Columns
The Laundry Doctor
Kaizen: Get Better at Getting Better
Improve Productivity by Embracing This Japanese PhilosophyYears ago, my good friend and fellow store owner Paul Pettefer and I began work on an employee manual. We wanted to create the best possible set of processes and procedures for our businesses and staff...
Pound Foolish
Here Are a Couple of Unique Pricing Models to Consider That May Help You Present and Market Your Wash-Dry-Fold Business I'm always looking for different ways to market and develop a wash-dry-fold service. So, this month, I'd like to discuss a couple of ideas that are...
Touching Moments
Cut Costs by Limiting the Number of Times Employees Handle Each Wash-Dry-Fold Order Do you mind if we get a little touchy-feely this month? Over the last six months or so, I've had numerous conversations with some of my colleagues from all across the country as to...
Wash With Wally
Wash With Wally: Assessing the Value of Your Laundry Business
I have been in the vended laundry business for more than 30 years, and I’m now ready to retire. My question is how to establish a fair selling price. I own the building and the business. How do I value each? The first step is to get a bank appraisal on your property....
Wash With Wally: Keeping Your Drain Line Clear
Is there a chemical and/or preventive maintenance procedure that will keep our main drain line clean? Occasionally, we experience a backup of water, which seems to be due to a buildup of a black greasy residue within the line. Would you recommend a periodic flush of...
Wash with Wally: Six Key Elements of a Profitable Laundry
I'm in the process of building a self-service laundry. I have never been in this type of business before, so I'd like to know what laundry customers want, what attracts them and what keeps them coming back. In my opinion, there are six main elements that your new...
The Business Mind
Better Living Through Science
Four Research Findings Sure to Benefit You and Your Laundry Business With an advanced degree in clinical psychology and being a member of the American Psychological Association, I am a regular reader of a number of technical journals in the field. Not surprisingly,...
Truth or Consequences
Being Less Than Honest in Your Advertising Will Damage Your Reputation and Cost You Customers “The most powerful element in advertising is the truth." – Bill Bernbach, advertising pioneer The fundamental truism about promoting your self-service laundry is that...
Positioned for Success
How to Strategically Locate Your Business Directly into the Minds of Potential Customers I would guess that more than a few small-business owners are not familiar with the marketing term “positioning.” It is a close relative (but not an identical twin) of traditional...