Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Jones.
Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
In the fall/winter of 2021, I was thinking of ways to earn some extra money for the holidays, something that I could do in my free time and on my own schedule. A year or so prior my dad, who lived in Colorado at the time, mentioned that he knew of someone who started a residential pooper scooper service, that grew to be extremely successful.
I was skeptical at the time, what a strange business venture right? But I really wanted to make a little cash without having to pick up a second job, so I figured it couldn’t hurt to try. I offered the service in a local Facebook group, and the idea took off. I started a business Facebook page, filed for my LLC with the state, and created my own website. With the help of social media, and the support of family, friends, and clients, my customer base tripled in the first few months. By March 2022 my clientele had grown large enough that I was able to quit my food service management job and focus on the business full-time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely been a learning process. My years of customer service experience and restaurant management gave me a solid foundation to work with, but the transition was a difficult one in the beginning. I had to learn how to build my own website, figure out what to charge for my services without overcharging my customers or underselling myself, and so much more.
Starting your own business instead of simply punching a clock is the ultimate test, you’re relying solely on yourself.
With that comes a level of stress that I wasn’t quite prepared for, and that’s probably been my biggest challenge along the way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My business specializes in pet waste removal, a professional pooper scooper if you will. We come to your home and clean up the waste that your dogs leave behind. We currently offer various weekly service packages, depending on each individual client’s needs and budget. In addition to residential services, we also offer commercial services; pet waste stations, and poop scooping in areas such as parks or common areas at apartment complexes. I’ve recently added a seasonal trashcan cleaning service; we’ll come to your home and clean/sanitize your large outdoor trash bin.
Even though this is a very niche-specific service and I’m not competing with dozens of other companies for my clientele, I live each day like I could lose them to a competitor. It pushes me to give them the best possible service because at the end of the day I need them more than they need me.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Word of mouth (tell all your friends!) and sharing social media posts, is the biggest way to show your support, outside of becoming a client of course. Considering the nature of the business, I would love to work with lawncare providers or event rental companies (such as inflatables), because I know those providers don’t like having to navigate yards full of pet waste.
Pricing:
- New Service/One Time Clean $55
- Once Per Week $53/month
- Twice Per Week $78/month
- Three Per Week $86/month
- Biweekly(1 dog only) $35/month
Contact Info:
- Website: www.savannahpoopatrol.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/savannahpoopatrol
