Most entrepreneurs have massive objectives after they begin their enterprise, whether or not it is full-time or a aspect hustle. Then, there may be full-time gross sales exec/mother/part-time entrepreneur Demetra Markopoulos. “My aim is to construct a poop empire in Los Angeles,” says the DoodyCalls franchisee — and he or she means it.
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Profitable, however part-time
Markopoulos, who has a background in enterprise gross sales, has at all times had an entrepreneurial streak. She wished to open a profitable part-time enterprise that would not intervene together with her full-time profession. With a household to help and California’s excessive value of dwelling, she realized she wanted to be good about her alternative. Markopoulos started to study franchising by way of a advisor.
“[In franchising], there’s slightly bit extra safety there, a confirmed enterprise mannequin,” she says. “[I thought], possibly he will help me discover one thing that does not require my full consideration 24/7, the place it may be managed and the place the funding is not essentially as excessive as a number of the different franchises on the market.”
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Aspect hustle? Not at First
Markopoulos was drawn to the chance at DoodyCalls due to its flexibility, decrease startup value and skill to run the enterprise remotely and part-time. The pet waste removing franchise, which ranked #450 within the 2024 Franchise 500 (the one franchise in its class to rank within the prime 500), additionally supplied one other benefit: It would not require expert labor.
Markopoulos bought her DoodyCalls franchise in January 2024. She saved her day job however prefers to not label her enterprise.
“I would not say it is a aspect hustle,” she says. “It is positively numerous work. I am not going to reduce that. Proper now, I work a loopy quantity of hours.”
She says she works greater than 40 hours per week on her full-time job and has labored as much as 30 hours per week on the DoodyCalls franchise.
Happily, Markopoulos says, she knew she must put within the hours at first, with the hope that, after a couple of months, she could be making sufficient cash to rent a employees. “That is the place I am at proper now,” she says.
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Staying organized
As somebody who works on an organization’s management workforce by day, staying organized — and versatile — when working a part-time enterprise in her restricted off-time has been important.
“I discovered in a short time I needed to create a schedule for myself and prioritize for the week,” Markopoulos says. “[I know] I will must pivot. It will fluctuate relying on the week.”
She additionally continually reevaluates to make sure that her aspect enterprise doesn’t have an effect on her full-time job and vice versa.
“It is about prioritizing and what must be finished,” she says. “What is going on to be the simplest use of my time?”
By all accounts, she’s finished properly.
“Demetra’s grit and dedication has been spectacular from the very begin,” Larry Amos, president of DoodyCalls, advised Entrepreneur. “She has an unmatched entrepreneurial spirit and works tirelessly to get the phrase out about DoodyCalls in her group.”
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Mother-friendly franchise
One other benefit for Markopoulos is the pliability that enables her to be together with her 6-year-old son. “Whether or not it is a advertising occasion, a farmers market, or we’re visiting a buyer, 95% of the time, I can convey him,” she says.
Markopoulos mentioned DoodyCalls, which is underneath the Authority Manufacturers umbrella, has been supportive in a number of methods. “They notice I’ve my son, that I’ve a profession, they usually’ve been very versatile. However they’re additionally there to offer me a kick within the pants. I do not want a lot of that, however extra so that they are there on the reassuring and encouragement aspect.”
