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.
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Long Game in Business: Relationships, Community & Growth with Tony Carder | EP 240
5d 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
2w ago00:39:33Tap 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
3w ago00:39:13Tap 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
4w ago00:36:29Tap 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 →The Science Behind Wasp Control (And Why It Matters) | EP 233
Apr 900:39:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Chris Wrex, owner of Wrex Wildlife & Pest Control, to talk about building a business from the ground up and mastering one of the toughest niches in the industry: wasps.Chris shares his journey from being a school teacher to becoming a trusted pest control expert, along with the mindset shifts that helped him grow past plateaus. They dive deep into the power of community, how to actually use the Bug Bux group to your advantage, and why going from an “island” to a “continent” can change your business.You’ll also get a masterclass on wasp control, including:• How to properly identify different species• Why most technicians treat nests incorrectly• The biggest mistakes (and costly callbacks) to avoid• Practical techniques to handle nests more effectively and safelyWhether you’re a new operator or a seasoned owner, this episode is packed with real-world insights you can apply immediately to grow your pest control business.
Transcribe →The Unsexy Services That Make the Most Money (Pigeons, Weeds & More) | EP 232
Apr 200:34:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan Draper sits down with Matt Deroest, owner of Ultimate Pest, to break down how he went from a side hustle to a fast-growing pest control business in the Phoenix market.Matt shares how he carved out a unique lane by focusing on services most companies ignore, like pigeons, weeds, and specialty jobs and how that strategy led to massive growth and low customer acquisition costs.They also dive into:Turning one-time jobs into long-term customersRunning high-performing Meta ads (that actually convert)Building a business while balancing family lifeLetting go of control and stepping into the owner roleIf you’re looking to grow your pest control business, stand out in a crowded market, and work smarter, not just harder, this episode is packed with real, actionable insights.
Transcribe →You’re Not Stuck; You’re Just Around the Wrong People | EP 231
Mar 2600:29:26Tap to summarizeYou’ve heard it before but you’re probably not doing anything about it.In this episode, Allan breaks down one of the most important (and overlooked) drivers of success: who you spend time with. Backed by real studies and real-world examples, this isn’t just motivation, it’s a wake-up call.If you want to make more money, build a better business, improve your relationships, and actually enjoy life more… it starts with your circle.Also in this episode:• What to expect at Bug Bux Con• Why networking isn’t optional anymore• How the right room can change everything
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