In this inspiring and candid episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, host Allan Draper sits down with Skye LaJaunie, CEO of LaJaunie’s Pest Control and founder of the Eagles Nest Mastermind, to explore the deeper side of entrepreneurship in the pest control industry.

Skye opens up about her journey from humble beginnings to running a thriving pest control business, and the mindset shifts that helped her move from simply trying to survive to building a legacy. She and Allan discuss overcoming imposter syndrome, defining success beyond financial metrics, and the importance of building both mental and emotional capital while scaling a company.

You’ll hear how Skye’s experience inspired her to create the Eagles Nest Mastermind, a community designed to help pest control owners avoid costly mistakes, overcome roadblocks, and achieve faster, more sustainable growth. Along the way, she shares practical advice for business owners on leadership, building culture, and finding fulfillment in the work you do.

Whether you’re in the early stages of your pest control business or leading an established company, this episode will challenge you to think bigger, invest in your personal growth, and discover how true success comes from purpose-driven leadership and a supportive network.

When Alan Framer started his pest control company 16 years ago, he faced the same uncertainty and challenges every new business owner experiences. But he had something many don’t, a seasoned guide. Ray Johnson, former owner of Johnson Pest Control and past President of the NPMA, agreed to mentor him. Alan traveled to Tennessee to work alongside Ray for two full days, soaking in decades of hard-earned wisdom. The insights he gained helped him sidestep costly mistakes, make smarter decisions, and lay the foundation for a thriving business.

In this episode, Allan Draper sits down with Alan to unpack how mentorship shaped his journey, the specific lessons that still guide him today, and the pitfalls he was able to avoid thanks to wise counsel. They also discuss why mentorship isn’t just valuable for newcomers, it’s a powerful tool at every stage of business growth. Now, with years of experience under his belt, Alan shares how he’s paying it forward by mentoring other pest control operators, helping them navigate the startup phase and build lasting success.

Whether you’re just launching or looking to break through to the next level, this conversation will inspire you to seek out the right guidance and maybe even become that guide for someone else.

What would you do if you only had $5,000 to start your pest control company? In this special roundtable episode, Allan Draper is joined by industry pros Paul Alley, Kyle Weaver, and Bill Kellough to break down exactly how they'd launch from scratch, no fluff, just real experience.

From licensing, insurance, and budgeting to guerrilla marketing, social media strategies, and answering your phone at 2 AM, these guys cover what matters when every dollar counts. Whether you're starting out or tightening up your early-game strategy, this episode is packed with practical advice, personal stories, and zero-BS insights.

Topics include:

• Prioritizing your first $5,000
• Marketing without a budget
• Answering your phone = closing more jobs
• Leveraging GMB, content, and free publicity
• Why debt might not be the best move
• Turning sweat equity into sustainable growth

If you’re ready to hustle and build something real, this is your blueprint.

In this powerful solo episode, Allan Draper dives deep into one of the most important decisions a business owner will ever make, who to hire first when starting or scaling a pest control company.

Allan breaks down the first five hires he recommends for building a company that doesn’t just survive, but thrives without you. He starts with why your first technician should be someone you can see growing into a leadership role like branch manager. Then, he moves into the importance of hiring a versatile office admin, a true “Swiss Army knife” who can adapt with your company and eventually settle into a role that maximizes their natural talents.

Next, Allan talks about bringing in a contracted accountant early, not a full-time hire, but a key part of the puzzle to keep your finances in order and protect your business long-term. Then comes your first experienced sales rep, someone who already knows how to close deals and possibly lead future reps. Finally, Allan shares why your fifth hire should be another technician to build your service capacity.

But this episode isn’t just about hiring. Allan shares critical advice about when to hire, how to pay, and how to make sure your team is set up for long-term success. He also unpacks a powerful mindset shift to help business owners avoid burnout and regain control of their time, offering a preview of his upcoming book and his three-stage framework for growing a business that operates without your constant involvement.

Whether you’re launching your pest control company or feeling overwhelmed by your current team, this episode is a must-listen. Allan’s insights will help you grow with purpose, hire with clarity, and build a company that works for you, not the other way around.

Don’t miss Allan’s take on the most compelling reason to hire a VA, spoiler alert: it’s not just about saving money.

