How Ashley Ellerbee Has Found Success with Scoop Soldiers

Ashley Ellerbee, franchise coordinator at Scoop Soldiers, the pet waste removal franchise with 40-plus units and counting, has been working with Josh Cahill and E.J. McCoy since 2013 when she transitioned from working at Home Depot to joining the Emerald Lawn Care team. Ellerbee worked with the pair through multiple entrepreneurial journeys and continued to develop her own skills before joining Scoop Soldiers in its early days to help build the business.

“I know a lot of women have been oppressed in the business world, but my experience with Scoop Soldiers has been incredibly supportive since day one,” said Ellerbee. “Everyone is supportive of each other, and it is a very good environment to work in.”

As Franchise Coordinator, Ellerbee works with new and existing franchise owners to help them get going and continues to provide support to help them succeed long-term.

“I’ve always been drawn to business, and I love seeing franchisees achieving their entrepreneurial goals,” added Ellerbee.

Both the Business Model and Work Environment Are Attractive to Ellerbee

As she has grown through her career, Scoop Soldiers has provided a welcoming environment for multiple facets of Ellerbee’s development.

“I love that the brand is easy to market, it’s a fun business,” she said. “Our atmosphere is about getting the work done but also having fun with it. We focus on that in our marketing as well; I love that it is something we can take and have fun with it.”

In addition to a stimulating professional opportunity, Ellerbee said that the Scoop Soldiers team has supported her in building the personal life she desires, too. For example, as a mom, she is able to adjust her schedule as needed to support the family. For Ellerbee and her colleagues with children, this can be an invaluable opportunity.

Ellerbee’s Insights on the Past and Future

After growing to be a successful member of the franchise’s leadership team, Ellerbee has collected insights for other women looking to achieve a similar career trajectory.

“Don’t let anything hold you back,” said Ellerbee. “If you want to be a franchisee or you want to work your way up the corporate chain, don’t let yourself get in your own way. Don’t let the ‘what ifs’ and fears and doubts hold you back.”

She also added that there is no shame in having support from all angles. With a supportive husband and a true village of people to help, Ellerbee said she has been able to maintain a healthy work-life balance, but it is important to stay aware of when it might be time for a break. 

“You have to recognize that if you need a break, it is okay to slow down and take time away from a project,” she added. “Being in tune with how you are feeling and recognizing that you are starting to get burned out can really help with work-life balance.” 

Looking toward her future with the brand, Ellerbee said she is excited to add franchisees and expand the franchise development team.

“We’ve seen growth since we opened, but over the past few years, when other companies were struggling, we were growing. That speaks volumes to our business model,” said Ellerbee. “I am excited to start building my team up and have an entire team dedicated to helping franchisees develop and grow the business.”

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/scoopsoldiers/info