Episode 212
From Farm Life to Multi-Million Dollar Business: Kari Warberg Block’s Journey to Revolutionizing Pest Control
Traditional pest control relies heavily on toxic chemicals, putting families, pets, and the environment at risk. But what if there was a natural, effective, and sustainable alternative? Kari Warberg Block grew up on a farm where pesticides were a part of daily life. After witnessing the devastating effects of chemicals on her family and experiencing a terrifying mouse encounter, she became determined to find a better way. But when she reached out to pest control companies, they laughed at her idea.
In this episode, Kari shares how she turned rejection into resilience and built EarthKind, the first EPA-registered botanical rodent repellent brand, now in over 35,000 stores. Learn how she overcame industry pushback, scaled a sustainable business, and created a new category in pest control—all while staying true to her mission.
Key Takeaways:
• Identifying a Market Gap: Kari shares how personal experience and consumer demand for non-toxic pest control inspired her to create EarthKind.
• Overcoming Industry Resistance: Learn how Kari fought against a chemical-dominated industry and proved that natural solutions could be just as effective.
• Scaling a Sustainable Business: Discover how Kari took EarthKind from a farm-based idea to a nationwide brand, with a triple-bottom-line approach (People, Planet, Profit).
• Resilience in Entrepreneurship: Kari reveals how she navigated rejection, legal battles, and supply chain issues to build a successful, ethical business.
• Creating a Category-Defining Product: Learn how Kari’s innovation led to the first-ever botanical rodent repellent receiving federal EPA registration.
About the Guest:
Kari began her entrepreneurial journey as a farmwife with an annual income of just $18,000. Despite limited resources, she identified a gap in the market and saw the potential to build a successful business. Kari has transformed her small pest control business into a $360 million empire today. Through her unwavering determination, innovative approach, and successful lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., Kari revolutionized the industry by introducing non-toxic pest control solutions.
Kari's story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs, demonstrating that anyone can achieve extraordinary success with passion, perseverance, and vision. (Standing up for your beliefs, including successfully lobbying Washington for change against toxic products that hurt children and adults!) Even more, Kari is known by most as a #KindnessRebel, which means caring enough to stand up and speak up for yourself. This unwavering belief gave Kari the courage to go against the grain when necessary to achieve success. She’s on a mission to work alongside other #KindnessRebels who aren't scared to stand up for what they believe in their homes, communities, and workplaces.
Links:
Fast Five Questions:
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? "Become an advisor to small businesses and use knowledge to generate income. If starting over, she’d invest in Day Trading Attention by Gary Vaynerchuk to master social media marketing."
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Giving away equity too early, which led to loss of control and conflicts when unforeseen challenges hit, like supply chain disruptions and economic downturns.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “Gathering Around the Table (her book), which provides a framework for making values-driven business decisions.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Social media and content marketing, which helped EarthKind scale nationally without relying on traditional advertising.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “Having the ability to create, innovate, and make business decisions that align with your values without external pressures.”
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/
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