Florida Distributors Donate Commercial Washer to Local Pet Rescue Organization

Laundry Owners Warehouse and The Laundry Shop – two laundry distributorships based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. – have partnered in support of Paws Fur Recovery, a pet rescue organization located in nearby Indiantown, Fla. The two companies donated a commercial LG washer...

How to Market Your Amenities

Make Your Laundromat a Place People Love I recently renovated my house and faced a big challenge –furnishing it. I had the basics in mind but wanted everything to come together just right. So, I called a few furniture stores I liked, and one of them said something...

Reimagining the Laundromat Experience

Technology, Design, and a Strong Focus on the Customer Have Set a New Standard for Store Amenities It’s no secret that today’s successful laundromats are embracing customer-centric amenities that transform what was once a mundane chore into a convenient, even...

Engaged Employees, Happy Customers

Building a Positive Workplace Culture in Your Laundromat Since I started consulting in 2005, I’ve heard a common sentiment among business owners and executives: “I just want people who work.” And why wouldn’t a business owner want this? After all, human capital theory...

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Giving Back

Jan 26, 2015

Originally posted - Nov 19, 2013 Jeff Lindemann likes to say that he's probably not the best businessman. However, the facts are the facts. And the former police officer and his wife, Mandy, currently own and operate not one or two - but three - successful businesses...

CLA Member of the Year

Jan 26, 2015

An Interview with Chicago Multi-Store Owner Paul HansenPaul Hansen is a third-generation laundry owner who owns six vended laundries in Chicago. He also currently serves as the president of the Illinois Coin Laundry Association.This past June, at the Clean Show in Las...

Commercial Real Estate

Jan 23, 2015

Originally posted - Jun 27, 2013 Some of today's self-service laundry owners are multi-store operators who have studied and learned the real estate business thanks to a series of building purchases and retail storefront leases over the years. Others are real estate...

Headlines

Be Your Own Competition

Originally posted - Sept issue/2012 "I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn't know how to get along without it." – Walt Disney Next to vend price, there isn't a more combustible topic of conversation among laundry owners than competition. In my...

Making a Name for Ourselves

Originally posted - Mar 27, 2012 What is our industry's brand? I'm fond of the following motto that I derived from the insightful consumer research conducted by the Coin Laundry Association: Our customers want time-savings and convenience in a clean, safe environment...

Take Notes – And Then Take Action

Originally posted - Aug 15, 2012 Each year, one of the most valuable things a self-service laundry owner can do is attend distributor shows. And please notice that I didn't just say "your distributor show." The reason for this is because I personally go to several...

A Time to Reflect A Time to Move Forward

Originally posted - Dec issue/2012 As I write this column in late October, it seems to be more of a time of positive activity than a time of reflection. I just recently returned from the Coin Laundry Association's Excellence in Laundry Conference in Palm Springs. And,...

Open for Business

Originally posted - Jan issue/2012 You've searched far and wide for that perfect laundry location or undervalued existing laundromat. You've met with every distributor and examined each manufacturer's spec sheets with a fine-toothed comb before selecting your new...

‘Face’ the Facts

Originally posted - Mar 25, 2013 If you are like me, a small-business owner, you most likely have heard of Facebook. You may even have a Facebook page for your business, but you may be wondering how to use Facebook practically to promote your business. I say...

Be Aware, Be Prepared, Be Safe

Originally posted - Feb 14, 2012 How far do we need to go to protect our businesses, our customers, our property and, most importantly, our lives? As a former law enforcement officer and now a commercial laundry equipment distributor, I have combined my past...

A Plan Comes Together

Originally posted - Jun 11, 2013 In past columns, I've discussed the value of networking and the ideas I've picked up at industry events – ideas that have helped me save and make more money at my stores. A perfect example of this occurred last October, when I was in...

Now Trending…

Originally posted Dec.issue/2012 Eight Trends and Issues Sure to Impact Your Business Life in 2013 "I don't set trends. I just find out what they are and exploit them." – Dick Clark Yes, your small-business world can change quickly. And, yes, outside forces and new...

Don’t Be the ‘Fall Guy’

Orignially posted - Oct 23, 2013 Slips, trips and falls can cost you much more than money. They can rob you of public trust and damage your brand. And, according the National Safety Council, more than 9 million disabling slips and falls occur each year, costing an...

What Does My Gas Bill Mean?

Originally posted - Jan 27, 2012 To understand how our utilities affect our bottom lines, we've got to understand our utility bills. Since I'm often asked to do analyses on energy savings, I've gotten a lot of practice at reading natural gas bills. In this article,...

So Many Reasons for Optimism

Originally posted - Jan 26, 2012 Despite all of the economic gloom and doom we've endured in recent years, I'm seeing some strong reasons for optimism in 2012, especially for coin laundry owners. And the best reason to be optimistic is because most of you reading this...

This Month's Issue

Reimagining the Laundromat Experience: Technology, Design, and a Strong Focus on the Customer Have Set a New Standard for Store Amenities
Business Management: Building a Positive Workplace Culture
Digital Marketing: Make Your Laundromat a Place People Love
Company Close-Up: The Vision Behind Masters Laundry Equipment
And More…

THE LATEST ON LAUNDROMATS

Industry News

Aaxon Names ‘Laundry Aesthetic Award’ Winner

Aaxon Laundry Systems recently presented Philip Kodroff - owner of Laundromart in Hollywood, Fla. - with the distributor's "Laundry Aesthetic Award." The award is presented to Aaxon laundry-owner customers in recognition of their dedication toward operating...

Statewide Wraps Up Fall Laundry Improvement Expos

Statewide Laundry Equipment - with offices in Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and Miami - recently finished its three-day series of Laundry Improvement Expos, beginning in Kissimmee, Fla., on September 19 at the Radisson Resort Orlando and concluding at Statewide's...

LaundryCares Foundation to Implement Free Laundry Day Events This Fall

The LaundryCares Foundation, a 501(c)3 charity of the Coin Laundry Association, plans to execute three Free Laundry Day events in October and November of 2017. Free Laundry Days are LaundryCares' flagship community affairs which provide members of the local community...

Detergent Solutions Hosts Service Seminar, Store Tour

Store owners and technicians from across lower Michigan recently attended a Dexter Laundry service seminar and toured a unique self-service laundry facility during an event hosted by distributor Detergent Solutions in the Detroit suburb of Utica. The two-part service...

Eastern Funding Gives Back with Habitat for Humanity Projects

Eastern Funding LLC recently joined forces with Habitat for Humanity New York City on projects to create affordable homes for families in need. On September 20-21, more than 50 Eastern Funding employees volunteered at Habitat for Humanity construction sites in Hollis,...