From Dog Poop to $200K/Month: Swoop Scoop Business

I’ll be honest, I laughed the first time I heard someone say you could make six figures scooping dog poop. But then I saw the numbers, and a girl, my jaw, hit the floor.

This isn’t just a quirky little side hustle. It’s a real-deal, million-dollar business, anyone could literally start tomorrow. And the best part? The startup cost is cheaper than a pair of Nikes.

Here’s what blew my mind:

• Startup cost: Just $174
  That covered basic supplies , think poop scooper, trash bags, gloves, and a bucket. No fancy tech or equipment needed.
• Time commitment: Less than 10 hours a week at first
  The founder juggled this alongside a full-time job, working evenings and weekends. No burnout, no overwhelm.
• Monthly revenue: Over $200,000
  With a consistent client base of 2,000+ pet owners, they now run a thriving business with recurring income.
• Annual earnings: $2.4 million
  And yes, that’s with poop. Who knew?

So, if you’re sitting there thinking you need a big budget or a tech degree to start a business, think again. Sometimes the gold is hiding in the grass, literally.

What Is Swoop Scoop and How Does It Work?

A Simple Yet Scalable Business You Can Copy

So, what exactly is Swoop Scoop? Think of it like DoorDash of dog poop , but instead of delivering food, they’re hauling away the stuff your dog leaves behind.

It’s a subscription-based dog waste removal service, and honestly, it’s genius. Pet parents are busy, and no one wants to deal with a stinky backyard. That’s where this service comes in.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Subscription model , Clients sign up for recurring cleanups. Weekly, bi-weekly, or even twice a week.
• Pricing varies , It depends on how many dogs you have and how often they visit.
• Average revenue per customer: ~$100/month , And with 2,000+ recurring customers, that math adds up fast.

How a Typical Swoop Scoop Visit Works

Okay, so what does a visit look like? It’s surprisingly polished. Not just someone sneaking into your yard with a bucket.

Here’s the typical routine:

• Heads-up text before arrival , Clients get a text so they’re not caught off guard (and can let the doggo inside).
• Thorough “zig-zag” poop patrol , the technician covers every inch of the yard. Think military-grade sweep, but for.
• Clean-up and close-up, Waste is bagged and hauled off, the gate is securely closed, and a photo is emailed as proof.
• Sanitization , Tools are disinfected between each home to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of diseases like parvo.

Startup Costs and Tools You Need

Minimal Equipment, Maximum Profit

Let me tell you , this is one of the few businesses where your startup gear can literally fit in your car trunk. No fancy storefront, no massive inventory, and no tech headaches.

Starting your own pet waste removal service doesn’t require much , just the right tools, some grit, and a good back (more on that in a sec).

Here’s what you’ll need to get going:

• Total startup cost: around $174
  Yup, that’s it. No need to go into debt or max out your credit card.
• Basic tools you’ll need:
  • A garden rake, perfect for scraping without bending over every two seconds.
  • A flipped dustpan, it scoops better than you think and keeps things clean and quick.
  • A 5-gallon bucket or bin, heavy-duty and easy to hose down.
  • A disinfectant sprayer, keeps your tools germ-free and your clients’ pets safe.
• Bonus tip: Use an ergonomic handle or modify it yourself
  Your back will thank you. Trust me, after a few yards of zig-zag scooping, you’ll be begging for a break if your handle’s too short.

How Swoop Scoop Scaled to 6 Figures

From 0 to 350 Customers in Just 3 Months

Alright, so how did this poop-scooping side hustle turn into a six-figure powerhouse so fast? Spoiler alert: it wasn’t luck. It was smart marketing and a whole lotta follow-through.

When they first started, they didn’t even have a website. No SEO, no TikTok dances. Just simple, effective Facebook ads, and they crushed it.

Here’s how it all came together:

• Facebook ads were the secret sauce
  They ran hyper-local ads with real photos, a human scooping poop next to a branded vehicle. No stock photos. Just honest, “Hey neighbor, we get it” kind of ads.
• $7 per lead
  Not bad, right? Even better when 1 in every 3 leads became a paying client.
• Hook-heavy messaging
  Stuff like “Tired of stepping in it?” or “Your dog poops. We scoop.” It was catchy, relatable, and got clicks fast.
• Grew to 350+ recurring clients in under 90 days
  That’s not hype, that’s execution.

The Power of Recurring Revenue

This is where the real magic happens. Once you lock in a few happy clients, they stick around. Because let’s be honest, no one wants to go back to scooping once they’ve outsourced it.

