DoodyCalls

Last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberley-dilley-1742966a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=career-shift-medicine-to-entrepreneur-doodycalls-franchisee-2731522" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kimberley Dilley</a> made a career move that surprised her colleagues, trading her full-time career in pharma and biotech for the world of franchising. Today, Dilley owns and operates a&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=career-shift-medicine-to-entrepreneur-doodycalls-franchisee-2731522" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">DoodyCalls</a> franchise in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, having made the leap from pediatric medicine and clinical research to mobile pet waste removal.&nbsp;“I worked in academic medicine for many years. Then in 2016, I transitioned to pharma and biotech on the clinical research side. In 2025, I decided to stop being employed by a corporate entity,” Dilley said. “One reason I decided to pull the trigger was as a pre-retirement income diversification move. I used the ROBS program to invest retirement funds from previous jobs into the business instead of the stock market.”For Dilley, making the move to franchise ownership was a proactive attempt to diversify her income as she neared retirement. Launching her&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info">DoodyCalls</a> franchise this past May, she now operates a single-unit business, balancing the demands of running a new franchise alongside her consulting work.<h2>Learning the Business</h2>Making the transition to a more hands-on role in entrepreneurship wasn’t without its challenges, especially this past spring and summer during her earliest days as a franchise owner. However, the period ultimately taught Dilley franchising intricacies like scheduling, proper customer management and general employee oversight. Support from franchisor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=career-shift-medicine-to-entrepreneur-doodycalls-franchisee-2731522" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Authority Brands</a> helped, too.&nbsp;“I learned the system and had a handful of clients. But, in August, we bought a competitor client list in conjunction with other Chicago owners and grew from five customers to 70 overnight,” Dilley said. “That period kept me busy. I had to schedule, enter and manage all customers. But, now, I have a routine, a couple of part-time employees and a daily route.”<h2>Why Franchising Worked</h2>Strong support and an established model offering consistency are franchising hallmarks. Founded in 2000, DoodyCalls has consistently tweaked its system over the course of more than two decades, and operating under the Authority Brands umbrella helps offer both brand recognition and strong support to franchise owners.&nbsp;For DoodyCalls, which operates in a largely mobile setting, there’s also the added benefit of lower overhead with the ability to scale the business in time. All of which made the idea of franchising an appealing prospect for Dilley.“I liked DoodyCalls because it’s well-established, rapidly growing and doesn’t require a storefront like other franchises. There’s some overhead — branded trucks, uniforms — but much less than a retail location,” Dilley said. “Plus, DoodyCalls has a well-established training system and software for managing operations. And the national call center has also been a huge benefit, managing leads and client inquiries. Overall, the support has been invaluable.”<h2>Looking Ahead</h2>Stabilizing her new business in 2025, Dilley is looking ahead to a 2026 predicated upon further growth. By increasing her number of residential clients while pursuing commercial contracts, she hopes to increase overall revenues with the long-term goal of stepping into a more strategic, oversight-focused role.&nbsp;Making the leap from medicine to franchising is a significant one. But Dilley is proof that franchising can bridge the gap for those pondering a career shift, delivering dependability, support, consistency and resources without sacrificing greater autonomy. Reflecting on 2025, Dilley has a message of affirmation for those pondering the idea of entering entrepreneurship.“For someone with small-business experience, franchising is actually a great move. You get support and resources. For a first-time owner making a major career change, a franchise can bridge the gap and provide structure. There’s also vendor support for payroll, insurance and other needs,” Dilley said. “Starting a business in 2025 had challenges. But it’s been rewarding. Despite the challenges, it was the right decision for me. And I’m looking forward to growth and positivity in 2026.”About DoodyCalls:DoodyCalls was founded in 2000 by Jacob and Susan D'Aniello in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. In 2004, the company began franchising its pet waste removal business nationwide and established corporate headquarters in Charlottesville, Va. DoodyCalls provides service to 26 states and the District of Columbia with dog waste pickup with consumer and industrial services. For more information about DoodyCalls, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.doodycalls.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=career-shift-medicine-to-entrepreneur-doodycalls-franchisee-2731522" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.doodycalls.com</a>.About Authority Brands:&nbsp;Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands' companies include 15 leading home service franchise brands: America's Swimming Pool Co. Company, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Cleaning Authority, DoodyCalls, DRYmedic Restoration Services, Homewatch CareGivers, The Junkluggers, Lawn Squad, Mister Sparky, Monster Tree Service, Mosquito Squad, One Hour Heating &amp; Air Conditioning, Screenmobile, STOP Restoration, and Woofie's. Together, these brands provide home services through more than 2,700 territories operated by more than 1,000 franchise owners. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchise owner growth by providing strong marketing, technology, and operational support. See&nbsp;<a href="http://authoritybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=career-shift-medicine-to-entrepreneur-doodycalls-franchisee-2731522" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">authoritybrands.com</a> for more information.

