episode 41

While most business owners will tell you luck has nothing to do with their success, Alex Bloom, owner of Washworks, is happy to embrace a bit of luck in his laundromat. Alex joins us to talk about how he is tapping the power of the Lucky Cycle to drive customer loyalty in his laundry business.

*The Laundry Nerd Podcast was formerly known as Laundromat Insights.

episode 40

Vending Manager at Lightning Laundry in Little Rock, Arkansas, Collin Craig, joins the Laundry Nerd Podcast to talk about his job and his role in a recent commercial for the laundromat (you can watch it here). Oh, and did we mention that this laundromat professional is our youngest-ever guest. How young? Take a listen.

 *The Laundry Nerd Podcast was formerly known as Laundromat Insights 

episode 39

The Laundromat Girl, AKA Cami, is a TikTok and Instagram influencer bringing attention to our industry. On this episode of the Laundry Nerd podcast, she joins us to talk about her journey from full-time nurse to laundromat owner and social media star.

*The Laundry Nerd Podcast was formerly known as Laundromat Insights

episode 38

In this episode we learn about buying a laundromat with a well-worded note … oh, and laundromat financing options, courtesy of Ana Figueroa, Manager of U.S. Financial Services for Alliance Laundry Systems.

Note: The Laundromat Insights podcast will have a new name and look in the days ahead…stay tuned.

episode 37

Brittany Centers, owner of Centers Social, sits down to talk about her work in helping laundromat owners market their businesses using social media platforms.

episode 36

In part two of our chat with Carlos Ochoa, we’ll learn how he got his start in TikTok and what he’s sharing through his Laundromat Money account.

Since starting on the platform, Carlos has built a giant list of followers.

episode 35

TikTok Rockstar sits in for latest Laundromat Insights podcast.

Carlos Ochoa’s Laundromat Money TikTok channel has enjoyed immense popularity on the platform. In the latest episode of the Speed Queen’s Laundromat Insights podcast, we chat with Carlos to learn more about his business, the value of working with a full-service distributor, and the results of his recent retool of his Bubbles and Bleach Laundromat in Visalia, California.

episode 34

In part two of this series, we learn how Tim’s approach to the business started with the end in mind and a goal of supporting a good cause. We continue our chat with Tim and learn how he reverse engineered his business, and about the generous gift he has planned.

episode 33

Laundromat owner begins with the end in mind.
Newcomer to the industry, Tim Richardson, joins us to talk about his laundromat business, set to open this fall. In part one, we hear about his background, including time as a Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Deputy.

episode 32

While many new investors want the large square footage locations out of the gate, small footprint stores can be highly profitable. Yumi Ryoo, senior account executive with Alliance Laundry Systems Distribution West Region, joins us to talk zombie mats and small store potential in the Los Angeles market.

episode 31

With an equipment upgrade, it’s all about return on investment.

In this episode we hear from Nick Luzecky, who swapped out his barely broken-in Quantum Gold machines for Quantum Touch to see if it would deliver ROI. Hear what he has to say about this touchscreen upgrade and the impact on premium cycle selection.

episode 30

Softmount washer-extractors deliver exceptional G-Force to remove more water from loads than most hardmount units. Does that make them the go-to answer for all laundromats? Mike Hand, Alliance’s vice president of North America Commercial Sales, joins us to walk through the considerations.

episode 29

Whether your laundromat is your primary business or a secondary income source, devoting enough time to management can be challenging. Ann Korhnak is back to share time management strategies to help maximize this finite resource.

episode 28

With increased competition for locations, often growing your laundromat business through acquiring an existing store can be a solid option. Tina Gough, senior finance sales specialist, joins us to chat about factors to consider in purchasing laundromat and how acquisition financing streamlines the process.

episode 27

Alliance Laundry Systems, parent company of Speed Queen, has been quite active in the last several years acquiring distributors, as well as reorganizing sales, and expanding on its world leader status with new products and services. In this month’s Laundromat Insights podcast we chat with Craig Dakauskas, Senior Vice President of Americas Commercial, to learn more about Alliance’s recent activities and how they benefit customers.

episode 26

Ann Korhnak, general manager of spare parts at Alliance Laundry Systems, is back for part two of this important topic. We pick up the discussion where we left off last time – stressing the significance of the research phase.

episode 25

Every business, no matter the industry, needs a business strategy. Without this roadmap, owners are just operating day to day. In part one of this two-part episode, Ann Korhnak, general manager of spare parts at Alliance Laundry Systems, joins us again to share her experience in crafting this important strategy document.

episode 24

Steve Bowie, senior director of North America Commercial Support for Alliance joins us to chat about the company’s approach to supporting laundromat owners, and also touch upon some misinformation that made the rounds last year.

episode 23

Bryan Donegan is offering his customers the ultimate in multitasking opportunities – a combination fitness club and laundromat. Laundry 24 and 24 Fitness are making an impact from their location just outside the gates of Fort Drum in New York.

episode 22

Bruce has been covering the laundry industry for decades. We sit down with him and ask burning questions like, where the industry will be years from now, and whether he does laundry.

episode 21

Liberty Laundry in Peterborough, New Hampshire recently transitioned to touchscreens and technology. We chat with owner, Matt Zinicola about the upgrade, and what it’s like operating a laundromat in the community the play “Our Town” was based on.

episode 20

In this episode, we meet Ann Korhnak, general manager of spare parts at Alliance Laundry Systems, learn about the parts headwinds facing all industries, and get a glimpse of what’s to come.

episode 19

The 2022 Clean Show is upon us. We’ll chat tips for attending the show and why you must consider the lost opportunity cost of long lead times for products.

episode 18

Dave Menz, AKA the Laundromat Millionaire, is back for part two of our conversation. This time around we chat operations, books, and the Laundromat Millionaire Conference.

episode 17

Dave Menz, AKA the Laundromat Millionaire, wears many hats – successful business owner, author, podcaster. In this first of a two-part series, we talk about how his start in life in Flint, Mich. equipped him with the grit to overcome hurdles and achieve success on a variety of levels.

episode 16

Big Waves Laundromat in Santa Monica made an immediate impact when it opened in 2020. It’s owner, quickly fell in love with the business and began planning for a second location. In this episode, we’re joined by Wade Hickok to talk about the new location and what new owners should know about expanding to store number two.

episode 15

n the laundromat business, going it alone can be costly. This is why a full-service distributor is so important. We’re joined by Justin Meerman, sales manager at Hynes and Waller, Inc. in Marlboro, Md., and Mike Fox, sales manager at Alliance Laundry Systems Distribution (formerly Washburn Machinery) in Chicago to talk about what full-service distribution means for laundromat owners.

episode 14

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.

episode 13

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.

episode 12

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.

episode 11

The laundromat business continues to see franchise options introduced to markets. In this episode, we’re joined by Dan Bowe, general manager of North America franchise and retail operations, 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.

episode 10

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.22

episode 09

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.

episode 08

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.

episode 07

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.

episode 06

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.

episode 05

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.

episode 04

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.

episode 03

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.

episode 02

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.

episode 01

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.