Women in Laundry
As part of our Women in Laundry series, we caught up with Crystal Lee who co-owns Scrubby Duds laundromat in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Crystal became a CleanCloud customer in 2022 after setting up in her first laundromat venture. A serial entrepreneur, Crystal already ran (and continues to run) a successful accounting business, but was looking for a new challenge. In 2022 she took over Scrubby Duds alongside her husband. Scrubby Duds is a full service laundromat offering everything from coin-op machines to wash dry & fold, dry cleaning, alterations and more. We spoke to Crystal about what drew her to the laundry industry, what she’s learned as a first time laundromat owner and why she loves the industry.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background
My name is Crystal and I am an Accountant and Business Coach by trade. I have been in the Accounting world for over 20 years and really enjoy supporting small businesses. Before 2022 I had never even stepped foot in a laundromat. So when I say I am a “newbie” I am really a newbie. Luckily, I do have a strong background in business and finance and lots of support from the community and family.
How and when did you get into the laundry business?
My partner and I were looking for a business we could run together. We both own other businesses independently but wanted to join forces to see where we could take it. That was in July of 2022. I hopped online and looked for laundromats for sale in my area. Within ten minutes I found one for sale and the rest is history. Clearly my story is not the norm and I know how blessed we were to find one so quickly. I know of others that took years for the to secure their first store.
What are some of the things that you love about working in the laundry industry?
I really enjoy being able to support our local community by providing jobs for staff, providing a much needed service for customers, and since we offer free pick up and delivery, we are able to extend services to those that may not be as mobile.
Our customers are really some of the best. The store we purchased has been there for over forty years so many have been coming to that same store for decades. We get to hear stories and see kids and grandkids of former customers come in to say hello.
What are the biggest challenges that you face as a laundry owner?
As I previously mentioned, I had not even stepped foot in a laundromat prior to purchasing, so I had to learn on the job very quickly. From how to use the equipment to how to fold a fitted sheet. Not kidding here. I was a sheet ball roller previously.
I am very blessed to have staff that knew the basics of running the store in terms of wash & fold and machine use. My partner is mechanically inclined so he is able to handle most maintenance and repairs.
My biggest challenge at the moment is expanding our wash & fold to more commercial clients in the area. That is our goal for 2024.
What are the top 3 considerations for anyone thinking of entering into the laundry business?
First - Make sure you have capital. This is not a get in quick type of business. The machines are costly and insurance rates are no joke.
Second - Make sure you do your market research. Just because you want to make money with a laundromat, does not mean your market can handle it. If you are in a saturated market with many stores in your area, you may want to invest in another type of business.
Third - Time. This is NOT a passive business no matter what social media tells you. I spend more time in this business than I do in my Accounting firm at times. Can you run a laundromat part time? Yes, but it is much more difficult. I also recommend being fully staffed at all hours. The horror stories from laundromat owners mostly come from those that are open 24 hours and no staff or limited staff on site.
What are the most useful sources of information for anyone considering entering the laundry business? Are you part of any community groups etc?
Facebook has many laundromat groups that I belong to and would recommend. Some are open to potential owners or those looking into getting into the business while others are strictly for current owners. Go ahead and join one or two that allow potential owners. Do a search for any question you have FIRST before directly asking. Most questions have already been answered.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when starting out?
Don’t settle for old machines. It’s okay to purchase a store with a few older machines, but be sure you are ready to retool shortly after purchase. New machines not only look good, but they are much more efficient and cut both repair and utility costs immensely. Also, trust your gut. If something feels off then it probably is and don’t wait to look into it.
What’s your best piece of advice for anyone looking to get into the laundry business?
Don’t rush the process. Ask for financials, tax returns, bank statements, and utility bills. Watch the store and see how much foot traffic is going in and out. Do your due diligence. And be sure you are ready for at least a ten year commitment.
Anything else to add?
With any business you can make it into anything you want. Find your passion and your unique mark on the industry. What makes your store unique?
If you are unsure, that is okay, it will come to you. But in the meantime, focus on cleanliness, equipment functionality, customer service, and making sure you charge enough to cover your expenses.