Let’s do the math real quick:

• Average monthly value per client: $100
• Just 2 new clients per week = $800 in new monthly revenue
• After one year, that’s over $100,000/year in recurring income

And you don’t need a huge client list to make it work. A steady trickle of sign-ups is enough to build a seriously profitable business.

The Operations and Profitability

Lean Overhead, Strong Margins

Let’s talk money, because scooping poop doesn’t just pay the bills, it builds bank accounts. And the secret? Keeping overhead low while making the systems work for you.

Swoop Scoop isn’t out here blowing cash on fancy offices or overpriced software. They run lean, smart, and system-driven. That’s what makes it scale without chaos.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Net profit margin: about 30%
  That’s after paying staff, equipment, insurance, and all the boring-but-important stuff.
• Monthly expenses hit around $140,000
  This is during peak season, when client demand spikes and more staff is out in the field.
• Systems keep it smooth
  With automated scheduling, GPS route mapping, and real-time client updates, the business can grow without micromanaging every little thing.

So yes, even with six figures in monthly expenses, they’re still walking away with a sweet chunk of change, all because the systems do the heavy lifting.

How They Manage Staff So Efficiently

Worried you’ll need a huge team? Nope. This biz model is all about smart staffing.

Check this out:

• One employee can handle up to 150 recurring clients
  That’s some serious efficiency. With optimized routes and regular schedules, the work becomes super predictable.
• Currently 20 employees, expanding to 30 in spring
  They ramp up when the weather’s nice and the poop piles up (you know how springtime dogs get). Flexibility is key, and seasonal hiring makes it easy.

Key Marketing Strategies

Low-Cost Marketing That Actually Works

Let’s be real, not everyone has a huge ad budget when they’re just starting out. I sure didn’t. But Swoop Scoop proved that you don’t need big bucks to get your first clients. Just a little hustle and a whole lot of smart strategy.

Here’s what worked like magic for them (and can work for you too):

• Facebook Buy-Sell-Trade groups
  Yup, those local community groups where folks sell used bikes and ask for plumber recs? Goldmine. Just post a friendly intro with your offer and a clear call to action.
• Google Business Profile = free exposure
  Create one ASAP. It boosts local SEO, shows up on Maps, and lets happy customers leave glowing reviews, which does half the selling for you.
• Free 2-week trial for new customers
  Risk-free trials helped them get their foot in the door and collect raving testimonials. Who says no to free poop pickup?

Honestly, this whole model is built for people who want results without dropping thousands on ads right away.

How They Keep Customers Coming Back

Getting a customer is one thing. Keeping them? That’s where the real money is. And Swoop Scoop nails this part with automation and smart messaging.

Here’s how they keep retention high:

• SMS remarketing
  If someone asked for a quote but didn’t sign up? They follow up. A quick, polite text is often all it takes to convert a maybe into a yes.
• Seasonal promos via email & text
  Think spring cleanups, summer deals, or “Your dog’s been busy this fall!” messages. Timely nudges that feel helpful, not spammy.

Retention is the secret sauce. Because once someone hands over that job to you, they really don’t want it back.

Expanding the Brand

Tapping into the Commercial Market

So far, we’ve talked backyards and pet parents, but the real game-changer? Commercial contracts. Yep, apartments, HOAs, and rental communities are quietly becoming a goldmine in this space.

And get this:

• 5–10% of Swoop Scoop’s revenue now comes from apartment complexes
  It’s a smaller slice, but it’s high-margin and growing fast.
• Fewer competitors in commercial dog waste cleanup
  Most small operators don’t go after this market, which means less noise and easier entry.
• They network directly with property managers and real estate groups
  It’s B2B done right, no cold calling, just warm intros and clean value.

If you’re thinking long-term, this is a smart niche to explore once you’ve got a few dozen residential clients under your belt.

Scaling Like a Real Brand, Not Just a Side Hustle

Here’s where it starts to look less like a scrappy gig and more like a national franchise-in-the-making. The Swoop Scoop team built a system that scales, and they did it the smart way.

Here’s how:

• Headquarters handles the backend
  Routing, billing, customer support, all done centrally through HQ. It’s seamless and efficient.
• Local teams focus on service delivery
  Managers in each city just handle field work. No admin headaches, just scooping and smiling.
• Everything is branded
  Trucks, uniforms, email templates, all polished and pro. They built trust by looking and acting like a big name from day one.

Common Entrepreneurial Lessons

It’s About Mindset, Not Perfection

Look, the biggest reason most people never start a business? It’s not the lack of money or time, it’s overthinking. Analysis paralysis. Waiting for the “perfect moment.”

