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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.
230 Episodes
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In the pest control industry, it’s easy to fall into the "zero-sum" trap; the idea that for one business to win, another must lose. But what if the opposite were true? What if helping your "competitors" actually helped you grow faster? In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan is joined by Travis Bottoms and Tyler Sublette, founders of Nice Pest Company, who have scaled to 1,600 accounts in just 18 months. We dive deep into why there’s plenty of room for everyone at the table and how a sp...
In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, we sit down with the founders of Peppermint Pest Control to discuss their unconventional journey into the industry. Coming from outside the pest control world with "zero connections" and "zero book of business," they explain how their fresh perspective as consumers led them to challenge industry standards. We dive into: The No-Contract Model: Why they rely on quality service rather than binding paperwork to retain customers.The "Trust Business": Shiftin...
What if the biggest growth lever in your pest control company isn’t marketing, hiring, or pricing… but the people you surround yourself with? In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Kevin Reif, founder of Reif Environmental, to talk about the intangible edge that separates good operators from great ones: community. They dive into the power of relationships inside the pest control industry, why competition doesn’t have to be cutthroat, and how surrounding yourself w...
Is AI about to disrupt the pest control industry, or is it just another tool? In this solo episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper breaks down the real ways artificial intelligence is already impacting pest control and where it won’t be replacing humans anytime soon. From predictive pest data and proactive treatments to smarter routing, automated customer communication, and AI-powered pest identification, Allan explores how forward-thinking companies can use AI to increase retention, imp...
If your phone is ringing but your schedule isn’t filling up, this episode is for you. Allan Draper sits down with Josh Zuniga, CEO of Vult Growth Systems and former record-setting door-to-door rep (1,500 accounts sold in a single year), to break down what’s really holding pest control companies back from scaling their inside sales. They dive into: Why most companies lose deals before the tech ever leaves the shopThe #1 operational mistake that kills closing ratesHow urgency, availability, and...
Acquisitions don’t have to mean massive deals, private equity, or losing your company’s identity. In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Byron Barnes, second-generation pest control owner of Barnes Exterminating in Tennessee, to break down a smarter, more approachable way to grow: micro-acquisitions. Byron shares how he took over his family business at just 22 years old after his father’s passing and modernized a decades-old operation rooted in paper files, accou...
Marketing a pest control company isn’t as simple as posting on social media or turning on Google Ads and for many owners, that’s exactly where frustration sets in. In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, host Allan Draper welcomes back Paul Alley, owner of Pestmaster Services of the Hudson Valley, for a candid, boots-on-the-ground conversation about what it really takes to market and grow a pest control business today. Paul shares the challenges he faced trying to hire an in-house marketer, w...
What does it really take to get out of the truck and build a pest control company that can grow without you? In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with John Stopka, co-founder of Liberty Pest Control, to break down how John scaled his company past $1M in under two years, starting at just 25 years old, by focusing on leadership, systems, and intentional hiring from day one. John shares his mindset shift from technician to business owner, why he never wanted to “creat...
As the industry heads into a new year, strong leadership and people development matter more than ever. In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Alan Feuer, Associate Certified Entomologist with over 36 years in the pest control industry, Marine Corps veteran, and former Technical Director at Preventive Pest Control. Together, they dive deep into what it really takes to hire, train, and retain great technicians and why most companies struggle to do it well. Alan shar...
In this insightful episode, Allan Draper sits down with Scott Sandberg, co-founder of RUVA Pest Control, to explore how building the right culture is the key to sustainable growth in the pest control industry. Scott shares the inside story of how RUVA scaled to nearly $3 million in recurring revenue and earned thousands of five-star Google reviews in just a few years, without compromising on company values or employee satisfaction. They dive deep into RUVA’s approach to hiring, emphasizing mi...
In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper is joined by Jared Ingalls, Vice President of Sales at Pest Management Supply, to unpack one of the most overlooked growth levers in pest control: your relationship with your distributor. With more than 30 years in the industry, Jared shares what most new (and even experienced) pest control owners get wrong about suppliers and why treating them as true partners can save you money, time, and costly mistakes. From helping new operators get li...
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Jana Lloyd, owner of Antelope Hills Pest Control in Lincoln, California. What unfolds is not a typical growth or scaling story but a reminder of why many of us got into pest control in the first place. Jana shares how she and her late husband built a one-route pest control business rooted in honesty, hard work, and community. After tragedy forced her to step fully into the field, first as a techni...
In this unscripted, wide-ranging episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with longtime friend and pest control marketing expert Matt Rogers for a raw, honest conversation about planning for growth in 2026. Drawing from real-world experience growing Killingsworth from $8M to $28M and lessons learned from both wins and failures Matt breaks down why the most successful pest control companies win before the season ever starts. From building a realistic budget and setting meas...
In this episode of the BugBux Podcast, Allan sits down with industry veteran Harry Bryan, Director of Business Development at Nisus Corporation, who brings over 30 years of pest control and agricultural experience to the table. Together, they explore how the industry has evolved—from smarter customers and better-trained technicians to the rise of online communities and AI tools like ChatGPT. Harry shares practical insights on: How pest control has shifted from chemical-first to sustaina...
In this episode of The Bug Bux Podcast, host Allan Draper sits down with Reagan Nickl, Vice President of Customer Success at Ask Nicely, to talk about one of the most overlooked growth levers in the pest control industry: customer experience. While many PCOs are focused on marketing, advertising, and new customer acquisition, Reagan shares why the smartest companies are investing their energy in retention, reviews, and referrals. Drawing from her experience helping home service brands across ...
In this special Thanksgiving episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Allan Draper opens up about gratitude, community, and the transformative power of clear goal-setting. Recorded ahead of the holiday but released on Thanksgiving weekend, Allan reflects on the origins of the Bug Bucks community, how it was born during one of the most turbulent times in the pest control industry, and why he’s more grateful than ever for every listener, member, and contributor. Then, Allan dives deep into his persona...
In this episode of The Bug Bux Podcast, host Allan Draper sits down with Isabelle Lucero, Technical Sales and Compliance Manager at JT Eaton, to unpack one of the industry’s most pressing topics, the evolving landscape of pesticide and rodenticide regulations. Isabelle, who holds a master’s degree in entomology from the University of Kentucky, shares insights on how new EPA and state-level restrictions are shaping pest control practices across the U.S., what PCOs should be watching for, and h...
In this solo episode, Allan Draper dives deep into one of the most misunderstood parts of entrepreneurship — sacrifice. Drawing from his own early experiences building Proof Pest Control and lessons from his upcoming book, Allan challenges the idea that sacrifice means loss. He explains why true sacrifice only happens when we trade something of greater value for something lesser, and how entrepreneurs can protect what matters most — faith, family, and personal growth — while still building t...
In this episode, Allan Draper sits down with Davin, the 21-year-old owner of Redline Pest Control, a fast-growing, family-owned company out of Arizona. Davin shares how his early experiences in solar and carwash sales fueled his passion for entrepreneurship — and how he turned those lessons into a thriving pest control business. From running services out of the back of his Audi to building a trusted brand with his dad, Davin talks about the grind, the setbacks, and the rewards of building som...
Join your host, Allan Draper, and the guys on the final night in the Real Pest World house in Orlando. With the "The Real Pest World Orlando" officially wrapped, the crew is both tired and motivated as they share their closing thoughts, highlights, and the powerful connections they've solidified. This episode isn't just a recap; it's a look ahead. They dive deep into the philosophy of "The Real Pest World"—moving beyond competition to foster a community where "you can't compete with us, we wa...
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