Women’s History Month: Interview with Spin Doctor® Laundromat Owner Cathy Neilley
March is Women’s History Month. What better to celebrate women’s contributions in the workplace than by acknowledging the achievements of women in the laundry industry. One such outstanding businesswoman is Cathy Neilley who left a thriving corporate career to start a high-end Laundromat and create the Spin Doctor® brand.
Spin® Doctor Laundromat located in Hamilton, New Jersey, is a fresh modern take on today’s Laundromat. The mission of the 3,000 square-foot store is to enrich the lives its customers. It accomplishes its mission; Spin Doctor® features a customer-centric staff and high-performance Electrolux professional equipment.
Winner of Reader Ranking’s business award for “Best Local Business,” Cathy is truly an embodiment of the entrepreneurial mindset. With a professional path full of interesting twists and turns, she meets every new challenge with the appropriate amount of resilience and determination.
“I learned to think of ‘setbacks’ as ‘challenges,’ shares Cathy. “Which in turn would lead me to new opportunities to consider.”
Her first career challenge came early on…
“I didn’t get into medical school, which was a huge disappointment,” says Cathy. “But I had so many positive family influences in my life around science that I wasn’t going to give up on a science career quite yet.”
Cathy’s mother was a dental assistant, and then, a hospital administrator at Kings County and Harlem Hospital. Her aunt was the second black woman to graduate from Yale medical school and was a pioneer in sickle cell anemia. Another aunt served as the Acting Health Commissioner for the State of New York.
Just for the record, Cathy’s father gave her a love of science-fiction paperbacks.
“My father didn't leave for work without his paperbacks,” laughs Cathy. In addition to being an avid reader, he was a professional photographer, and a motorman for the NY Transit Authority.”
If medical school wasn’t an option, Cathy resolved herself to find one that was. She went on active duty in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and upon return, trained in the field of clinical pathology, where she could stay within striking distance of a career in medicine.
After being certified, she worked in several New York hospital laboratories. However, she soon found promotional opportunities within the lab to be very limited.
Her second career challenge led to a new goal…
“At that point, I thought ‘I’ll get my MBA and continue working in the lab,’” explains Cathy. “An MBA degree would be my entry into hospital administration or the pharmaceutical industry, and I’d be set.”
As she began her MBA studies, Cathy purchased a book that would ultimately change the direction of her calling.
“The book was how to make a million dollars from an investment of hundred bucks,” says Cathy, “Definitely not on the required-reading list! But I was single and wanted to prepare in case I didn't get a well-paying job or married, which I know probably sounds incredibly strange to young women today.
The book suggested owning a car wash or Laundromat since they were considered ‘crown jewels’ businesses, thought to be recession proof. I mean, you still have to clean your clothes no matter what happens in life, and that particular point resonated with me.”
At that time Cathy lacked the funds to make such an investment. Yet with her MBA degree now in hand, she sought to break into pharmaceutical sales. It was an especially difficult transition to make for women without nursing or solid sales experience.
“To address the gap,” shares Cathy, “I took a second job as a management trainee for Frito-Lay and drove a delivery truck.
Her hard work paid off…
Cathy landed a coveted sales rep position and thus began her long career in pharmaceutical marketing and sales with increasing levels of responsibility. However, over time, Cathy couldn’t help but see the “isms” and how they played into corporate politics.
“Ageism, favoritism, sexism, and racism was sadly rampant,” says Cathy. “A corporate career left me disillusioned. I was ready for something new and entrepreneurial.”
Cathy jumped on two opportunities as they presented themselves: First, she started a small home-based sporting-goods company named Catania Sports; and then took a new position as a brand manager for Johnson & Johnson. There she spearheaded the creation of a “green” marketing campaign that took off.
“This advanced technology and environmentally friendly platform became a major selling point to hospitals,” Cathy explains. “Our equipment was better not only from a technological standpoint, but better for the environment and community. The ‘green’ aspect was top of mind when I finally left to start my first Laundromat and create the Spin Doctor® brand.”
An exit package, personal savings, and a consultant job was the winning combination that launched Spin Doctor® Laundromat into existence.
Cathy’s unwavering determination, and her accomplishments, are sure to inspire other women, and men, to achieve their professional best. Here are some hard-won business gems Cathy has learned along the way.
Entrepreneurial insights from Cathy Neilley…
Use every single job in any career to sharpen your leadership skills and learn to become an effective team member.
Don’t discount the intangible “softer skills,” such as listening and creative problem-solving to promote relationship-building and improve customer service.
Don’t be intimidated by the idea of joining a “boy’s club” since virtually all Laundromats are independent and/or family-owned.
Find mentors in and out of the industry; join women’s and business organizations for business and personal support.
Get an accountant well versed in business that can help manage the books.
Cathy also encourages giving back to the community…
For instance, Spin Doctor® Laundromat in Hamilton, New Jersey, is an annual sponsor of the Hamilton Girls Softball team, has raised money for One Simple Wish, Big Brothers Big Sisters, donated clothes to the Rescue Mission of Trenton, Salvation Army, Goodwill; and hosted a blood drive.
“In October 2016, we hosted our first Laundry Love event,” shares Cathy. Laundry Love is a non-profit, out of California, that seeks to help organize free laundry days for struggling members of the community. St. Mark's Church in Hamilton approached me about hosting it and we partnered up for a successful event.”
On the business side, Cathy offers up her Laundromat to host networking events for local business groups. Additionally, local and national businesses can advertise on Spin Doctor’s Laundry Card kiosks.
“Every patron must interact with kiosks at some point to first obtain, add money to, and check activity of their laundry cards,” says Cathy, “so that translates into thousands of views for an individual business at extremely low rates.”
What’s next for this enterprising entrepreneur?
A strong push to license and franchise the Spin Doctor® brand.
For those wanting to start a laundry business of their own, a Spin Doctor® package would include equipment discounts in partnership with A.C. Power, Co., and affiliate of Laundrylux, the national Electrolux professional equipment dealer; Laundromat design input, location analysis, operations, marketing, and training support.
Anyone interested in a Spin Doctor® franchise should visit our Franchise page.
