He built three companies, became a CEO twice, and credits it all to his 6th grade teacher
Lessons in Leadership
Giving Back, One Entrepreneur at a Time
When David Royce looks back on his journey from a restless child struggling with undiagnosed ADHD to the founder of three multimillion-dollar companies, he doesn't begin with business plans or boardrooms. Instead, he begins with a name etched in his heart: Lynn Luft , his sixth-grade teacher.Today, Royce is a celebrated entrepreneur, the founder and former chairman of Aptive Environmental , a company that in less than a decade became the third-largest residential pest control firm in North America, earning over $500 million in annual revenue. He's also a two-time CEO and an Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year winner. But for all the headlines and accolades, Royce says none of it would have been possible without the transformative role of one teacher who believed in him before he believed in himself.This moving account was recently shared in an interview with CNBC Make It, where Royce opened up about the critical early intervention that changed the trajectory of his life.In elementary school, Royce often felt like an outsider, especially when some teachers failed to understand his learning needs. One painful memory from fifth grade stands out: classmates laughing at him, and the teacher joining in. 'It was not an environment that inspired confidence,' he recalls.Then came sixth grade and Lynn Luft.'She created a safe space for all students to learn,' Royce said. Luft ensured that no teasing went unaddressed, lovingly correcting students and promoting empathy. It wasn't just academic help; it was emotional scaffolding. Her classroom became a sanctuary, a place where Royce felt seen, understood, and empowered.What stuck with Royce wasn't the syllabus, it was the spirit. Luft, he says, taught him a different kind of curriculum: how to lead with compassion, how to lift others up, and how to foster belonging.'She taught me the importance of not just being respectful,' Royce told CNBC, 'but actively searching out ways to make others feel good about themselves.'That became the bedrock of his leadership philosophy. At Aptive, one of the core values is 'elevate the tribe' — a direct inheritance from Luft's classroom culture. Whether leading startups or training sales teams late into the night, Royce continued the tradition of building people up.Royce's passion now extends beyond pest control. He regularly speaks at universities and serves as a judge at business competitions, sharing his story to inspire future leaders. On his LinkedIn profile, he lists his core interests as entrepreneurship , strategy, and manager development and business culture.Through all the scale and success, he's never lost sight of his roots. 'Everyone learns at a different pace,' he says, remembering how Luft patiently tutored him after class to help him grasp the material.It's this philosophy, one that champions individual growth, patience, and empathy, that Royce has scaled just as ambitiously as his businesses.David Royce sees himself as a product of belief; not only his own, but someone else's, a teacher who saw promise in a child struggling to stay still, and who chose kindness over criticism.'She changed everything,' Royce says. And in doing so, she may have shaped the future of an industry and the lives of countless employees inspired by Royce's leadership.
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White House official reveals why US didn't tariff China for buying Russian oil: 'Don't want to get to a point…'
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India.com
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From fighter jets to bullets..., Trump goes soft on China after Beijing threatens to....
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From Busting Trump's Ceasefire Claim To Bursting Cong's Pak 'Sympathy'- PM Modi's Full Speech in LS This statement ran counter to Trump's long-standing claim that he helped de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan. Earlier, the US President had said on Truth Social, 'I settled a war a month. India-Pakistan was one of them.' Indian officials confirmed that the only contact from the US came via Vice President J D Vance, who warned India that Pakistan may launch an offensive. PM Modi reportedly told Vance that India would retaliate forcefully: 'Each bullet would be met with a shell.' While some saw PM Modi's statement as a necessary correction, others believe it may have added fuel to Trump's wrath. 'It's not about Epstein or PM Modi's speech — it's strategy' Professor Rajan Kumar of the School of International Relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University believes the tariff hike has less to do with Trump's bruised ego and more to do with calculated strategy. 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Bonhomie with Pakistan and a bluff on oil Trump's tactics also include posturing on Pakistan, a nation he has historically criticised. But recently, he has praised Islamabad for nominating him for a Nobel Peace Prize and reportedly offered support for Pakistan's entry into the energy export market -- including potential sales to India. 'Trump is also trying to show some bonhomie with Pakistan,' Prof. Kumar said. 'But let me tell you, that's a bluff. Pakistan is in bad shape. No major investor is looking at Pakistan right now. It doesn't have reliable reserves, and companies have burnt their fingers there before.' India, meanwhile, has brushed off the suggestion that it might buy oil from Pakistan. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters, 'I have no comments to offer in this matter.' Strategic autonomy and calculated caution Despite the aggressive rhetoric from Washington, India has remained measured. The MEA has reiterated its commitment to a multi-aligned foreign policy. 'Our bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country,' said Jaiswal. 'India and Russia have a steady and time-tested partnership,' he added, pointing out that India's defence and energy purchases are guided by national security and economic needs. Russia remains India's top oil supplier, accounting for nearly 40 percent of crude imports -- a major shift from just 0.2 percent before the Ukraine war. Indian oil companies have shown no signs of halting imports despite the tariff threats from Washington. Commerce minister Piyush Goyal , addressing Parliament, said: 'The government gives utmost priority to safeguarding the welfare of farmers, labourers, exporters, MSMEs, and industrialists.' Pressure versus principle Trump's assertion that India's purchases are prolonging the Ukraine conflict has been met with scepticism in New Delhi. Indian officials have quietly pointed to the hypocrisy of Western nations, including members of the EU, which continue to conduct substantial trade with Russia. 'India, so far, hasn't reacted strongly,' said Prof. Kumar. 'The statement that came from the ministry recently was measured and cautious. It tried to show a mirror to both Europe and Pakistan, pointing out that the European Union still has billions in trade with Russia, and even the US continues some imports.' Still, Kumar warns that Trump's tactics may escalate further. 'If there's no deal, Trump won't stop at 25 percent tariffs. He might go higher and add penalties for BRICS membership or trade with Russia. India expects any negotiated deal to cap tariffs between 20 to 25 percent.' He added that India must also push back on energy realities. 'India should convey to the US that if we shift our oil imports away from Russia, and buy from the same market as Europe, oil prices will shoot up by $15 to $20 a barrel. That will hurt everyone — including the US and Europe.' A narrow window for diplomacy India is bracing for the upcoming visit of a US trade delegation later this month. New Delhi hopes that the talks will lead to a mutually acceptable deal on tariffs, even as it makes clear that foreign policy decisions -- especially on Russia -- will not be dictated from outside. 'NSA has already reached Moscow. The external affairs minister is also expected to visit. These visits send a message that India will pursue an independent foreign policy based on national interest,' Kumar said. 'India should be ready for a deal -- but only on trade and tariffs. On strategic autonomy and foreign policy, especially with Russia, India should stand firm.' Despite the looming deadline, India's official stance remains open to negotiation. 'India believes negotiations are still possible. A US team is expected later this month. India would rather have a bad deal than no deal,' Kumar noted. But he cautioned against retaliatory tariffs as a diplomatic strategy. 'Even if India raises tariffs on US imports in retaliation, it won't change Trump's behaviour. In fact, it might provoke him to go even harder. That's not good advice at this point.' A test for the relationship President Trump has made it clear -- through tariffs, penalties, and strong words -- that he views India's energy policy and trade practices as incompatible with US interests. But whether this coercive approach results in diplomatic breakthrough or deeper strain remains to be seen. 'The August First deadline is the August First deadline — it stands strong, and will not be extended. A big day for America!!!' Trump declared on Truth Social. For now, India appears unwilling to compromise on its strategic autonomy. With economic stakes rising, the coming weeks will reveal whether the world's largest democracies can navigate this impasse, or whether Trump's hardline tactics will deepen the divide.
