Most entrepreneurs have huge objectives after they begin their enterprise, whether or not it is full-time or a facet hustle. Then, there’s full-time gross sales exec/mother/part-time entrepreneur Demetra Markopoulos. “My purpose is to construct a poop empire in Los Angeles,” says the DoodyCalls franchisee — and she or he means it.
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 price of residing, she realized she wanted to be sensible about her alternative. Markopoulos started to study franchising by a consultant.
“[In franchising], there’s a bit bit extra safety there, a confirmed enterprise mannequin,” she says. “[I thought], possibly he may also 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 few 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 price 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 category to rank within the high 500), additionally provided one other benefit: It does not require expert labor.
Markopoulos bought her DoodyCalls franchise in January 2024. She stored her day job however prefers to not label her enterprise.
“I would not say it is a facet hustle,” she says. “It is undoubtedly a variety of work. I am not going to attenuate 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.
Thankfully, Markopoulos says, she knew she must put within the hours to start with, with the hope that, after a number of months, she can be making sufficient cash to rent a workers. “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 group by day, staying organized — and flexible — when operating a part-time enterprise in her restricted off-time has been very important.
“I realized in a short time I needed to create a schedule for myself and prioritize for the week,” Markopoulos says. “[I know] I am going to need to pivot. It will fluctuate relying on the week.”
She additionally always reevaluates to make sure that her side business doesn’t have an effect on her full-time job and vice versa.
“It is about prioritizing and taking a look at what must be performed,” she says. “What is going on to be the simplest use of my time?”
By all accounts, she’s performed nicely.
“Demetra’s grit and willpower 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 neighborhood.”
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Mother-friendly franchise
One other benefit for Markopoulos is the flexibleness 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 carry him,” she says.
Markopoulos stated DoodyCalls, which is beneath the Authority Brands 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 provide 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 facet.”