Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
Business is picking up for this Waterloo region pet waste removal company

Business is picking up for this Waterloo region pet waste removal company

CBC
Monday, December 30, 2024 11:59 AM GMT

Picking up after your dog is a chore no pet owner will tell you they enjoy.

But a Waterloo region company that specializes in pet poop pick up is winning awards for getting all up in people's pet's business. 

The Poop Valet, founded and co-owned by Rick Couchman, has been going strong for two years now and has been taking home lots of recognition for it with three business awards this year year. 

The company has now won the 2024 Rise Rotman Family Entrepreneur of the Year award, the New Business of the Year and the New Venture of the Year awards from the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce and Cambridge Centre of Commerce in April and May, respectively.

"We were blessed to take it," Couchman said. "We were thrilled."

It all started at a family gathering with a backyard barbecue and campfire. Everyone's dogs had been running around all night, doing their thing. 

"My brother-in-law turned to me and said, 'If only there was a business that would pick that up,'" Couchman said. "It got the wheels turning and I started doing some research."

Couchman had been on disability for 14 years for depression and anxiety when his wife, Sherry, suggested that he find something small to keep him busy. She encouraged him to try his best when The Poop Valet first became an idea. 

In a document he wrote about his journey, Couchman said he "never expected to become an entrepreneur" because his mental health challenges, which lead to multiple hospitalizations, made it difficult for him to maintain regular employment. 

With a background in social services and communications, Couchman told CBC News he was suddenly "wearing seven or eight hats right from the beginning" as his business gained traction. 

It didn't take long before he had a new lease (or leash) on life with a business that would grow to more than 70 recurring weekly clients.

While he said he initially had plans to keep it a part-time business, word travelled and he started to earn five-star reviews and credibility in the community. He now operates the business full-time with his wife and one other staff member. 

The Rise Rotman Family Entrepreneur of the Year award specifically celebrates people who have overcome significant challenges in their lives to become entrepreneurs. They noted in giving Couchman the award that The Poop Valet "is a valuable service for community members experiencing various challenges" and that the popularity of the business "speaks to just how necessary the service is."

"I think that the community likes to help out small businesses, particularly ones that are unique niches like I found," said Couchman.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Get ready, Toronto: forecast calls for a sweltering weekend

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for the city of Toronto this weekend.

Scorching hot weekend forecast, health unit issues heat warning

The Middlesex-London Health Unit has issued a heat warning, asking residents to take care of themselves and check on loved ones and neighbours during another hot weekend. 

'We must lower the cost of building homes,' says mayor as Toronto releases designs for garden, laneway suites

Toronto is rolling out several measures to cut design costs and speed up permit approval times in its latest bid to boost construction of new housing.

River rescuer risked his life to pull boy, man to safety

David Hickey was enjoying an afternoon run along the shore of the Ottawa River on Wednesday when he noticed a commotion in the water near Westboro Beach.

Memorial University gets advice from staff as it aims to cut spending by $20M

Students and staff at Newfoundland and Labrador's only university have offered the administration suggestions to reduce costs, increase revenue and boost morale as the school looks to cut millions of dollars in spending.

Britt, Ont., residents shocked after sudden closure of local nurse practitioner clinic

The closure of the West Parry Sound Health Centre's nurse practitioner-led clinic in Britt, Ont., has left the local community reeling. 

RCMP 'ready for the challenges' of expanded role following N.S. policing review

Nova Scotia's commanding RCMP officer says the Mounties are well positioned to take on a bigger role in the province, two years after a public inquiry identified serious failures in its response to the April 2020 mass shooting and called for major improvements.

N.B. codes of conduct allow for degree of council secrecy not possible under N.S. rules

Under New Brunswick rules, the public can be kept in the dark when their local officials face discipline — an approach far less open than one adopted next door in Nova Scotia. 

2 teen boys arrested in Markham rock-throwing incidents: OPP

Two teenage boys have been arrested in connection with rock-throwing incidents last fall, the Ontario Provincial Police says.

Should Quebec require landlords to keep apartments cool during summer?

Montreal has been faced with record-breaking heat already this summer, and heat waves have been known to kill dozens of people in the city as people swelter in their residences without air conditioning.

Government 'dragging their feet' in compensation talks, says man wrongfully convicted in 1973 Winnipeg murder

It's been over 50 years since Brian Anderson was convicted of a murder he didn't commit, almost two since his name was finally cleared and about 14 months since he sued all three levels of government in hopes of getting compensated for everything he lost — but after all that time, he says neither he nor his co-accused have seen a cent.

Club set to host Sask. Winter Games skiing loses chalet in fire

A "devastating" fire has jeopardized a non-profit club's ability to host the Saskatchewan Winter Games. 

Regina police asking for help to find missing mother and daughter

Regina police are asking for help to find a mother and daughter who haven't been seen in more than two weeks.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
3 dead in motorcycle crashes on N.S. highways this week

Three people have died in motorcycle crashes on Nova Scotia roads this week.

Topless Tuesday back on after liquor regulators force small N.B. resort to cancel event

In the lead-up to Hope Wellness Eco-Resort's first Topless Tuesday of this year, Katie Carson was surprised by a phone call she got from a man concerned about the event.

Man accused of running Canada's largest grandparent scam network arrested in Quebec

Gareth West, the alleged leader of a network of grandparent scammers accused of defrauding $30 million from American seniors, has been arrested.

Accessibility minister will keep her job after comments about sign-language interpreter: Manitoba premier

Premier Wab Kinew said Manitoba's accessibility minister will remain in her position after she apologized for swearing into a hot mic about sharing a stage with a sign-language interpreter.

Edmonton public hearing to resume next week, after heated city council exchange

Edmonton city council reluctantly voted to continue a public hearing next week — their vacation period — after Friday evening's debate led to swears being thrown.

CFIA confirms Prince Edward Island's 1st case of dermo, in oysters from Egmont Bay

Canadian Food Inspection Agency lab tests have confirmed the presence of the highly damaging mollusc disease dermo in oysters from P.E.I.'s Egmont Bay. 

City names laneway after Black woman who made difference to early Toronto

Toronto has officially named a laneway in the city's east end after a Black woman who made a big impact on her community in the early 1900s.

Q+A | Nunavut's top doctor says early testing and awareness key to eliminating TB

Nunavut's health department has officially declared an end to years-long tuberculosis outbreaks in Pangnirtung and Pond Inlet and the territory's top doctor says that's thanks to diligent screening to catch the disease early, and awareness in the communities. 

Canadians in ICE detention centres left in legal limbo as families try to secure release

Relatives of Canadians detained by ICE in the United States say they're furious and frustrated by the treatment of their loved ones and the battles they're having to fight for even the most basic information. 

700 people stranded in northern Sask. community after wildfire blocks road

About 700 people in a small hamlet in northern Saskatchewan are stranded Friday after a wildfire knocked out the only road into their community.

Officials find the body of a woman who got off a cruise ship in Alaska to hike and didn't return

Authorities say they have found the body of a woman visiting Alaska's capital city who did not return to her cruise ship from a hike she said she was taking.

Parade kicks off 113th Calgary Stampede

Horses, hats, and a whole lot of "ya-hoos."

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us