Founder Making $100K+ In Revenue Scooping Dog Poop For Pet Owners
In this interview, Mark Gromer shares his founders Journey providing a valuable service to his community by running a pet waste removal company with his son. They help pet owners scoop up poop!
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In this interview, you'll meet Mark Gromer. Mark, with the help of his son, founded a Dog Poop-packing Company called Scoop Doggy logs. I discovered him on one of my Reddit threads, and thought to feature his founder Journey.
In this interview, Mark shares;
His backstory and how he started.
How he got his first free and paid customers for his product.
What was effective in attracting customers to his product?
His competitive advantages, what gives him an edge, and insights that have proven beneficial to his operations.
Which books, podcasts, or other resources have had the greatest impact on him.
What advice would he offer to entrepreneurs who are just starting out.
Q. Hello! Who are you and what product are you working on currently?
My name is Mark Gromer, and I own a Pet Waste Removal Company called (Scoop Doggy Logs LLC).
Q. What is your backstory and how did you come up with your idea? Do you have any partners?
Starting Scoop Doggy Logs was a journey that began with my son, Masen, and me in October 2022. As a recent graduate from Vail, Masen had big dreams and a desire to dive into the world of entrepreneurship. We tossed around a few ideas, but the one that stuck was providing a valuable service to our community by keeping their yards clean and safe for their pets.
We had no experience in running a business, let alone a pet waste removal service, but we were determined to make it work. The early days were tough. We had no customers, no social media presence, and no website. We had to learn everything from scratch. We walked door-to-door in neighborhoods, talking to as many people as we could, explaining our services and why they were necessary. It was exhausting, but our perseverance started to pay off.
We specialize in pet waste removal services, focusing on weekly, bi-weekly, and twice-weekly cleanings. We also offer one-time deep cleanings for those yards that need a bit more attention. One of our key differentiators is our use of WYSIWash, a pet-safe and eco-friendly sanitizer that ensures a clean and hygienic yard. This has set us apart from our competitors and has been a significant selling point for our services.
Our target audience is mainly busy families, pet owners who prefer a hands-off approach to waste management, and those who prioritize cleanliness in their outdoor spaces. We focus primarily on dog owners in Tucson, specifically in areas like Rita Ranch and Vail.
Community engagement has been a cornerstone of our business strategy. We maintain an active presence on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where we post a mix of fun and informative content. We love using 90s hip-hop-themed taglines that resonate with our audience and keep our marketing fresh and engaging. Our website, www.nopoop.life, serves as a hub for all information related to our services, pricing, and online booking.
The feedback from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive. They appreciate our reliability, attention to detail, and friendly service. The WYSIWash sanitizing has been a game-changer, and our competitive pricing has made our services accessible to many pet owners. Hearing our customers say that their yards are clean and odor-free is incredibly rewarding.
Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans to grow our customer base to 200 within the next year and explore expanding our services to new areas, including possibly Arnold, Missouri. We're also focused on enhancing our online presence through SEO and engaging social media content, aiming to establish ourselves as a leading brand in the pet waste removal market in Tucson.
Reflecting on our journey, I’m proud of how far we’ve come. Our strengths lie in our meticulous cleaning process, advanced sanitization techniques, and personalized customer service. We ensure our customers' peace of mind with features like notifications upon arrival and departure, along with photos of secured gates.
Starting Scoop Doggy Logs with Masen has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. Seeing our hard work translate into a thriving business that serves our community and keeps their outdoor spaces clean and safe is truly fulfilling. We’re excited about what the future holds and are committed to continuing our growth and providing exceptional service to our customers.
Q. Take us through the process of building the first version of your product MVP.
Starting Scoop Doggy Logs was a straightforward but thoughtful process. My son Masen and I knew we wanted to provide a valuable service to our community, and after some brainstorming, we decided on pet waste removal. We tossed around various names for the business, wanting something catchy and memorable. After considering a few options, we settled on "Scoop Doggy Logs" — it had a fun ring to it that we hoped would stick with our customers.
