This Side Hustle Highlight Q&A features Kyle Kazmer, a wealth partner at J.P. Morgan Advisors and avocado farmer who has a side hustle listing his property on Sniffspot, a marketplace that lets you rent out your yard as a private dog park.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Kyle Kazmer
When did you begin your side hustle, and what inspired it?
I first listed on Sniffspot in spring 2023. Sniffspot is utilized by dog trainers and dog owners wanting a space for his or her dogs to run outside and play without having to go to a public dog park, and I believed it sounded interesting since now we have a large yard that we just haven’t got enough time to totally enjoy. I also desired to teach my young children to be entrepreneurial, and the worth of labor, and that is something they could possibly be a a part of. (Fun fact: They’re having fun with it so fully that my youngest son named our latest puppy “Sniffspot!”)
Sniffspot was incredibly turn-key: Just upload some photos of your yard, set a price per hour and include some details about your spot, and it does the remainder, allowing users to look up nearby spaces to rent by the hour.
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The immediate passive income with no upfront cost was the inspiration to start out, however it seems I like hosting on Sniffspot due to the stories, experiences and memories which might be made on our property without us having to do anything. It is extremely rewarding to consistently have very thankful people telling us their stories and that bringing their furry friends to a Sniffspot was the very best experience they’ve ever had with their dog: whether it’s watching their dog swim for the primary time, seeing an anxious dog be stress-free and playful, a family having the chance to have a stress-free hike with their dog letting them run wild without a leash — we even had a man propose to his girlfriend here with their dogs! And sadly, last week someone brought their dog the day before they’d put him right down to have one last sweet time together. It is actually rewarding, and I never imagined the stories we’d hear from opening up our yard for dogs.
What were a number of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the bottom?
There are numerous gig economy options on the market, but a lot require significant time and ongoing maintenance. We created our profile with tons of photos, after which it just exploded. Word-of-mouth has been the largest driver, especially amongst dog trainers, but our reviews and user images really took our spot to the subsequent level.
Were there any challenges that got here with running your side hustle? In that case, how did you navigate those?
The largest concern was safety with having strangers on our property and worrying in the event that they would treat our backyard and property with respect. We have all heard horror stories about other short-term rental options — but dog owners should be of a different breed because that concern was completely unfounded for Sniffspot users. Everyone seems to be overwhelmingly considerate, respectful, caring and overall skilled. Sniffspot has an insurance policy that brought us some peace of mind as well, and the support staff can also be incredibly helpful and responsive, which makes hosting a breeze.
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How long did it take you to start seeing consistent monthly revenue?
The primary partial month we made $1,500 on our spot. The second month we generated $3,700. But really, the highlight for me is the truly passive nature of Sniffspot with no cost to establish and minimal upkeep. Many will just unlock their side gate and let the dogs, and money, roll in.
How much average monthly revenue do you earn now? How much total revenue have you ever earned to this point?
A mean month is between $4,000-$5,000 on Sniffspot. Summer months range from $6,000-$7,000 for us within the sunny Southern California area. Since last spring, we have revamped $40,000 on Sniffspot.
What sets Sniffspot aside from other gig platforms?
The users are friendly, caring and respectful. We have had over 700 guests, and I can count possibly one or two times someone didn’t clean up after their dog. The platform is automated, so it is totally passive as a host. Bookings are immediately accepted, and the one task required by hosts is to have your calendar up to this point and the property accessible.
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What do you enjoy most about your side hustle?
The revenue stream is great, but what I like most is how appreciative everyone seems to be and the chance to share our beautiful property. We fell in love with it, and it makes us so comfortable to share it. We’re truly motivated by the love of dogs and the owners who know what a difference it makes for his or her best friend. We’re filling a need in the neighborhood of dog-lovers.
Our guests tell us they absolutely love with the ability to have their dog off leash and play or train and that they’re truly creating memories with their dogs. We consistently get guests driving two-plus hours each way for his or her dog to return visit our Sniffspot. Someone even recently drove greater than six hours to make a trip out of it.
We have heard stories of proposals happening here, dates between dog lovers, dog birthday parties, dogs learning to swim, anxious dogs coming alive for the primary time, etc. — the stories keep us on Sniffspot, and it’s truly so rewarding.
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Do you might have any advice for others excited by this gig? What should they know before they start?
In the event that they’re considering the gig economy or passive income for his or her space, Sniffspot is the very best platform on the market. It’s consistent, reliable, automatic and has the very best users. Because you may select your personal price point per hour, mess around with what works. Do your research with other comparable spaces near you. You do not need to cost an excessive amount of beyond other spots in your area, but don’t undercut yourself. You should definitely provide great experiences and be client-obsessed. Some may decide to offer dog toys, blow-up pools, etc. We’ve paddle boards, kayaks, homegrown fruit that guests can pick and buy, a petting zoo and even working fire trucks. You should definitely have decent photos of your space with details on what guests can expect. And be happy to ask for reviews in any follow-ups. Word-of-mouth is a powerful tool.