This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Kyle Kazmer, a wealth partner at J.P. Morgan Advisors and avocado farmer who has a side hustle listing his property on Sniffspot, a marketplace that allows you to rent out your yard as a private dog park.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Kyle Kazmer
When did you start your side hustle, and what inspired it?
I first listed on Sniffspot in spring 2023. Sniffspot is used by dog trainers and dog owners wanting a space 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 just don't have enough time to fully enjoy. I also wanted to teach my young children to be entrepreneurial, and the value of work, and this is something they could be a part of. (Fun fact: They are enjoying it so fully that my youngest son named our new puppy "Sniffspot!")
Sniffspot was incredibly turn-key: Just upload some photos of your yard, set a price per hour and include some details about your spot, and it does the rest, allowing users to look up nearby spaces to rent by the hour.
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The immediate passive income with no upfront cost was the inspiration to start, but it turns out I love hosting on Sniffspot because of the stories, experiences and memories that are made on our property without us having to do anything. It is very rewarding to consistently have very thankful people telling 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 is watching their dog swim for the first time, seeing an anxious dog be stress-free and playful, a family having the opportunity to have a stress-free hike with their dog letting them run wild without a 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 would put him down to have one last sweet time together. It is truly rewarding, and I never imagined the stories we would hear from opening up our yard for 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 a lot require significant time and ongoing maintenance. We created our profile with tons of photos, and then it just exploded. Word-of-mouth has been the biggest driver, especially among dog trainers, but our reviews and user images really took our spot to the next level.
Were there any challenges that came with running your side hustle? If so, how did you navigate those?
The biggest concern was safety with having strangers on our property and worrying if they would treat our backyard and property with respect. We've all heard horror stories about other short-term rental options — but dog owners must be of a different breed because that concern was completely unfounded for Sniffspot users. Everyone is overwhelmingly considerate, respectful, caring and overall professional. Sniffspot has an insurance policy that brought us some peace of mind as well, and the support staff is also incredibly helpful and responsive, which makes hosting a breeze.
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How long did it take you to begin seeing consistent monthly revenue?
The first partial month we made $1,500 on our spot. The second month we generated $3,700. But really, the highlight for me is the truly passive nature of Sniffspot with no cost to set up and minimal upkeep. Many will just unlock their side gate and let the dogs, and money, roll in.
How much average monthly revenue 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 the sunny Southern California area. Since last spring, we've made over $40,000 on Sniffspot.
What sets Sniffspot apart from other gig platforms?
The users are friendly, caring and respectful. We've had over 700 guests, and I can count maybe one or two times someone did not clean up after their dog. The platform is automated, so it is completely passive as a host. Bookings are immediately accepted, and the only task required by hosts is to have your calendar up to date and the property accessible.
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What do you enjoy most about your side hustle?
The revenue stream is great, but what I love most is how appreciative 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 the owners who know what a difference it makes for their best friend. We are filling a need in the community of dog-lovers.
Our guests tell us they absolutely love being able to have their dog off leash and play or train and that they are truly creating memories with their dogs. We consistently get guests driving two-plus hours each way for their dog to come visit our Sniffspot. Someone 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 alive for the first time, etc. — the stories keep us on Sniffspot, and it's truly so rewarding.
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Do you have any advice for others interested in this gig? What should they know before they get started?
If they're considering 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. Because you can choose your own price point per hour, play around with what works. Do your research with other comparable spaces near you. You don't want to price too much beyond other spots in your area, but don't undercut yourself. Be sure to provide great experiences and be client-obsessed. Some may choose to offer dog toys, blow-up pools, etc. We have paddle boards, kayaks, homegrown fruit that guests can pick and buy, a petting zoo and even working fire trucks. Be sure to have decent photos of your space with details on what guests can expect. And feel free to ask for reviews in any follow-ups. Word-of-mouth is a powerful tool.
As an expert in the field of side hustles and passive income, I can confidently say that Kyle Kazmer's experience with Sniffspot is a prime example of how to successfully generate revenue while pursuing a passion. His expertise as a wealth partner at J.P. Morgan Advisors, combined with his avocado farming background, gives him a unique perspective on diversifying income streams.
One of the key factors that sets Kyle apart is his first-hand experience with Sniffspot. He started his side hustle in the spring of 2023 after realizing the potential of renting out his large yard as a private dog park. What initially attracted him to Sniffspot was the opportunity to provide dog owners with a safe and controlled space for their pets to play and exercise. Furthermore, he saw it as an avenue to teach his children about entrepreneurship and the value of work.
The process of getting his side hustle off the ground was relatively straightforward. All Kyle had to do was create a profile on Sniffspot, upload appealing photos of his yard, set a reasonable price per hour, and provide some details about his spot. The platform took care of the rest, allowing users to easily find and rent his space. Word-of-mouth played a significant role in attracting customers, especially among dog trainers, but it was the positive reviews and user images that truly elevated the visibility of his Sniffspot.
Of course, no venture is without its challenges. One of Kyle's initial concerns was the safety of having strangers on his property and the potential for damage. However, he quickly discovered that Sniffspot users were overwhelmingly considerate, respectful, and professional. The platform itself provides insurance coverage, offering peace of mind to hosts like Kyle. Additionally, the support staff at Sniffspot proved to be incredibly helpful and responsive, making the hosting experience seamless.
In terms of revenue, Kyle saw immediate success. Within the first partial month, he earned $1,500, and by the second month, that number increased to $3,700. However, what truly stands out to him is the passive nature of Sniffspot. With no upfront costs and minimal upkeep, he can simply unlock his side gate and let the dogs (and money) roll in. On average, he now earns between $4,000-$5,000 per month, with summer months in sunny Southern California bringing in even more, ranging from $6,000-$7,000. Since starting in the spring of last year, Kyle has accumulated over $40,000 in total revenue from Sniffspot.
When asked about what he enjoys most about his side hustle, Kyle emphasizes the sense of appreciation and the opportunity to share his beautiful property. The stories and experiences shared by his guests are what motivate him to continue hosting on Sniffspot. From dog birthday parties to proposals and even dogs learning to swim, Kyle and his family have become an integral part of the dog-loving community.
For those interested in pursuing a similar gig, Kyle advises considering Sniffspot as the platform of choice. Its consistency, reliability, and automation make it a top contender in the gig economy. He suggests experimenting with pricing, ensuring that it aligns with comparable spaces in the area. Providing exceptional experiences and being client-obsessed are also key to success. Kyle even goes the extra mile by offering additional amenities such as paddle boards, kayaks, and a petting zoo. High-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and requesting reviews are all important factors in attracting customers through word-of-mouth.
Overall, Kyle Kazmer's success with Sniffspot showcases the potential of side hustles and the importance of finding the right platform. By leveraging his expertise, passion for dogs, and entrepreneurial spirit, he has not only generated consistent monthly revenue but also created a space where lasting memories are made.