Once we had our name, the next step was to register our business. We went through the necessary legal procedures to ensure everything was in order. This included securing the trademark for Scoop Doggy Logs to protect our brand. It was a learning experience, navigating the paperwork and legalities, but it was a crucial step to establish our business officially.
With our business officially registered, we turned our focus to marketing. We started by creating a basic Facebook page, which was the beginning of our online presence. We quickly realized that we needed more than just a social media page to reach potential customers, so we built a website, www.nopoop.life, to provide detailed information about our services, pricing, and online booking options.
Even with our online efforts, we knew we needed to make a personal connection with our community. Masen and I spent countless hours walking through neighborhoods, knocking on doors, and introducing ourselves to pet owners. We explained the benefits of our service and how it could make their lives easier. It was tough at first, but our persistence paid off. Each conversation was a chance to learn more about our potential customers' needs and refine our pitch.
Q. How did you get your first customers for your product (Free or paid users)?
When we first started Scoop Doggy Logs, we knew we needed to find a way to attract our initial customers. We came up with the idea of running a "free cleaning" special in our local community. The concept was simple: we offered a free pet waste removal service in exchange for a review.
We promoted this special offer through word of mouth, flyers, and our social media presence. To our delight, 10 people took advantage of the free cleaning offer. This not only gave us an opportunity to showcase the quality of our service but also allowed us to gather valuable feedback and reviews.
The strategy paid off remarkably well. Out of the 10 initial customers who tried our free cleaning service, 9 of them became regular clients. Even more gratifying, those 9 customers are still with us 18 months later. This early success helped us build a strong foundation and establish a loyal customer base, proving the value of our service and setting the stage for future growth.
Q. Since you launched your product, What has worked to attract customers?
Since we launched Scoop Doggy Logs, the most effective method for attracting new customers has been Facebook, hands down. In our industry, the biggest competition we face isn't other pet waste removal services but rather a lack of awareness among potential customers. Many pet owners simply don't know that such a convenient service exists.
We quickly realized that there isn't much Google search volume for pet waste removal services yet, so we needed to be proactive in getting in front of potential customers. Facebook has been the perfect platform for this. It allows us to target specific demographics, engage with the community, and showcase our services through posts, ads, and customer testimonials.
Our Facebook strategy includes running targeted ad campaigns, posting engaging content, sharing customer reviews and testimonials.
By leveraging Facebook effectively, we've been able to put ourselves in front of prospects who may not have been actively searching for our services but are likely to appreciate the convenience and benefits once they learn about us. This proactive approach has been key to our growth and continues to be our most successful strategy for attracting new customers.
Q. How is your product performing currently, and what are your plans for the future? Can you share your current metrics and revenue figures?
Scoop Doggy Logs is performing well and steadily growing. As of now, we are generating around $5,000 per month in revenue. This growth is a result of our consistent efforts in marketing, particularly through Facebook, and our commitment to providing excellent service. We are gaining new customers at a rate of 8-12 per month, which is a promising indicator of our market presence and customer satisfaction.
Our first big break came after a few months of relentless effort. We finally got our first customer, and from there, we slowly began to build a loyal client base. By the end of our first year, we had over 70 customers, with 39 of them being recurring clients. We were thrilled to see our revenue hit almost $19,000 in that first year, and our projections for the second year were even more ambitious, aiming for $50,000.
Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans for further growth and expansion. Based on our current trajectory, we expect to increase our monthly revenue to approximately $9,000 by the end of the year. To achieve this, we will continue to focus on the strategies that have proven successful so far, such as targeted Facebook advertising and community engagement.
Q. Since the inception of your business, have you gained any insights that have provided you with a competitive advantage and proven beneficial to your operations?
Since we started Scoop Doggy Logs, we have gained several key insights that have helped us refine our services, improve customer satisfaction, and stay ahead of the competition.
1. The Importance of Customer Communication
One of the most significant insights we've gained is the critical role of clear and consistent communication with our customers. By keeping our customers informed about their service schedules, any changes, and promptly addressing their concerns, we've built a strong rapport and trust.
2. Leveraging Facebook for Marketing
We've learned that Facebook is an incredibly powerful tool for reaching potential customers. By creating targeted ads and engaging content, we've been able to increase our visibility and attract new clients effectively.