Career Change Leads to Success For DoodyCalls Franchise Owner

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Leaving her health care career behind to run a mobile pet waste removal franchise, Dilley’s entrepreneurial leap has grown into a hands-on business, making a real impact at the local level.

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Making the Pivot From Medicine to Mobile, Kimberley Dilley Thrives as DoodyCalls Franchise Owner

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For more than two decades,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-christie">Wayne Christie</a> built a career in information technology, working for the same company for 22 years. But when his position was eliminated in 2022, he saw an opportunity to rewrite his future.“When that happened, I got a severance package and had some savings and then decided it was time for something new,” Wayne said. “We started looking for something to do. I knew I wanted to do a business because I didn’t want to go back to the corporate world.”Like many corporate professionals exploring their next chapter, Wayne turned to franchising for a structured path to business ownership. “A franchise recruiter was in touch with my wife and he sent a few options,” he said.&nbsp;Initially skeptical, Wayne admits he had misconceptions about franchising. “I wasn’t sure about franchising at first, but I didn’t realize that the industry was more than fast food. When we saw all the different options, it really opened up our eyes,” he said. “Franchising is kind of like a business in a box, some guidance to get started and people to help you through the journey, because it’s definitely a journey.”After researching multiple brands,&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/">DoodyCalls</a>, the pet waste management franchise under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a> umbrella, emerged as the clear choice.&nbsp;“We whittled it down to about three or four franchise brands, looking at cost of entry, whether you needed staff and a brick-and-mortar, etc.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info">DoodyCalls</a> was small enough that we could start it by ourselves and scale without the crazy investment,” Wayne said. “It seemed like a better choice because the inventory wasn’t a lot and there were several factors that made it ideal for us.”<h2>Building Momentum in Pennsylvania</h2>Wayne launched his DoodyCalls franchise in October 2023 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. “The business is coming along. Being a business owner is challenging but all in all, I’m in it to win it and excited to take it as far as it can go,” he said. “It’s working, and we are growing.”Wayne runs a lean operation, managing everything himself with occasional help from his family. “Right now I am still scooping. I am pretty much doing everything, and my family helps me out,” he said. “For the day to day, I’m doing around eight to 10 hours in the field, and the rest of the day is following up on new customers and looking at different marketing tactics.”His efforts are paying off. “I am currently at 71 residential and five commercial properties. Revenue-wise I am doing well and on track to the year three target,” he said. “The response has been great. Nobody really even knows this industry exists. Once you start getting the word out there, it picks up steam.”According to Wayne, the service&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/doodycalls-pet-waste-removal-benefits-2730088">resonates with busy pet owners</a> who value their time. “We have three dogs, and if I knew I could hire someone for about 25 bucks to come in and clean the yard every week, it would have been a no-brainer,” he said. “You get that time back.”<h2>Backed by a Strong Franchise Network</h2>DoodyCalls is one of the fastest-growing pet waste removal franchises in the country. With a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/why-doodycalls-is-cleaning-up-in-the-pet-waste-industry-2730087">recurring-revenue model, low overhead and the backing of a national support system</a>, franchisees like Wayne are finding both freedom and scalability in the business.“My favorite part of being a franchise owner is all of the relationships I am making with the other franchise owners,” Wayne said. “I’ve met some great people and they are always willing to help. You can always pick up the phone and call on other franchises, whether they are new or legacy franchises. They are really the biggest asset in trying to build the business — they’ve already gone through what you are going through.”<h2>Looking Ahead</h2>Wayne has a clear vision for where he wants the business to go. “My long-term goal is to bring this into a million dollars a year in revenue,” he said. “Eventually, I want to be able to separate myself from the business and maybe hand it down to my kids and sell it.”As pet ownership continues to rise,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics">with over 96 million households now owning at least one pet</a>, and the demand for convenience grows,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/doodycalls-franchisee-jason-heimberg-frederick-2730546">DoodyCalls franchisees like Wayne</a> are proving that even the simplest services can create meaningful careers and strong communities.For more information on franchising with Doody Calls visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls">https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls</a>.

