Podcast
Bug Bux Podcast
Hosted by Allan Draper · EN
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.
34episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Premium Pricing, Better Customers & Bigger Profits with Luke Lewis | EP 243
6d ago00:34:13Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a former FBI intelligence analyst enters the pest control industry with zero experience?In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Luke Lewis, founder of Native Pest Management, to talk about building one of the fastest-growing pest control companies in the country.Luke shares how he went from working in the FBI to launching Native Pest Management in 2015, growing it into an Inc. 5000 company five years in a row and landing #63 on the PCT Top 100 list.The conversation dives deep into:The biggest pricing mistakes new PCOs makeWhy cheap pricing attracts the worst customersHow premium pricing improves company cultureWhen and how to raise prices without losing customersBuilding a high-quality brand in competitive marketsThe importance of paying technicians wellWhy many pest control owners are afraid to grow profitablyIf you’re trying to scale your pest control company, improve profitability, or position your business as a premium service provider, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.
Transcribe →The Real Weight of Building a Pest Control Business | EP 242
2w ago00:23:04Tap to summarizeIn this solo episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper opens up about the emotional side of building a business that most owners never talk about.From difficult employees and angry customers to growth pressure, burnout, and feeling overlooked in an “unglamorous” industry, Allan shares a reminder every entrepreneur needs to hear.What you do matters.Whether you’re running a million-dollar company or just thinking about starting your business, this episode is about purpose, leadership, family, employees, customers, and pushing through the hard seasons that come with entrepreneurship.If you’ve been feeling discouraged, overlooked, or questioning whether the grind is worth it… this episode is for you.
Transcribe →Pest Control Sales & Marketing Secrets | EP 241
3w ago00:31:15Tap to summarizeWhat does it actually take to scale a pest control company past $1M?In this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Andrew Peluso, founder of Pesty Marketing, to break down the marketing systems, sales processes, and leadership mindset that separate struggling operators from high-growth pest control companies.They dive into:• When pest control companies should hire a marketing agency• Google LSA tips that can instantly improve lead flow• Why response time can make or break your marketing• The real reason most companies waste expensive leads• How better sales systems lower customer acquisition costs• What operators need in place before scaling• Leadership lessons from some of history’s greatest business mindsIf you’re trying to grow your pest control company from $1M to the next level, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can implement immediately.
Transcribe →The Long Game in Business: Relationships, Community & Growth with Tony Carder | EP 240
4w ago00:34:58Tap to summarizeAllan Draper sits down with Tony Carder, owner of True North Pest Control, for a powerful conversation about leadership, relationships, patience, and building businesses the right way.After a successful exit from Active Pest Control and a five-year non-compete, Tony returned to the industry by acquiring multiple companies founded by former employees, proving why burning bridges in business can cost you far more than money.In this episode, Allan and Tony dive into:Why emotional “knee-jerk” reactions hurt leadersThe importance of sleeping on difficult decisionsHow strong relationships can come full circle years laterBuilding company culture through trust and mentorshipWhy community involvement creates long-term business growthThe real timeline for marketing ROI in pest controlDoor-to-door vs. relationship-based growth strategiesHow True North scaled from $1.4M to nearly $9M in revenueTony also shares lessons learned from decades in business, mentoring younger operators, and focusing on principles over short-term wins.Whether you’re building your first route, scaling a multi-million dollar operation, or leading a growing team, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for the long game of business and life.🎧 Listen all the way through for key takeaways, leadership insights, and actionable advice for pest control owners looking to grow sustainably.Join Bug Bux+ https://www.skool.com/bugbux/about
Transcribe →Creating High-Performing Sales Teams Using Incentives, KPIs, and Daily Accountability | EP 239
May 2100:39:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Kyle Turner, founder and CEO of Proactive Pest Control, to unpack how he scaled a pest control company to 140+ employees and multiple locations without relying on traditional door-to-door sales. Kyle shares the early marketing strategies that fueled Proactive’s growth, from dominating Yelp in the early days to leveraging Google LSAs before the market became saturated.The conversation dives deep into building scalable sales systems, creating high-performing teams, and using incentives, KPIs, and daily accountability to drive consistent growth. Kyle also opens up about leadership, delegation, company culture, and why empowering managers, not micromanaging them, has been critical to Proactive’s success.Whether you’re just starting a pest control company or looking to scale your operation, this episode is packed with actionable insights on marketing, leadership, retention, and building a customer-first business that lasts.Join Bug Bux+ Here https://www.skool.com/bugbux/about
Transcribe →From Fighter Pilot to Pest Control Owner | EP 238
