Built Local

The Built Local Podcast interviews local business owners and community leaders to share specific strategies they’ve used to grow, market, and operate successfully. Each episode focuses on actionable insights listeners can apply to build stronger, more resilient local businesses.

Built Local is a business podcast hosted by Clay, with 72 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Clay hosts Built Local, a business show with 72 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Built Local

  How 1 Post Exploded His Poop Scooping Business (30-100 Google Reviews in 30 days)

  Sep 14, 202626 min

  ⭐️ Get More Google Reviews on Autopilot — Start Free Today: https://link.reviewharvest.com/yt Join our free community for 1-on-1 help getting more customers on Google: https://www.skool.com/10-minute-marketer-6759 From getting laid off during COVID to building 180 recurring customers, Derek from Poo Patrol shares how one Facebook post launched his dog poop removal business—and how Review Harvest helped him go from roughly 35 to 114+ Google reviews in just over a month. Check Derek here: https://www.facebook.com/PooPatrolWI/# https://www.poopatrol608.com/ What This Video Covers How Derek started a dog poop scooping business during COVID Turning 40 spring cleanups into 180 recurring customers How consistent Facebook posting and referrals drove growth Growing a business after being hit by a car Hiring employees and transitioning to payroll Responding to leads within 30 minutes and selling through problem-solving ⭐ Growing from ~35 to 114+ Google reviews in just over 30 days Using customer reviews and a website to strengthen local marketing Timestamps 00:00 — Getting laid off and discovering dog poop removal 00:59 — How Poop Patrol got started 03:26 — The Facebook post that generated 40+ spring cleanups 04:52 — Growing from 18 to 180 recurring customers 07:50 — Turning a side hustle into a real business 11:14 — Derek gets hit by a car and worries about his customers 14:53 — Growing the team and hiring employees 16:47 — Facebook, referrals, and paid ads 18:05 — How Derek responds to new leads 20:08 — Keeping customers happy through communication 22:35 — Review Harvest results 24:14 — Going from 35 to 114+ Google reviews 24:46 — Building a website for the business #DogPoopRemoval #PoopScoopingBusiness #PetWasteRemoval #LocalBusiness #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #GoogleReviews #ReviewHarvest #LocalMarketing #FacebookMarketing #BusinessGrowth #RecurringRevenue #DogWasteRemoval #HomeServiceBusiness #PoopPatrol

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Built Local

  How He Grew to 100 Customers in 12 Months (Poop Scooping Success Story)

  Aug 18, 202635 min

  ⭐️ Get More Google Reviews On Autopilot — Start Free Today: https://link.reviewharvest.com/yt Join our free community for 1-on-1 help getting more customers on Google: https://www.skool.com/10-minute-marketer-6759 In this episode of The Local Podcast, Clay interviews Chris Reents, the founder of Rover Scoopers, a fast-growing pet waste removal company serving the Portland metro area. With over 20 years in the tech world, Chris shares how he transitioned from corporate life and a stressful junk-hauling business into the booming poop-scooping industry—and how he built a scalable, system-driven operation from scratch. Chris breaks down the realities of running a profitable pet waste removal business, including route planning, advertising, sweep-and-go automations, customer retention, building trust, and managing seasonal fluctuations. Clay also dives into how Google reviews and consistent online reputation management can accelerate growth for local service businesses. Whether you're an aspiring scooper, an active operator, or a local business owner searching for marketing clarity, this episode is packed with insights, mindset shifts, and practical business strategy. About Roover Scoopers Website: https://roverscoopers.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567136984335 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rover.scoopers/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RoverScoopers/shorts What This Episode Covers • Chris’s journey from tech to service entrepreneurship • Why poop scooping is more scalable and less stressful than junk hauling • How he launched his business on January 1st and hit 100+ clients • Seasonal trends and the realities of the “spring rush” • Route building across a major metro and how density compounds • Ad strategy: Facebook, YouTube, omnipresent campaigns, and creative refreshes • Sweep & Go + HighLevel workflow for automations • Customer psychology, common misconceptions, and the REAL value of waste removal • Handling negativity online and responding with kindness • How reviews impact rankings and conversions • Fear of scaling and how to invest confidently in growth • What newcomers need to know before starting a scooper business • Building toward 300 clients and scaling beyond • Clay’s breakdown of how Review Harvest accelerates local business success ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Chris Reents from Rover Scoopers 00:20 – Chris’s background & transition from tech 00:51 – Discovering the poop-scooping industry 02:10 – Scooping vs. junk hauling 03:39 – Starting the business & early systems 04:05 – First jobs and the “spring rush” 05:18 – Client growth and marketing strategies 06:57 – Portland market breakdown 07:08 – Route planning & density 08:43 – Challenges of scaling 09:12 – Advertising strategy & ad spend 10:06 – Using Sweep & Go + HighLevel 12:15 – Learning ads & running YouTube/Facebook campaigns 13:03 – Why video ads convert better 16:35 – Seasonal performance shifts 17:19 – Common misconceptions about scooping 18:48 – Customer value stories 20:01 – Chris’s most meaningful client experience 21:17 – Review Harvest’s impact on growth 22:42 – Customer service, kindness & community 25:06 – Seasonal challenges & scaling fears 26:33 – Preparing for growth & hiring 27:23 – Review Harvest dashboard insights 28:42 – Why Google reviews matter 30:00 – Future goals & scaling to 300 clients 31:49 – Advice for new scoopers 32:48 – Reinvesting for consistent growth 34:19 – Final thoughts

