Dirty Dollars
Welcome back to Niche Riches, your weekly dose of real businesses and side hustles that actually make you money.
This week, we’re rolling up our sleeves (and plugging our noses) for a side hustle that’s both unglamorous but highly profitable - dog poop removal.
It’s simple, it’s recurring, and it’s surprisingly scalable. Every neighborhood in America is full of dog owners who love their pets but hate picking up after them. That gap is your opportunity.
Let’s scoop through the good, the bad, and the stinky truth of this one.
The Opportunity
Low Startup Costs: You can literally start this business today with less than $100. A sturdy scooper, gloves, trash bags, and a reliable trash can will get you going. There’s no special licensing, no fancy equipment, and no storefront required.
$2K/Month in Recurring Income: Dog waste removal is a subscription business. Clients pay weekly or biweekly, and once they’re on your schedule, that income becomes predictable.
Here’s what the math looks like:25 weekly clients paying $20 each = $2,000/month
Each yard takes about 15 minutes
That’s roughly 6 hours of actual work per week
That’s the beauty here — you’re not trading hours for dollars, you’re trading routes for recurring revenue.
Flexible Schedule: Most clients don’t care when you show up, as long as you’re consistent. That means you can build your routes around your life — before work, after school drop-off, or on weekends.
Blue-Collar Meets Smart-Cashflow: This is one of those “unsexy” hustles that quietly prints money for the people who show up. Many homeowners don’t want to deal with it, and the competition is still light in many areas. With a simple brand and a little marketing, you can own your local market fast.
The Starting Line
Ready to clean up in this business? Here’s how to start step by step.
Step 1: Scout out your market
Before you grab your scooper and hit the road, figure out your target market and customer.
Start with neighborhoods that have visible dog activity and middle-to-upper-income households.
Look on Google Maps or Facebook Groups to see if any local “pooper scooper” companies exist near you.
If there are a few, don’t sweat it — competition usually means opportunity. Note their pricing and see where you can offer better value or service.
Step 2: Get your gear
The beauty here is that you don’t need much to get rolling. Here’s your short list:
Pooper scooper or rake & pan set ($30)
Gloves (disposable or washable)
Heavy-duty trash bags
Airtight bin or tote for hauling waste
Optional: logo t-shirt, small magnetic signs for your vehicle
Once you’ve got steady clients, you can upgrade to odor-proof containers or a simple cart setup in your trunk or truck bed.
Step 3: Set your pricing
Keep it simple, clear, and recurring. Example structure:
1 dog: $20/week
2 dogs: $25/week
3+ dogs: $30–35/week
One-time cleanup: $75–150, depending on yard size and condition. Pricing is higher here on purpose. You want to push customers toward a recurring plan. If someone only wants a one-time cleanup, they’ll pay a premium, or they might not be your ideal customer anyway.
Averaging $25 per client per week gets you to $2,000/month with 20 regular clients. Many operators hit that mark within their first 60 days if they market consistently.
Step 4: Market like a Local Pro
This business grows fast with hyperlocal marketing. Focus on where pet owners already hang out:
Facebook Groups: Share your service in community and pet groups.
Nextdoor: A goldmine for local credibility.
Yard Signs: Simple and super effective — “We Scoop Poop So You Don’t Have To!”
Google Business Profile: Add photos, get reviews, and show up for “dog poop removal near me.”
Pro tip: Offer a “First Cleanup Free” or “Refer a Friend for $10 Off” deal — small promos like this build traction fast.
Step 5: Keep it Clean and Consistent
Clients are paying for reliability and peace of mind. Show up when you say you will, double-bag everything, and leave the yard spotless.
Send a quick text after each visit (“All cleaned up, thanks!”) or drop a small door hanger, as it adds a professional touch that builds loyalty.
Step 6: Make Efficient Routes
Once you have 5–10 clients, plan your route by neighborhood to minimize drive time.
Use Google Maps or Route4Me to optimize your schedule.
Track how long each yard takes.
Standardize billing - weekly autopay through Stripe or Square saves you a ton of time.
Efficient routes = more clients per day = higher profits.
Step 7: Scale the Stink!
When you’re ready to grow, you can:
Hire help: Pay $10–15 per yard and handle scheduling.
Add services: Trash bin cleaning, lawn deodorizing, dog walking.
Expand your brand: Wrap your vehicle, get uniforms, and dominate your zip codes.
That’s how this “simple” side hustle turns into a legit local service business doing $50K–$100K a year.
If there were ever a side hustle that tests your pride just a little, this might be the one. Dog poop removal. I’ll be honest, it’s hard not to laugh at the idea at first. But when you strip away the stigma, it actually makes a lot of sense. It’s simple, it’s recurring, and it’s basically risk-free. You’ve got nothing to lose with this one.
There’s something I really like about side hustles that are super simple. Just show up, do the job, and get paid.
If I were to start this, I’d keep it lean from day one. Grab my gear off Amazon or Facebook Marketplace, throw on a cheap branded tee, and start marketing locally. Door hangers, Facebook Groups, maybe even a funny magnet on the side of the car. The lower the startup cost, the lower the risk, which is exactly the type of side hustle I like to test.
Now, this one’s not without its downside. The low barrier to entry means competition is probably a revolving door of new players in the game. Anyone with a strong stomach and a little hustle can do it. But that’s also what makes it fun. It becomes less about the business idea and more about execution. Consistency, professionalism, and personality can actually set you apart here.
All in all, this is the kind of side hustle that doesn’t sound glamorous but still pays out. You could build a steady, subscription-style income doing something no one else wants to do.
Would I try this one? Absolutely. I’d love to spend a day with a seasoned pro and see how it really runs. And let’s be honest, watching me pick up poop for a day would probably make for some pretty good content.
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What side hustle should I try or research next? Let me know.