Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aaron Rice. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Aaron thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

A few years ago, I took one of the biggest risks of my life — leaving a steady job to start my own company, Quality Demolition and Land Clearing. At the time, I didn’t have a big savings account or investors behind me. What I did have was years of hands-on experience, a strong work ethic, and a belief that if I bet on myself, I could build something lasting for my family.

When I started, it was just me, my dad, and one trailer. We were taking on small junk removal and demo jobs around Knoxville — anything we could get. There were weeks we barely broke even, but every dollar we made went right back into equipment and growth. The risk wasn’t just financial — it was personal. I had a wife, kids, and a family depending on me, and failure wasn’t an option.

Over time, that risk started to pay off. We built a name for ourselves through hard work and word of mouth, moved into land clearing and excavation, and now we’re running multiple machines and crews, with steady contracts and a growing brand across East Tennessee.

Looking back, it was scary — but that leap changed everything. It taught me that risk and reward are always connected. If you believe in what you’re building, stay consistent, and keep your word, the payoff eventually comes.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Aaron Rice, and I’m the owner of Quality Demolition and Land Clearing – East TN, based in Knoxville. I grew up working with my dad in construction from a young age, and that’s really where my work ethic and passion for building things started. After years of working for other companies, I decided to take a risk and start my own business from the ground up. We began small — just a trailer, a truck, and a vision — doing junk removal and small demo jobs around town.

Over time, as we gained experience and equipment, we transitioned into full-scale demolition, land clearing, and excavation services. Today, we handle everything from residential and commercial building tear-downs to large-scale land clearing, grading, and site prep. We also provide dump truck hauling for gravel, fill dirt, topsoil, and other materials.

What sets us apart is that we’re truly a family-run, faith-based company that believes in doing things the right way — with honesty, hard work, and pride in every project. We don’t cut corners, we communicate clearly, and we treat every job site like it’s our own property. Our goal is always to leave a site clean, safe, and ready for the next stage of construction.

I think what I’m most proud of is how far we’ve come. From a two-person operation to a growing company running multiple machines and crews — all built through consistency, word of mouth, and great customer relationships. I take pride in being hands-on with every project, whether I’m running an excavator or meeting a client on-site.

At the end of the day, I want people to know that Quality Demolition and Land Clearing isn’t just a business — it’s a reflection of who we are as a family. We work hard, we care about our clients, and we’re committed to being the most reliable and trusted name in demolition and land services across East Tennessee.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think what’s helped me build my reputation the most is doing exactly what I say I’m going to do — and doing it with consistency. In this line of work, trust means everything. If you show up on time, communicate clearly, finish the job the right way, and treat people with respect, word travels fast.

A lot of our growth has come from word-of-mouth referrals and repeat clients who appreciated how we handled their projects. Whether it’s a small residential demolition or a big land clearing job, we bring the same level of effort and attention to detail every time.

I also think being hands-on and transparent sets us apart. Clients know I’m not just behind a desk — I’m out there on the job site, making sure things are done safely and efficiently. Over time, that builds a level of credibility that no marketing can replace.

In short, our reputation was built the old-fashioned way — through hard work, reliability, and standing behind our name, Quality Demolition and Land Clearing.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been a mix of old-school word of mouth and new-school marketing.

From day one, we focused on doing solid work and treating every customer like they were our only one. That led to referrals, which are still the backbone of our business. When someone hires us, they know we’ll show up, get the job done safely, and leave the site looking great — and they tell their friends, neighbors, and contractors. That personal reputation has opened more doors than anything else.

At the same time, I’ve leaned heavily into digital marketing and SEO to expand our reach. We built our website, DemoKnox.com, around local search so people in East Tennessee can easily find us for demolition, land clearing, and excavation. We post before-and-after videos on YouTube Shorts, social media, and Google Business to show real results — not stock photos. That transparency helps build trust online the same way word of mouth does offline.

Combining consistent quality work with smart digital presence has been key. It’s not about flashy ads — it’s about being visible, reliable, and professional every time someone finds or hires us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.demoknox.com

Image Credits

Images are mine