This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A session features Kyle Kazmer, a wealth partner at JP Morgan Advisors and avocado farmer who moonlights in listing his real estate for sale on Sniffspot, a marketplace that allows you to grow your garden for rent as a private dog park.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Kyle Kazmer
When did you start your side business and what inspired you to do it?
I listed on Sniffspot for the first time in spring 2023. Sniffspot is used by dog trainers and dog owners who want a place for their dogs to run around and play without having to go to a public dog park, and I thought that sounded interesting since we have a large dog park in the backyard that we just don't get into can enjoy to the fullest. I also wanted to teach my young children about entrepreneurship and the value of work, and they could be a part of that. (Fun fact: They enjoy it so much that my youngest son named our new puppy “Sniffspot!”)
Sniffspot was incredibly turnkey: just upload a few photos of your garden, set a price per hour, and provide a few details about your space, and it does the rest, allowing users to search for nearby spaces by the hour look for things to rent.
Related: A simple, leisure-oriented side hustle gives this couple a lucrative side income: “In our first year we made $84,000.”
The immediate passive income with no upfront costs was the inspiration for starting, but it turns out I love hosting at Sniffspot because of the stories, experiences, and memories that are created on our property without us having to do anything. It is a great enrichment to always have very grateful people who tell us their stories and that bringing their four-legged friends to a sniff spot was the best experience they have ever done with their dog: be it their dog swimming for the first time, seeing a dog, a fearful dog needs to be stress-free and playful, a family has the opportunity to take a stress-free hike with their dog and let them run free without a leash – we even had a man who proposed to his girlfriend here with his dogs! And unfortunately last week someone brought their dog to be put down the day before in order to have one last quality time together. It's really rewarding and I never imagined the stories we would hear if we opened our yard to dogs.
What were some of the first steps you took to get your side business off the ground?
There are many gig economy options, but many require a lot of 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 pictures have really taken our place to the next level.
Were there any challenges in pursuing your part-time job? If so, how did you deal with it?
The biggest concern was safety because we had strangers on our property and were worried 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 extremely considerate, respectful, caring and overall professional. Sniffspot has an insurance policy which also gave us a bit of peace of mind, and the support staff is also incredibly helpful and responsive, making hosting a breeze.
Related: She started a side job flipping furniture to pay off a $10,000 dental bill. Within a year, she was surpassing her full-time job's income, earning up to $37,000 a month.
How long did it take for you to achieve consistent monthly sales?
In the first part of the month we earned $1,500 locally. In the second month we generated $3,700. The highlight for me, however, is Sniffspot's truly passive nature, with no setup costs and minimal maintenance. Many simply unlock their side gate and let the dogs and money in.
What is your average monthly turnover? How much total sales have you achieved so far?
An average month at Sniffspot costs between $4,000 and $5,000. The summer months here in sunny Southern California cost between $6,000 and $7,000. We've made over $40,000 with Sniffspot since last spring.
What makes Sniffspot different from other gig platforms?
Users are friendly, caring and respectful. We had over 700 guests and I can count one or two times someone didn't clean their dog. The platform is automated and therefore completely passive as a host. Bookings are accepted immediately and the hosts' only job is to keep your calendar updated and the property accessible.
Related: This Arizona teacher started a part-time job that immediately paid her more than her full-time job: 'Way more than $40,000'
What do you enjoy most about your part-time job?
The income stream is great, but what I like most is everyone's appreciation and the opportunity to share our beautiful property with others. We fell in love with it and it makes us so happy to share it. The love of the dogs and the owners who know what a difference it makes for their best friend really motivates us. We fill a need in the dog lover community.
Our guests tell us that they absolutely love letting their dog off-leash and playing or training and that they truly create unforgettable memories with their dogs. We regularly let our guests drive more than two hours each way so that their dog can visit our sniff spot. Someone recently even drove more than six hours to make it a trip.
We've heard stories about marriage proposals, dates between dog lovers, dog birthday parties, dogs learning to swim, scared dogs coming to life for the first time, etc. – the stories keep us on Sniffspot and it's truly so rewarding.
Related: She started her side hustle to solve a serious patio furniture problem. It blew up the income from her full-time job – to $66,000 a month.
Do you have any advice for others interested in this gig? What should you know before you start?
If you're considering the gig economy or passive income for your space, Sniffspot is the best platform out there. It is consistent, reliable, automatic and has the best users. Since you can set your own hourly rate, experiment with what works. Research other similar spaces in your area. You don't want to go too far beyond the prices of other spots in your area, but you also don't want to undercut yourself. Make sure you deliver great experiences and are customer-focused. Some may offer dog toys, inflatable pools, etc. We have paddle boards, kayaks, home-grown fruit that guests can pick and purchase, a petting zoo, and even working fire engines. Make sure you have decent photos of your property with details about what guests can expect. And don’t hesitate to ask for reviews in follow-up requests. Word of mouth is a powerful tool.