3. Offering Flexible Service Options
Providing a variety of service options, such as weekly, bi-weekly, and one-time deep cleanings, has allowed us to cater to different customer needs and preferences. This flexibility has been a key selling point and has made our services more accessible to a broader audience.
4. Utilizing WYSIWash for Sanitization
The use of WYSIWash, a pet-safe and eco-friendly sanitizer, has set us apart from many competitors. This added service not only ensures a clean yard but also a hygienic and safe environment for pets and their owners.
5. Focus on Local Community Engagement
Active involvement in the local community has been invaluable. Participating in community events and supporting local causes has helped us build strong relationships and a positive reputation.
As we continue to grow, we will keep these insights at the core of our operations to maintain our competitive advantage and ensure the continued success of Scoop Doggy Logs.
Q. What tools have helped you grow your product?
Since starting Scoop Doggy Logs, several tools have been instrumental in helping us grow our business, they include social management tools like Hootsuite and Buffer, scheduling and customer management software like Jobber, Facebook Ads, a website and online booking system, email marketing tools like MailChimp, Analytics and reporting tools such as Google analytics and of course, the WYSIWash Sanitizing System.
Q. Which books, podcasts, or other resources have had the greatest impact on you?
Alex Hormozi 100 Million dollar offers, and 100 Million dollar leads.
Q. What advice would you offer to entrepreneurs who are looking to start or have just begun their journey?
Starting and growing Scoop Doggy Logs has been a rewarding journey filled with valuable lessons. Here’s some advice I’d offer to entrepreneurs who are looking to start or have just begun their journey:
1. Start with a Solid Plan
Having a clear business plan is essential. Outline your business goals, target market, and strategies for reaching customers. A well-thought-out plan will serve as your roadmap and help you stay focused on your objectives.
2. Be Prepared to Learn and Adapt
You won’t know everything when you start, and that’s okay. Be open to learning and adapting as you go. Take advantage of resources like online courses, books, and mentors who can offer guidance and insights.
3. Focus on Customer Needs
Understanding and meeting your customers' needs should be at the top of your priorities.
4. Leverage Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for marketing and connecting with your audience. Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to promote your business, engage with customers, and build your brand presence.
5. Offer Something Unique
Identify what sets your business apart from the competition. Whether it’s a unique product feature, exceptional customer service, or innovative technology, find your unique selling proposition and highlight it in your marketing efforts.
6. Start Small and Scale Gradually
It’s tempting to want to grow quickly, but starting small allows you to refine your operations and build a solid foundation. Focus on delivering quality service or products, and scale up gradually as you gain more customers and resources.
7. Manage Your Finances Wisely
Keep a close eye on your finances from day one. Track your expenses, maintain a budget, and ensure you have enough cash flow to sustain your operations. Consider using accounting software to streamline this process.
8. Build a Strong Online Presence
In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial. Invest in a professional website, optimize it for search engines (SEO), and ensure it provides valuable information and easy navigation for your customers.
9. Network and Build Relationships
Networking is key to growing your business. Attend industry events, join local business groups, and connect with other entrepreneurs. Building relationships can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
10. Stay Persistent and Resilient
Starting a business is challenging, and you’ll likely face setbacks along the way. Stay persistent and resilient. Learn from your mistakes, keep pushing forward, and don’t be discouraged by obstacles. Success often comes to those who persevere.
11. Invest in Marketing
Don’t underestimate the power of marketing. Allocate a budget for marketing efforts, whether it’s social media ads, email campaigns, or local promotions. Consistent marketing helps keep your business in front of potential customers.
12. Enjoy the Journey
Lastly, enjoy the journey. Entrepreneurship can be demanding, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Celebrate your successes, learn from your challenges, and take pride in the impact your business makes.
Starting Scoop Doggy Logs has been a fulfilling experience, and I hope these pieces of advice help you as you embark on your entrepreneurial journey. Good luck!
Q. Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?
Yes, We are currently looking to hire one more scooper.
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions! What is your contact info if people would like to inquire about your services?
Oh alright! Here's our website and Facebook page.
Let me know what you learned from this interview and have a productive week 🙏
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