📱 Best Platforms
Primo Water, local pet stores, Nextdoor
📖 The Hustle
Self-service dog wash stations — waist-high tubs with ramps, sprayers, shampoo dispensers, and dryers — are popping up outside pet stores and car washes. Build or buy a freestanding unit for $3,000-$5,000, partner with a pet store or car wash to place it on their property for a revenue split, and charge $10-$15 per wash. Customers pay via credit card reader, the machine dispenses water, shampoo, and heated air. A wash station on a busy Saturday can do 15-20 washes ($150-$300 in a single day) with minimal ongoing costs beyond water and shampoo refills.
🚀 First Step
Research self-service dog wash manufacturers (Primo, All Paws), get a quote for one unit, and approach 3 local pet stores about hosting on a revenue-sharing basis.
🔑 Keys to Success
- Place dog washes at existing pet stores or car washes where customers already go for pet or vehicle care — co-location drives foot traffic
- Use a token or code-based payment system so the unit is truly self-service and operates without an attendant 7 days a week
- Partner with the host business to sell dog wash tokens at their register — they handle payment collection and you service the machine weekly
🛠 Tools & Resources: Primo Water dog wash, All Paws, Square Reader (card payments), local pet supply wholesalers, Nextdoor