For
Collins Pest Control family,
integrity comes first
STORY BY MIKE ELSWICK | PHOTOS SUBMITTEDOTOS
C
ollins Pest Control has spanned
the decades and the generations in
Shelby County and East Texas.
That success and longevity has been achieve by
adhering to some basic business principles.
Those include honestly, treating people
right and maintaining a high level of customer
service which includes guaranteed service and
satisfaction. At the helm of the family business is
Chris Collins, representing the third generation of
Collins family operation.
“It was founded by my grandfather Frank
Collins in 1957 and my dad, Lonnie Collins, took
over 20 years later in 1977,” Chris says. “I grew up
in the business, starting when I was 10.”
In addition to Chris, also representing the
family’s third generation is Chris’ brother, Brian
Collins.
To extend the tradition, the fourth generation
of the Collins family, are Jon and Cory Collins, the
sons of Chris and DeAnna Collins. They are now
active in day-to-day operations. Chris said he and
DeAnna have been married 35 years and are proud
to see their sons active in the business.
Chris says everyone works well together.
“We all work really work well together, no one’s
taken for granted. The four of us really get along
well and we all have our pivotal roles,” he says.
Jon says he and Cory both grew up in the
business and he’s been a full-time member of the
team since 2013.
“Since we were 10 or 12 years old, we’ve been
involved with things like going under houses with
a claw hammer digging trenches,” Jon says.
Like most businesses, the pest control
operation has its upside and downside. One of the
challenges is the seasonal nature of the work.
“For six months of the year it’s daylight to
dusk, we’re busy all the time,” Chris says. “Then
for another three-to-four months we’re still pretty
busy.”
Over the winter months there is period when
the workload is extremely slow.
“It’s kind of like having an unpaid vacation,” he
says. Jon says despite the challenges of working in
the heat of summer with pests, he finds working in
the family environment rewarding.
“There’s no red tape, no bull, no headaches …
we all just know what needs to be done and we do
it,” Jon says. “With a lot of jobs you don’t really
have any input. We all can provide our input,
it’s not only wanted, it’s expected. This is our
business.”
He says each of the four family members bring
different skills, experiences and areas of expertise
to the firm.
“Dad is the salesman, he’s the face of the
business, the person everybody knows and
respects,” Jon says. “He’s earned the reputation
of being an honest and upstanding person. That
integrity of the business is the most important
thing we possess.”
Chris says those same principles should apply
to any business.
“It’s all about integrity and honesty and
treating everybody right,” Chris says. Jon says a
reputation is something which cannot be bought.
“We strive to have a reputation we can be proud
of,” Jon says. He takes care of the businesses and
paperwork end of the operations from invoicing
clients to ensuring rules and regulations are
followed and properly documented.
Jon says like most businesses which have
evolved over the years, technology plays a role as
do additional rules and regulations.
Jon’s younger brother is very good at talking
with customers and relating to them, he says.
“Most likely when dad decides he’s tired of
killing bugs, Cory will step into that role of PR
(public relations) and sales,” Jon says.
Chris says his brother Brian is a strong member
of the team.
“He’s a hard worker, he’s steadfast,” Chris says.
“Anything that’s torn up or breaks, Brian is the
fix-it man and keeps everything organized and
running well.”
AT A GLANCE
WHAT:
Collins Pest Control
WHO:
Owned and Operated
by the
Collins Family
WHERE:
Serves Nacogdoches,
Panola, Shelby,
and San Augustine
counties.
PHONE:
(936) 598-3045
(936) 590-0941
WEBSITE:
www.collinspc.com
FACEBOOK:
@ ChrisCollinsPestControl
Business MATTERS | 2020 Spring Edition
17