Eric Degen is the owner and operator of Atlanta’s premier pet waste removal franchise, Scoop Soldiers, where he has been serving territories all over the greater Atlanta area since 2022, including Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton and Crabapple.

Prior to opening Scoop Soldiers, the local entrepreneur had multiple small business endeavors, including a t-shirt printing business and a self-management platform for nonprofit organizations. This passion for entrepreneurship and business ownership is the reason why he initially decided to look into franchising opportunities.

Since opening Scoop Soldiers, he has taken it upon himself to be a hands-on leader with his team, doing more than just the behind the scenes logistics. For Degen, going out into the community to do the dirty work and build relationships with his customers is a top priority, because he believes that meeting with them in person helps him to better understand their needs and concerns.

“I go out there and scoop fairly often,” said Degen. “I try to go out to every new client’s home for their first scoop. That way I can introduce myself and build a relationship. Plus, I really just like having a personal connection with my customers and the people in my community.”

Degen has set the example in Georgia with the first Scoop Soldiers serving Atlanta, and there is plenty of room to expand in the area. The franchisee has plans to continue growing so that he can service more territories over the next three to five years. He is specifically looking to expand along the westside of Atlanta and have at least three trucks running full-time.

As Degen approaches the one-year anniversary since he opened his franchise, he says he’s learned a lot about what it takes to be a successful business owner.

“It’s taught me a lot about myself. But also, I’ve learned how important it is to prioritize things. There are only so many hours in a day, so make sure to prioritize what you need to get done, and try to create a work and life balance,” he said. “Scoop Soldiers is such a unique and emerging business opportunity. And from a cost perspective, it’s really a no-brainer. The business itself is very profitable. I’m excited to grow with this brand.”