What a Day Is Like for an Atlanta, Georgia Scoop Soldiers Franchisee

Eric Degen is the owner and operator of the Atlanta, Georgia-based pet waste removal franchise, Scoop Soldiers, where he serves territories including Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, and Crabapple.

Degen, who is an entrepreneur at heart, opened his franchise in July of 2022. Prior to his venture into the world of franchising, Degen had several small business endeavors. He’s run a t-shirt printing business and also started a self-management platform for nonprofit organizations.

He also currently works in sales for a food manufacturer, but he has always had a passion for running his own business. That’s why he initially decided to look into franchising opportunities. Degen has always been attracted to the franchising model, and specifically, he wanted something that would allow him to keep his day job while building wealth on the side.

After doing his due diligence, Degen learned about the pet waste removal franchise Scoop Soldiers. He liked the concept and decided to meet with the corporate team. During that meeting, he realized it was the right avenue for him, and decided to sign on.

But, what does a day in the life of the Atlanta, Georgia Scoop Soldiers franchise owner look like?

Speaking to 1851 Franchise, Degen says, every morning, the first thing he thinks about is work. He wakes up and checks in with his employees to make sure they have what they need and are ready for the day. He also sets the routes, handles the schedule and takes care of any other managerial tasks that may pop up. Degen says he also makes an effort to check the accounting side of the business several times each day.

But Degen isn’t opposed to working in the field, either. He says he always makes an effort to meet with his clients because interacting with the community is an important part of his business. Building relationships with his customers is a top priority, and he believes that meeting with them in person helps him to better understand their needs and concerns.

“I go out there and scoop fairly often,” said Degen. “I try to go out to every new client’s home for their first scoop. That way I can introduce myself and build a relationship. Plus, I really just like having a personal connection with my customers and the people in my community.”

Degen says he’s extremely committed to the growth of his business, and when he’s not focusing on the other aspects of his franchise, he’s constantly looking for new ways to market his business and build brand awareness. As Degen approaches the one-year anniversary since he opened his franchise, he says he’s learned a lot about what it takes to be a successful business owner.

“It’s taught me a lot about myself. But also, I’ve learned how important it is to prioritize things. There are only so many hours in a day, so make sure to prioritize what you need to get done, and try to create a work and life balance,” he said.

In the next three to five years, Degen’s plan is to grow out his current territory, and have at least three trucks running full-time. He says he’s also actively considering opening up four additional territories on the westside of Atlanta.

“Scoop Soldiers is such a unique and emerging business opportunity. And from a cost perspective, it’s really a no-brainer. The business itself is very profitable. I’m excited to grow with this brand,” said Degen.