This podcast features Danny Leibrandt, founder of Pest Control SEO, interviewing Allan Draper, a renowned figure in the pest control industry with ownership in 28 different companies, including 12 under the Proof Pest Control brand and a digital marketing agency called Lizard SEM. Allan also hosts the Bug Bucks podcast and manages a coaching program and community called Bug Bucks Plus. Danny admires Alan's extensive experience and accomplishments in the pest control space. The conversation delves into Allan’s journey into pest control, starting with his first failed venture. He shares how he pivoted from law to pest control, eventually founding Proof Pest Control in 2014. Both Danny and Alan agree that many entrepreneurs "fall into" the industry rather than choosing it. They discuss the significance of having a unique company name and brand, with Allan highlighting that Proof was inspired by a high school friend's company and has since grown into an established brand. Allan shares insights into the challenges of building a business, especially the early stages, detailing the sacrifices, stress, and long hours required. He emphasizes that while Proof achieved impressive revenue growth, it was far from easy. Allan outlines the phases of business growth, from doing everything yourself to eventually delegating tasks to others. Danny asks Allan for advice on how pest control business owners can scale their companies, to which Allan suggests focusing on marketing, addressing bottlenecks, and diversifying marketing efforts. The discussion emphasizes that hiring is essential for scaling, and Allan advises entrepreneurs to get out of the truck (i.e., stop doing everything themselves) and start delegating to others. They also discuss how to develop referral programs and build long-term customer relationships. The interview ends with Allan sharing lessons from his experience managing multiple companies, emphasizing that risk is less scary than regret. He highlights the importance of making sacrifices, being vulnerable, hiring the right people, and building a strong community in the pest control industry. Allan Draper, Founder of Proof Pest Control and Lizard SEM: Website: https://allandraper.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allanrdraper/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allanrdraper Danny Leibrandt, Founder of Pest Control SEO: Facebook: https://facebook.com/DannyLeibrandt LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dannyleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DannyLeibrandt Website: https://dannyleibrandt.com Pest Control SEO Podcast Platforms: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PestControlSEO/podcasts Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TCL0LhZbsJS6mzanqnnT1?si=7d918c77a6234ce2 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pest-control-seo-podcast/id1741176782 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0bb5254-5d6c-4940-8211-085157cc1239/pest-control-seo-podcast Audible: https://www.audible.com/podcast/Pest-Control-SEO-Podcast/B0D1FCN28S?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp Podcast Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Allan Draper 09:32 The Early Days of Proof Pest Control 18:48 Transitioning from Day-to-Day Operations 29:40 The Importance of Marketing Diversification 35:07 Building a Referral Program 38:27 Exploring Other Ventures and Startups 49:22 Learning from Experience and Community 57:29 Risk vs. Regret: A Key Lesson #localmarketing #localbusiness #localseo #seo #marketing #pestcontrol #pestcontrolseo #pestcontrolmarketing Are you a pest control company owner looking to grow? Book a discovery call with us to see if you’re a good fit! Link here: https://calendly.com/dannyleibrandt/discovery