Why This IT Professional Invested in a DoodyCalls Franchise After Being Laid Off From Corporate America

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For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-thomas-pmp-capm-0697a574">Rob Thomas</a>, the path to entrepreneurship — and eventually to building a family-run operation with his parents and wife — began with a desire for better balance and the chance to bring an overlooked service to his hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina. Today, just three years after opening, his&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/">DoodyCalls</a> franchise is one of the area’s fastest-growing pet waste removal businesses, powered by a unified family mission.<h2>Rooted in Greensboro, Ready for Something New</h2>Thomas grew up in Greensboro and still lives in the house he was raised in. His early exposure to franchising came through summer jobs working for a local Mosquito Squad location. “I got to know the franchise owner and by the fourth year, I had a good sense of what that business looks like and what home services entail,” he said.But after earning a business degree, Rob’s career took a turn into the corporate world. “My career path led me to being an IT project manager, doing software implementations,” he said. “What got me into looking into the franchising route was having that better work-life balance to escape corporate life and the grind.”Working remotely at the time, he began researching franchise opportunities that could be launched and managed alongside his career.<h2>Discovering DoodyCalls and an Untapped Market</h2>Thomas quickly zeroed in on&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info">DoodyCalls</a>. “I instantly saw an opportunity to come into this market and bring a business and service into this area that really focused heavily on marketing — to really jump on something and bring awareness to a whole area of a service that is out there,” he said. “I still run into people who haven’t realized that we are a service that is available.”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/scoop-success-5-smart-reasons-why-doodycalls-is-the-ideal-franchise-opportunity-2730174">The simple model, low barrier to entry and strong franchisor support</a>, made the decision easier. “The best thing about this business model is that it is very lean and streamlined with getting started and building up from there,” Thomas said. “It’s so helpful to have the support of the franchisor and the company.”Thomas opened in February 2022, and growth came quickly. “We have been growing exponentially year-over-year,” he said. “We are starting to break into multi-home and commercial spaces. We just hired a third truck to run full time.”<h2>A True Family Business</h2>Thomas’ family didn’t just cheer him on; they became part of the operation.“My parents, my wife and I went into this venture together,” he said. In the early days, he handled everything himself while working full time. But as the business expanded, more hands (and hearts) were needed.About 18 months in, Thomas realized he couldn’t keep up with demand on his own. He brought in his mother to manage commercial accounts and help drive sales. “That was a huge asset,” he said.In the past six months, his wife joined as well. “She is running scheduling routes, answering customer questions, operations, etc.,” he said. Meanwhile, his father serves as the investor and strategic guide, while Thomas handles finance and overall business direction.The result is a rare family ecosystem where everyone contributes according to their strengths — and everyone wins.“It’s great to have another thing that we can focus on together on a mission,” Thomas said. “If I’m stuck, I can have my family there that can help.”But the biggest surprise has been the way the business strengthened his marriage.“Since my wife has come on board, it’s taken our relationship and partnership to a whole new level,” he said. “I see the great job that she is doing, and then she and I can have additional interactions and support each other through something else. This isn’t just my venture anymore. It has truly become our venture.”For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls">https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls</a>.

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Leaving Corporate Life and Seeking Structure, Suzanne Fowler Turned to Franchising With DoodyCalls

