Justin Knox grew up surrounded by hard work, family, and the unmistakable scent of summer in the South — often mixed with bug spray and fresh-cut grass. At just twelve years old, he started working at Knox Pest Control, the family business founded by his great-grandfather in the 1920s. His first jobs weren’t glamorous — mowing lawns, cleaning trucks, and helping with termite treatments — but they taught him the value of showing up, staying humble, and paying attention to details.
After graduating from Troy University in 1997, Justin officially joined the company full-time. Over the years, he worked in nearly every part of the business, from field operations to leadership. Today, alongside his brother Sean, he represents the fourth generation to carry forward the Knox family legacy — one rooted in integrity, service, and faith.
Justin’s leadership reflects a deep respect for the past and a steady eye on the future. He believes success comes from consistency, not shortcuts, and that trust is a company’s most valuable currency. Away from work, Justin enjoys the outdoors, from tending cattle to hunting with friends, and cherishes time with his wife Jackie and their three children.
His story isn’t about building something new from scratch, but about preserving something worth keeping — proof that longevity in business is built on simple values done well, day after day.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Most mornings start before sunrise. I like to have coffee outside while the world’s still quiet. That’s when I plan my day — no emails, no noise. Once I get to the office, it’s about connecting with my team. I walk the yard, check in with technicians, and listen more than I talk. Productivity comes from knowing what’s happening on the ground. I also leave time in my schedule for problem-solving — every day brings something unexpected in this line of work.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start with conversation. At Knox, no idea lives in a vacuum. When I see a problem, I bring it to the team and ask how we’d fix it if there were no rules. From there, we test it small — one route, one team, one customer — before rolling it out company-wide. We’ve introduced digital scheduling, new customer guarantees, and employee training that all started as a casual “what if” over lunch.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Smart pest control systems that track activity and send alerts in real-time. It’s an exciting way to blend tradition with technology. Our industry has always been about prevention, but now we can predict patterns and stop issues before they start.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I write everything down. I use a legal pad, not an app. If it’s important enough to remember, it’s important enough to write. It clears my head and keeps me focused.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Slow down and listen more. At 25, I thought leadership meant having all the answers. Now I know it means asking better questions.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe you can run a business with kindness and still be competitive. Some folks see those as opposites — I don’t.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Start the day with gratitude. It changes how you lead, parent, and work. Even five minutes of reflection helps you see challenges differently.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go outside. Sometimes that means walking around the property or heading to the farm. There’s something about working with your hands — fixing a fence or feeding cattle — that resets your mind.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Transparency. I don’t sugarcoat things with my team. If there’s a problem, we face it together. It builds trust. The more people trust you, the faster you can move forward.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Years ago, I tried to expand a service area too quickly. We weren’t ready, and quality slipped. I had to pull back and rebuild. It taught me that growth without systems is just chaos. Now, I make sure the foundation is solid before scaling.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Offer a free home inspection day once a year. It builds goodwill and trust, even with people who might not hire you right away. It’s marketing, but it’s also service.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
We use routing software that tracks technicians in real-time. It saves fuel, time, and headaches. For me personally, I use a simple notes app to jot ideas on the go — but the real work still happens on paper.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. It’s a reminder that leadership is about service, not status. It put words to something my dad taught me years ago.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
1883. It’s about grit, family, and the price of building something that lasts. It hit close to home.
Key learnings
- True leadership comes from listening, not directing.
- Growth is only sustainable when systems are strong.
- Gratitude and faith can coexist with ambition.
- Consistency in small habits builds long-term trust.
- Technology is valuable, but people and values remain the core of good business