While some wait for the help to come from someone above, others take it in their hands and get going. Fortunately, Estevan has a lot of active, strong and creative people, and Kaitlyn Ash is one of them.
One day, Ash was helping her mother to clean the yard after dogs when what turned out to be a brilliant business idea struck her.
“I was helping my mom clean up because we own three dogs ourselves. So I was helping her clean up and I was just like, ‘You know, I could probably make quite a bit from this.’ And I figured, now, that it’s springtime, there is definitely a lot of poop that’s coming up that people don’t want to pick up. So I thought it would be a good way to make money for myself and help people out,” said Ash, who business is named Doggy Doo yard cleaning service.
She’s been into the business for less than a few weeks, but there is already a lot of talk around the city about her start-up, and she’s been quite busy since day one.
“We had this whole week booked up and the rest of the month is booked already. And April is already starting to book up as well,” said Ash.
Not only was the idea great and definitely useful, but the way Ash went about it was fresh, brave and generous as well. She set her price for March at $10 per yard, and she also stated that she’d split the money she makes 50/50 with the Estevan Humane Society.
“I’ve always had love for animals, and I know that the humane society is always looking for donations whether it be food, or money or anything that can help them out, so I figured it would be nice to do that for them, so I can get half and they can get half,” said Ash.
Starting in April, the price will go up to $20, but even with the raise, it remains relatively low, especially considering that it’s a fixed price no matter how big or messy people’s yards are.
Ash said that a lot of people tried to convince her to raise it, but she prefers to keep it low, making it attractive and accessible, but she also noted that many people were willing to pay her more. She just started working, and so far she doesn’t have a setup goal to save for, but she said she is happy to help people and the humane society, while also making some cash for herself.
Ash is still a student at the Estevan Comprehensive School, so she only works evenings 4:30-7:30 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
The work Ash is doing might not be the most attractive, but she said she doesn’t mind it.
“I feel pretty good. It’s definitely hard work, but every time I finish each yard it’s always like, yeah, I think I did pretty good, I think people are going to be happy with this.”
And people are happy with the work Ash does, as some of them right away rebook her for the next time and a few are willing to book her weekly.
To her knowledge, nobody else in Estevan is running a similar business, so she could feel the demand as soon as she posted the first ads.
She also has a Facebook group called Doggy Doo yard cleaning service, which can be used for booking an appointment along with personal messages or texts at her cell, which is 306-471-4041.
“I created Doggy Doo to help those who may not be able to pick up their yard due to time or health issues. So kick back, relax, and let us do the dirty work for you!” said Ash on her Facebook page.
