Most entrepreneurs have big goals when they start their business, whether it's full-time or a side hustle. Then there's full-time sales executive/mom/part-time entrepreneur Demetra Markopoulos. “My goal is to build a poop empire in Los Angeles,” he says DoodyCalls franchisee – and she says it.
Profitable, but part-time
Markopoulos, who has a background in business sales, has always had an entrepreneurial streak. She wanted to open a profitable part-time business that would not interfere with her full-time career. With a family to support and Californiawith the high cost of living, she realized she had to be smart about her choice. Markopoulos began learning about the franchise through a consultant.
“(In franchising), there's a little more certainty there, a proven business model,” she says. “(I thought), maybe he can help me find something that doesn't require my full attention 24/7where it can be managed and where the investment isn't necessarily as high as some of the other franchises out there.”
Side hustle? Not at first
Markopoulos withdrew from the opportunity at DoodyCalls because of its flexibility, lower start-up cost and the ability to run the business remotely and part-time. Pet waste removal franchise, which ranked #450 IN 2024 Franchise 500 (the only exclusivity in its category to rank in the top 500), also offered another advantage: It does not require skilled labor.
Markopoulos purchased her DoodyCalls franchise in January 2024. She continued her day job but prefers not to label her business.
“I wouldn't say it's a side hustle,” she says. “It's definitely a lot of work. I'm not going to downplay it. Right now, I work a crazy amount of hours.”
She says she works more than 40 hours a week at her full-time job and has worked up to 30 hours a week at the DoodyCalls franchise.
Fortunately, Markopoulos says, she knew she would have to work at first, hoping that after a few months she would make enough money to hire a staff. “This is where I am now,” she says.
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Organized attitude
As someone who works on the leadership team of a company every day, staying organized – and flexible — when running a part-time business in her limited time has been vital.
“I learned very quickly that I needed to create a schedule for myself and prioritize for the week,” says Markopoulos. “(I know) I'm going to have to rotate. It's going to fluctuate depending on the week.”
It also constantly re-evaluates to ensure that it side business it does not affect her full-time job and vice versa.
“It's about prioritizing and looking at what needs to be done,” she says. “What will be the most effective use of my time?”
By all accounts, she has done well.
“Demetra's grit and determination have been impressive from the start,” said Larry Amos, president of DoodyCalls. entrepreneur. “She has an unmatched entrepreneurial spirit and works tirelessly to get the word out about DoodyCalls in her community.”
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Mom-friendly franchise
Another advantage for Markopoulos is the flexibility it allows her to be with her 6-year-old son. “Whether it's a marketing event, a farmers market, or we're visiting a client, 95% of the time, I can bring it,” she says.
Markopoulos said DoodyCalls, which is under Marks of Authority umbrella, has been supportive in many ways. “They understand that I have my son, that I have a career, and they've been very flexible. But they're also there to give me a kick in the pants. I don't need a lot of it, but more they're there on the calming side and encouraging”.
