If you’re looking for a way to start a laundry and drying cleaning services company, then read on!
The laundry and dry cleaning business can be started in various ways. You can open your own store or can set up a doorstep delivery service. Also, one can get into franchising the business.
It requires a small initial investment. But starting your own branded venture gives you an opportunity of expanding the business through franchising.
Dry Cleaners and Laundries are a recession-proof global industry. According to a recent report from Statista, the revenues for dry cleaners and laundries (except for coins) only from the United States alone are estimated to be around $7,660 million by 2022.
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Service Business Plan – 10 Steps to Follow
1. Study The Market
Localized business means that you can sell your product only in certain places. You should know where your customers live before you start selling your products.
Find out what kind of stores they frequent. Look around and see if there are any dry cleaners nearby. Study the competition – do they offer discounts? Do they provide special services? What kind of advertising does each store use?
Find out the residential and commercial stats. So this will all be helpful when writing your business plan and setting up your business accordingly.
2. Gain The Expertise
First off, I would recommend starting out with a small business where you can test your skills before taking on something larger. You may find that you enjoy running a smaller company. In addition, if you are planning to open a dry cleaning store, you should consider hiring someone who already owns one.
They can provide valuable insight into how to run a successful business. Finally, you might consider opening a dry cleaning business that specializes in children’s clothing.
You can also gain knowledge from various books available in the marketplace.
3. Create a Business Plan
This is the most crucial component of any business. First of all, determine your business model. Based on this, you can figure out the inputs needed. Set your business goals and make plans to achieve them. Depending on the ownership structure, decide how your company should be organized. Decide what services you’ll provide.
Write an effective business plan. What is your product? Who are your target customers? How much money do you expect to make per month/year? Where can you get financing?
4. Secure Funding
According to the plans, you should arrange finances. You can get money from your family members and close friends. In case you cannot find anyone who would lend you money then you can go for an angel investor.
But before taking any decision, make sure that the person whom you are considering investing in your company is someone who understands what he/she is doing.
For related content, check out: How To Raise Small Biz Capital From Investors
5. Obtain Registration & License
Registering a dry cleaning business can be done online. You may also hire an accountant to help you prepare the documents needed to register your business. In addition, you must make sure that you comply with any laws pertaining to your industry.
For example, if you plan to operate a laundry service, check whether there are any specific regulations regarding how much money you can charge per wash. Also, ensure that you have enough insurance coverage to protect yourself against possible lawsuits.
You should also consider checking whether there are any requirements for operating this kind of store. Finally, it’s important to get the required licenses and permits to run the store.
6. Dry Cleaning Business Location
You should consider starting out with an online presence before you open a physical shop. For example, if you sell products through Amazon, you could offer them to customers who live nearby.
Or if you run a restaurant, you might offer catering to local businesses. In addition, you can also use social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to promote your business. These sites allow people to share information about what they’re interested in.
7. Procure Equipment
You should buy laundry machines or rent them if you do not own one. Do remember that there is a difference between washing and drying. Washing is done using water and soap while drying is done using air. You can either buy new ones or you can get someone else to clean your dirty clothing.
You can also buy used equipment for cheap prices. New items last longer and require fewer maintenance costs. Contact the manufacturer for on-location training. Read the warranty period and customer support reviews before purchasing.
8. Recruiting Manpower
This is a labor-intensive industry. You should employ people from various fields. But before hiring them, you should make sure they have proper training. You should also set up a human resource manual to help guide your staff through their work. You should also plan out how you will manage your workforce.
9. Fix The Pricing
You’ll probably find that your customers will pay higher prices if they understand why you’re offering them something special. So, make sure you give your clients an explanation about what sets you apart from others. Explain how you do better work, or provide a unique service.
10. Promote Your Business
- Promote the business both offline and online.
- Newspaper ads are a good way to reach out to local people.
- Low-priced methods for promoting your dry cleaning business include making your services available in popular local directories and offering discounts.
- Don’t use social media for freebies; instead, give them something they want.
- If you offer home pickup and delivery services, people may be able to get
- Make sure you get everything done by the deadline. It’s important.
- Create your own website. It’s important now.
- You can use delivery bags and tags as marketing materials.
We highly suggest you read the Ultimate Cleaner System by Joe if you want to know how to start a successful laundry and dry cleaning service. It contains a detailed guide showing you how to start a profitable laundry and drycleaners service quickly, and easily, and makes lots of cash from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What costs $0 to start a dry cleaner?
Depending on the type of dry cleaner laundry service you want to launch, the initial startup costs may vary between $50,000 and $1 million.
If you’re thinking of starting out on a small scale or mobile platform, however, the initial startup costs might be less than $50,000.
How profitable is a laundry service?
According to experts, the global dry-cleaners market is estimated to be worth US$1 trillion by 2020. However, the profits for dry cleaners will vary depending on the location and type of service provided. For example, in the U.S., a small dry-clean shop owner earns an annual profit of around $40,000 after deductÂing all costs.
This business is all about providing quality products and excellent service. Better quality products mean better sales. So make sure that you provide good quality products. You can also improve your sales by offering better service.
Always keep an eye on what your clients think about your product or service. Don’t forget to listen to your customers. They are the ones who will tell you whether they are satisfied with your product or not.
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