Networking and connecting with industry professionals can be a game-changer for your pest control company. This week, Eric and Jake had the pleasure of chatting with Kevin Reif, an inspiring entrepreneur who shares his journey from door-to-door sales to launching his own pest control company, Reif Environmental. Kevin also shares insights into how he developed a brand that conveys trust and professionalism, attracting quality customers and fostering long-lasting relationships. 

Topics include:

Introduction (0:00)

Kevin Reif's story (4:33)

Networking and business growth (8:01)

Kevin's biggest challenge (9:22)

Preparing for busy season (14:05)

Building a brand identity (15:50)

Social media and partnering with influencers (17:50)

Kevin's growth goals (23:45)

Quality over quantity (27:00)

 Delegation and team building (31:14)

In today’s episode, Eric and Jake welcome Jonas Olson the CEO of Turf Badger and host of the Pest Control Millionaire Podcast. 

Jonas shares his candid story of starting out in lawn care, transitioning to pest control, and the lessons learned along the way. He emphasized the importance of focusing on one service, mastering it, and then scaling up before adding more services. Topics include:

Introduction (0:00) 

Introducing Jonas Olson (2:33)

Jonas’s Background in Pest Control (5:25)

Transitioning to Pest Control from Lawn Care (10:00)

Scaling the Pest Control Business (14:10)

The Importance of Focusing on One Service at a Time (16:08) 

Discussing Business Expenses and Profit Margins (18:40)

The Importance of Knowing Your Business Numbers (21:00)

Adjusting Service Offerings for Seasonal Challenges (23:00) 

Maintaining a Clean and Organized Workspace (27:26)

The Impact of Culture and Standards on Business (29:41) 

Closing Remarks (34:30)

In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Jerry Wickwire and Josh Tonn, co-owners of Freedom Force Pest Control. Before starting their own company in 2021, both co-owners gained valuable experience in the pest control industry. Hear their incredible journey, marketing tactics, and how they built a strong brand. 

Topics include:
Introduction (0:00)
Background of Freedom Force Pest Control (2:22)
Transitioning to Business Ownership (3:15)
Origin of the Name Freedom Force Pest Control (5:55) Branding and Logo Design (7:28) Marketing and Branding Strategy (10:27) Utilizing Angie/Home Advisor (12:15)
 Social Media and Online Presence (15:10) Family and Friends in Business (19:32) Importance of Google Reviews (22:00) 
Future Plans and Growth (27:23)

Which key considerations should you keep in mind when it comes to choosing your service vehicle? This decision isn't easy and will greatly impact your operation. In today’s episode Eric and Jake Discuss their experience with different vehicles, and they share their top considerations when selecting a service vehicle. 

Topics include:

Introduction (0.00) 

Question posted by Kris Holden in the Bug Bux Facebook group (2:57)

History of Natura’s fleet vehicles (3:51)

Considerations for choosing service vehicles (9:20)

Importance of vehicle safety (12:57)

Capabilities and Capacity (14:56)

Longevity and mechanical reliability of vehicles (16:52)

Insurance impact on vehicle choice (19:16) 

Having a back up vehicle and final thoughts (22:11)

In today's episode, Eric and Jake discuss the importance of hiring your replacement in order to free up your time and focus on the aspects of your pest control business that you truly enjoy.  Tune in to learn how to scale and grow your pest control company while overcoming unexpected challenges. 

Topics include:

Introduction (0:00) 

Question from Matthew Mariscal in the Bug Bux Facebook Group (3:04) 

Advice for Technicians with High Aspirations (4:44) 

Encouraging Intrapreneurship (5:57) 

Delegating to Grow Your Business (7:45) 

Non-Compete and Non-Solicit Agreements Explained (10:03) 

Building a Team and Delegating Tasks (14:16)

Hiring Your Own Replacement (17:10)

Protecting Your Business and Livelihood (30:00)

Incorporating KPIs into your pest control company is crucial for strategically achieving goals and objectives. In today’s episode, Eric and Jake answer a question posted by Jake Ingledue in the Bug Bux Facebook group. The question is, “If you could only pick 3 KPIs for technicians, what do you feel are the most important?” Eric and Jake dive deep into this topic and they each discuss their top three answers. 

Topics Include:

Introduction (0:00)

KPIs for technician performance (3:53)

Evaluating service technicians' efficiency and quality (9:19)

KPIs for service businesses: reservice rate and technician sales (20:21)

Vehicle maintenance and technician performance evaluation (24:55)

Confidence is king and success comes from being confident with your business decisions and customer expectations. In today’s episode, Eric and Jake answer several questions posted in the Bug Bux Facebook group. 

Topics include:

Introduction (0:00)

Pest control logistics and customer expectations (3:50)

Pest control marketing strategies and customer communication (8:00)

Price lock guarantees and their potential drawbacks (13:50)

Challenges of offering free inspections (19:00) 

Sales strategies and customer requests (25:13)

Pest control safety and standard operating procedures (28:56)

In today's episode, host Eric Bassett introduces his new co-host, Jake Claus, who brings 19 years of experience in the pest control industry. Jake is not only Eric's brother-in-law but also the founder and co-owner of Natura Pest Control. Together, they discuss various aspects of the pest control business, including door-to-door sales, technical expertise, operational management, and leadership development. 

Topics include:

Introduction (0:00)

Jake's experience and perspective (2:10)

Golden handcuffs and career choices (11:08)

Door-to-door pest control experiences (13:42)

Community involvement in pest control (21:44)

Maintaining presence with customers (23:15)

Personalized touch and building trust (26:42)

The blessings of pest control (30:50)

The Bug Bux podcast has a few exciting enhancements for 2024! In today's episode, Allan and Eric discuss how the podcast has evolved and improved over time, with better content, more relevant topics, and high-quality guests.

 Topics include:

Introduction (0:00)

How the Bug Bux podcast has evolved (2:27)

Allan's journey with the podcast (3:23)

Sharing ideas and questions in the Bug Bux Facebook Group (9:38) 

Value comes from helping others (18:15) 

Allan's experience and expertise is valuable (19:52) 

Eric's gratitude for networking opportunities (24:41)

Starting a door-to-door program can be a valuable tool for growing your pest control company, but it also comes with some challenges. In today's episode, Allan and Eric discuss the pros, cons, and everything you need to know about launching a high-quality in-house door-to-door program and retaining a positive reputation.

Topics include:

Introduction (0:00)

Launching an in-house door-to-door program is difficult (3:00)

 Don't do something you hate (4:33) 

Challenges and cost of door-to-door (7:55) 

Consider pros and cons carefully (16:49) 

Balancing growth and cost (19:20) 

Building a door-to-door team requires dedication (27:20)