Tyson Kearns

Looking back, it’s funny how small moments can quietly shape the direction of your life. For me, it began after I got married, when a casual conversation with my brother-in-law opened the door to a career path I never really knew existed.

I had spent my high school years in Alaska, where pests were basically nonexistent and pest control was something I’d heard of but never thought much about. At the time, I was in school at BYU and looking for a way to make some money over the summer when my brother-in-law, who was already working in pest control, mentioned a door-to-door sales job in Houston. I didn’t have sales experience, and what I knew about pests could have fit inside a rodent bait station, but I was curious enough to say yes.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but that first summer would turn out to be more than a temporary job. I worked hard, learned quickly and finished as the top rookie in my office. The following summer, I returned to Houston to manage a team, and for the first time, I saw pest control as something that could be more than a paycheck.

I stayed with that company for nine years, working in sales, as a technician, and eventually in management. Somewhere along the way, I realized I wasn’t just learning pest control. I was learning how to build a company of my own.

In 2013, I took the leap and launched Stride Pest Control in Austin. In the early days, I wore all the hats, and for a while, I didn’t have much to show for it. Then one day, while knocking on doors, I met a homeowner who needed help but couldn’t afford to pay for the service. Even though I didn’t have many customers yet, I took care of her home anyway because I knew it was the right thing to do. That choice became a defining one and from that point on, referrals came in, the business gained momentum and my vision for Stride began to take shape.

Today, my role is focused on strategy, culture and accountability to our mission of providing the best possible pest control service in the nicest possible way. To me, that means taking excellent care of our customers while also building a workplace where our team can grow, be supported and create better futures for their families.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our six children. I’m active in my church community, and when I get downtime, I like playing strategy board games with my family. I still win most of the time, although my kids are starting to catch up by joining forces against me.

If you’re in pest control and want to talk about service, leadership or building a people-first business, feel free to reach out anytime.