Columns
The Laundry Doctor
Warming Up to Cold Calls
Originally posted - May 04, 2012 If you're serious about growing the commercial accounts segment of your laundry business, you can't avoid it - eventually, you're going to have to make cold calls on potential clients. Some laundry owners have their drivers handle...
Reflecting on Injecting
Originally posted - Feb 10, 2014 In past columns, we've discussed all of the different types of products and chemicals than can be used to successfully handle heavy-duty commercial accounts, as well as to service some of the more challenging wash-dry-fold orders. With...
The Doctor Will See You Now….
Originally posted - Nov 04, 2014 Since I've been writing this column, I get inundated with questions from readers looking for advice on stain removal and garment care, as well as just the basic business of doing drop-off and commercial laundry. So, this month, I...
Wash With Wally
Wash with Wally: Calculating Folding Space, Competing for Employees, More…
Is there some formula or rule of thumb that would guide me as far as how much folding space I should provide for my customers? According to most vended laundry industry data, three square feet of folding space for every dryer pocket in your facility is considered to...
Wash with Wally: Bleach Spots, Motor Oil Stains…
A few of my drop-off customers are complaining about small bleach spots on their clothes. However, we don't even use bleach on their clothes, nor do we place the garments where bleach could be splashed on them. The only thing I can think of is that maybe the bleach is...
Wash with Wally: Mat Rental, Marker Stains and More…
I have landed a commercial account with the local sewer and water department, washing their leather gloves. But I am having trouble getting the gloves soft and pliable. I also could use some tips on how to remove all of the dirt, grime and grease on them. I would...
The Business Mind
The Mind of the Customer
7 Not-So-Obvious Insights into Customer Psychology Sure to Help You Grow Your Business I've come to the conclusion that the greatest threat to a self-service laundry's growth - and perhaps even its survival - in our modern, high-tech and significantly diversified...
Once Upon a Laundry
Here's a Look at a Day in the Life of a Laundry Owner - And at All of the Many Business and Life Lessons It Can Teach Us There are so many different opportunities to learn. One method is to enroll in formal classes at a school or university. Another way is to attend a...
Head Games
The Psychological Aspects of Entrepreneurship – And the Six Primary Emotions That Inevitably Grip All Business OwnersA number of years ago, it was quite common in Detroit and other larger cities to have actual elevator operators in tall buildings. And, while riding in...
Viewpoint
Get Involved… Stay Involved
The year is quickly coming to an end. The time seems to go faster and faster each year. As you reflect back on the goals you set out to accomplish this year, did you meet or exceed them? Did you do what you said you were going to do? It's never too late to set goals...
Lease Negotiation: Mistakes to Avoid
When putting together your self-service laundry business, the lease is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. Here are some of the most common – and dangerous – pitfalls to avoid when hammering out your next laundry lease: • Failure to secure exculpation of...
Iowa Laundry Owners Get a Big Raise
"Is this heaven?" "It's Iowa." "Iowa? Could have sworn it was heaven…" – "Field of Dreams" (1989) While the specters of baseball players past may have confused Iowa for heaven in the movie, you wouldn't blame Hawkeye laundry owners for thinking they're living in the...
Digital Marketing
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