How To Start A Successful Self Serve Dog Wash Business
Unlock instant access to Colleen's step-by-step guide.
Get it now for only $59 $29!
In 2019, we placed our first two dog wash machines in a corner parking lot near San Diego's most popular dog beach.
We weren't experts.
We had day jobs, bills to pay, and the same fears you probably have right now:
What if nobody comes? What if I waste money I can't afford to lose?
What if I don't know enough about business to make this work?
Six years later:
80,000+ happy dogs washed
4 thriving locations
12 self-serve machines generating consistent revenue
We're not special—we're just like you. We started small, made plenty of mistakes, and figured it out one step at a time.
The difference? We have a process that works.
Now we're sharing every detail of that process with you, so you don't have to spend years learning what we discovered the hard way.
What's Included in The Guide:
The 4 Pillars framework that every successful dog wash business requires - location selection, equipment choices, business setup, and financial planning (this eliminates the overwhelm of not knowing where to start).
Detailed equipment manufacturer comparison - pros, cons, pricing, and support for the main self-serve dog wash stations (we researched multiple brands so you don't have to).
Location scouting strategies that actually work - how we found our corner parking lot location 3 minutes from San Diego's #1 dog beach and grew from there (includes the exact websites and tactics we used to find all 4 locations).
Complete business setup checklist - legal structure, permits, insurance, payment processing, and pre-launch preparation (avoid the costly mistakes that can delay your opening).
Real maintenance costs and schedules - what actually breaks, when it breaks, and how much it costs to fix (includes unexpected expenses you need to budget for).
Pricing strategy that maximized our revenue - why we started at $14 per wash and increased to $16, plus the add-on services that boost transaction values (includes our exact pricing research process).
Marketing tactics that cost almost nothing but drive real customers - the strategies that built our customer base without expensive advertising (you'll see the real results).
Personal readiness assessment - the honest evaluation of whether this business fits your lifestyle, finances, and goals (better to know now than after investing $50,000+).
Financial planning framework and startup cost breakdown - comprehensive budget planning and realistic revenue projections (includes the typical investment ranges for equipment, buildout, and monthly expenses).
Key vendor recommendations and contacts - specific equipment suppliers, insurance companies, and service providers we actually use and recommend (skip months of research and go straight to the companies that support our business).
[BONUS] Complete actual location case study - real revenue and expenses from month 1 through month 19, including the exact $55,050 startup investment and growth from $1,363 in month 1 to $4,777 in month 19 (actual numbers show how revenue nearly tripled).
[BONUS] 19 months of actual seasonal patterns plus growth projections - exactly when to expect busy periods, slow months, and how customer behavior changes throughout the year (critical for cash flow planning and accelerating growth in year two).
The Bottom Line: This guide contains everything we learned building a business that has served 80,000+ dogs across 4 locations and allowed us to leave corporate jobs behind.
No theory, no fluff - just the real numbers, actual processes, and hard-won lessons from 6 years of owning and operating a self serve dog wash business.
Get it now for only $59 $29!
Here’s what I’m doing with a small pilot group this November for those that are ready to launch in 2026.
It’s called The $50K Dog Wash Program, and it’s designed to help you design and validate your self-serve dog wash business in just 30 days—so you can launch confidently and avoid wasting tens of thousands on the wrong setup, lease, or location.
You’ll walk away with:
✅ A launch-ready business blueprint
✅ Personal feedback from me
✅ Proven tools, templates, and content
✅ Clarity to know if this business is right for you—before you sign a lease or buy a single machine.
Because picking the wrong location or investing without a plan could cost you everything. We’re keeping this pilot small—only 10 spots, and applications close November 15.