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Pennsylvania remains a major opportunity for&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/">DoodyCalls</a>. According to the brand’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, only one franchise was operating in the state as of the end of 2024. This leaves the majority of the state wide open for expansion. Among the most promising areas is the Lehigh Valley metro, anchored by Allentown, making it a strong starting point for growth.Here are several reasons to consider opening a DoodyCalls franchise in Allentown.<h2>A White Space Market With Room To Grow</h2>Allentown is more than a single city. It anchors a broader tri-state opportunity that extends into the Philadelphia suburbs and across the border into New Jersey, creating a growth pathway few other mid-sized markets can match. The brand’s expansion in areas such as West Baltimore, Maryland, shows how well this model performs in the Mid-Atlantic and builds confidence that similar opportunities are available in Pennsylvania.“I am currently at 71 residential and five commercial properties. Revenue-wise, I am doing well and on track for the year three target,” said Pennsylvania-based franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-christie">Wayne Christie</a>. “The response has been great. Nobody really even knows this industry exists. Once you start getting the word out there, it picks up steam.”<h2>Pet Ownership and Local Demographics</h2>The Allentown market is built on a strong foundation of stable homeowners. With a&nbsp;<a href="https://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US4202000-allentown-pa/">median home value of $211,400</a>, residents are invested in maintaining their property. Pennsylvania also has high rates of pet ownership —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dogster.com/statistics/pet-ownership-statistics-pennsylvania">about 39 percent of households</a> own a dog and more than 60 percent own a pet of some kind — making for a large base of potential customers already spending money on their animals. The Lehigh Valley’s suburban neighborhoods and single-family homes create an ideal layout for service routes, while its working- and middle-class demographics align well with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/doodycalls/info">DoodyCalls’</a> affordable weekly service model.“We have three dogs, and if I knew I could hire someone to come in and clean the yard every week, it would have been a no-brainer,” Christie said. “You get that time back.”<h2>Regional Advantages</h2>Allentown offers access to Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore while avoiding the higher costs and heavy competition of those larger metro areas. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com/cost-of-living/allentown-pa-vs-philadelphia-pa/">cost of living is lower than in Philadelphia</a>, which provides opportunities to run a home-based business while keeping overhead manageable. Mature neighborhoods with lawns and landscaping can potentially add to the demand for cleanup, while the region’s four-season climate provides opportunities for year-round services, from spring snowmelt to peak summer months when outdoor activity is at its highest. DoodyCalls’ home-based franchise model is particularly well suited for the Lehigh Valley, where most customers live within short driving distances.<h2>Competition and Market Education</h2>The competitive landscape in Allentown and the surrounding Lehigh Valley is largely open. Few, if any, companies focus solely on pet waste removal. That leaves room for a recognized brand like DoodyCalls to step in and define the market. Part of the opportunity involves educating customers — many homeowners may not realize this type of service exists. Once they learn it is affordable and saves time, adoption is typically strong, with owners in nearby regions reporting that customers often stay with the service long term because of its convenience.As new markets open up and awareness grows, franchisees often lean on each other for advice and encouragement.“My favorite part of being a franchise owner is all of the relationships I am making with the other franchise owners,” Christie said. “I’ve met some great people and they are always willing to help. You can always pick up the phone and call on other franchises, whether they are new or legacy franchises. They are really the biggest asset in trying to build the business — they’ve already gone through what you are going through.”<h2>Business Climate and Operations</h2>Pennsylvania provides a business-friendly environment for small, home-based service brands. Costs are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/opportunity/affordability">lower than in neighboring states</a>, and zoning and licensing requirements are generally manageable. The customer base extends beyond single-family homes to include apartment complexes, commercial properties and dog-friendly parks —&nbsp; all of which provide opportunities for recurring contracts that add stability and scale.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>The Next Step in Geographic Growth</h2>Allentown is well positioned to be the springboard for DoodyCalls’ growth in Pennsylvania. From here, franchise owners can look to expand into additional territories like the Philadelphia suburbs and nearby New Jersey. With most of the state still wide open, Allentown has the potential to become a hub for future operators building surrounding markets. The combination of growing franchises in nearby regions and little direct competition in the Lehigh Valley makes this one of the brand’s strongest opportunities for expansion.Backed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a>, DoodyCalls has already demonstrated that its simple, recurring-revenue model works nationwide. Franchisees gain the tools and support they need to launch and scale a business that provides valuable, in-demand service. With Pennsylvania still wide open and Allentown sitting at the center of an underserved market, the timing could not be better for smart operators to step in and secure their territory.For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://doodycallsfranchising.com/">https://doodycallsfranchising.com/</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Why Smart Franchisees Are Racing To Claim Pennsylvania's Wide-Open Pet Waste Market in Allentown

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Making the Pivot From Medicine to Mobile, Kimberley Dilley Thrives as DoodyCalls Franchise Owner

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