At a time when pet owners are seeking affordable and reliable services, Jomarion Swiams and Jaidyn Boyce fill in the gap. The teen friends founded their own dog waste removal and grooming businesses with a growing clientele across Milwaukee’s North and South Sides.
Swiams, 16, from Capitol Heights, launched BarkClean Yard Services a month ago to focus on something positive after his brother was incarcerated.
“My dad came up with the idea and we tried to come up with a business that no one else was doing so I wouldn’t have competition when starting it,” Swiams said.
Cleaning dog poop from his four dogs was initially his chore until other family members paid him $30 a month to clean their yards, too.
“It got to the point that this could be a serious business idea,” Swiams said.
After he discovered that other pet waste removal businesses were charging $90 and up for services, he set his weekly and biweekly rates from $20 to $35 and monthly rates from $48 to $105, depending on the number of dogs.
“I’m just happy to have a clientele because it’s all about the first visit, which takes about an hour or two,” Swiams said. “My first visit to your yard is only $25.”
Practice makes improvement
Boyce, 15, launched Ballin Bullies Grooming after taking his two dogs to PetSmart for grooming services. It became too expensive, so he bought a kit off Amazon to teach himself.
“Depending on what you add on at PetSmart, the cost adds up,” Boyce said. “When I started cutting them myself it was trash, but I got better over time.”
After noticing his improvement and investing in higher-quality items including a grooming table and curved scissors, Boyce was able to offer affordable services like bathing, nail trimming and color ranging from $10 to $70 in his home on the far Northwest Side.
Boyce said he applied for other typical teens jobs like McDonalds, Culvers and Chick-fil-A but was denied.
“It must wasn’t meant for me to work for somebody so I had to find a way to work for myself,” he said.
Helping each other thrive
Boyce and Swiams met through social media after finding out they were doing similar business in the same city.
They promoted each other’s work, shared resources, gave each other advice and developed goals to accomplish together.
“I remember Jomarion needed hoodies and hats made with his brand on it, so I sent him the contact information of the guy who did mine for my business,” Boyce said. “He even came to my yard and did a good job.”
Together their businesses began to grow.
Currently, the teens are partnering to invest in a lawnmower that will help allow Jomarion’s pet waste business to expand into full yard services.
“After Jomarion picks up the pet waste, I can mow the lawns for people who need that done and then we come together with a price,” Boyce said.
Balancing the load
Swiams and Boyce both service over 10 clients a week who are between the ages of 19 and 60.
“My clients love me and I haven’t had any complaints about my business,” Swiams said. “I’ve had clients who canceled with other poop businesses because they half did the job, so they book with me.”
Boyce and Swiams did say that working their businesses can be overwhelming because of their other responsibilities.
Swiams is a student at Bradley Tech High School and also works at the AMC Theater in Mayfair Mall. Boyce attends Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy High School.
“Some days I don’t feel like getting up, but when I look at my logo I think about what I’m pushing for,” Boyce said. “And my mom supports me a lot.”
Staying optimistic
Moving forward Swiams hopes to expand BarkClean Yard Services to other places that have dogs like hotels, apartment buildings and vets.
He also hopes to start having other teens and young adults on his payroll so he doesn’t get overwhelmed with his schedule.
“As long as they have a vehicle, driver’s license and are not on the wrong path, we can team up,” he said. “I’m looking for people who are doing good because they’re going to be working around my clients.”
Jomarion Swiam’s dad, Jonathan Swiams, said he’s proud of the decisions his son has made and the research he’s done to help his business thrive.
“His calendar is growing very fast and people really like him,” Jonathan Swiams said.
Boyce finds other enjoyment in breeding and training his dogs, so his long-term business goal is to become a breeder.
“If I get far with breeding one day, then I may fall back on grooming and do it from time to time,” Boyce said. “I’m gonna stay in the dog game.”
Motivating peers to succeed
For teens who are thinking about starting their own business, Boyce said not to rush into it and think about if they’re ready to handle customers, talk professionally and can handle multiple responsibilities.
“You don’t know how fast your business might pick up over time,” Boyce said. “Everybody has to start somewhere, but you have to be ready.”
Swiams encourages his peers to put their minds to it and do whatever their heart desires.
“That street life isn’t cool because one day you’re going to actually need a legit source of income and things to do,” he said.
Donating and booking appointments
To book an appointment with BarkClean Yard Services, contact Swiams at 414-435-6328.
To have your dog groomed by Ballin Bullies Grooming, contact Boyce at 414-488-5068 or via Facebook.
All appointments through Boyce require a $10 security deposit.
Swiams and Boyce are also seeking donations of items like pooper scoopers, buckets, dog treats, grooming products and more.
Feel free to contact them to schedule a time to drop off donations.
