When Neal Kiser and his family welcomed their new Golden Doodle, Maggie, into their home, they quickly realized the need for a convenient, hassle-free, and budget-friendly way to keep her clean. This challenge sparked the idea for Maggie’s Suds Shop, a self service dog wash station in Texarkana, Texas.
Kiser, like many pet owners, struggled to find a reliable place to bathe his dog without the mess and stress of doing it at home. Combining this personal need with a desire to create an additional income stream, he embarked on the journey of starting his family’s own dog wash business.
Launching Maggie’s Suds Shop wasn’t without its challenges. Initially, Kiser faced difficulties securing financing and finding a suitable location for his self service dog wash. His first attempt to establish the business fell through due to city codes and restrictions, causing him to lose both the location and financing. However, the idea resurfaced when a coworker expressed interest in using the service, prompting him to relaunch his efforts. “I decided to start the searching process again, and from then on, God took control and lined everything up for us,” he says.
Kiser remembered a site just half a mile from his home and work that he believed would make an ideal location for Maggie’s Suds Shop. “I pass by it every day and for years, I have thought it would be a great location for some type of business,” he says. After reaching out to the property owner, Kiser was able to secure a lease agreement for a portion of the land. The next step was finding a small building to house the dog wash machine, which he was able to purchase locally. Financing came through a personal connection who overheard Kiser discussing the automated dog wash business opportunity. With everything falling into place, Kiser says he saw it as a sign that Maggie’s Suds Shop was meant to be.
Maggie’s Suds Shop officially opened on April 21, 2024, following a soft opening the day before. The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the business averaging $1,000 per week in its first seven weeks. Customers appreciate the convenience and quality of the service, and word of mouth has been instrumental in driving traffic to the shop.
Neal first discovered Evolution Dog Wash at a dog wash business in a neighboring town about 30-minutes away. “We checked it out to start bathing our Golden Doodles so we wouldn’t have to keep struggling in the bathroom at home.” Impressed by the system’s quality and ease of use, he decided that Evolution Dog Wash was the right choice for Maggie’s Suds Shop. Extensive research confirmed that Evolution Dog Wash offered the best combination of quality, low maintenance, and value. “While researching all the different options on dog wash units, we were impressed with the quality of the unit, the price factor, and the reputation of the company,” he says.
“Evolution Dog Wash is the centerpoint of our business!” says Kiser. He credits the automatic dog wash unit for the business’s strong performance, with weekly gross revenues averaging $1,000. The high-quality, user-friendly design has made the service popular among local pet owners, who appreciate the hassle-free bathing experience.
Customers have been enthusiastic about Maggie’s Suds Shop, sharing positive reviews on social media and review platforms. Serenity Hughes praised the facility, saying, “Best place ever!! I’ve always struggled with giving him baths, he will jump out any chance he gets. He hated it, but I loved it! I’m so thankful this place is open! He has never been cleaner. Good job Coach K, this place is a hit!!” Jwon Davis echoed the sentiment, highlighting the need for similar facilities on the Arkansas side of Texarkana.
Maggie’s Suds Shop relies on social media, word of mouth, Google, and Yelp for marketing. The strong community response and positive reviews have helped build a loyal customer base quickly.
Maggie’s Suds Shop is a testament to the business opportunity that Evolution Dog Wash offers to individuals looking to start a small business and generate extra income. Neal Kiser’s journey from a simple idea sparked by his own pet care needs to a thriving business shows the potential of this venture. For anyone considering a new business opportunity, the success of Maggie’s Suds Shop demonstrates that with the right location, equipment, and community engagement, a standalone automated dog wash can be both a profitable and fulfilling endeavor.
