'Smashing It'

GOLDSBORO – The transition back into the warmer months brings about all kinds of familiar positives; sunny days, outdoor athletics, events and festivals, and fervent planning of family vacations. But what’s often forgotten over the course of winter is one pesky, much less exciting aspect of Spring and Summer: bugs. Or as one of Caroline’s youngest budding entrepreneurs calls them: Bugz.

You may have seen signs advertising Robshaw’s Dead Bugz LLC popping up all over the county. The company, launched in August of 2024, is owned and operated by Austin Robshaw Jr. out of Goldsboro. Robshaw is now 25 years old.

“Growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I’ve always had a strong interest in animals, insects, and how nature works,” he said, “That interest eventually turned into a career path, and I began gaining hands-on experience in the pest control industry. Over time, I realized I wanted to build my own company that focused on quality service, honesty, and truly helping people.”

The company offers both residential and commercial pest services. “We help protect homes and businesses from insects and rodents through inspections, treatments, preventative strategies, and ongoing maintenance plans,” Robshaw said. A cornerstone of the business, according to Robshaw, is the personal touch. “ I saw an opportunity to provide a more personal and responsive experience than many larger companies…We take real pride in treating every customer with respect, communicating clearly, and doing the job right the first time,” he said. Right now, Robshaws Dead Bugz serves Caroline County and the surrounding area.

Robshaw said that throughout the process of venturing out on his own, he has kept a well-known idiom repeated to him by his dad in the back of his mind, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” “There are long hours day and night, a lot of responsibility, and constant learning involved. But it’s also incredibly fulfilling to build something from the ground up and watch it grow,” he said.

The ambitious task of starting his own business was not without its challenges. He said the biggest hurdle was “getting out of my comfort zone to be able to leave my 9 to 5 job.” Then comes the work of “building the business from scratch” and “getting the name out there in a competitive market.” Now with about a year and half’s experience under his belt, Robshaw still understands that being in business this young entails constantly proving yourself. So far, he thinks he’s done a pretty good job. “I’ve earned the trust and respect of the community I serve. The rewards have been seeing repeat customers, earning that trust, and knowing that the company is growing because of the top notch service we provide,” he said.

With the foundation laid, Robshaw hopes to continue to expand the service area, pest control solutions, workforce, professional education, and client list of Robshaws Dead Bugz LLC.