Bug Bux Podcast

Allan Draper
  • 4.9 (123)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

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.

  1. 6D AGO

    Leadership, Training, and Retention: Building Technicians Who Last | EP 221

    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 shares proven insights from decades of experience building teams, developing leaders, and implementing structured training systems, including the importance of the first 90 days, why interviews rarely tell the full story, and how character and integrity matter more than technical skill. They explore Preventive’s team lead model, leadership pipelines, and how both small and large pest control companies can create accountability, trust, and consistency without losing their culture. This episode also tackles: Why early attrition isn’t always a bad thingHow to train leaders instead of promoting by defaultThe difference between mistakes and character failuresApplying military leadership principles to pest controlWhy owners must take full ownership of results; good and badWhether you’re a one-truck operator or leading a growing organization, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, training, and responsibility and give you practical ideas to start building a stronger team in 2026 and beyond. A must-listen for pest control owners who want better people, better leaders, and better long-term results.

    35 min

  2. JAN 8

    Hire for the Soul, Train for the Role: Building a Scalable Pest Control Culture | EP 220

    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 mindset and attitude over prior experience, and how training the right people can turn them into top-performing technicians and future leaders. Scott also opens up about real-world challenges they faced, including team turnover, onboarding, and developing internal talent, showing why short-term fixes and “warm body” hires can create long-term headaches. Throughout the conversation, listeners will gain actionable strategies for: Attracting and retaining high-quality employees who align with your company cultureTurning your team into a growth engine while maintaining high standards of serviceDeveloping internal leaders to scale operations without losing control or cultureLeveraging employee excellence to drive customer satisfaction and 5-star reviews Whether you’re a pest control business owner looking to scale, improve retention, or build a high-performing team, this episode is packed with practical insights and lessons learned from the frontlines of a fast-growing, culture-driven company.

    42 min

  3. JAN 1

    Why Your Pest Control Supplier Should Be a Partner, Not a Vendor | EP 219

    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 licensed and set up correctly, to answering late-night calls, solving tough infestations, and connecting owners with manufacturers, this episode goes far beyond product pricing. Allan and Jared also dive into: How to choose the right supplier when starting a pest control company Why transactional relationships fail during real-world emergencies Smart, low-cost marketing strategies like private-labeled glue boards How distributors can help control product costs and improve technician performance The long-term value of face-to-face relationships in a regulated industry If you’ve ever treated your supplier as “just a place to buy chemicals,” this episode will change how you think about vendor relationships and how they impact your growth, retention, and reputation. A must-listen for owners who want to build smarter, not just bigger.

    35 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    Built on Faith, Family & Service | EP 218

    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 technician, then as the sole operator, Jana carried on the business while raising three children, serving the same customers for decades, and becoming a pillar of her small town. This episode explores resilience, faith, family, and the often-overlooked beauty of staying small. From 30-year customer relationships to finding purpose through service during life’s hardest seasons, Jana’s story is a moving testament to what pest control can mean beyond trucks, routes, and revenue. If you’ve ever questioned why you do what you do or wondered if growth is the only measure of success this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

    40 min

  5. 12/18/2025

    Hope Isn’t a Strategy: Building a Real Growth Plan for Your Pest Control Company | EP 217

    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 measurable goals, to creating efficiency targets, aligning vendors, and benchmarking performance month by month, this episode is a masterclass in intentional growth. You’ll hear why hope alone isn’t enough, how to use your P&L as a planning tool, why uncomfortable accountability is essential, and how the right partners can help you pivot faster and grow smarter. If you’re serious about scaling your pest control business and don’t want to “shoot from the hip” anymore this episode will challenge the way you think about planning, leadership, and execution. Perfect for owners thinking about 2026 growth, marketing strategy, budgeting, and building a team that actually pulls in the same direction.

    44 min

  6. 12/11/2025

    Why Community Matters More Than Ever in Pest Control | EP 216

    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 sustainability-focused strategiesThe rising value of networking, mentorship, and in-person events like PestWorldWhy new owners should build strong relationships with distributors and suppliersHow to craft your personal “story” when connecting with mentors and peersThe importance of community over competition in growing a successful companyThe episode also dives into Nisus’ major new product launch—the ProShield Pest Control Insulation—and how PMPs can use it to add a powerful, profitable revenue stream while providing more value to customers. Whether you're brand new to pest control or decades in, this conversation will give you actionable steps, fresh perspective, and ideas to take your company to the next level. Tune in and level up!

    38 min

  7. 12/04/2025

    The least expensive way to turn your customers into referring machines | EP 215

    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 the country, she explains how to build a repeatable “referral flywheel” that turns happy customers into loyal advocates. Allan and Reagan dive into the systems behind a world-class customer experience, how to collect feedback in real time, close the loop with unhappy customers, and empower technicians to create “wow” moments on every service visit. They also unpack how to use customer data to coach teams, boost morale, and make better business decisions. Reagan introduces Ask Nicely’s CARTG framework, breaking down the five pillars of CX success: Collect: Capture feedback consistently and automaticallyAct: Respond quickly and personally to customer inputRecognize: Celebrate your top-performing technicians and teamsTrain: Turn feedback into coaching and development opportunitiesGrow: Use positive feedback to fuel reviews and referralsWhether you’re a small operator looking to improve retention or a multi-location company aiming to scale customer experience, this conversation will help you shift your mindset from chasing new leads to building long-term loyalty.

    36 min

  8. 11/27/2025

    Thankful, Focused, and Ready for 2026: Allan’s Ultimate Goal-Setting Episode | EP 214

    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 personal goal-setting process—shaped since childhood—and shares the exact steps, frameworks, and mindset shifts he uses to set and achieve meaningful goals in both life and business. You’ll hear: Why goal-setting unlocks opportunities you didn’t even know were around youThe 7 areas Allan uses to map out his yearly personal goalsHis seven most powerful hacks for setting and achieving business goalsThe importance of team buy-in, scoreboards, celebrating effort, and identity-based goalsHow to prepare your pest control company for its strongest year yet in 2026 This episode is packed with practical direction, personal stories, and strategic insights designed to help you create clarity, inspire your team, and confidently map out your next year. Whether you’re listening on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, or weeks later—this is your moment to recalibrate and level up. And don’t forget: Bug Bucks Plus memberships opened with a locked-in rate through the end of the year. If you’re serious about growth, now’s the time to take advantage.

    30 min
See All (222)

4.9
out of 5
123 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Allan Draper
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    222
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bug Bux Podcast
  • Show Website
    Bug Bux Podcast

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