Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Riley Rhinehart

We recently had the chance to connect with Riley Rhinehart and have shared our conversation below.

Riley, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, a normal day for me starts early usually with checking calls, voicemails, and messages from customers who may have had overnight wildlife issues. From there, I plan out my day based on scheduled inspections, trap checks, or removal jobs. A big part of my routine is making sure traps are set properly and checking on any active jobs in progress. I also spend time educating customers on how to prevent future issues, and sometimes I’ll follow up on exclusion work we’ve done. In between jobs, I handle business-related tasks like updating our website, posting on social media, and managing customer communication. Every day is a little different depending on the season and the animals we’re dealing with, but I enjoy the hands on work and being able to help people solve real problems

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Riley Rhinehart, owner of A-Team Wildlife Removal. We’re a locally owned and operated wildlife removal and exclusion company serving Nashville, Murfreesboro, and the surrounding areas in Middle Tennessee. What makes us different is our hands on, honest approach. We don’t just trap animals, we solve the root of the problem by identifying how they’re getting in and sealing up entry points to prevent future issues.

I got into this work because I enjoy helping people and working outdoors, and I saw a real need for professional, dependable service in this field. Every job is different, and I take pride in offering solutions that are effective, humane, and tailored to each property. Right now, we’re focused on helping more homeowners understand how wildlife problems start and what they can do to protect their homes long term.

Whether it’s raccoons in the attic, armadillos tearing up the yard, or bats getting into tight spaces, we’re here to help and we stand behind our work.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I had to be perfect to be accepted. That making mistakes meant I wasn’t good enough. I thought I had to have all the answers, do everything right, and never disappoint anyone. Over time, I’ve learned that growth comes from failure, and that being real is more valuable than being perfect. I’ve come to understand that my worth isn’t tied to how flawless I am, but to how I show up, learn, and keep going. That shift has changed everything for me, personally and professionally

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up Especially early on when I was building my business. The long hours, financial stress, and the pressure to make it work felt overwhelming. There were moments when I questioned if it was worth it or if I was in over my head. But what kept me going was remembering why I started: to build something real, to help people, and to have control over my future. Every obstacle taught me something, and I realized that pushing through the hard days is what separates those who succeed from those who don’t.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the wildlife removal industry is that high prices always mean high quality. Some companies seriously overcharge for basic trapping or patch jobs, hoping customers won’t know the difference. They might talk a big game but cut corners or use cheap materials behind the scenes. Another common lie is offering “free inspections” just to get in the door and push expensive services the customer may not even need. We believe in honest pricing, quality work, and giving people real solutions, not sales tactics

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I was born to do — but it took a while to figure that out. I wasn’t handed a clear path or told this was the direction I should take. In fact, what I do now is the complete opposite of what most people expect. I built my business from the ground up because I wanted something real, hands-on, and meaningful. I like solving problems, working outdoors, and helping people protect their homes. This work fits me — it challenges me, pushes me, and gives me purpose. No one told me to do this — I chose it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Ateamwildliferemoval.com
• Instagram: @ateamwildliferemoval
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/ateamwildliferemoval
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/a-team-wildlife-removal-nashville-2