492: $500M Pest Control Giant: How Vess Pearson Scaled Aptive into a 2,500-Rep D2D Sales Force | The D2D Podcast

In this episode of The D2D Podcast, Sam Taggart sits down with Vess Pearson, CEO and Co-Founder of Aptive Environmental, one of the fastest-growing pest control companies in North America. From knocking doors as a young rep to building a company that generates more than $500 million in annual revenue, Vess has spent the last 20 years mastering the art of sales, leadership, and business growth. His story is not just about scaling numbers—it’s about creating systems, solving problems with endurance, and building a culture where sales reps feel part of a bigger mission rather than just chasing a paycheck.

Vess dives into the principles that helped Aptive rise to the top of the industry, including differentiated training methods, talent retention strategies, and the importance of aligning personal and company goals. He shares how culture has evolved beyond perks to focus on career paths, ownership, and long-term value for both employees and customers. Listeners will hear why professionalism, ethics, and integrity are more important than ever in door-to-door sales, and how these values open doors to greater opportunities. Whether you are just starting in sales or already leading a team, the insights from this conversation provide a roadmap for thinking bigger, training smarter, and creating sustainable success in the D2D world.

You’ll find answers to key questions such as:

• What habits separate long-term D2D winners from reps who burn out?
• How can training and culture directly impact sales performance?
• Why is retention of top talent more valuable than chasing high commissions?
• How can reps balance personal income goals with company vision?
• What role does integrity play in sustaining a career in door-to-door sales?

Get in touch with Vess Pearson:
Instagram: @vess4
Website: https://aptivepestcontrol.com/

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