Local woman puts a new spin on doing laundry
http://www.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/articles/1842/1/Local-woman-puts-a-new-spin-on-doing-laundry/Page1.html
Venus Lovejoy
By Venus Lovejoy
Published on 10/18/2007
Michelle Edwards puts a new twist on doing laundry.
MICHELLE EDWARDS has added something new to doing laundry, as Detroit's only female owner/ operator of two SpinCycle laundromats.
Michelle Edwards puts a new twist on doing laundry.
Sure, she sorts clothes, puts one load in the washer and then places another in the dryer like most people. What makes her different from others is that she’s the only woman in Detroit to make a business out of it.
As owner of two SpinCycle laundromats, Edwards is breaking the cycle to enter into the male dominated industry.
“I was looking for an investment that was recession proof and would allow me to work with the public,” said Edwards, who purchased her first laundromat in 2006 at 9465 W. Grand River. “When I went to the laundromat near my home, I always noticed how busy it was despite of having poor standards. I wanted to see something better in my community, so I did my research, joined the Commercial Laundromat Association and started networking.”
Shortly afterward, Edwards received an offer to purchase a second laundromat at 17626 Woodward Ave. that she couldn’t pass up. And now she’s adding a whole new spin to the laundry business.
“I want to change expectations,” said Edwards. “When I go into a laundromat, I expect to see clean bathrooms, washers and dryers that work, amenities and an on duty attendant who knows what they’re doing. I want customers to not only expect the best, but to demand it.”
It is that exceptional customer service combined with conveniences not offered by others that have commercial and everyday people flocking to her doors.
Both locations offer unique services such as Load and Go, allowing customers to put their clothes into the wash and leave to take care of other responsibilities. Edwards’ staff, which must undergo mandatory training in all aspects of running the business, then takes over, by drying, folding and bagging clothes for later pickup. Ironing, pick-up and delivery services are also provided. And, when machines occasionally break down, Edwards doesn’t call a repairman. She does it herself.
Dressed in overalls with a tool belt strapped around her waist, Edwards repairs a broken washer, gives an older woman advice on how to save money on laundry then takes a load of clothes out of washer and puts them into a dryer.
“I fix my own machines, because I got tired of paying someone else $65 an hour,” said Edwards, with a smile. “I went to school to learn how to do it myself. Now, I can break down a machine and put it back together, just as efficiently as any man.”
Edwards encourages other women to set their fears aside and venture into male dominated industries.
“Don’t let anything stop you, no matter how difficult you may think it is,” said Edwards. “We can do anything. Now that I’m in this business, I know that I can achieve anything.”
She prides herself on the exceptional service delivered at both locations and has big plans for the future.
“I’m continuing to grow my business,” said Edwards. “I believe that I can totally remake the laundry business by providing excellent service, a clean, friendly environment and a mixture of machines. I’m going above and beyond service expectations to treat customers the way that I want to be treated.”
For additional information on SpinCycle laundromats, call (313) 935-9055 for the 9465 W. Grand River store or (313) 865-2762 for the 17626 Woodward Ave. location.
Michelle Edwards puts a new twist on doing laundry.Breaking the cycle to enter into the male dominated industry
MICHELLE EDWARDS has added something new to doing laundry, as Detroit's only female owner/ operator of two SpinCycle laundromats.
Michelle Edwards puts a new twist on doing laundry.
Sure, she sorts clothes, puts one load in the washer and then places another in the dryer like most people. What makes her different from others is that she’s the only woman in Detroit to make a business out of it.
As owner of two SpinCycle laundromats, Edwards is breaking the cycle to enter into the male dominated industry.
“I was looking for an investment that was recession proof and would allow me to work with the public,” said Edwards, who purchased her first laundromat in 2006 at 9465 W. Grand River. “When I went to the laundromat near my home, I always noticed how busy it was despite of having poor standards. I wanted to see something better in my community, so I did my research, joined the Commercial Laundromat Association and started networking.”
Shortly afterward, Edwards received an offer to purchase a second laundromat at 17626 Woodward Ave. that she couldn’t pass up. And now she’s adding a whole new spin to the laundry business.
“I want to change expectations,” said Edwards. “When I go into a laundromat, I expect to see clean bathrooms, washers and dryers that work, amenities and an on duty attendant who knows what they’re doing. I want customers to not only expect the best, but to demand it.”
It is that exceptional customer service combined with conveniences not offered by others that have commercial and everyday people flocking to her doors.
Both locations offer unique services such as Load and Go, allowing customers to put their clothes into the wash and leave to take care of other responsibilities. Edwards’ staff, which must undergo mandatory training in all aspects of running the business, then takes over, by drying, folding and bagging clothes for later pickup. Ironing, pick-up and delivery services are also provided. And, when machines occasionally break down, Edwards doesn’t call a repairman. She does it herself.
Dressed in overalls with a tool belt strapped around her waist, Edwards repairs a broken washer, gives an older woman advice on how to save money on laundry then takes a load of clothes out of washer and puts them into a dryer.
“I fix my own machines, because I got tired of paying someone else $65 an hour,” said Edwards, with a smile. “I went to school to learn how to do it myself. Now, I can break down a machine and put it back together, just as efficiently as any man.”
Edwards encourages other women to set their fears aside and venture into male dominated industries.
“Don’t let anything stop you, no matter how difficult you may think it is,” said Edwards. “We can do anything. Now that I’m in this business, I know that I can achieve anything.”
She prides herself on the exceptional service delivered at both locations and has big plans for the future.
“I’m continuing to grow my business,” said Edwards. “I believe that I can totally remake the laundry business by providing excellent service, a clean, friendly environment and a mixture of machines. I’m going above and beyond service expectations to treat customers the way that I want to be treated.”
For additional information on SpinCycle laundromats, call (313) 935-9055 for the 9465 W. Grand River store or (313) 865-2762 for the 17626 Woodward Ave. location.