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Get into the Spin
Throughout history, laundry has been a community touchstone. Today’s laundromat may be small or large, and might include side services like Wash-Dry-Fold, pickup and delivery, or even a bistro or coffee counter. That’s what makes this aspect of the fabricare industry fascinating; laundromats are as varied as the personalities of their owners.
If you spend any time online and put in the words “start or buy a laundromat” you will be overwhelmed by the number of people trying to do the same thing. Whole Facebook discussion boards are dedicated to discussing the pros and cons of owning versus leasing a facility, starting from scratch or buying an existing laundromat, and all the nuances of what makes a particular business successful.
Whether you are already have a laundromat, or are seeking to acquire/build one, there are resources out there to help you. Here are some that are vital to your success:
- CLA — This association has a depth of knowledge and resources that you can’t top anywhere. CLA assists newbies to seasoned entrepreneurs through webinars, online resources, in-person meet-ups, marketing ideas, company profiles and more, CLA is a must for you to bookmark. More info on the website.
- Laundromat Owners Forum on Facebook — The members of the group discuss store issues, personnel situations, equipment repair tips, insurance questions, marketing tips and a lot more. Always lively and interactive. Check it on Facebook.
- The Clean Show — August 23-26, Orlando, FL. There is just no greater resource, including educational sessions by CLA, in-person hands-on equipment displays, and the opportunity to network with others in your field. Visit the website to get signed up.
As we dig into the creative side of laundromats this month, we’ll look at successful entrepreneurs who are trying to rewrite the playbook. Others are simply making the old formula work in new ways. Those who make it have a few things in common.
- They are realists, not just dreamers
- They have capital to invest
- They are willing to work to learn the business
- They value input from successful operators
- They spend time networking
- They are willing to take risks
- They love the idea of owning a business
If even one of those items is left off the list, the chances of success diminish. For those who have them, owning a laundromat (or a string of them) might just be the ticket to a satisfying business.
It’s not cleaning clothes that gets laundromat owners excited. After all, it’s a pretty mundane activity. What gets them going is the idea that their company is theirs to shape and create as they want, and the sky is the limit on creative ideas. Everything from interior decor and exterior appearance, to mix of equipment, to side services, to staffing will reflect the owner’s vision.
We’ll be covering this topic all month, so if you have a success story you want to share, feel free to chime in. Send us photos. Tell us your story. Our readers would love to learn from you. Send your story and photos to: Becca Anderson, becca@fabricarecanada.com.
HLAC Appoints John Hopper as Vice President
The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of John Hopper of ImageFIRST as its new Vice President. Hopper will serve alongside President Jeff Courey, with his sights set on assuming the HLAC Presidency for the 2026-2027 term, helping to lead the organization into the future.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
APRIL SERIES — Your Allied Trades Team
Throughout April we’ll be saluting the unsung heroes of our industry — the men and women of the Allied Trades who get you the equipment and supplies you need in order to serve your customers and be successful as a business owner.
This is your chance to call out those who have done an outstanding job making you… outstanding!
Have a story? Send it to becca@fabricarecanada.com.
A Personal Salute to Suppliers
Sid Chelsky, best know for being the Executive Director of the Canadian Fabricare Association, grew into that position by first being a hands-on dry cleaner for many years, and then a consultant to the industry. He didn’t get there alone. In this installment, he names names and calls out the best of the best who helped him succeed.
The Fixer
SERIES: Your Allied Trades Team
If you have laundry or dry cleaning equipment, you are going to have mechanical issues. Period.
While that can seem daunting, if you have a good allied trades person backing you up, it’s more of an annoyance than a crisis. When it comes to LaundryLux equipment (ElectroLux Professional, Wascomat, and Encore Pro brands) one of the go-to people is Ernesto Rodriguez, also known as The Fixer.
Allied Trades Profile: Pellerin-Milnor
Brock Pellerin talks about some recent successful projects, and how to make the most of your Pellerin-Milnor team.
Allied Trades Profile: GreenEarth
Angela Harris describes the GreenEarth difference, and highlights the marketing advantages of putting GreenEarth services to work.
Allied Trades Profile: Jensen USA
When it comes to huge equipment, the Jensen name and its iconic blue signature colour immediately come to mind.
Not only is Jensen known quality equipment, but also the ongoing service relationships it forges with its customers. Learn more in this profile.
Allied Trades Profile: G.A. Braun
Braun is a proudly family-owned American company with roots tracing back to the 1900s. Today, the company has grown to be a global leader in manufacturing laundry equipment.
Allied Trades Profile: Lavatec
Lavatec is a leading provider of laundry equipment and machinery. The company operates its main production facility at a central site in Germany and has subsidiaries in France, Italy, and the USA.
APRIL COLUMNS
The Home Team
It used to be that Mom would do the pressing and Pop would do the cleaning and deliveries. Maybe there would be a counter person on the weekends. In the evenings, Pop would fix the machines and Mom would do some sewing. Between the two of them, they could handle everything. Not any more.
Saluting Tech Support
An interview with Cris Ellis of SMRT Systems
As we focus this month on Allied Trades Support Teams, I had the opportunity to sit down with Cris Ellis, Technical Support Manager at SMRT. Cris and I had the pleasure of meeting IRL (in real life) in Toronto, where he and his colleagues supported our SMRT conversion.
Don’t Let “Policy” Push Customers Away
How to Handle Mistakes Without Losing Customers
As a business owner, you want your team to care about customer service. You want them to be friendly, helpful, and quick to fix problems. What matters is what you do after the mistake. That’s what your customers will remember. Here’s the question: Is your team ready to fix it in a way that keeps the customer coming back?
