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Description
Bug Bux Podcast is designed to help pest control owners start and rapidly scale their company. The hosts, Eric Bassett and Jake Claus, are experts in the pest industry, and they are committed to providing the best guests and resources to help entrepreneurs. Their goal is to help you become a bug money millionaire.
Eric Bassett started out as a door-to-door sales representative in 2008. Then he quickly worked his way into upper management and a sales director role before joining Natura as an owner and Vice President. His areas of expertise are inside sales and customer service training, organizational leadership development, and business strategy. He's also an Associate Certified Entomologist. You can follow his journey on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram @iamericbassett
Jake Claus started his journey in the pest control world in 2005, selling door-to-door for brands across Idaho, California, and Texas until he and his wife, Jana, started Natura Pest Control in the Portland, Or/Vancouver, Wa area in 2013. Jake loves the science and service side of pest control, as well as developing innovative ways to grow and expand his business. Personal development and pursuing his vision for his business and family achievements are his number one endeavor. Aside from being the President and Founder of Natura Pest Control, Jake is also an Associate Certified Entomologist, Structural Pest Inspector, and holds licenses in every major category of structural pest control. Jake is also a part-time paid Firefighter/EMT with his local fire department.
131 Episodes
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Building a pest control company should align with personal goals, not just financial gain. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Casey Jones, owner of Hydra Pest Control. Casey emphasizes the importance of starting a business with the end goal in mind and focusing on creating a company that aligns with personal values and long-term goals. He shares the journey that led him from various industries to the pest control industry, driven by a desire to provide for his family and contribute positively to his community.Topics include:Introduction (0:00)Guest Introduction: Casey Jones from Hydra Pest (2:53)Branding and Company Growth (6:08)Expanding Service Offerings in a Small Market (8:49)The Importance of Accountability in Business (13:38)Growth Strategies for Small Market PCOs (17:26)Building a Company to Sell vs. Not to Sell (21:10)The Value of Time and Family in Business (24:41)Starting with the End Goal in Mind (27:45)The Concept of Time Freedom (31:26)
From door-to-door sales to owning a pest control company, this story is one of hard work and determination! In today's episode, Eric and Jake had the pleasure of chatting with Degen Perry, owner of Black Pearl Pest Control. Degen shares his journey from considering a career in dentistry to becoming a pest control owner during the uncertain times of 2020. Degen discusses the advantages of offering a variety of pest control services to become a "one-stop-shop" for customers. Topics include:Introduction (0:00)Guest Introduction: Degen Perry (2:40)How Black Pearl Pest Control Got Its Name (4:00)Degen's Journey in Pest Control (5:33) Growth Methods and Customer Acquisition (7:55) Collaborating with Other Pest Control Companies (9:50) Weed Control as a Business Segment (14:36) Main Focus for the Fourth Year of Business (17:41) Starting Black Pearl During COVID (22:15)Uniformity Among Technicians (27:20) The Importance of Culture and Customer Experience (30:31) Degen's Pro Tips for the Audience (32:01)
Leadership, empathy, and inspiring team growth are essential elements in building a successful pest control company. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Shad Teerlink, CEO of Evolve Pest Control. Shad shares his experience of establishing and expanding Evolve Pest Control, highlighting the necessity of ongoing evaluation and improvement in both leadership and operations. Topics include:Introduction (0:00)Origin story of Evolve Pest Control (5:15)Leadership and company culture (9:45)Building systems for scalability (14:33)Building a strong team (17:47)Plan or No Plan? (25:14)Determination and Learning in Business (28:36)Challenges of being a leader (33:50)Leadership growth and self-awareness (36:30)Conclusion (42:12)
In today’s episode, Eric and Jake play a fun, thought-provoking game of "Would You Rather.” They debated various scenarios, such as: Focusing on customer retention vs. acquisition, saying out of debt vs. leveraging growth debt, hiring experienced technicians vs. training newbies and so much more! Topics Include: Introduction (0:00) Would You Rather Game: Pest Control Edition (3:41)Retention vs. Customer Acquisition (4:18) Hiring Experienced Technicians vs. Training Newbies (5:52)Expanding Service Offerings vs. Sticking to Core Services (11:00) Short-Term Profitability vs. Long-Term Sustainability (14:02) Staying Out of Debt vs. Leveraging Debt for Growth (19:23) Focusing on Current Market vs. Expanding Geographically(23:35) Lightning Round: Personal and Pop Culture Opinions (28:33)
Eric and Jake kicked off today’s episode discussing the importance of having a customer agreement, which outlines the services provided, payment details, and other legal protections. They answer a question posted in the Bug Bux Facebook group by Jordan Wheeler. The question is “I've seen more D2D companies doing 18-24 month agreements. What is your general pest agreement length?”Topics include:Introduction (0:00) Topic Introduction: Pest Agreement Length (3:17)Importance of Customer Agreements (5:00) Philosophy Behind Term Commitments (6:30) Pros of Not Having a Term Commitment (10:07) The Value of Contracts in Customer Retention (13:40) Pros and Cons of 18- to 24-Month Agreements (19:06) Final Thoughts on Contracts and Customer Relationships (26:00)
