We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jay Lanham. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jay below.
Hi Jay, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
After 20 plus years in law enforcement, I made a career change to wildlife removal and prevention. It didn’t take long to see that upselling was the norm in the industry. I wasn’t comfortable with doing that so I started my own company and we do not “sell” or “upsell”. We won’t even make “follow up calls” to see if the customer has decided on way ir the other. I also do not solicit business.
Additionally, that company had a strict payment policy that required two payments, half down and half on completion. Being the owner now, I often work with customers by allowing them to make up to four payments. I couldn’t keep a clear conscience knowing that someone had rats in their attic and small children or seniors in the house, but demand the full price be paid in two payments.
My philosophy is simple. I get a call for a wildlife problem. I go out and do a free inspection and quote. I tell the customer 1) what the problem animal (s) are. 2) what needs to be done to solve the problem permanently. 3) what it will cost.
We offer discounts to seniors, military, teachers and first of responders; each for specific reasons that are sentimental to me personally.
Jay, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Magnolia Wildlife Solutions was created to fill a need in our community. There are several small companies offering the type of service we provide but none execute the actual work like we do.
We are quick to respond, diligent with trapping, extremely thorough with sealing (also known as exclusion) and fair with pricing.
In short, when we see you in the grocery store or church or a ball game, we want our customers to be comfortable talking to us after the job is complete. We don’t want there to be any awkwardness from them feeling like we dropped the ball in any way.
On statement on my request for a review says, “if we did a great job, tell everyone, if we didn’t quite get it right, tell ME and I’ll MAKE it right.”
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
As I’ve mentioned, I was a police officer for 23 years. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management and shortly after completing that degree, I left the West Memphis Police Department and started a job as Administrator for an eye care group. I oversaw operations of three clinics and a surgery center.
Within only a couple weeks, it became clear to me that I am not a “shirt and tie” guy. My entire police career was served in the patrol division, outside around people. It wasn’t a difficult decision to abandon the white collar job for which I had spent four years and $75,000.
The day I started the wildlife removal, I knew I had found my calling.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My reputation has been built by simply doing what I say I am going to do and doong it better than anyone else. I answer my phone at all hours of the day and night. One of the things I tell my techs on a REGULAR basis is that I want every job done right the first time. I tell my techs that I would rather spend an entire extra day on a job to be sure it’s done right.
Contact Info:
- Website: magnoliawildlifesolutions.com
- Facebook: Magnolia Wildlife Solutions
Image Credits
Magnolia Wildlife Solutions