 In this episode, Allan sits down with Seth Watson of Focus Virtual Assistants to dig into one of the most overlooked ways to strengthen your pest control company; hiring the right people. They discuss the realities of finding, hiring, and retaining top-tier talent, and why virtual assistants (VAs) from other countries might be the secret weapon your team is missing.

From administrative support to customer service roles, you’ll hear why a VA could outperform a local hire and how to integrate them into your company culture without losing your edge. They break down the true cost comparison, common challenges, training solutions, and how VAs can help level up your brand from the inside out.

Are you just another pest control company, or are you building a brand that stands out? In this episode, Allan Draper sits down with Andrew Peluso, founder of Pesty Marketing, to talk about what really separates high-growth PCOs from the rest. From targeting the right audience to dialing in your messaging and actually backing it up, this conversation is packed with practical advice for PCOs ready to grow past the $1M mark and dominate their market.

They cover:

• Why most PCOs blend in (and how to avoid it)
  
  
  
• Real-world ways to differentiate your brand (hint: it’s not your logo)
  
  
  
• Why niching down doesn’t mean losing customers
  
  
  
• How your marketing impacts every part of your business, from ops to hiring
  
  
  

Whether you're at $500K or $5M, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, marketing, and what it takes to lead a pest control company that truly stands out.

Tune in and take notes, this one’s a blueprint for next-level scaling.

In this special solo episode, Allan Draper brings a timely dose of motivation, strategy, and tough love for pest control business owners. Recorded on the 4th of July from rainy Idaho, Allan reflects on three key topics every PCO should hear:

1. A Lesson in Clarity: Allan clears up a recent podcast comment on organic products and shares a crucial lesson about sticking to your service model and avoiding costly client misunderstandings.
2. Mid-Year Mindset Check: Are you sacrificing what matters most while scaling your business? Allan gets personal about burnout, imposter syndrome, and why growing your company starts with growing you.
3. Know Your Numbers: From merchant fees to tech wages to net profit targets, Allan breaks down the exact P&L benchmarks your pest control business should be tracking right now, plus what the PCT Top 100 can teach you.

Whether you’re in growth mode or fighting burnout, this episode is packed with real-world insights to help you finish the season strong and build smarter for the long haul.

💪 Listen in, level up, and let’s keep building.

Don't miss the part where Allan admits: "I didn’t think I’d be crying during this episode."

It’s raw, it’s inspiring, and it’s... Nice.
In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, host Allan Draper sits down with Travis Bottoms — 13-year industry vet and co-founder of Nice Pest Company — to explore how authenticity, humor, and heart are transforming what it means to run a pest control business.
Travis shares how Nice uses organic social media (with zero ad spend) to drive real customer engagement, foster loyalty, and boost company culture — all while staying true to who they are. With over 140,000 views in just 30 days, Travis explains why their secret isn’t just funny content — it’s content that feels real.
But this episode goes deeper. The guys talk about mental health in the trades, overcoming industry judgment, staying focused on your own "race car," and what growth actually means beyond the numbers.
Whether you're a new owner, a scaling operator, or a seasoned vet — this is one of those conversations that might just change how you see the industry… and yourself.

 Real talk on branding, culture, and connection
 Behind-the-scenes of viral reels and organic growth
 Leadership, legacy, and building a company that matters

In this powerhouse episode of the Bug Bucks Podcast, Allan sits down with Lee Barrett, President of NISUS Corporation and former CFL running back, to talk about what really makes a company thrive; ts people. From building strong internal culture to empowering team members with creativity and autonomy, Lee shares the leadership philosophies that have made NISUS one of the most respected names in the industry.
But that’s not all; Lee drops an exclusive never-before-heard announcement about NISUS entering the insulation game, and how it could change the game for pest control companies nationwide. If you're a PCO looking to build a stronger team, a better culture, and new streams of revenue, you won’t want to miss this one.

In this info-packed episode of the Bug Bux Podcast, Allan sits down with Toni Simei of Arkion to dig into the world of natural pest control. From what really makes a product “organic” to how Arkion is changing the game with their unique formulations, Toni shares what pest control pros need to know about mosquito and tick control in 2025. They also dive into the language that could get you fined by the Department of Agriculture and how to market smarter without crossing the line. If you're offering natural services or thinking about it, this one’s a must-listen.