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The Bug Bux Podcast is your go-to resource for launching, growing, and scaling a successful pest control company. Hosted by Allan Draper, entrepreneur, investor, and founder of multiple high-growth service businesses, the podcast delivers real-world insights and proven strategies for pest control owners ready to level up.
Allan brings a unique perspective as someone who has built and led pest control companies from the ground up, scaling from zero to multi-million dollar operations. With a passion for entrepreneurship and a deep love for the pest control industry, he shares not just tactics, but mindset shifts and leadership principles to help owners win in business and life.
Each episode features expert guests, in-depth conversations, and powerful solo sessions where Allan breaks down everything from pricing strategies and P&L breakdowns to team building, vendor relationships, and personal development.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to break into the PCT Top 100, the Bug Bux Podcast will help you become a bug money millionaire.
206 Episodes
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Allan is joined by his business partner, Mat Rogers, for a powerful deep dive into what Mat calls the second digital marketing renaissance. They break down how AI is completely changing the way pest control companies are found online, why websites built before 2025 are already out of date, and what PCOs can do right now to stay ahead of the curve. Mat shares the story of a brand-new client who launched into a market with zero presence — and generated leads within six hours of launching their ...
In this episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Chad Louk, founder of Prodigy Pest Solutions in Florida. Chad launched his company in 2018 at just 21 years old, starting as a one-man operation and scaling it into three thriving branches with a fourth on the way. Chad shares his journey from grinding it out on the doors to leading a PCT 100 company and why he believes ethical door-to-door sales can elevate the entire pest control industry. Allan and Chad dive into: The re...
In this episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Allan welcomes Seth Fenn, the founder of Cura Pest Control and a third-generation pest professional with deep roots in the industry. After starting his career in pest control, Seth stepped away to gain valuable experience in the construction and finance sectors. Those years gave him a unique skill set and perspective that he later brought back into pest control when he launched Cura just six years ago. Since then, Cura has grown into one of Southern C...
In this episode, Allan sits down with Lenny Gray, a pioneer in door-to-door (D2D) pest control. Lenny sold nearly 500 accounts in his first summer with Orkin, later founded Mountain West Pest Control (Rove) before its acquisition by Terminix, and has trained thousands of sales reps nationwide. He’s also the author of Door-to-Door Millionaire, the go-to playbook for ethical D2D selling. Together, they dive into: When it’s the right time to launch a new branch; or scale back.Why D2D gets such a...
In this inspiring and candid episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, host Allan Draper sits down with Skye LaJaunie, CEO of LaJaunie’s Pest Control and founder of the Eagles Nest Mastermind, to explore the deeper side of entrepreneurship in the pest control industry. Skye opens up about her journey from humble beginnings to running a thriving pest control business, and the mindset shifts that helped her move from simply trying to survive to building a legacy. She and Allan discuss overcoming impost...
When Alan Framer started his pest control company 16 years ago, he faced the same uncertainty and challenges every new business owner experiences. But he had something many don’t, a seasoned guide. Ray Johnson, former owner of Johnson Pest Control and past President of the NPMA, agreed to mentor him. Alan traveled to Tennessee to work alongside Ray for two full days, soaking in decades of hard-earned wisdom. The insights he gained helped him sidestep costly mistakes, make smarter decisions, a...
What would you do if you only had $5,000 to start your pest control company? In this special roundtable episode, Allan Draper is joined by industry pros Paul Alley, Kyle Weaver, and Bill Kellough to break down exactly how they'd launch from scratch, no fluff, just real experience. From licensing, insurance, and budgeting to guerrilla marketing, social media strategies, and answering your phone at 2 AM, these guys cover what matters when every dollar counts. Whether you're starting out or tigh...
In this powerful solo episode, Allan Draper dives deep into one of the most important decisions a business owner will ever make, who to hire first when starting or scaling a pest control company. Allan breaks down the first five hires he recommends for building a company that doesn’t just survive, but thrives without you. He starts with why your first technician should be someone you can see growing into a leadership role like branch manager. Then, he moves into the importance of hiring a ver...
Don’t miss Allan’s take on the most compelling reason to hire a VA, spoiler alert: it’s not just about saving money. In this episode, Allan sits down with Seth Watson of Focus Virtual Assistants to dig into one of the most overlooked ways to strengthen your pest control company; hiring the right people. They discuss the realities of finding, hiring, and retaining top-tier talent, and why virtual assistants (VAs) from other countries might be the secret weapon your team is missing. Fro...