But here’s what I learned watching the Swoop Scoop journey:

• Most folks fail because they don’t start
  Not because their idea was bad, but because they sat on it too long.
• There’s real demand for this “poop pain”
  It might sound silly, but it solves a very real problem. And anytime people will pay to avoid a chore? You’ve got a business.
• You don’t need all the answers upfront
  The founders didn’t. They started with a rake and a route. You can figure things out as you go. Perfection is overrated, momentum matters.

Partnership and Team Culture Matter More Than You Think

One of my favorite parts of this story? The founders didn’t try to do it all alone. They knew their strengths and played to them.

Here’s what worked:

• Will was the marketing guy, Levi ran the ops
  Total opposite skill sets, and that’s what made it click. One brought in leads, the other made sure the business could handle them.
• They hired people who matched their values, not just their budget
  It wasn’t just about throwing bodies at the job. They built a team with a shared mission and clear expectations.
• Their core values say it all:
  • “Winners Win”, own your results and show up to deliver
  • Humility, no job is beneath you, not even scooping poop
  • Swift Solutions, handle problems fast and move forward

Overcoming Growth Challenges

Every Business Has Bumps in the Road

Let’s not sugarcoat it, even million-dollar ideas come with a few faceplants. And Swoop Scoop had theirs too. The good news? They didn’t quit. They adjusted, learned, and leveled up.

Here are a few early bumps they hit:

• They totally misread seasonality
  You’d think summer would be the busiest, right? Nope. Winter is the poopiest season, less yardwork, more neglected mess. They weren’t ready.
• Blew through their ad budget too fast
  They spent big on summer ads expecting high returns, only to realize demand wasn’t peaking yet.
• What they did right: pivoted
  They scaled back ads during slow months and saved cash for Q1, when demand exploded. Smart budgeting saved them from crashing.

Lesson? Your first plan won’t be perfect, but if you’re willing to flex, you’ll figure it out.

Training and Leadership That Actually Works

As the business grew, so did the need for a real system, because let’s be honest, winging it only works when it’s just you and a bucket.

So they built a training process that didn’t just hand someone a scooper and wish them luck.

Here’s what they nailed:

• One-week onboarding
  New hires go through video modules, then shadow a team lead in the field. It’s fast, but thorough.
• Defined leadership structure
  • Leads manage scoopers, keeping quality high and questions low
  • Managers oversee teams, handling bigger issues and stepping in when needed

Why This dog poop Business Works

Low Barriers, Big Rewards

Here’s what I love about this business: it’s simple, cheap to start, and it actually works. No inventory, no crazy logistics, no guessing games.

You don’t need a storefront, a warehouse, or even a business degree. Just a poop scooper, some hustle, and a smart plan.

Here’s why it’s so profitable:

• Virtually zero cost of goods sold
  Unlike retail or product-based businesses, there’s nothing to “buy” repeatedly. Once you have your tools, you’re good to go.
• Just 85 recurring clients = $100K/year
  Let that sink in. If you charge around $100/month per customer, and get just 85 regulars, you’re hitting six figures.
• It’s built on a predictable revenue model
  Customers don’t just use the service once. They stick around every month, making income consistent and easy to forecast.

Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV): The Real Secret

This is where the math really gets fun, and it shows how scalable this business can be.

Let’s break it down:

• Monthly revenue per customer: $100
• Average churn rate: 5% (aka, most people stay a long time)
• CLTV = $100 ÷ 0.05 = $2,000
  That means each new customer is worth about $2,000 over their lifetime.

So guess what?

• You could spend up to $200 acquiring one client and still come out way ahead
  That gives you serious wiggle room for marketing, promos, or referral bonuses.

This is why Swoop Scoop works, and why it could work for you too. It’s not just a quirky idea. It’s a well-oiled, high-retention, low-cost business model anyone can step into.

Final Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Start Small, Grow Smart

If you’re still wondering whether you could actually pull something like this off… let me just say: you totally can. You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need investors. Heck, you don’t even need to quit your day job.

Just start.

This business model is designed to scale, and Swoop Scoop is proof of what happens when you stop overthinking and just do the thing.

Here’s what I’d tell anyone thinking of diving in:

• Start it as a side hustle
  You don’t have to go all-in from day one. Do a couple yards a week after work or on weekends, and grow from there.
• Use free tools whenever you can
  Google Business Profile, Canva for flyers, Facebook groups, there’s no shame in scrappy. I built my first blog with free plugins and caffeine-fueled evenings.
• Don’t wait for everything to be “ready”
  You’ll never feel 100% ready. Get in the game. Make mistakes. Learn fast. Adjust faster.

Listen , success doesn’t always look fancy. Sometimes, it looks like a scooper, a bucket, and a dream. And sometimes, that’s exactly what works.

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