Coby Goodhart says he makes 'north of six figures' walking dogs around Lower Manhattan
Credit: Courtesey of Coby Goodhart
NEED TO KNOW
- Coby Goodhart balances his dog walking business with a full-time engineering job
- His company, Goodhart Dog Co., serves Lower Manhattan and brings in over six figures annually, he tells PEOPLE
- Goodhart uses word of mouth, social mediaand business cards to grow his client base and expand his business
Coby Goodhart has been a dog lover his whole life, telling PEOPLE, “it's always been a part of who I am.”
After the 28-year-old moved to New York City in 2023, he knew he wanted to find a way to spend time with the animals, so he started walking dogs in his area. Finally, in 2025, he officially launched his dog walking business, Goodhart Dog Co.
Goodhart says he runs the business while also working full-time as an engineer.
“Goodhart Dog Co. is something I've built completely around that schedule," he shares, noting that he does walks "in the mornings, on my lunch break, evenings and weekends."
Credit: Courtesey of Coby Goodhart
"I also have a walker I've brought on and trained, and I pay her during hours when I'm at my day job," he says. "The goal is to grow it to the point where it becomes my full-time focus."
“I'm up early for morning walks before my engineering job starts. I squeeze in walks on my lunch break, then back out in the evenings after work," he continues. "My walker handles midday walks while I'm on the clock. Weekends are fuller, with walks, training sessions and client check-ins. It's a lot, but I genuinely love it."
His company has a roster of clients all in Lower Manhattan, and he shares that any given day, they walk anywhere from 10 to 20 dogs. He has mainly grown his clientele through word of mouth, saying, “When you do great work in a small area, people talk.”
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♬ Walking Around – Eldar Kedem
“I also hand out business cards on walks and to doormen. They know everyone in the building and are incredibly well-connected," he shares, noting that he also has a presence on social media.
"The luxury positioning helps too, I'm not trying to be everything to everyone,” Goodhart shares.
While he is making over $6,000 a month through the side hustle, he also loves spending time with the dogs, saying, “There's something grounding about spending time with animals that just want to move, explore and be with you.”
“In a neighborhood like Lower Manhattan, where people are busy and high-stress, being the person who takes great care of their dog means a lot to clients,” Goodhart says.
The worst part, however, is that “the weather doesn't negotiate.”
“Rain, heat, cold; the dogs still need their walks," Goodhart emphasizes. "Early mornings in January are humbling."
Credit: Courtesey of Coby Goodhart
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In terms of profit, he shares that Goodhart Dog Co. "brings in north of six figures."
“Pricing varies by client; factors like location, dog size, behavior and schedule all play into it. It's a luxury service, so I price accordingly and make sure every client feels that in the experience,” Goodhart shares.
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