One Woman’s Laundry Industry Breakthrough
After 15+ years as a successful product marketer and analyst for Top 50 pharmaceutical companies, Cathy Neilley took the entrepreneurial route and opened what is now one of the most decorated, and top-rated laundromats in New Jersey: Multiple NJ Biz and Trentonian Readers’ Choice Winner.
Why a laundromat? A chance tryout of a local wash, dry and fold (“drop-off”) service after a business trip that she realized what a great time saver—critical to an overbooked professional with a high-powered job. Research determined that it is a relatively recession-proof business, so it could be a good place to sink a 401K.
The commercial laundry industry developed in the 1830s to serve unmarried men who lived and worked in U.S. mining towns and seaports (Lupton, 1993) and expanded primarily to urban areas with high rental populations. Then, as now, they are primarily owned by men and staffed mostly by women. The reason is that historically, men have better access to capital and possess mechanical skills that facilitate equipment maintenance and low repair costs.
But women are breaking through. The past few years has seen a uptick in the number of women in the industry who are attracting a broader range of the populace by creating attractive store models and opening in atypical locales like college towns, and suburban areas populated by or accessible to home owning middle and upper middle-class, professional groups.
Spin Doctor® Laundromat exemplifies that model by providing a high level of customer service, a clean, safe, attractive environment, convenient hours, and a high level of technology, such as washer-to-customer texting, and electronic debit cards that replace coins. Recognizing that community involvement is important to the values of the customers they serve, Cathy is an annual sponsor of the Hamilton Girls Softball team, has raised money for One Simple Wish, Isles, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and donates clothes to the Rescue Mission of Trenton.
Readers interested in owning a Spin Doctor® Franchise should contact Cathy at 609-981-SPIN or visit www.spindoctorlaundromat.com/franchising
