What It Really Takes to Be a Successful Pooper Scooper


Hey Reader , Tony here! 👋🏼

If you’re new to the pooper scooper industry, welcome! I love seeing fresh faces enter this unique and growing field. But let me tell you upfront—this isn’t a “get rich quick” scheme. Far from it.

I want to share a little of my journey with you because I know how easy it is to look at someone’s success and assume it came overnight. But the truth is… it didn’t.

For three years, I worked my full-time job during the day, created content (basically a second full-time job), and ran my scooping business after work until the sun went down. I’d run out of sunlight before I ran out of work most days. It was grueling. But I kept showing up.

After a little over three years of this grind, I had reached 75 clients. Not exactly the overnight success you might imagine, right? But here's the thing: those three years of hard work—building bonds with my clients, providing exceptional service, and becoming a reliable name in my community—laid the foundation for what happened next.

During the Spring Rush of 2024, all that groundwork paid off. I doubled my business in just 6 weeks. Yes, 6 weeks! I went from 75 clients to 168 at my peak and now hovering around 150 clients going into 2025. That was the turning point. I finally quit my full-time job to focus solely on growing my business, and let me tell you, it’s been life-changing.

But growth comes with its own challenges.

SOPs: The Secret to Scaling

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth requires systems. I realized I couldn’t just “wing it” anymore—I needed to create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These SOPs allowed me to duplicate myself, which became crucial when I brought my wife into the business full-time.

SOPs aren’t just fancy words—they’re the step-by-step processes that ensure every customer has the same amazing experience. From how we scoop, to how we communicate, to how we handle billing, everything has a specific and repeatable way to do it.

We also developed canned responses for client communication, which save us tons of time. If a client asks about pricing or rescheduling, we’ve got a pre-written response ready to go. This allows us to respond quickly, and the faster you respond, the more likely you’ll convert a lead into a paying customer.

Don’t Forget to Follow Up

Another hard lesson I’ve learned? Never let a lead slip through the cracks. Being proactive with follow-ups is critical. Someone might not be ready to sign up today, but with the right offers or bonuses, they could say “yes” tomorrow—or even months later.

The truth is, the most expensive thing you’ll ever do as a business owner is acquire a new customer. It’s always easier to sell to someone who’s already done business with you. That’s why I’m always retargeting my existing list—whether through SMS, email marketing, or special incentives. Don’t leave money on the table by forgetting the customers you’ve worked so hard to gain.

The Reality of the Hustle

Here’s the part not everyone wants to talk about: being a business owner means sacrifice.

You’ll spend hours on fulfillment, growing your business, and keeping up with customer service. You might outgrow friendships and lose some relationships along the way. It’s painful, but it’s also rewarding. The person you need to become to grow the business of your dreams will look different than the person you are today. That’s the reality.

For me, my circle of friends has gotten smaller, but the relationships I’ve gained—with like-minded business owners who hold me accountable—have been invaluable. Surrounding yourself with people who get it will push you to grow in ways you didn’t think were possible.

Growing Pains and Next Steps

Right now, I’m preparing for the next big step in my business: hiring help. I’m onboarding a Virtual Assistant to handle admin tasks, so I can focus on what I do best—growing and marketing my business while continuing to serve this incredible industry.

This transition is scary. Hiring people means stepping out of my comfort zone, handing over control, and trusting others to help me achieve my vision. But I know one thing for sure: I can’t do it alone. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your scooping empire.

So, What Does It Really Take?

It takes grit. It takes consistency. It takes showing up day after day, even when it feels like you’re getting nowhere. It takes building systems, learning from mistakes, and surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to grow.

And most importantly, it takes time. This isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. But trust me, every yard you scoop, every happy customer, and every challenge you overcome brings you closer to the life and business you’re working toward.

If you’re in the trenches right now, I see you. Keep going. It’s worth it.

Tony - Poop Scoops For Noobs

P.S. - Make sure you join my Live Stream TODAY January 8th at 6:30PM MST! Ask ME ANYTHING!

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Jobber

What I used to grow to $100K+ annually as a solo operator. Start a free trial of Jobber via my link and receive an exclusive discount AND my bonus Jobber Cheat Sheet For Pooper Scoopers! I'll jump on a coaching call with you to help you get set up when you sign up for a Paid Plan!

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