How a 100-Year Family Business Evolved Through Generations of Challenges

On The Boardroom Buzz, the Blue Collar Twins interview Ralph Citarella Jr., president of Bayonne Exterminating, about the company’s 100-year history and his path into the family business. He explains the firm was founded in 1926 by Harry Albert and purchased by his grandfather on May 1, 1945 after World War II, then grown by Ralph’s parents through added employees and involvement in the New Jersey Pest Management Association (NJPMA). Ralph describes leaving the business during his parents’ divorce, bartending after graduating from TCNJ in 2002, and returning at 26 as a managing partner with a goal to reach $1M revenue, learning from early mistakes like building his own website. He discusses industry professionalism, regulation, consolidation, succession issues, his NJPMA leadership roles, earning board-certified entomologist credentials, current operations (six technicians, $1.4M revenue), marketing limits, customer mix, and prioritizing family and sustainable growth.

• Century Old Company Origins
• Dad Returns And Expands
• Why Stay In New Jersey
• Ralph Jr Early Work Years
• Coming Back At 26
• First Big Goals And Mistakes
• Trade Associations And Compliance
• Industry Future And Consolidation
• Corporate Buyout Fallout
• Legacy Reputation Pressure
• Mentors And Association Support
• Running The Business Daily
• Content Marketing Next Step

Ready for boardroom-level help with your own business?

• Grow, sell, or exit your service company with Potomac: https://www.potomaccompany.com

Connect with the hosts:

• Blue Collar Twins – Jason & Jeremy Julio: https://bluecollartwins.com

Connect with Paul:

• Paul Giannamore – Managing Director & M&A advisor at Potomac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgiannamore