CELEBRATING WOMEN IN PEST MANAGEMENT IN AUSTRALIA

GETTING TO KNOW YOU - ALEXANDRA BAGENAL

WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

Alexandra Bagenal.

WHERE DO YOU WORK?

Action Termite Solutions Sunshine Coast.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?

Business Owner & Technician.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO PEST CONTROL?

An opportunity was presented to my husband and I about 5 years ago which seemed appealing as an option to grow a business that could promote an early retirement. After jumping on board and getting it up and running (about a month) he decided that he just wasn’t the right fit for him. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity because I had already learnt so much about termites. Excited by the biology and habits of termites combined with my passion for the environment and consumer education I launched into running the business and building my database one client at a time. It started as a side hustlemeaning long hours after work at my full-time job and eventuated into my full-time role in February 2022.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS.

Hard Working, Passionate, Honest.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT PEST CONTROL?

I love the people I get to meet - especially when they have beautiful vegetable gardens, chickens, and land. I also really love seeing termites at the peak of their feeding cycle then treating them in my own aggregated termite monitoring station.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PEST PEEVE?

People that assume my husband is the business owner and pest control technician.

WHO INSPIRES YOU? AND WHY?

My mum and dad really inspired me. They’ve been my biggest supporters aside from my husband. They are hard-working business owners themselves and have really instilled in me the quality of hard work.

WHAT SCRAMBLES YOUR BRAIN EVERY TIME YOU THINK ABOUT IT?

Everything scrambles my brain, being a mum of two kids, trying to run a household and a business is enough to keep your brain scrambled for years.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST DETERMINED TO ACCOMPLISH?

I am really determined to create a really honest business that covers all parts of Queensland, offering the best education for homeowners around termites and things that they can do themselves to prevent them. I also want to offer the complete service - meaning when I find conducive conditions at a property, we can take care of everything, i.e., a plumber that knows about termites, a builder that is all over termites, a gardener that is all over termites.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE WAY TO SPEND A DAY OFF?

I love spending a day at home. When life’s busy running a business, it is nice to just spend some time in the garden and catching up around the house with the kids.

HAVE YOU EVER READ A BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?

When I started my business, my mentor, Brad gave me a book called Ruff Justice. It was a real eye- opener, and every time I start doubting myself in any aspect of my business, I always reflect on the book to remind myself why I got into this. To make real and positive change.

IF YOU ENDED UP IN JAIL, WHAT WOULD YOU FRIENDS AND FAMILY THINK YOU DID?

Killing Termites ��

IF YOUR LIFE WERE A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE MOVIE BE CALLED?

The life of a serial bug killer.

WHAT EMBARRASSING MOMENT HAS STUCK WITH YOU OVER THE YEARS?

Not sure, as a blonde, I can assure you, there are plenty of moments.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BIGGEST FEARS?

One of my biggest fears would definitely be failing. I am so passionate about everything that I do that, I often doubt myself. I am also extremely scared about the day that I find a giant python looking at me when I go to get in the roof cavity.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?

In five years’, time, I see myself with a larger team working across all of Queensland, hopefully living my best life on a remote property with some cattle, chickens, and lots of veggie gardens as well.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF AND WHY?

I am most proud of the decision that I made in February 2022 to leave my full-time job and jump into my business full-time (12 months earlier than anticipated) I have owned and operated my business for the last five years, but it only started out as a side hustle. When I made the decision to leave my fulltime job and jump into the business full-time, it was the scariest decision of my life, but I am so proud of the way that I handled it, and I could never look back. My business has been one of the hardest challenges of my life but so rewarding in many ways.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I wouldn’t, I am uniquely me.

WHAT'S ONE OF THE MOST FUN CHILDHOOD MEMORIES YOU HAVE?

One of my most fun childhood memories is definitely all the experiences of travelling. We have done a lot of travelling around Australia and the world as Kids and it is something that I can’t wait to do with my young family as well.

WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

I don’t have one

WHAT'S THE WILDEST THING YOU HAVE EVER DONE? Flying to New Zealand and back in 24 hours to surprise my best friend for a concert.

WHAT'S YOUR WORST BAD HABIT?

Biting my nails when I’m stressed and never sitting down to relax.

HOW WOULD YOUR BEST FRIEND DESCRIBE YOU?

I asked my best friend how she would describe me, and this is what she said. Wise beyond her years. Oh, so intelligent. Incredibly strong and resilient. Cares for others even before herself. Loves abundantly without limits. Will give the world to see those who she loves and cares for smile and be happy. An absolutely magnificent mother and wife, although she does not let those roles define her as a person. My beautiful best friend has many talents that not all are aware of. I love my best friend beyond words. Distance means so little, when someone means so much.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE EACH OTHER?

Hard-working, bad ass mumprenurs.

WHAT IS A PRODUCT YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?

Pest Control product? Fipforce Dust & Duster Life in general - my diary.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE INVISIBLE FOR A DAY?

Relax at home whilst my husband took care of the kids.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A NEW FEMALE TECHNICIAN COMING INTO THE PEST INDUSTRY?

Take everything with a grain of salt. Know your worth and don’t be afraid to show your true colours. Knowledge is the key.

WHAT'S THE HARDEST THING YOU FIND BEING A FEMALE PEST TECHNICIAN?

Being underestimated.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FUNNY OR SECRET TALENTS YOU'D BE WILLING TO SHARE?

I used to make wedding cakes!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF? You don’t have to go to university to have a successful and enjoyable career. The world needs trades more than ever and females are just as capable at being tradies.