Bug Bux Podcast

The Real Weight of Building a Pest Control Business | EP 242

In 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.

Pest Control Sales & Marketing Secrets | EP 241

What 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 minds If 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.

The Long Game in Business: Relationships, Community & Growth with Tony Carder | EP 240

Allan 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 leaders * The importance of sleeping on difficult decisions * How strong relationships can come full circle years later * Building company culture through trust and mentorship * Why community involvement creates long-term business growth * The real timeline for marketing ROI in pest control * Door-to-door vs. relationship-based growth strategies * How True North scaled from $1.4M to nearly $9M in revenue Tony 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 [https://www.skool.com/bugbux/about]

Creating High-Performing Sales Teams Using Incentives, KPIs, and Daily Accountability | EP 239

In 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 [https://www.skool.com/bugbux/about]

From Fighter Pilot to Pest Control Owner | EP 238

In 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 powerful * What fighter pilot training teaches about leadership and accountability * Building a company employees actually love working for * Customer retention vs. chasing new sales * How to handle failure as an entrepreneur * The importance of feedback, debriefing, and constant improvement * Why culture matters more than most owners realize * What makes the Bug Bux community different This 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 [https://www.skool.com/bugbux/about]