Pest control owners need to carefully allocate their marketing budgets to ensure they are maximizing their return on investment and driving revenue growth. In today's episode, Eric and Jake have pleasure of hosting Mat Rogers, the COO of Lizard SEM, for his seventh appearance on the show. Mat shares invaluable insights into the world of digital marketing for pest control companies, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond just one tool or platform. Topics include:Introduction (0:00)Catching Up with Mat Rogers (2:07)Marketing Strategies and Budgeting (5:21)Achieving Marketing Results (6:52) Marketing Projections and Business Planning (7:38) Local Service Ads (LSA) Trends and Tips (9:48) The Importance of Diverse Marketing Tools (11:44) The Triforce of Digital Marketing (13:16) The Impact of Fun and Engaging Content (17:07) Natura's Marketing Success with Lizard SEM (19:03) Killingsworth's Unique Marketing Approach (23:09) Reactive vs. Proactive Marketing Strategies (25:54)The Long-Term Benefits of Building a Brand (29:29) The Future of Marketing and Business Growth (33:10)
AI technology in pest control has the potential to revolutionize the industry by enhancing efficiency and improving customer interactions. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Aaron Cooper, the co-founder and CEO of SameDay. SameDay's Artificial Intelligence will answer the phone and book appointments, just like your best sales person. Aaron discusses how AI can efficiently handle customer inquiries and scheduling with precision and consistency. Topics Include:Introduction (0:00)Meet Aaron Cooper, CEO of SameDay (2:40)The Cost of Missed Leads in Pest Control (6:32)From Concept to Reality (8:00) The Capabilities of SameDay's AI (13:04) Voice Cloning Feature in SameDay (14:00) The Flexibility and Adaptability of AI (17:07) AI's Role in Customer Service and Sales (23:00)AI's Expanding Capabilities in Various Industries (27:00)AI as a Tool for Efficiency and Growth (29:00) AI's Role in Enhancing Team Performance (33:08)
Networking and connecting with industry professionals can be a game-changer for your pest control company. This week, Eric and Jake had the pleasure of chatting with Kevin Reif, an inspiring entrepreneur who shares his journey from door-to-door sales to launching his own pest control company, Reif Environmental. Kevin also shares insights into how he developed a brand that conveys trust and professionalism, attracting quality customers and fostering long-lasting relationships. Topics include:Introduction (0:00)Kevin Reif's story (4:33)Networking and business growth (8:01)Kevin's biggest challenge (9:22)Preparing for busy season (14:05)Building a brand identity (15:50)Social media and partnering with influencers (17:50)Kevin's growth goals (23:45)Quality over quantity (27:00) Delegation and team building (31:14)
In today’s episode, Eric and Jake welcome Jonas Olson the CEO of Turf Badger and host of the Pest Control Millionaire Podcast. Jonas shares his candid story of starting out in lawn care, transitioning to pest control, and the lessons learned along the way. He emphasized the importance of focusing on one service, mastering it, and then scaling up before adding more services. Topics include:Introduction (0:00) Introducing Jonas Olson (2:33)Jonas’s Background in Pest Control (5:25)Transitioning to Pest Control from Lawn Care (10:00)Scaling the Pest Control Business (14:10)The Importance of Focusing on One Service at a Time (16:08) Discussing Business Expenses and Profit Margins (18:40)The Importance of Knowing Your Business Numbers (21:00)Adjusting Service Offerings for Seasonal Challenges (23:00) Maintaining a Clean and Organized Workspace (27:26)The Impact of Culture and Standards on Business (29:41) Closing Remarks (34:30)
In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Jerry Wickwire and Josh Tonn, co-owners of Freedom Force Pest Control. Before starting their own company in 2021, both co-owners gained valuable experience in the pest control industry. Hear their incredible journey, marketing tactics, and how they built a strong brand. Topics include:Introduction (0:00)Background of Freedom Force Pest Control (2:22)Transitioning to Business Ownership (3:15)Origin of the Name Freedom Force Pest Control (5:55) Branding and Logo Design (7:28) Marketing and Branding Strategy (10:27) Utilizing Angie/Home Advisor (12:15) Social Media and Online Presence (15:10) Family and Friends in Business (19:32) Importance of Google Reviews (22:00) Future Plans and Growth (27:23)
Which key considerations should you keep in mind when it comes to choosing your service vehicle? This decision isn't easy and will greatly impact your operation. In today’s episode Eric and Jake Discuss their experience with different vehicles, and they share their top considerations when selecting a service vehicle. Topics include:Introduction (0.00) Question posted by Kris Holden in the Bug Bux Facebook group (2:57)History of Natura’s fleet vehicles (3:51)Considerations for choosing service vehicles (9:20)Importance of vehicle safety (12:57)Capabilities and Capacity (14:56)Longevity and mechanical reliability of vehicles (16:52)Insurance impact on vehicle choice (19:16) Having a back up vehicle and final thoughts (22:11)
