VIRGINIA BEACH
Shawn Knighten isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. But then, it isn't his hands that get dirty.
Knighten is "Dapoooman," a professional poop scooper, and he and his wife have one hard-and-fast rule: The shoes stay outside.
On Thursdays and Fridays, Knighten visits nearly two dozen clients' homes throughout Hampton Roads and removes dog droppings from their lawns. After only one month in business, he said two days per week are fully booked, at about $11 per stop.
For years, Knighten has had a notion of entrepreneurship. He's a disciple of positive thinking, incessantly reading inspirational authors such as Joel Osteen and Larry Winget. The idea for the business, he said, came to him in bed.
He's not the first to come up with the idea. Locally, there are other poop scoopers, with catchy monikers such as "Beyond the Call of Do-Dee" and "DoodyCalls." There's even a national association of scoopers, with annual meetings and clean-up competitions.
Knighten is making his mark through guerrilla advertising tactics. "Dapoooman" signs are stuck on power poles and in medians in certain areas of Virginia Beach.
For the record, Knighten doesn't scoop - technically. He flicks. It's all in the wrist. He uses a small rake and a long-handled dustpan to harvest his haul.
That's why Knighten dreads rain. And tall grass.
Different breeds bring their own challenges. A client in Kempsville has four Great Danes.
"I scoop twice and my pan is full," Knighten said. That yard takes 12 minutes to scoop; the average yard takes about seven minutes.
Last week, Knighten was crisscrossing a waterside yard in Bay Colony. The resident pooch, Nissa, favors the northwest corner of the yard, Knighten said.
When his dustpan is full, he dumps the contents into a 5-gallon paint bucket lined with a plastic garbage sack. When he leaves, he deposits the sack into the client's garbage can and squirts some bleach on it to neutralize any odors.
The Bay Colony homeowner, Dan Clarkson, said the service is a convenience he can afford. Of his own pooper scooper, he said: "It's retired. I threw it away."
The pervasive advertising has a downside, Knighten said: prank phone calls. Teenage boys find inspiration in Dapoooman. Knighten said he plays along, which frustrates them.
"You've got to put your pride aside. You've got to make a living; you've got to pay your bills," said Knighten, a father of 4- and 7-year-old daughters.
He said he's motivated by the prank calls, by the teasing. Watch where I'll be in five years, he tells himself, envisioning a squad of scoopers under his command. He hopes to abandon his other job, as a painting contractor. The 1992 Bayside High graduate and former Marine works 15- to 20-hour days.
Knighten's truck is scheduled to get a Dapoooman logo. He's having "We Scoop Poop" banners printed. He already has Dapoooman cups and magnets.
He said he enjoys the lack of stress the job offers, and the sense of satisfaction.
"I did something good for people," he said. "I cleaned up their poop, doggone it."
John Warren, (757) 222-5114, john.warren@pilotonline.com
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I Have Seen Poop Rise
I now see poop has risen on the most comments feature, another factor to consider..It is in 3rd place now in most comments, but no longer in the "running", in most read..It now appears that many like to discuss this subject, as well as read about it..hmm
Crappy article
What a crappy article!
Shawn is a great person
Shawn is a great person and gets true satifaction in helping people. He signed on as an advertiser with my paper "Coffee News" a few months ago. It was real pleasure to meet him and help him get his business recognized. Look for his ad in Coffee News at most of the locally owned restaurants throughout Virginia Beach. If you don't know where to find it just ask me and I'll help you. Let's all support Shawn and help him get his buiness "moving". Sorry, couldn't help myself!
Gary Martin
Publisher, Coffee News
My story
http://hamptonroads.tv/index.cfm?locvid=139003
Beyond the Call of Do-Dee
I do agree with people though, the signs are a tacky way to advertise. But if he has the money to throw away, more power to him.
The
dookie!
Litter is litter
Get a grip JMO (Just Mouthing Off?). Here's a sign for you.
This guy is working hard to provide for his family. You go dapoopman!!!
Great idea!!
DAPOOMAN COMETH...
