How This Entrepreneur Built a $360,000 Dog Poop Cleanup Business
Can You Really Make Six Figures Picking Up Dog Poop?
The short answer: YES! If you’re wondering whether starting a pet waste removal business is worth it, just take a look at Ryan O’Quinn, the owner of Bombs Away, a thriving pooper scooper company that made over $360,000 last year.
Ryan started his business in 2016 with a simple rake, a dustpan, and a used Toyota Tacoma truck. Today, he has six employees, four trucks, and a growing customer base. He’s even preparing to franchise his business nationwide.
Let’s break down how he did it and what you can learn from his journey.
📌 Watch the full video here: This Guy Made $360,000 Picking Up Dog Poop
How Ryan Started His Pooper Scooper Business
Like many entrepreneurs, Ryan’s business started as a side hustle. While working on another startup, he had the idea to scoop poop in his neighborhood for extra money. A little research showed him that pet waste removal is a legitimate industry with national franchises already in place.
Instead of brushing off the idea, he jumped in headfirst, built a simple website, and started marketing his services.
My Take: A lot of people overthink starting a business. Ryan proves that sometimes, taking action on a simple idea can lead to huge opportunities.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Pooper Scooper Business?
One of the biggest advantages of this business is the low startup costs. Ryan says you can start with under $5,000 if you’re bootstrapping. If you want to invest in better tools, a branded vehicle, and software, it could go up to $10,000 to $20,000.
Basic Startup Costs:
- Rake and dustpan: $30-$50
- Garbage bags and disinfectant: $75
- Website and marketing: $500-$2,000
- Used truck (if needed): $5,000-$10,000
Ryan’s Tip: Most of your budget should go into marketing so people actually know you exist!
My Take: I completely agree. Too many people spend money on the wrong things. Your first priority should be getting paying customers, not fancy equipment!
How Long Does It Take to Make a Profit?
Ryan recouped his startup investment within 3-6 months. He focused on Google Ads, direct mail, and local networking to bring in new clients.
By the end of his first year, his CPA told him his business was highly profitable, and year after year, he kept scaling up.
My Take: This is a great business model because of the recurring revenue. Once you lock in a customer, they’ll likely stay with you for months or even years!
Biggest Challenges Ryan Faced
Ryan’s journey wasn’t without obstacles. Shortly after landing his first five or six customers, he was diagnosed with stage 3 testicular cancer. Instead of shutting down, he found a way to keep the business running with help from his dad, who covered for him while he underwent treatment.
During his recovery, Ryan spent his time working on the business, building systems, and preparing for future growth.
My Take: If you want to succeed in business, you have to be adaptable. Ryan’s ability to push through adversity is why he made it big.
How Many Customers Does He Have?
Ryan and his team complete hundreds of stops per week, with some customers paying for once-a-week visits while others require service six times a week.
Pricing Breakdown:
- Basic bi-weekly service: $80/month
- Higher-tier customers: $700+/month
- One-time cleanups: Varies based on yard size
Some customers even hire his team for pressure washing, deodorizing, and sanitizing services—allowing him to upsell and increase revenue.
My Take: Offering add-on services is a smart move. The more value you can provide, the more customers are willing to pay!
Marketing Strategies That Helped Him Scale
Ryan initially tried flyers, word of mouth, and networking at dog parks. But the game-changer was Google Ads.
Top Marketing Channels That Work:
✔ Google Ads (Biggest driver of leads)
✔ Truck Wraps (Acts as a moving billboard)
✔ SEO & Yelp Listings (Helps with organic traffic)
✔ Referrals (Word-of-mouth from happy customers)
He experimented with Facebook Ads and Instagram, but didn’t see much success—proving that not all marketing methods work in every industry.
My Take: Google Ads is also my top choice for getting leads fast. If you’re starting a pet waste removal business, this should be your main advertising focus.
Revenue & Business Growth
Yearly Revenue Growth:
- Year 1: $100,000+
- Year 3: $150,000+
- Year 6: $330,000+ (2022)
Now, Ryan is taking things to the next level by franchising Bombs Away, allowing other entrepreneurs to buy into his business model.
My Take: Franchising is a massive opportunity in this industry. There’s still so much untapped demand across the U.S.!
How You Can Start Your Own Pooper Scooper Business
🚀 Want to follow in Ryan’s footsteps? Here’s how to get started:
✔ Get the right tools (rake, dustpan, bags, gloves)
✔ Set up a website & Google My Business profile
✔ Start advertising on Google Ads
✔ Offer competitive pricing with add-ons
✔ Provide great customer service & build referrals
💰 Want to learn how to scale your business FAST? Join Poop Scoop Millionaire for expert training!
📢 Looking for scooping jobs? Apply to work with Royal Scoopers! Apply Here
📺 Watch the full video here: This Guy Made $360,000 Picking Up Dog Poop
Final Thoughts
Ryan O’Quinn’s success proves that pet waste removal is a highly profitable industry. Whether you want to start a side hustle or build a full-scale business, this model is scalable, in-demand, and relatively easy to start.
What’s stopping you from getting started? 🚀