Laundry Nerd Podcast (Formerly known as Laundromat Insights Podcast)

The Coin Laundry Association (CLA) is the backbone of the laundromat industry, and it has a definite pulse on its overall health. In this episode, Brian Wallace, president and CEO of the CLA, discusses topics such as the current state and future of the industry, Laundry Cares Foundation, and frequent flyer miles.

Quality doesn’t just happen. It’s the result of a concerted effort to accept nothing less than excellence. In this episode, Brad Nye, vice president of operations, discusses how his team turns out consistently great products each day.

Coming off a year of historic low interest rates, 2022 could be more challenging with inflation and possible rate hikes. Jeff Harvey, manager of U.S. underwriting for Alliance Laundry Systems sorts it all out for us.

The laundromat business continues to see franchise options introduced to markets. In this episode, we’re joined by Dan Bowe, former General Manager of franchise and retail operations and current Speed Queen Laundry Advisor with 25 years of experience in the laundry industry, who discusses the company’s beginnings in laundromat operations with company-owned stores, the learnings gathered from that time, and the transition to the franchise option of today.

Capitol Quick Wash owner, Jason Dodge, has a wealth of industry experience. In this episode, he shares learnings and insights on a variety of topics, including how technology has streamlined his management.

What’s it like opening a business during a pandemic? We’ll find out in our chat with Aaron Helms, owner of The Washroom Coin Laundry in Van Buren, Arkansas.

Less than a year in, Jessica Haney’s Jess’s Laundry Wash and Fold in Lake Dallas, Texas has a booming wash-dry-fold business. In this episode we’ll chat about her commitment to customer service, what she looks for in employees…oh, and we’ll learn just why customers rave about the smell of her laundromat.

While many new investors come to the laundromat business later in life, Mike Gilley jumped in very early on…like high school age early. In this episode he shares that initial start and how he built Laundry & Tan Connection into an enterprise spanning several states.

Spoiler alert: location is important to the success of your laundry. Brad Harris of Laundry Solutions Company has the unique perspective of owning laundromats as well as helping others get into the business. He’ll share his expertise on location as well as the different customer types you should be accounting for in deciding on a site. You may be surprised by the areas in which owners are developing laundries.

Wichita, Kansas is home to The Laundry Station, one of the first laundries to leverage all the pieces of Speed Queen technology. In this episode, we chat with its owner, Sharon Brinks, about her journey to the laundromat business, the importance of technology and a whole lot more.

Mike Hand has decades of experience in the laundry industry and in this episode, he shares his insider tips for getting started opening a laundromat. From finding a location to grand opening insights, this GM of one of the most experienced new store developers, CLEC West, offers up his thoughts on a variety of topics.

We’re tackling the big T in this episode – Technology. Joining us to talk all things laundromat technology is Aubrey Pollesch, laundromat sales development manager at Alliance. We’ll give an overview of available technology in three major categories – business operations, analytics and marketing. This is a great “get your feet wet” bucket of content focused on laundromat technology.

You’re interested in opening up a laundromat business and you have questions on financing. We’ve got Jeff with the answers. In this episode, Jeff Harvey, Alliance’s manager of U.S. underwriting walks us through the various options for financing a vended laundry as well as the steps to streamline the process, from getting pre-approved to management of the note.

Jennifer Butzlaff, Alliance’s marketing business partner for the laundromat segment, joins us for the inaugural episode of the Laundromat Insights Podcast. We talk “laundry nerdom,” the changing image of laundromats and the basics that make the laundromat business great, including management ease, fantastic return on investment and a great customer experience.