Are you just another pest control company, or are you building a brand that stands out? In this episode, Allan Draper sits down with Andrew Peluso, founder of Pesty Marketing, to talk about what really separates high-growth PCOs from the rest. From targeting the right audience to dialing in your messaging and actually backing it up, this conversation is packed with practical advice for PCOs ready to grow past the $1M mark and dominate their market. They cover: Why most PCOs blend in (and how ...
In this special solo episode, Allan Draper brings a timely dose of motivation, strategy, and tough love for pest control business owners. Recorded on the 4th of July from rainy Idaho, Allan reflects on three key topics every PCO should hear: A Lesson in Clarity: Allan clears up a recent podcast comment on organic products and shares a crucial lesson about sticking to your service model and avoiding costly client misunderstandings.Mid-Year Mindset Check: Are you sacrificing what matters most w...
Don't miss the part where Allan admits: "I didn’t think I’d be crying during this episode." It’s raw, it’s inspiring, and it’s... Nice. In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, host Allan Draper sits down with Travis Bottoms — 13-year industry vet and co-founder of Nice Pest Company — to explore how authenticity, humor, and heart are transforming what it means to run a pest control business. Travis shares how Nice uses organic social media (with zero ad spend) to drive real customer engage...
In this powerhouse episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Allan sits down with Lee Barrett, President of NISUS Corporation and former CFL running back, to talk about what really makes a company thrive; ts people. From building strong internal culture to empowering team members with creativity and autonomy, Lee shares the leadership philosophies that have made NISUS one of the most respected names in the industry. But that’s not all; Lee drops an exclusive never-before-heard announcement about NISU...
In this info-packed episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan sits down with Toni Simei of Arkion to dig into the world of natural pest control. From what really makes a product “organic” to how Arkion is changing the game with their unique formulations, Toni shares what pest control pros need to know about mosquito and tick control in 2025. They also dive into the language that could get you fined by the Department of Agriculture and how to market smarter without crossing the line. If you're off...
In this episode, Allan Draper, entrepreneur and founder of Bug Bux, shares the origin story of Bug Bux and what’s on the horizon. He dives into the dynamics of partnerships in the home services space, discussing the challenges, opportunities, and keys to building strong, mutually beneficial business relationships.
What do you get when you combine a firefighter, a small-town mayor, and a first-time pest control business owner? You get Matt Alexander—a man who's literally putting out fires on and off the job. In this high-energy episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Eric and Jake sit down with Matt to talk about his whirlwind first year as the founder of Aero Pest Management. From walking away from an embezzlement-ridden partnership to launching his own company with just $26K and a ton of grit, Matt has buil...
In this wildly entertaining and surprisingly heartfelt episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Eric and Jake sit down with the “mad scientist of Syngenta” herself, Lisa Eppler. From studying parasitic wasps in Germany to field-testing herbicides for the Swiss EPA (no, she’s not actually a spy… or is she?), Lisa takes us through her unique journey into the world of pest control. She dishes on: What it's like to freeze cockroaches (for science)Why under applying product can create insecticide-resista...
In this high-energy episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Eric and Jake sit down with Matt Rogers, COO of Lizard, to break down how artificial intelligence is flipping the script on digital marketing. From old-school Yellow Pages nostalgia to the latest in AI-driven SEO, Matt walks us through the new marketing KPIs pest control owners should be tracking—and why "impressions" and "click-through rates" are quickly losing their value.
In this jam-packed episode of the Bug Bux podcast, Eric and Jake sit down with the legendary Dr. Jim Fredericks—board-certified entomologist and Senior VP of Public Affairs at the NPMA. From tick awareness and pest control PR to the difference between NPMA and PPMA, they dig into the resources that can help pest pros thrive. Jim shares insider info on NPMA Pro certification, PPMA Mainframe, and what to expect from PestWorld 2025 in Orlando. If you’re ready to grow your business and your indus...
In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, hosts Eric Bassett and Jake Claus dive into the art (and science) of door-to-door sales—sparked by a real-world question from Dan Christensen in the Facebook group. They unpack why some deals fall apart before the initial service, what it means to sell the right way, and how to train a sales team that closes with integrity. From retention rates to Jake’s proven QBBEC sales flow, this episode is packed with practical insights for owners and reps alike. I...
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