Doo Defenders offers dog waste removal services to the residents of Ottawa and Kent County. Whether customers are interested in a one-time spring clean-up or a recurring weekly or biweekly scoop, Owner Evan Karsten says, “We do it all year round. I have scooped in a blizzard. I have scooped in a thunderstorm. We do it all. We don’t cancel.”
Evan is an inspiration to others looking to start their own business. Young or old, experienced or inspired, anyone can be an entrepreneur.
Believe it or not, Evan didn’t grow up dreaming of scooping poop for a living. The idea actually came from his dad. Evan remembers his dad sending him videos of other dog poop scooping businesses, “And I was like, you know, I don’t want to watch videos about scooping dog poop.”
However, the idea grew on him. He’d been working in banking at the time while finishing up his degree, and ultimately, between his dad’s encouragement and his desire to one day run a business, he decided to go for it.
“I mainly wanted to do it for a future family, hopefully, someday... because it comes with a lot of freedoms, like the freedom of controlling your schedule. But obviously, when things need to get done, they've got to get done,” Evan explained.
His dad’s entrepreneurial spirit and consistent nudges gave Evan the confidence to build Doo Defenders, and in doing so, he’s been able to take effective strides towards the future he desires for himself.
Evan and his team have worked really hard to prioritize communication. They aim to reply to a text message within five minutes of receiving it—within business hours. While doing market research, this was an area where they noticed many other companies fell short and therefore was an area where they wished to excel.
Their 100+ positive google reviews are evidence to the effectiveness of their efforts. Clear, concise, and prompt communication has gone a long way to build up their positive reputation in the community.
Evan referenced the book Raving Fans: A Revolutionary Approach to Customer Service, by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles—a book he’d recommend to those hoping to follow in his footsteps and start their own business. The book talks about the power of communication and building relationships with customers; something that has radically shaped how they operate at Doo Defenders.
When asked what advice he would have for other budding entrepreneurs, Evan said, “If you can continue to have effective communication with either the business that you’re targeting or the individuals you’re targeting, you’re going to see success.”
He encourages others to put in the hours and be serious about going after their goals. He traded in his nine-to-five workday for a seven-to-eleven workday. But, he says, it’s been so rewarding. He loves “being able to see something grow in real time.”
From the very beginning, starting his own business required he make sacrifices. Evan recalls spending his college spring break sitting inside working on the Doo Defenders website and creating social media accounts while his buddies were off at the beach in Florida. A momentary loss for a momentous gain.
However, “the biggest hurdle,” Evan explained, “is being able to manage all of the [clients]. That’s something that nobody really thinks about, and nobody really talks about. But when things got busy, we were trying to text 200 plus people a day. And it was just one of us with a computer.”
Additionally, “trying to do it all by yourself... during the busy times, we would have all three of us go out and scoop. And then one of us would just have to be sitting in the car on the computer using a hotspot, trying to text, trying to get clients.” Between running the social media, advertising, emailing, texting, and actually doing the scooping, it was a lot to juggle for the three of them.
When he first started Doo Defenders, it was only Evan, his brother, and one other friend on staff. Due to their success, they’ve now been able to hire more staff members. Evan says that was a huge growth point for them. They now have part-time scoopers which has allowed them to continue to grow and to have more time to work on the business side of things.
Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of entrepreneurship is seeing the positive impact the business has on the community. This, Evan explained, has been the most rewarding aspect of Doo Defenders.
He has been able to offer support rain or shine. “Nobody goes out and scoops dog poop in a blizzard, you know? I mean, we do, but the average person’s not going to,” Evan laughed.
On a more serious note, he explained the profound and unexpected blessing they’ve been able to be on the community.
“People love their dogs, and they love to see them taken care of. And a lot of the interactions that we’ve had have been way more positive than I would have ever imagined. People are just so grateful for something like this, and that’s not really something I was as prepared for... People are like, 'Hey, this is literally a lifesaver. I just had a kid, my husband’s in the hospital, we can’t get this done.' And to be able to be a blessing to other people has really allowed us to keep going in the right direction.”
Doo Defenders currently services 150 recurring customers and will acquire 80 more recurring customers on April first. This total will surpass the Spring goal of 200 recurring customers. The team has now had to set loftier goals for themselves. The Doo Defenders hope to see 500 recurring customers this year.
Additionally, Evan explained that his goals include continuing to build relationships with customers and the community, so they can continue to grow and be a blessing to others.
For those interested to learn more about Doo Defenders and how they can get their lawn serviced, check out the website or give the team a call at (616) 737-7633. Evan promises to personally talk through quotes and the entire process with interested customers.
Jade Havenaar is a Holland native and a life-long lover of the lake, coffee, and a good book. She’s a former middle school teacher and a published author. After marrying the boy she met in a bar and traveling the US together, she and her husband welcomed their first born and Jade happily added “boy mom” to the list of hats she wears. When she’s not writing or changing diapers, she’s probably out adventuring with her Golden Retriever, Henry.
Copyright © 2025 Hollander Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without written authorization. By providing your email or phone number, you are consenting to receive emails, calls, and SMS/MMS messages from The Hollander and affiliates. Msg & data rates may apply.