May 1400:39:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Alex Daie, former F/A-18 Super Hornet combat pilot, F-35 instructor pilot, Wharton MBA, and now founder of Fortis Pest Control.Alex shares why he left a successful corporate career to launch a pest control company from scratch and the mindset shifts that helped him make the leap into entrepreneurship.They dive deep into:Why recurring revenue businesses are so powerfulWhat fighter pilot training teaches about leadership and accountabilityBuilding a company employees actually love working forCustomer retention vs. chasing new salesHow to handle failure as an entrepreneurThe importance of feedback, debriefing, and constant improvementWhy culture matters more than most owners realizeWhat makes the Bug Bux community differentThis episode isn’t just about pest control, it’s about leadership, growth, ownership, and building something meaningful. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling your business, there’s a lot to take away from this conversation.Join Bug Bux+ Here https://www.skool.com/bugbux/about
Transcribe →How to Book More Jobs Without Hiring | EP 237
May 700:36:29Tap to summarizeMost pest control companies are spending thousands on marketing… and still missing a huge percentage of their leads.In this episode, Allan Draper sits down with Aaron Cooper, CEO of SameDay AI, to break down exactly why that’s happening and how to fix it using AI without needing a big team or technical expertise.They dive into what’s really going on behind missed calls, slow follow-up, and lost revenue and how top operators are using AI to instantly respond to leads, book more jobs, and create a better customer experience.Inside this episode:Why speed is the #1 factor in converting pest control leadsHow AI can handle calls, texts, and follow-up 24/7The right balance between automation and human interactionWhat most companies get wrong when implementing AIHow to get started quickly without overcomplicating your systemsPlus, Aaron shares a powerful (and free) AI tool that can audit your marketing and show you exactly where you're wasting money and where your biggest opportunities are. 👉 Join Bug Bux Plus: https://www.skool.com/bugbux/about
Transcribe →The Real Reason Your Employees Quit (And How to Build a Team That Stays) | EP 236
Apr 3000:34:06Tap to summarizeIf you’re struggling with employee retention… this episode is for you.Allan Draper sits down with Maria Sorrentino, CEO of Pest Pros, to break down what actually keeps great people around and it’s not just pay, processes, or performance metrics.From building a true “family-style” business to turning entry-level employees into six-figure earners, Maria shares how focusing on people first creates better teams, stronger culture, and ultimately better business results.They dive into:Why most companies focus too much on performance and miss what really mattersThe balance between structure (SOPs, KPIs) and culture (connection, energy, purpose)How to identify what your employees actually want (hint: it’s not always promotions)Practical ways to improve retention, engagement, and leadership inside your companyWhy “fun gets it done” might be the missing piece in your business🚀 Join Bug Bux + (community, trainings, and exclusive access): https://www.skool.com/bugbux/about
Transcribe →The Most Overlooked Growth Lever in Pest Control | EP 235
Apr 2300:36:18Tap to summarizeMost pest control owners are chasing growth in the wrong place.In this episode, Allan Draper sits down with Reagan Nickl (VP of Customer Success at Ask Nicely) to break down one of the most overlooked, but highest-impact, growth levers in your business: customer experience and retention.If you’re focused on leads, sales, and marketing… but not obsessing over your current customers, you could be leaving massive revenue on the table.Reagan walks through a practical, step-by-step framework for turning customer feedback into:Higher retentionMore referralsBetter reviewsMore consistent, predictable revenueThey also dive into how to actually implement this (even if you’re busy), including:The 5-step feedback-to-growth systemThe biggest customer experience killers in pest controlWhy most companies lose customers (and don’t even realize it)How to use AI to automate follow-ups and recover unhappy customersSimple ways to turn your customers into raving fansIf you feel like you're working hard to grow, but not seeing the compounding results you want, this episode will show you exactly where to look.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––👉 Listen to the previous episode referenced in this conversation:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1863674/episodes/18295530👉 Join Bug Bux + (exclusive trainings, community, and resources):https://www.skool.com/bugbux/about
Transcribe →Why Human Experience Will Beat AI (And Win in Pest Control) | EP 234
Apr 1600:30:38Tap to summarizeIn this unscripted episode, Allan Draper and Mat Rogers dive into what actually separates businesses in today’s AI-driven world and it’s not what you think.They unpack a powerful idea: AI can only remix what already exists… but it can’t replicate real, lived experience. And in a world flooded with generic content, that gap is becoming the biggest opportunity in business.From behind-the-scenes insights on Bug Bux Con to the rise of community-driven growth in the pest control industry, this conversation covers:• Why relationships and in-person connection are becoming more valuable (not less)• How sharing real wins and failures gives you a true competitive edge• The danger of relying too heavily on AI-generated content and “shortcut” strategies• Why the businesses that win in 2026 and beyond will be built on authenticity, not automationThey also get real about competition, legacy, and what it actually means to build something that lasts.If you're trying to scale your business, stand out in a crowded market, or figure out where AI actually fits—this episode will challenge how you think about growth.
Transcribe →