This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Kyle Kazmer, wealth partner and avocado farmer, who has a side hustle listing his property on Sniffspot, a marketplace that lets you rent out your backyard as a private dog park.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Kyle Kazmer
When did you start your company and what inspired it?
I first listed on Sniffspot in the spring of 2023. Sniffspot is used by dog trainers and dog owners who want a place for their dogs to run outside and play without having to go to a public dog park and I thought it sounded interesting since we have a large yard that we simply do not have enough time to fully enjoy. I also wanted to teach my young children to be entrepreneurial, and the value of work, and that’s something they could be a part of. (Fun fact: They enjoy it so thoroughly that my youngest son named our new puppy “Sniffspot!”)
Sniffspot was incredibly turnkey: Just upload a few photos of your yard, set an hourly rate, and include some details about your location, and it does the rest, allowing users to search nearby spaces for rent by the hour.
Related: A simple, leisure-focused side hustle earns this couple a lucrative stream of extra income: “Our first year we made $84,000.”
The instant passive income with no upfront costs was the inspiration to get started, but it turns out that I love hosting on Sniffspot because of the stories, experiences and memories that are created on our property without us having to do anything. It’s so rewarding to constantly have very grateful people tell us their stories and that bringing their furry friends to a Sniffspot was the best experience they’ve ever had with their dog: whether it’s seeing their dog swim for the first time or sees an Anxious dog being stress-free and playful, a family getting a chance to take a stress-free hike with their dog by letting them run off-leash — we even had a man propose to his girlfriend here with their dogs! And sadly, last week someone brought their dog the day before they put him down to spend one last sweet moment together. It’s really rewarding and I never imagined the stories we’d hear about opening up our yard to dogs.
What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground?
There are many gig economy options out there, but many require significant time and ongoing maintenance. We created our profile with tons of photos and then it just blew up. Word of mouth has been the biggest driver, especially among dog trainers, but our user reviews and pictures have really taken us to the next level.
Were there any challenges that arose with running your sides? If so, how did you navigate them?
The biggest concern was safety with having strangers on our property and worrying if they would treat our yard and property with respect. We’ve all heard horror stories about other short-term rental options – but dog owners must be a different breed because this concern was completely unfounded for Sniffspot users. Everyone is overwhelmingly attentive, respectful, caring and generally professional. Sniffspot has an insurance policy which gave us some peace of mind and the support staff are also incredibly helpful and responsive which makes hosting a breeze.
Related: He started a furniture spree to pay off a $10,000 dental bill. She surpassed her full-time income within a year — Earning up to $37,000 a month.
How long did it take you to start seeing consistent monthly income?
In the first partial month we made $1,500 on the spot. In the second month we generated $3,700. But really, the highlight for me is the truly passive nature of Sniffspot with no setup costs and minimal maintenance. Many will just unlock their side gate and let the dogs and money roll in.
How much average monthly income do you earn now? How much total revenue have you earned to date?
An average month is between $4,000-$5,000 on Sniffspot. Summer months range from $6,000-$7,000 for us in sunny Southern California. Since last spring, we’ve won over $40,000 on Sniffspot.
What sets Sniffspot apart from other gig platforms?
Users are friendly, attentive and respectful. We had over 700 guests and I can count maybe one or two times when someone didn’t clean up after their dog. The platform is automated, so it is completely passive as a host. Bookings are accepted immediately and the only work required of the hosts is to update your calendar and access the property.
Related: This Arizona teacher started a company that instantly made her more than her full-time job: ‘Way better than $40,000’
What do you enjoy most in your company?
The revenue stream is great, but what I love most is how grateful everyone is and the opportunity to share our beautiful property. We fell in love with it and it makes us so happy to share it. We are truly motivated by the love of dogs and owners who know what a difference it makes for their best friend. We are filling a need in the dog community.
Our guests tell us they love being able to leash their dog and play or train and really make memories with their dogs. We consistently have guests drive over two hours each time for their dog to visit our Sniffspot. One even recently drove more than six hours to make a trip out of it.
We’ve heard stories of proposals happening here, dates between dog lovers, dog birthday parties, dogs learning to swim, anxious dogs coming to life for the first time, and more. — the stories keep us at Sniffspot and it really is so rewarding.
Related: She started her side hustle to solve a serious problem with outdoor furniture. It surpassed her income from working full-time — at $66,000 a month.
Do you have any advice for others interested in this gig? What should they know before they start?
If they are thinking about the gig economy or passive income for their space, Sniffspot is the best platform out there. It is consistent, reliable, automatic and has the best users. Since you can choose your own hourly rate, play with what works. Do your research with other comparable venues near you. You don’t want to overprice other places in your area, but don’t underprice yourself. Make sure to deliver great experiences and be customer-obsessed. Some may choose to offer dog toys, blow up pools, etc. We have paddle boards, kayaks, local fruit that guests can pick and buy, a petting zoo and even working fire engines. Make sure you have decent photos of your venue detailing what guests can expect. And feel free to ask for reviews at any follow-up. Word of mouth is a powerful tool.
