Bug Bux Podcast

Building a strong team with aligned core values is crucial for the success and growth of your pest control company. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Josh Fleener, President of Pest Pros Pest Solutions. Josh shares insights into scaling his business, developing a strong team culture, and the core values that have driven his company's growth. By focusing on core values such as com...

As a PCO, it's okay to have opinions and engage in political discussions, but it's crucial to be intentional about what you say publicly. In today's episode, Eric and Jake discuss why business owners should be cautious about making public statements that could be polarizing. The goal is to ensure that your business remains focused on what truly matters—providing excellent pest contr...

In today's episode, Eric and Jake dive into the world of digital marketing with special guest, Mat Rogers, COO of Lizard SEM. Mat discusses the latest features in Google's digital marketing landscape and how they impact pest control companies. If you want to stay ahead of your competitors and drive engagement, don’t miss this information packed episode. Topics Include: Introduction (0:00...

Whether it's through digital marketing, community involvement, or direct engagement, there are numerous ways to grow your pest control company. In today's episode, Eric and Jake address a question posted from Dominion Pest Control in the Bug Bux+ Facebook Group. Dominion Pest Control is a new company looking for advice on how to get customers. Eric and Jake share their top 20 tips for ac...

In today's episode, Eric and Jake had the pleasure of hosting Jim Fredericks, the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA)/Executive Director of the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA). Jim shared a wealth of knowledge about the resources and opportunities available through NPMA and PPMA, which are designed to help PCOs grow and succe...

Light the candles and get ready to sing, because it's America's birthday! In today's episode, Eric and Jake discuss the significance of America as the land of opportunity and the impact of immigrant heritage on their entrepreneurial journey. They explore the value of hard work, the freedom to pursue happiness, and the unique opportunities available in America. Topics include: Introd...

In today’s episode, Eric and Jake welcome Erik Anderson, owner of Utah Pest and Lawn. Erik shares his experience in sales, management, and entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of integrity in sales, the power of networking and starting his own pest control company. Topics include: Introduction (0:00) The Journey of Erik Anderson: From Sales to Entrepreneurship (2:52) Integrity in Sales: B...

In today’s episode, Eric and Jake discuss the challenges and strategies of managing a pest control company during the peak season. They cover topics such as customer expectations, triaging reservices, staffing, and the use of social media for education and brand building. Topics include: Introduction (0:00) Creating the Right Expectations From the Start (5:13) Communication Process with Customers...

Building a strong team dynamic based on trust and support is essential for the success of your pest control company. Today Eric and Jake welcome Billy and Taylor Wright, owners of Zona Pest Solutions. Billy and Taylor highlight the importance of early hiring to drive growth for their business. By bringing on a new employee, they were able to focus on growing the business, acquiring new accounts, a...

In today's episode, Eric and Jake have the pleasure of interviewing Scarlett Nolan, the president of Truly Nolan of America. Scarlett discusses the significance of intentional culture in companies, emphasizing the need for proactive discussions and actions to shape a positive work environment. Scarlett also talks about the challenges and benefits of working in a family business, highlighting...

In today's episode, Eric and Jake have the pleasure of welcoming back Cameron Bawden a serial entrepreneur and the owner of Hype Farm Premium Home Services, which oversees several successful brands including Green Mango Pest Control. Cameron shares valuable insights on how he has significantly improved his company's profit margins and strengthened its culture. In addition, Cameron discus...

EpIn today's special Memorial Day episode, Eric and Jake welcome Matt Thompson, owner and CEO of BugPro Pest Control. Matt shares his inspiring journey from being an Airborne Ranger in the United States Army to unexpectedly finding a fulfilling career in pest control. His military background not only instilled a strong sense of discipline and integrity but also deeply influenced his business...

In today's episode, Eric and Jake had the pleasure of welcoming back Colton Gonzalez and Eric Salgado with Firehouse Pest Control. These returning guests shared valuable insights into their journey from firefighting to pest control, emphasizing the importance of integrity and customer service in their business model. In addition, by establishing a system where technicians were incentivized fo...

Storytelling is a powerful tool that can be used to build connections and trust with customers, clients, and employees. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Shane Mantz, the regional operations manager at Magna Pest Solutions. Shane discusses the importance of creating a strong brand identity based on core values. In addition, by understanding what is important to you as an individual or...

In today’s episode, Eric and Jake welcome Dennis Kuchta, founder and CEO of Wise House Environmental Services in South Florida. Dennis sheds light on the struggles many business owners encounter in attracting individuals with a strong work ethic and commitment to their roles. He also expresses his concerns about not wanting to sacrifice customer care for rapid growth, as he values his clients and...

In today's episode, Eric and Jake had the pleasure of speaking with the dynamic husband and wife duo, Rian and Noelle Goins, owners of Get Goins Pest Control in Los Angeles. They share their incredible journey from inheriting a small client list to building a thriving business through the power of social media and referrals. The Goins couple is not only making waves in the pest control indust...

Building a pest control company should align with personal goals, not just financial gain. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Casey Jones, owner of Hydra Pest Control. Casey emphasizes the importance of starting a business with the end goal in mind and focusing on creating a company that aligns with personal values and long-term goals. He shares the journey that led him from various in...

From door-to-door sales to owning a pest control company, this story is one of hard work and determination! In today's episode, Eric and Jake had the pleasure of chatting with Degen Perry, owner of Black Pearl Pest Control. Degen shares his journey from considering a career in dentistry to becoming a pest control owner during the uncertain times of 2020. Degen discusses the advantages of offe...

Leadership, empathy, and inspiring team growth are essential elements in building a successful pest control company. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Shad Teerlink, CEO of Evolve Pest Control. Shad shares his experience of establishing and expanding Evolve Pest Control, highlighting the necessity of ongoing evaluation and improvement in both leadership and operations.  Topics include...

In today’s episode, Eric and Jake play a fun, thought-provoking game of "Would You Rather.” They debated various scenarios, such as: Focusing on customer retention vs. acquisition, saying out of debt vs. leveraging growth debt, hiring experienced technicians vs. training newbies and so much more! Topics Include:  Introduction (0:00)  Would You Rather Game: Pest Control Edition (3:41) Retentio...

Eric and Jake kicked off today’s episode discussing the importance of having a customer agreement, which outlines the services provided, payment details, and other legal protections. They answer a question posted in the Bug Bux Facebook group by Jordan Wheeler. The question is “I've seen more D2D companies doing 18-24 month agreements. What is your general pest agreement length?” Topics inclu...

Pest control owners need to carefully allocate their marketing budgets to ensure they are maximizing their return on investment and driving revenue growth. In today's episode, Eric and Jake have pleasure of hosting Mat Rogers, the COO of Lizard SEM, for his seventh appearance on the show. Mat shares invaluable insights into the world of digital marketing for pest control companies, emphasizin...

AI technology in pest control has the potential to revolutionize the industry by enhancing efficiency and improving customer interactions. In today's episode, Eric and Jake welcome Aaron Cooper, the co-founder and CEO of SameDay. SameDay's Artificial Intelligence will answer the phone and book appointments, just like your best sales person. Aaron discusses how AI can efficiently handle c...

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 profes...

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: Introd...