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Built Local

  The Pen Strategy That Grew His Poop Scooping Business (0-240 Google Reviews)

  Aug 17, 202629 min

  ⭐️ Get More Google Reviews On Autopilot — Start Free Today: https://link.reviewharvest.com/yt Join our free community for 1-on-1 help getting more customers on Google: https://www.skool.com/10-minute-marketer-6759 Rick from The Poop Valet shares how he grew a pet waste removal business from 1 client to 100+ recurring customers and nearly 240 Google reviews through branding, networking, exceptional communication, and smart systems. He also breaks down how Review Harvest helped accelerate his review growth, why pricing and AI-friendly website content matter, and how he's using AI to build a more automated business. Check Rick here: https://www.thepoopvalet.ca/ https://www.facebook.com/ThePoopValet https://www.instagram.com/ThePoopValet https://www.youtube.com/@UCAiuvU8X5AT9FKk2T-mlk_A What This Video Covers From disability to building a successful poop scooping business How one local newspaper story brought 12–13 new clients overnight ️ The simple branded pen strategy that keeps his business top-of-mind How networking, BNI, Chamber events, and local partnerships drive growth ⭐ Growing from under 100 to nearly 240 Google reviews with Review Harvest Why adding pricing, FAQs, and structured data can improve AI/LLM visibility How a non-technical business owner is using Claude and AI to automate his business The #1 advice for new pet waste removal businesses: communicate and answer the phone Timestamps 00:00 — From disability to starting a poop scooping business 01:51 — Discovering the pet waste removal opportunity 02:47 — First client and the newspaper story that changed everything 03:58 — Getting early customers through Facebook groups 05:41 — Branding, networking, and local community marketing 07:07 — Why branding became a growth strategy 07:49 — Communication and the “Poop Report” 08:49 — Hiring and rewarding great employees 10:05 — Educating customers about pet waste removal 11:45 — Future goals and building a business that runs without you 13:38 — Automating ads and rebuilding the website with AI 15:16 — Why putting pricing on your website matters for AI search 18:25 — Rick's first steps into using AI 20:32 — Networking and Chamber of Commerce strategy 22:46 — How to get more from networking events 23:49 — The branded pen marketing strategy 25:02 — Rick's Review Harvest results 26:33 — Google reviews and local rankings 27:57 — Rick's advice for new pet waste removal businesses #PetWasteRemoval #PoopScoopingBusiness #PetWasteBusiness #GoogleReviews #ReviewHarvest #LocalBusinessMarketing #SmallBusinessGrowth #BusinessAutomation #AIForBusiness #LocalSEO #GoogleBusinessProfile #PetWasteRemovalBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessBranding

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Built Local

  How 1 Post Exploded His Poop Scooping Business (30-100 Google Reviews in 30 days)

  Aug 14, 202626 min

  ⭐️ Get More Google Reviews On Autopilot — Start Free Today: https://link.reviewharvest.com/yt Join our free community for 1-on-1 help getting more customers on Google: https://www.skool.com/10-minute-marketer-6759 From getting laid off during COVID to building 180 recurring customers, Derek from Poo Patrol shares how one Facebook post launched his dog poop removal business—and how Review Harvest helped him go from roughly 35 to 114+ Google reviews in just over a month. What This Video Covers How Derek started a dog poop scooping business during COVID Turning 40 spring cleanups into 180 recurring customers How consistent Facebook posting and referrals drove growth Growing a business after being hit by a car Hiring employees and transitioning to payroll Responding to leads within 30 minutes and selling through problem-solving ⭐ Growing from ~35 to 114+ Google reviews in just over 30 days Using customer reviews and a website to strengthen local marketing Timestamps 00:00 — Getting laid off and discovering dog poop removal 00:59 — How Poop Patrol got started 03:26 — The Facebook post that generated 40+ spring cleanups 04:52 — Growing from 18 to 180 recurring customers 07:50 — Turning a side hustle into a real business 11:14 — Derek gets hit by a car and worries about his customers 14:53 — Growing the team and hiring employees 16:47 — Facebook, referrals, and paid ads 18:05 — How Derek responds to new leads 20:08 — Keeping customers happy through communication 22:35 — Review Harvest results 24:14 — Going from 35 to 114+ Google reviews 24:46 — Building a website for the business #DogPoopRemoval #PoopScoopingBusiness #PetWasteRemoval #LocalBusiness #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #GoogleReviews #ReviewHarvest #LocalMarketing #FacebookMarketing #BusinessGrowth #RecurringRevenue #DogWasteRemoval #HomeServiceBusiness #PoopPatrol

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Built Local

  How 200+ New Google Reviews Exploded This Tree Service Business

  Jun 29, 202627 min

  ⭐️ Get More Google Reviews On Autopilot — Start Free Today: https://link.reviewharvest.com/yt 🧲 Join our free community for 1-on-1 help getting more customers on Google: https://www.skool.com/10-minute-marketer-6759 How did one tree service business grow from around 40 Google reviews to nearly 300 in less than a year? In this episode, Jeff from Adam's Apple Tree Service shares how buying an established tree company, improving customer experience, leveraging Google reviews, and using smart systems helped them dominate local search. Learn practical tips for growing a home service business, avoiding costly mistakes, improving customer satisfaction, and generating more referrals. What This Video Covers 🌳 How Jeff successfully took over and grew an existing tree service business ⭐ How 200+ new Google reviews boosted local SEO and Google rankings 📈 Proven strategies for generating referrals and repeat customers 🪵 Common tree care mistakes homeowners should avoid 💰 Lessons on pricing jobs correctly and avoiding costly underbids 📅 Managing seasonality in a home service business 🤝 Building a customer experience that creates five-star reviews 📲 Using automation and Jobber CRM to streamline operations Timestamps 00:00 Biggest challenges of growing a tree service business 00:23 Meet Jeff from Adam's Apple Tree Service 00:38 Buying an existing tree service company 02:36 First business improvements after the acquisition 04:29 Advice for buying a home service business 05:35 Biggest mistakes homeowners make with tree care 07:26 How Review Harvest helps businesses get more Google reviews 07:42 What happens when trees are pruned incorrectly 08:23 Signs your trees need professional attention 09:17 How to consistently deliver five-star customer service 10:48 Growing through Google reviews, SEO, and referrals 12:14 The biggest challenge: seasonality in tree service 14:46 Adam's Apple Tree Service customer journey walkthrough 18:16 Costly estimating mistakes every contractor should avoid 20:34 Future plans for expanding tree care services 22:01 Results after using Review Harvest for nearly a year 25:11 Jeff's best business growth advice for home service owners 26:15 Final thoughts and closing Hashtags #TreeService #Arborist #GoogleReviews #ReviewHarvest #LocalSEO #HomeServiceBusiness #SmallBusiness #GoogleBusinessProfile #CustomerReviews #BusinessGrowth #LeadGeneration #Jobber #LocalMarketing #TreeCare #Entrepreneurship

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Built Local. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.