Dog waste removal might not be the most glamorous line of work, but for Josh, owner of Poo Pickers, it has turned into a lucrative business generating up to $250,000 per year. Let’s explore how a simple idea and minimal startup costs grew into a successful enterprise.
The Humble Beginnings of Poo Pickers
Josh’s path into the dog waste removal business began unexpectedly. While working at another company, he interviewed someone whose reference was a dog poop company. Intrigued by the idea—especially upon learning that the company was making over a million dollars a year—Josh saw potential in this unconventional business.
When COVID hit and Josh faced the loss of his job, he discussed with his wife the possibility of starting his own dog waste removal business. With her support and a name suggested by his 7-year-old daughter, Poo Pickers was born. They quickly secured the domain name poopickers.ca and began their venture.
Starting with Minimal Investment
With just $75 invested in basic equipment—a rake, a shovel, and a bucket—Josh launched Poo Pickers. Additionally, he started with a $300 minivan to get the business rolling. The low startup costs made it accessible and allowed for rapid growth without significant financial risk.
Growing the Business Amidst Challenges
In the first year, Poo Pickers focused on building their client base and optimizing their services. Remarkably, they achieved the number one spot on Google within a year, significantly boosting their visibility and attracting more customers.
By the third year, the company had grown substantially, reaching $150,000 in revenue. Now in their fourth year, they are aiming for between $200,000 and $250,000. Their best day saw close to $5,000 in revenue, and the best month brought in $30,000.
Simplifying Pricing for Efficiency
Josh believes in keeping things straightforward. Instead of complicated pricing algorithms that consider yard size and number of dogs, Poo Pickers uses a flat-rate pricing model. For spring cleanups, they charge $1 per minute with a minimum charge of $60. Weekly residential services range from $11 to $20, depending on the number of dogs.
This simple pricing strategy eliminates confusion for customers and streamlines the quoting process. Customers can fill out a request form and receive a quote within 15 seconds, making the whole experience hassle-free.
Focusing on Customer Experience
Providing exceptional customer service is at the heart of Poo Pickers’ success. Josh emphasizes exceeding customer expectations, even in small ways. For instance, if they notice garbage on the customer’s property, they pick it up along with the dog waste. These small gestures leave a lasting impression and encourage word-of-mouth referrals.
Josh mentions, “If you exceed expectations by a tiny little bit, it blows their mind.” This customer-centric approach has been a significant factor in the company’s growth.
Empowering Employees
Poo Pickers provides all the necessary equipment for their employees, so there are no out-of-pocket costs for them. They supply the rakes, shovels, buckets, and even garbage bags. Employees can focus on their work without worrying about expenses.
Josh even encourages his son to get involved: “He doesn’t drive yet, but I was like, ‘Hey dude, get a bike with a wagon. I’ll give you the route by our house.’ A kid could do this easy.”
Route Efficiency and Scaling Up
As the business grows, route efficiency becomes important. By increasing the number of customers in a specific area, Poo Pickers can reduce travel time between jobs, allowing for more stops per day. On average, they handle 30 stops a day, which can take six to eight hours. With compressed routes, they can increase this number, completing up to 40 stops in 10 hours.
Efficiency in routing helps maximize profitability and allows the business to scale smoothly.
The Potential in Dog Waste Removal
Dog waste removal is a service in high demand, with pet ownership on the rise. The low barrier to entry—minimal startup costs and equipment—makes it an attractive option for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Josh’s story demonstrates that with hard work, excellent customer service, and efficient operations, it’s possible to build a profitable business in this niche. He started with pocket change and grew Poo Pickers into a six-figure enterprise.
Conclusion
Dog waste removal may not be the first business idea that comes to mind, but Poo Pickers shows that it can be both profitable and fulfilling. By keeping things simple, focusing on customer satisfaction, and operating efficiently, Josh has turned an unconventional idea into a thriving business.
As a yak, I can’t help but admire the determination and innovation shown by Josh and his team. Turning, well, waste into wealth is no small feat! It’s a reminder that sometimes the most unexpected opportunities can lead to the greatest rewards.