Listen folks. He is working. He is putting food on the table...and doing it with his head held high. JMO--I agree with you but is it worth getting out there and ripping down the signs? I mean, if it REALLY bothers you, then I guess it is. Eventually Dapooman will find alternative marketing or he won't need it. The yellow pages are expensive.
For the person who thinks it's pathetic that other people pay for poop scooping, well listen here, at least they are doing it. My neighbor NEVER poop scoops. They have a Rottweiler AND another large pooping/barking thing. The stink and the flies can be quite nasty, even over a fence.
I think Dapooman is doing his own version of the "American Dream"...that is, entrepreneuring a business with an original idea.
I hope this helps your stats ContractorVa--you must be really busy today! :)
JMO
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
Get over yourself...you evidently dont have enough to do...I bet your the kind of person that could have a Va. Ham under each arm and still complain because you dont have any bread. Based on the article Id say your mission in life to clean up Va. Beach (what a joke) isnt working.
Signs
Free enterprise is exactly that. I have not problem with random little signs. Besides, the city needs to enforce it better should they have that kind of problem with it. What bothers me is the visual brainwash attempt of the political parties to place TONS of rectangular signs all over the city. It is a true source of waste in regards to resources, manpower, and effectiveness of its display. On top of that, many remain well after voting days, further prolonging the misery.
Good for Dapoopman!
I HATE cleaning up my three dogs' poop. For three dogs I swear they each go twice a day. It's not hard, but it is tedious and I'm busy. And if I forget, then we have to take twenty minutes scooping and then cleaning up before we can play in the backyard. Also, if I slack off for too long, we get swarms of flies! Dapoopman is providing a very valuable service to those of us who love the dogs but hate the poop.
johnh
Make a living and obey the law. You might feel as I do if you had to view dog poop, affordable health insurance, we buy homes, kettle corn, 15% off antiques, $5 haircuts, etc, signs stuck in view of your home constantly.
Most local cities have ordinances against these signs, and I have no problem dealing with this litter problem when I encounter it.
jmo
Poop Has Dropped
Poop had dropped from 3rd place to 4th place(most read), & just now rebounded back to 3rd. I will be monitoring this spectacle and am now beginning to form an opinion theory, based on the area's interest in this subject. I don't know how many "poop" comments this will draw, but, hopefully all will be in good "taste". Quantity of "poop" related comments aside, I may "weigh" in again later....
RE: Litter is Litter
I read your post. You have too much time on your hands. Perhaps you should worry more about your backyard then where this man puts his signs. This man is trying to make a living and your being s $%#@$%^&.... Get a Life!!!!
A bit of irony.
Another headline today announces, "Local companies struggle to cope with shortage of seasonal labor." Meanwhile, this American citizen is making a go of going around picking up other people's dog crap. Goes to show you ... if you want to earn a living, you can.
Poop In 3rd Place
I pulled this story off the "most read" option..It is in 3rd place right now. I wish they would have elaborated on the prank calls and gave a few examples. I always like it on "The Simpsons" when Bart prank calls Moe's Bar. I did enjoy the story. & Jp.. I like the "gas" pun too, Good to get a laugh out of the paper in the AM. So maybe with my quote I can help this guy's business...
"Smithers..Release the hounds!" Mr Burns
Although the concept seems
Although the concept seems new here my family has used these types of service for years in Colorado. For my handicapped Mom it is a necessity. For others it is a nice luxury at an affordable price.
For Doody Calls, our local provider it is entrepeneurism at its best.
Doody Calls does great also. Look for his green truck it is a riot.
I am glad business is picking up for all of these entrepeneurs who are trying anything to take charge and better their lives.
DAPOOMAN
He's obviously taken on a task no one wants and is successful. Your critics and naysayers are jea;ous and wish they would've thought of it first....."Go gettem, DaPooMan. and the best of luck to you."
Times are tough!
And life is tough, when you have to PAY someone to come to YOUR yard to pick up YOUR dog's waste. Unbelievable.
And people complain about the cost of gas?
litter is litter
"Dapoooman" signs are stuck on power poles and in medians in certain areas of Virginia Beach.
This type of advertising is illegal in Virginia Beach. You go pick up your poop, and I'll continue to throw your signs in the trash when they appear on my corner.
jmo