DELMAR - It seems every week we're reporting more layoffs, leaving so many people to ask "what now?"

Some see a need and create a business to fill it - like a Delmar man who reinvented himself with an unusual, but profitable, new career.

Steve Relles never thought he'd be picking up after his neighbors' dogs for a living. He used to be a full-time computer programmer for General Electric. After 20 years his work got outsourced to India. Suddenly he was out of a job.

Relles says his initial reaction was panic.

"And then I quickly discussed things with my wife and realized it wasn't as dire because she also had marketable talents and skills," he said.

His wife went back to work.

Then a friend in Buffalo told Relles about his dog waste pick-up business. Gross, but innovative. There was nothing like it in Delmar. So Relles went to work.

"To get the first couple of customers and to become a businessman was not a quick process, but it's not that bad either," he said.

"We were draining our savings for a few years while we were just starting the business. Now, it makes enough to make it worthwhile that this is what I do every week," Relles added.

Depending on the season, Relles has quite a lot of work to do. At times his client list can grow to 50 customers.

The family's comfort level returned. Relles' business pays the mortgage with some left over.

It also has given him options. There's been more time to blow off some steam with his favorite sport -- mountain unicycling.

He's back into programming. Freelance for now, but maybe full-time again someday. He'll either grow his pooper scooper business or sell it.

"It must seem like a great and glamorous job to scoop dog poop all day, but I think I might be getting tired of it," Relles said.

So, what can we learn from Relles? It's not about dog poop. It's about seeing a need that people have and creating a business that fills that need.

Relles' advice -- if you've got an idea for a business, get the word out immediately with flyers, business cards and phone calls.

It was lean for him at first, but his business did "pick up."