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48 - Wednesday, June 22, 1994 - Norih Shore News

US

iINESS.

Scooby’s scoops competition

JOHN LEISHMAN and Craig
Stark became official taugh-
ing-stocks when they told
their family and friends they
were breaking into the poop-
sccoping business.

By Kate Zimmerman
News Reporter

The men command a little more
respect now that Scooby's Dog
Waste Removal Service is making
over $50,000 a year —~ particularly
since its 26-year-old owners only
work there one day a week.

Former residents of North and
West Vancouver, the men now
share a house in Kitsilano and
explore other projects. They enjoy
making jokes at the expense of
their unorthodox business.

Nowadays, said Leishman, “We
cover both ends of the dog.”

This means that in addition to
going by their clients’ homes once
a week to scoop and dispose of dug
waste (for $5 a week), the men will
pick up and deliver orders of dog
food for a mere dollar above the
price of the eats. They also arrange
for lawn-mowing. (Another option
for pet-owners is to scoop the dog-
waste themselves and have Scooby
come by weekly to pick it up.)

The business sprang into being
because the men, who have been
friends since Grade 6, graduated
with Commerce degrees and
couldn't find work. They started
with 20 customers and, in the space
of two years, have increased their
client base by 210 and added an
employee. :

Over half their customers live
on the Norih Shore. According to
Stark, Scooby brings in $5,000 a

Tips for men

From page 47

he does a better job,” is a typical

comment f hear from the wife.
And J reply: “Just think how

much better you'd both do if you

‘e * shared some of those jobs, includ-

ing money management. Let him
still handle most of the financial
dealings, but at least stay in touch
with what’s gcing on. If, or when,
you find yourself yourself on your
own, I guarantee you'll feel in con-
trol, and that’s an excellent return

month and costs are almost nil.

There's one competitor now,
working in Surrey, but Leishman
warns with a twinkle in his eye.
“Not just anyone can do this. you
know.”

Shovelling dog turds in the
pouring rain is not everyone's idea
of a decent living, he pointed out.
“Now we're hardened...we're used
toanything.”

The business has cvolved over
the years. Demand for Scooby’ s
services was prompied by the fact
that sanitation engineers now
refuse to pick up dog excrement in
the regular garbage. because
garbage truck compactors send the
feces flying onto workers.

Leishman and Stark currently
sub-contract their waste disposal to
a waste management company. But
they are looking into investing in a
$15,000 machine which would use
ozonization to turn the waste into
“slurry fertilizer.”

“Then we'll be the true kings of
crap,” said [Leishman, who believes
there is “big moncy” in waste man-
agement. He is also looking into
recycling fish remains and chicken
manure.

As in any business, half the
men’s current battle is getting paid
for their labors. Lately, the affable
ewners of Scooby joke that they
may start getting their revenge on
tardy customers by returning, en
masse, the same amount of waste
they have taken away.

Otherwise, the men are enthusi-
astic about their operation. They
are so confident of customer satis-
faction that they offer new clients
two weeks’ service free (call 926-
8180).

Stark and Leishman have come
a long way since they dressed up as

and women

for the time you've invested.”

The same comments apply to
mien whose wife handles the fami-
ly’s finances Share some of the
responsibility and you'll find you'll
have fewer arguments about money.

Mike Grenby is a North Shore-
based columnist and independent
financial adviser who warks with
individuals, He will answer your
questions int this column as space
allows. Write to him c/o 2444
Haywaad Ave., West Vancouver
V7V IYI

nary

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dogs and waved at traffic heading
over the Lions Gate Bridge in an
effort to drum up business,

The move has certainty proved
one fact to Leishnuin. “The craziest
ideas can actually work out,” he

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