We recently had the chance to connect with Aaron Rice and have shared our conversation below.
Aaron, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
You should hire me and my company because we bring the right mix of experience, equipment, and professionalism to get your job done safely, efficiently, and to your standards. We own our equipment, which keeps costs competitive, and we’re fully insured so you have peace of mind. What really sets us apart is communication — when we give a timeline and a scope of work, we stick to it, and we leave your property clean and ready for the next stage. Our goal is not just to finish one job, but to build long-term relationships where you know you can call us for any project.
Why not? The only reason would be if someone’s looking for the absolute cheapest option with corners cut. We don’t compete to be the lowest bidder; we compete on value, quality, and reliability. If a client wants a partner they can trust to handle demolition and land work the right way, then we’re the right fit.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Aaron Rice, and I’m the owner of Quality Demolition & Land Clearing here in East Tennessee. We specialize in demolition, land clearing, excavation, and site preparation for both residential and commercial projects. What makes us unique is that we’re a family-owned business that actually owns and operates our own heavy equipment, which means we control the quality, safety, and efficiency of every job. We take pride in combining big-equipment capabilities with a small-business level of communication and accountability. My story is pretty simple: I started with a vision to provide honest, reliable site work in this area, and over the years we’ve grown into a trusted partner for homeowners, developers, and contractors across Knoxville and the surrounding counties. Right now, we’re focused on scaling our operations to handle larger projects while still keeping that personal touch that keeps clients coming back. Our brand stands for trust, hard work, and leaving every job better than we found it.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me the most about work is my father. He owned a remodeling company when I was a kid, and I started working with him as early as 11 years old. I stayed in that trade until I was 19, when we made the move to Knoxville. Those years gave me hands-on experience, but more importantly, they taught me discipline, craftsmanship, and what it means to take pride in your work. Today, he still helps me run our business, and we’ve built it together on those same values — honesty, hard work, and treating every project as if it were our own.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me lessons that success alone never could. When we started this company, I didn’t have a lot of money or resources. We had to start small, stretch every dollar, and go through some tough times. That experience forced me to be patient, consistent, and resourceful. It taught me to appreciate growth as a process, not something that happens overnight. Success feels good, but the struggles are what gave me the resilience and perspective to keep pushing forward and to value every milestone we’ve reached.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes — the public version of me is the real me. I believe in treating everyone with the same respect and dignity, whether it’s the janitor or the CEO. We’re all people, and how you treat others says more about your character than any title ever will. That consistency in behavior — respect, accountability, and professionalism — is how I run my business and how I expect my team to operate.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people remember me as someone who was kind, friendly, and genuine. I want to be known as a man who worked extremely hard, built something meaningful, and did it without ever losing sight of what really matters — my family. At the end of the day, success is great, but being remembered as a good person, a loyal friend, and a devoted husband and father means the most to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Demoknox.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qualitydemo/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/quality-demolition-and-land-clearing-knoxville
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@demoknox
