The pick-up artist: Entrepreneurship student balances company, school

The senior College of Business student started a pet-focused business at age 10, 15 years ago. Through good customer service, he’s steadily built a client base. But the most rapid growth has been in the past two years, which is when Myers started taking business classes.

“We’ve grown our client base 40 percent each year for the past two years,” said Myers, owner of Doggie Scoops in Harper Woods, a pet waste removal service. “School has really kicked me into high gear. Any new information motivates me to push my business even further.”

iLabs Director Tim Davis, who taught Myers in his entrepreneurship courses, said Myers is always asking questions on ways to improve.

“In every class, Tim is sitting at the front with his hand raised. He wants to understand ‘the why’ rather than what he needs to know for the test,” Davis said. “This is a great place for students, like Myers, who have a business or are interested in a start up. Faculty take the time to truly understand what is happening in the business world and bring that knowledge and experience back to the classroom.”

Myers said his courses, Davis’ included, have inspired him to overhaul his company website, develop an advertising strategy that includes commercials on HGTV and come up with a customer rewards program.

Myers also looked to offer more services. Doggie Scoops, which serves 350 homes weekly, has grown to include pet sitting, running pet errands—like grabbing dog food from the store—and dog walking. And, regardless of what the names says, it is an inclusive environment. Cats are good clients too, he said.

Myers said he always has had an entrepreneurial spirit and wanted to start a paper route in fifth grade. But his parents encouraged him to take some time and think about what type of business he’d like to run.

“I’ve always had dogs. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have a dog and I haven’t met a dog that I haven’t liked,” said Myers, who currently has six dogs. “It made sense.”

Myers said the entrepreneurial spirit runs in his family. Myers parents, Tim Sr. and Marianne, are entrepreneurs, as are his great uncle, Gar Wood, and grandfather, Logan Wood. The Woods are credited with inventing the hydraulic lifting hoist for garbage trucks.

Myers said his business’ strong family foundation—his mom and dad left their full-time jobs to assist their son—sets his company apart.

“My parents have taught me a lot, like integrity is more important that any money you are going to make. That is the foundation,” he said.

And the family continues to build off that foundation thanks, in part, to lessons learned in the classroom.

“When I’m doing my homework, I show my dad. He’s taught me so much about business, and we’re learning something new together,” Myers said. “It’s important to stay on top of things so that you can be the best for your customers—furry friends included too.”