An Interview with Minnesota Laundry Owner Britt Frandsen
Britt Frandsen is the owner and operator of Clothesline Laundromat, based in West St. Paul, Minn.
Frandsen has owned Clothesline since 2018. In addition, she has worked in swimming education, managed the staff at a swim school, served as a special education assistant, and is currently also a substitute teacher in special education.
Britt’s father, Bob Frandsen, has been in the laundry industry for her entire life, so she grew up in and around the laundromat business.
“My first job was filling vending machines for my dad,” she shared.
What sparked your interest in the laundry industry?
I got into the laundry industry because I wanted to start my own business and work for myself. I was thinking about starting a swim school, because that was my career at the time. However, I didn’t want my business to rely so heavily on staff.
My dad wanted to help me with my business goals and advised me to start looking for a laundromat to buy or build. Laundry is a need, and everyone has dirty laundry. I also liked the idea of being able to work with my hands and to have a flexible schedule.
What do you consider to be the most valuable resources for learning more about the industry?
I’m very lucky that I can ask my dad for business advice. I also call his three managers a lot for repair help, advice, and just to swap stories.
Repair and maintenance videos have been super valuable to me. I have Dexter washers, so I watch their service videos for any needed repairs. In addition, I go to YouTube when things have broken or need to be reprogrammed, such as vending machines, changers, bathroom sinks, door closers, and so on.
Plus, I like going to other laundromats to see what different owners do with their stores. And, of course, being a member of CLA has been useful to provide me with a broader, national view of the industry.
What do you enjoy most about working in the laundry industry?
I really like learning about and repairing my own machines. I’m five years into the business, and I’m still so satisfied when I can get a machine back in service. I also like the flexibility that I have with my schedule, even though I’m essentially “on call” a lot of the time. I like that I only have six part-time employees. And I love finding silver quarters!
What do you find most challenging, especially as a woman in this business?
There are plenty of challenges in this business. As a woman, one challenge I have experienced repeatedly has been that, when a vendor or customer is looking for the person in charge, they are shocked to discover that I’m the owner.
What advice would you give to other women looking to get into this industry?
I think women looking to get into the laundry industry should visit different laundromats. Traveling with my dad as a kid always involved him pulling up to some random laundry to “check it out.” Now I do that, too.
Call and talk to owners of stores that you like, and ask questions about their setups. I know I’m lucky because I have my dad and his network of employees and vendors.
Of course, be sure to keep your store clean, with as many machines in service as possible. And check out the Women’s Laundry Network.
If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?
If I had to do it all over, I would have made sure to get an app-based payment system. I believe they’re the present and the future of the laundromat business. I use a token and quarter system, and it works – but I wish I had more advanced technology. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to wait a while, until I can afford to upgrade to a new system.
What can laundry industry leaders do to encourage more women to enter the laundry industry in more male-dominated roles – such as store ownership, engineering, R&D, and distributor/manufacturer management?
Industry leaders can encourage more women to enter into industry roles by educating those around them to the capabilities of women. Stop being shocked by what women are doing in their work lives. Talent can be created equally, but opportunity is not. Opportunities need to be increased with more internships, more job openings, and more representation. The gender wealth pay gap needs to be explored internally at all companies and corrected.
Where do you see the industry heading in the next five years, specifically with regard to women professionals?
I see more women professionals continuing to strive for even more growth and equality as they push toward their business goals.
