investments in tandem with efficient tax strategies. this includes fully leveraging the benefits of 401k's, SIMPLE IRA, and other more unique tax advantaged accounts.