In today's episode, Eric and Jake discuss the importance of hiring your replacement in order to free up your time and focus on the aspects of your pest control business that you truly enjoy. Tune in to learn how to scale and grow your pest control company while overcoming unexpected challenges. Topics include:Introduction (0:00) Question from Matthew Mariscal in the Bug Bux Facebook Group (3:04) Advice for Technicians with High Aspirations (4:44) Encouraging Intrapreneurship (5:57) Delegating to Grow Your Business (7:45) Non-Compete and Non-Solicit Agreements Explained (10:03) Building a Team and Delegating Tasks (14:16)Hiring Your Own Replacement (17:10)Protecting Your Business and Livelihood (30:00)
Incorporating KPIs into your pest control company is crucial for strategically achieving goals and objectives. In today’s episode, Eric and Jake answer a question posted by Jake Ingledue in the Bug Bux Facebook group. The question is, “If you could only pick 3 KPIs for technicians, what do you feel are the most important?” Eric and Jake dive deep into this topic and they each discuss their top three answers. Topics Include:Introduction (0:00)KPIs for technician performance (3:53)Evaluating service technicians' efficiency and quality (9:19)KPIs for service businesses: reservice rate and technician sales (20:21)Vehicle maintenance and technician performance evaluation (24:55)
Confidence is king and success comes from being confident with your business decisions and customer expectations. In today’s episode, Eric and Jake answer several questions posted in the Bug Bux Facebook group. Topics include:Introduction (0:00)Pest control logistics and customer expectations (3:50)Pest control marketing strategies and customer communication (8:00)Price lock guarantees and their potential drawbacks (13:50)Challenges of offering free inspections (19:00) Sales strategies and customer requests (25:13)Pest control safety and standard operating procedures (28:56)
In today's episode, host Eric Bassett introduces his new co-host, Jake Claus, who brings 19 years of experience in the pest control industry. Jake is not only Eric's brother-in-law but also the founder and co-owner of Natura Pest Control. Together, they discuss various aspects of the pest control business, including door-to-door sales, technical expertise, operational management, and leadership development. Topics include:Introduction (0:00)Jake's experience and perspective (2:10)Golden handcuffs and career choices (11:08)Door-to-door pest control experiences (13:42)Community involvement in pest control (21:44)Maintaining presence with customers (23:15)Personalized touch and building trust (26:42)The blessings of pest control (30:50)
The Bug Bux podcast has a few exciting enhancements for 2024! In today's episode, Allan and Eric discuss how the podcast has evolved and improved over time, with better content, more relevant topics, and high-quality guests. Topics include:Introduction (0:00)How the Bug Bux podcast has evolved (2:27)Allan's journey with the podcast (3:23)Sharing ideas and questions in the Bug Bux Facebook Group (9:38) Value comes from helping others (18:15) Allan's experience and expertise is valuable (19:52) Eric's gratitude for networking opportunities (24:41)
Starting a door-to-door program can be a valuable tool for growing your pest control company, but it also comes with some challenges. In today's episode, Allan and Eric discuss the pros, cons, and everything you need to know about launching a high-quality in-house door-to-door program and retaining a positive reputation.Topics include:Introduction (0:00)Launching an in-house door-to-door program is difficult (3:00) Don't do something you hate (4:33) Challenges and cost of door-to-door (7:55) Consider pros and cons carefully (16:49) Balancing growth and cost (19:20) Building a door-to-door team requires dedication (27:20)
In today's episode, Allan and Eric discuss the importance of pricing in the pest control industry. They highlight how pricing can serve as a marketing tactic, communicating the quality and type of services a company offers. Topics include:Introduction (0:00)Pricing question from the Bug Bux Facebook group (2:13)How pricing affects long-term goals (6:40)Price increases are necessary for business sustainability (11:35)Pricing is a marketing tactic (20:13)
In today's episode, Allan and Eric discuss the significance of having signed service agreements for pest control companies. Having signed agreements ensures clarity and understanding between parties, and also provides protection from liability. Topics include:Introduction (0:00) Essential clauses for pest control service agreements (4:05)Importance of clear service agreements (5:14) Building credibility (11:28) Agreements and contracts (17:05)Walk through the service agreement confidently (19:12)
From humble beginnings during the Great Depression to becoming a multi-million dollar enterprise, Sprague Pest Solutions has overcome numerous challenges and embraced change. In today's episode, Allan and Eric welcome AJ Treleven. AJ is the Director of Operations at Sprague Pest Solutions and he shares the remarkable story of his family's generational growth in their family business.Topics Include:AJ’s extensive experience and expertise in the pest control industry (1:45)Generational growth in family business (5:09)Embrace diversity within your organization(13:11)Quality control is a top priority (18:00)Importance of pest control compliance (21:00)Family business emphasizes stewardship (30:09)Industry growth allows for generational success (36:50)
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