Columns
The Laundry Doctor
On Camera
Surveillance Technology Continues to Improve – And It Provides Laundry Owners With More Benefits Than You May Think A recent PlanetLaundry cover story discussed the ins and outs of laundromat security, with a good portion of that article highlighting the importance of...
W-D-F 2.0
What Does the Future Hold for the Wash-Dry-Fold Business? As I’ve been saying in this column for several years, the wash-dry-fold business continues to grow, morph and evolve into something new seemingly each time we look in a different direction. The future of...
Getting Into Your ‘Comforter’ Zone
Build Your Business by Becoming the Comforter-Cleaning Specialist in Your Marketplace In today’s world of drycleaners and commercial laundries all trying to carve out their own special niche by adding extra services, such as residential wash-dry-fold laundry and...
Wash With Wally
Wash with Wally: Parking is Paramount
I own a 4,000-square-foot laundromat that does a good business. However, I’ve noticed that on Saturdays and Sundays we often turn business away because we simply don’t have enough parking availability on those busy weekends. The building next to us is for sale. Do you...
Wash with Wally: Increasing Drying Capacity
My laundromat currently has 40 30-pound stack dryers. However, they’re 18 years old, and I’m starting to have some mechanical issues with them – so I think it may be time to replace them. Lately, I’ve been considering possibly purchasing 50-pound stack dryers to...
Wash with Wally: Equipping a Uniform Rental Service
I’m researching getting into the uniform business. What types of finishing machines would you recommend? Clearly, the exact type of equipment you’ll require will depend on the kinds of uniforms you plan to work with. Most likely, you need a hot head press, a legger...
The Business Mind
Are Your Attendants Happy?
Developing a Positive Employee Culture is One of the Most Important Ways to Strengthen Your Laundry Business A large and growing body of research devoted to positive organizational psychology has demonstrated that not only is a “cut-throat” business environment...
It’s No Big Thing
Strengthening Your Innovative Mindset “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent van Gogh “Synergism” is one of my favorite words. Actually, it’s likely my favorite. And I use it often. Its technical definition is “the interaction...
The Randomness of Business Life
The Statistical Concept of ‘Regression to the Mean’ – and How It Impacts Your Laundry Operation I’m presently working toward a doctorate degree in clinical psychology. And, as part of the program, I’ve been required to take a number of courses in advanced statistics....
Viewpoint
Giving Thanks for 2020
“…enjoy every sandwich.” – Warren Zevon, songwriter/musician When Zevon uttered these quirky words of gratitude, it wasn’t in a clever lyric from one of his dozens of great songs. Rather, it came in response to a question posed by his friend David Letterman during...
Tempus Fugit!
Time certainly does fly. It’s hard to believe that the Coin Laundry Association first launched its monthly magazine 30 years ago! At the time, I had the privilege of being the CLA’s Chairman of the Board. And, as I recall, it was a much different environment in those...
You’ve Never Been More Essential
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” – Frederick Douglass You’ve likely had a few pressing issues on your mind these last several months. Namely, the health and well-being of your family, employees and customers – not to mention, quite possibly, that of...
Digital Marketing
Marketing Lessons from an Up-and-Down Year (Part 1)
Connecting with Customers During a Time When Connection Has Never Been More Challenging What a year! 2021 has been one for the record books, and it feels as though it flew by. Just like any other year, we’ve learned a lot about how audiences are responding to...
‘Web’ Site Selection
Developing a Strong Online Community for Your Laundry Business We all know that finding just the right site for your laundromat can make all the difference in whether or not your new business is a success. And the same goes for your “digital site” – that is, your...
Leverage Marketing’s Universal Strategies
Three Promotional Tactics That Work Anywhere… For Any Business International companies have a lot to teach us about marketing. They’ve mastered the art of grabbing an audience’s attention and selling a product or service – which is at the core of all marketing...