TKO has come a long way since Collins launched it in 1996. Collins began working for a local pest control company during his late 20's. After suffering a work-related injury he went back to school to study basic entomology and business with the goal of starting his own pest control firm.

He named the company TKO in honour of his grandfather Vincent, a boxing fan, and he chose pink and blue as primary colors in recognition of son Austin, and daughter Alisha. With the support of wife Joann, who left her job as a cosmetologist, TKO made it through those trying early years and began building a reputation for delivering quality service.