How To Start a $15K/Month Dog Poop Cleaning Business
Starting a pet waste removal business might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering new ventures, but it’s proving to be a highly profitable and scalable opportunity. In this blog, we’ll break down how Smart Scoops built their dog waste removal business to generate $15K per month. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a full-time business, this guide will give you insights into starting and scaling a dog poop cleaning business.
Watch the original video here: YouTube Video
The Beginning of Smart Scoops
Adam and Lindsay, founders of Smart Scoops, started in home services before moving into the pet waste removal industry. After selling their pressure washing business, they explored poop scooping and realized its high demand and profitability. They spent time researching, creating systems, and ultimately diving into the business full-time.
How They Got Their First Customers
Getting the first customers is often the hardest part of any new business. Smart Scoops took a low-cost marketing approach, using:
- Facebook Groups – Posting in local community groups generated immediate leads.
- Yard Signs – Simple signs saying, “We Scoop Poop” with their phone number were placed around town.
- Table Tents – Placing informational tents in local dog daycares, kennels, and pet-friendly businesses helped generate signups.
Within the first month, they landed 10 clients and scaled from there.
Keeping Things Simple for Customers
One of the standout aspects of Smart Scoops’ business model is their customer-centric approach. They focused on making every step as simple as possible, from advertising to service fulfillment.
Unlike traditional businesses that complicate pricing based on dog size, yard size, and service frequency, Smart Scoops offers three simple service packages:
- Starter Package – Scoop and haul away waste.
- Standard Package – Includes yard sanitation and deodorization.
- Smart Package – Adds dog repellent spray for the front yard.
By catering to the majority of customers rather than outliers, they streamlined their onboarding process and maximized conversions.
Advertising & Marketing Strategy
Initially, Smart Scoops focused on organic and low-cost marketing before reinvesting profits into paid ads. Their three-phase marketing strategy included:
- Bootstrapping – Using free marketing methods (yard signs, Facebook groups, and table tents).
- Scaling – Hiring marketers to run Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and video campaigns.
- Branding & Expansion – Professional branding, wrapped vehicles, and an improved website.
Their Facebook Ads strategy includes a mix of pre-qualified and general awareness campaigns, along with funny and engaging content that stops people from scrolling.
Essential Equipment & Costs
One of the biggest advantages of this business model is its low startup cost. You can start with:
- A rake and dustpan
- Trash bags
- High-visibility vest (to look professional)
Total startup costs can be less than $200 if you begin with a simple setup. Smart Scoops, however, elevated their brand by using:
- 100-gallon sanitizing tanks
- 300 feet of hose for deep yard cleaning
- Fully wrapped trucks
- Uniformed employees
They acknowledge that their approach was more complicated and costly, but emphasize that anyone can start small and scale up.
Commercial vs. Residential Pooper Scooper Services
While most people associate pooper scooper services with residential clients, commercial contracts provide long-term revenue opportunities. Smart Scoops services:
- HOA Communities – Installing and maintaining pet waste stations.
- Dog Parks – Cleaning common pet areas and sanitizing grounds.
- City Parks & Recreational Areas – Providing scheduled waste removal.
Many apartment complexes already have maintenance teams, so HOAs and city parks tend to be better commercial targets.
Expansion & Future Plans
Smart Scoops is focused on scaling efficiently before considering franchising or licensing. Instead of rapid expansion, they are fine-tuning their systems to ensure:
- A strong company culture
- Efficient customer onboarding
- Scalable marketing systems
They have plans to expand to Washington by the end of the year, leveraging partnerships with other home service business owners.
Poop Scoop Academy – Learn to Start Your Own Business
Adam and Lindsay, along with a few other experienced business owners, created the Poop Scoop Academy to help new entrepreneurs break into the industry. It provides a step-by-step guide covering:
- Starting a scooping business from scratch
- Marketing & lead generation
- Pricing strategies
- Customer service best practices
If you want expert guidance to shortcut your learning curve, check out their training here: Poop Scoop Academy.
Final Thoughts – Is Pooper Scooping Worth It?
Smart Scoops’ success shows that pet waste removal is a legitimate and highly profitable industry. With low startup costs, minimal overhead, and high demand, it’s a fantastic business for anyone willing to put in the work.
My take? Focus on simplicity. The key lessons from Smart Scoops are:
- Keep pricing simple to increase conversions.
- Bootstrap marketing before scaling with paid ads.
- Prioritize customer experience to build brand loyalty.
If you’re interested in starting your own pooper scooper business, take action today—don’t overthink it!
Would you try this business? Let me know! And if you want to take it further, check out Poop Scoop Academy to get expert training on launching your own successful business.
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