Summary
In this episode of EGGS: The Podcast, host Mike Smith interviews William Milliken, CEO and founder of Swoop Scoop, a successful home service business specializing in dog waste removal. William shares his journey from digital marketing to owning a portfolio of service companies, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of building a business in an underserved market. The conversation delves into marketing strategies, operational challenges, hiring practices, and the importance of community engagement. William also discusses the launch of his educational platform, the Poop Scoop Millionaire course, aimed at helping others succeed in the industry.
Takeaways
- William transitioned from digital marketing to owning service companies.
- Swoop Scoop started with a simple idea and grew rapidly.
- Customer acquisition was initially a bottleneck but became manageable.
- The importance of using the right equipment to prevent injuries.
- Scaling the business required careful planning and execution.
- Community engagement is crucial for building trust with customers.
- William emphasizes the value of giving back to the community.
- The business model is subscription-based, providing predictable revenue.
- Hiring practices focus on finding reliable and trustworthy employees.
- William's educational platform aims to support others in the industry.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to William Milliken and Swoop Scoop
06:48 Scaling Operations and Customer Acquisition
11:13 Methodical Approach to Business Development
14:20 The Future of Service Industries and Technology
18:55 Innovating in the Pooper Scooper Industry
22:45 The Importance of Focus in Business
27:05 Pricing Strategies and Market Considerations
32:26 The Benefits of Full-Time Employment
34:24 Franchising vs. In-House Expansion
35:56 Identifying and Navigating New Markets
37:54 The Seattle Market Dynamics
38:16 Expanding into Commercial Work
39:42 Challenges of Commercial Contracts
41:38 Unexpected Challenges in Business
44:05 Overcoming Business Hurdles
45:18 Community Engagement and Marketing
47:22 Building Trust in the Business
48:41 Innovative Waste Management Solutions
50:13 The Poop Scoop Millionaire Course
52:38 Philosophy of Open Business Practices
Credits:
Hosted by Michael Smith and Ryan Roghaar
Produced by Ryan Roghaar
Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM
The Carton:
https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs
Feature with Zack Chmeis of Straight Method up now!
https://medium.com/the-carton-by-eggs/zack-chmeis-35dae817ac28
The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:
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Mike "DJ Ontic":
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Ryan Roghaar:
rogha.ar