The Systems You Need to Build a $10M+ Company: Mark Hummel

Who Is Mark Hummel?

Mark Hummel is the CEO of:

• Pest Empire Builder: A mastermind and coaching program specifically tailored for pest control companies.

• Inspector Empire Builder (IEB): A similar mastermind and coaching community for home inspection businesses.

Mark’s got an MBA, loads of business-building experience, and a big passion for developing leaders. He started with Inspector Empire Builder about six years ago. What began as a modest Mastermind group evolved into a 250-member-strong program designed to fast-track growth and cut down on the typical trial and error of running a home inspection business.

Recently, Mark and his team decided to take that same proven approach into the pest control realm. The result? Pest Empire Builder—an entire ecosystem of coaching, community, and support that helps PCOs systemize their businesses.

Building a Mastermind Community

What sets Mark apart is his ability to gather business owners into a shared learning community. Whether you’re in pest control or another field, the principle is the same: bring people together so they can support and learn from each other.

Here are a few keys Mark mentioned for building a successful community:

1. Define Your Culture: Mark looks for owners who have a vision for their lives and businesses—people who want to build something truly special rather than just another job for themselves.

2. Foster Trust: Organic growth often happens when you genuinely solve problems for your members. People love to share real value when they see it.

3. Be Specific: Focus on a niche (like pest control) so everyone in the group speaks the same language.

Mastermind Mechanics: What Does Coaching Look Like?

Pest Empire Builder and Inspector Empire Builder follow a similar structure:

1. Group Coaching Calls: Led by experienced industry coaches who have grown (and sometimes bought or sold) successful service businesses.

2. Systems & Processes: Members learn proven frameworks for hiring, training, operations, and growth.

3. Culture of Contribution: Sessions include teaching, plus open masterminding. You’re not just getting advice from coaches—you’re learning from fellow business owners on a similar path.

Mark emphasizes that good coaching doesn’t just say “go grow”; it addresses everything you need on the back end, so your service and operations are ready for the influx of new customers. It’s easy to break a business if you grow it without a stable foundation.

From Technician Mindset to Business Leader

One of the biggest aha moments in our conversation was how crucial it is to shift from the “technician” mentality (where you’re doing all the day-to-day pest control work) to the “entrepreneur” or “CEO” mindset.

• Technician Mindset: “I have to do everything myself. I’m the only one who can handle this.”

• Business Owner Mindset: “I need to build processes and systems so others can do these tasks well. My focus should be on leading the team and driving strategy.”

If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself: Are you holding onto too many tasks? Are you the bottleneck? Scaling a business requires letting go of certain roles, delegating effectively, and trusting your team.

The Power of Good Leadership

Mark and I dove deep into leadership, because at the end of the day, a business will only rise to the level of its leader. Two qualities stood out:

1. Self-Awareness
   Great leaders know their own strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots. They don’t try to be perfect at everything; they build teams to fill the gaps.

2. Curiosity
   If you’re not actively asking questions, seeking feedback, and learning from others, you’re limiting your own growth. Top-tier leaders remain open-minded and are always looking for insights to improve.

Personal Growth and Routine

When you’re the CEO (or aiming to be), you can’t ignore your personal life. Burnout happens fast if you treat your business like the only thing that matters.

Mark recommends balancing mental and physical energy:

• If your day is mentally taxing, consider a short walk or quick workout to reset.

• If you’re physically overworked, take time to read, learn, or relax mentally.

At the very least, carve out some form of exercise, reading, family time, and reflection so your business doesn’t consume you. The best leaders have personal routines that keep them grounded.

My Key Takeaways

• Systems First, Then Growth: Building a pest control empire means having strong foundations. Get your service and operations dialed in before you scale.

• A Community Speeds Up Success: Joining a mastermind or coaching program can shave years off your learning curve. No need to reinvent the wheel when experts have done it for you.

• Leadership Is Essential: Your business can’t surpass the level of your leadership. Invest in yourself, delegate, and surround yourself with people who think big.

• Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing: More often, great success comes from simplifying and focusing on what truly moves the needle—both personally and professionally.

Connect with Mark Hummel

If you want to dig deeper into Mark’s world and see if Pest Empire Builder might be a good fit, you can reach out to him at:

• Website: PestEmpireBuilder.com

• Email: mark[at]pestempirebuilder.com

• Social Media: Mark Hummel on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram (just don’t confuse him with the guy playing harmonica!).

Final Thoughts

Talking with Mark reminded me that growing a pest control business (or any business) is so much more than just amping up your marketing. It’s about leadership, systems, and having a team you can trust to deliver a consistent experience. If that’s your vision, having a mastermind community and a coach who’s been down that road can propel you forward much faster than going it alone.

So whether you’re a solo operator ready to hire your first technician or a seasoned seven-figure business owner looking to refine your systems, there’s real value in tapping into a proven model. Take Mark’s advice: connect with people who’ve been where you want to go, adopt their frameworks, and then bring your own creativity to the table.

Here’s to building your own pest control empire!

P.S. Check out the full episode here: