We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Demetra Markopoulos a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Demetra, appreciate you joining us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?
My parents are entrepreneurs and instilled a strong work ethic in my siblings and I from a young age. My father is an immigrant, and my mom, born here, was raised by her immigrant parents. They were determined, worked hard, and always put us first. As restaurant owners, they were always working, while we were with our grandparents. They taught us the value of hard work but also family. When I was old enough, I wanted to go to work with my parents. They had me come, first to help in the kitchen, then to bus tables, later to waitress and bartend, and then finally, I learned the operations of the business itself. Not only did this teach me the value of hard work and earning money, but it also taught me what it takes to run a business- the good, the bad and the ugly. It was truly a family business and helping out at the restaurants also allowed for me to be with my family and contribute my part. My parents are my role models and the epitome of the American dream. My entrepreneurial spirit came from them. I saw firsthand what can be built and what it takes to achieve success. And for that I am forever grateful.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Having the entrepreneurial spirit, I always knew I wanted to work for myself. That said, I have a young child and I didn’t want to jeopardize my time with him. I began thinking about and researching businesses where I could include my son, have fun, and solve a problem. And that brings us to DoodyCalls! I loved the concept– the idea was comical, yet it fulfills a need, solves a problem, and positively impacts the environment. We are a pet waste removal company. Our services allow dog owners to enjoy the best part of owning a pet while we handle the more unpleasant aspect. Plus, dog poop is an environmental pollutant and health hazard. As a mom, I’m even more cognizant of the environment around me, and while I love dogs, I don’t want my son (or myself) to step in their poop. What a great way to help solve this problem than to offer a service that takes care of it for pet owners. People are busy, they want convenience, they want to spend time doing things they love, so this is one less thing to worry about. And for commercial properties, it’s the same concept. We provide the waste stations, so dog owners have a place to dispose of the waste, and ensure the grounds are clean, not just for the aesthetic appeal but also to protect the environment.
To provide a bit more insight, at DoodyCalls of Los Angeles, we service residential homes, commercial properties, multifamily communities, neighborhood associations, HOAs, local municipalities, and parks to provide economical pet waste management, keeping the environment safe and clean. Services include residential pet waste removal, common area cleaning, and pet waste station installation and maintenance. We stand behind our services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and can customize a program to fit your needs.
In regard to what sets us apart– we are committed to safe and responsible waste management practices, and we always strive to be at the forefront of the industry. We’re the #1 recognized pet waste removal brand in the United States, always prioritizing safety and hygiene while solving pet waste problems for the environment. As a woman-owned and locally operated business, you can count on our commitment to deliver an excellent experience.
Now back to the topic of family, which is most important to me. My son is my “assistant” and loves to help out whenever he can. I love that I can be a role model and lead by example, teaching him responsibility and a strong work ethic at a young age, much like my parents taught me. It’s a family business, and we’re having a great time taking care of doody, one scoop at a time.
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
As a small business owner, and the daughter of small business owners, I understand the importance of each customer. People buy from people they trust. Relationships are built on trust, and that doesn’t happen overnight. You need to earn that trust and it takes time. I make it a point to talk to all of my customers and check in with them. Additionally, we go above and beyond whenever possible. I try to accommodate all of my customers’ requests and customize a program to fit their needs. Yes, quality, consistency, cost and level of service are critical, but so is going that extra mile. They’ll remember you and tell their friends and colleagues. We strive to be the best and offer the best experience. And we listen to them. If they had a bad experience in the past, it’s important to understand why so we don’t repeat it and we can differentiate ourselves. This is how you foster brand loyalty and retain your client base.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
I’ve managed many teams throughout my career, beginning from when I was young at my parents’ businesses. What I’ve learned over the years is how to be a good leader and the importance of continuously learning and improving myself. For one, it’s important for everyone to understand the vision– what are we working toward? What are the goals? What are we trying to achieve, collectively? Repetition and clear communication are key to ensure people don’t lose sight of the big picture. Secondly, it’s important to understand what motivates people on the team. Everyone’s different. What motivates you may not be what motivates me. To be an effective leader and maintain high morale, you have to understand this about your team members and be empathetic to their needs. Integrity is another key quality. It’s important to be honest and do what you say for your team to have confidence in you and want to work hard. One more piece of advice is to empower your team. You have a team for a reason– empower them to do what they’re there to do so you can focus on leading. In most every role where I’ve managed a team, I’ve also done the day-to-day work, (yes, including poop scooping,) so I can speak from a place of understanding. I coach, guide and mentor, but I empower the team to do their jobs so I can focus on other tasks. And lastly, have fun! Positive energy is contagious and it starts at the top.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.doodycalls.com/los-angeles/
- Instagram: @doodycallslosangeles
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoodyCallsLosAngeles/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/doodycalls-of-los-angeles-los-angeles-3
Image Credits
Danette Mitchell