Jeffrey Moak will dive into Business Growth and Innovation, exploring strategies, creative solutions, and actionable insights to drive expansion and improve operations.
Randy Roberts will lead Sales 201: Laundry Differentiation - sharing strategies for connecting with customers, telling your story, and standing out in your market—whether you serve residential or commercial clients.
Marcus Sheridan is back! After last year’s powerful session on AI, sales, and marketing, Marcus returns to take the conversation even deeper, helping you refine your approach and drive more revenue.
Trish Lindo returns to share her expertise on branding and building a personal brand, giving you the tools to stand out and elevate your business presence.
Reserve your seat today.
Tickets are available now at www.laundryceo.com
You’re thinking about starting or leveling up your laundromat business, and now you’re faced with an important decision.
Do I hire a coach/consultant, or can I figure it out on my own?
Despite there being only 30,000 laundromats in the country and a simple core business, the coaching industry has exploded. With countless coaches, consultants, gurus, and courses, the decision of whether or not you absolutely need one can feel overwhelming.
Let’s break down the upsides, downsides, and how to know if you should hire a coach/consultant.
The Upsides of Hiring a Coach/Consultant
- Industry knowledge: Expertise and insider knowledge can save you from common pitfalls.
- Strategic guidance: A good coach/consultant and guide you on everything from finding the ideal location to marketing your services.
- Accountability and motivation: Having someone to hold you accountable can keep you on track and moving forward.
- Efficient problem-solving: Lots of time and money are spent on trial and error. A coach/consultant can help you bypass some of that and navigate tricky issues more efficiently.
- Networking and contacts: Connections in the industry can open doors to partnerships or better deals.
The Downsides of Hiring a Coach/Consultant
- Cost: Many charge premium fees that can strain a small business budget, especially if their advice doesn’t deliver results.
- Finding the right fit: Hiring someone with only general expertise or questionable credentials can lead to irrelevant advice.
- Dependency: Relying too much on external guidance can slow down your ability to make independent decisions.
- Cookie-cutter approaches: Some use generic strategies that don’t account for the unique needs of your business.
- Time and availability: A busy coach/consultant might prioritize other clients, leaving you with delayed responses and solutions.
Worst of all, it can be hard to separate real experts from those who just look or sound like one. In today’s internet-driven world, anyone can claim to be an expert, even if they have zero experience. If you decide to get a coach/consultant, be sure to vet them thoroughly.
Thinking about the thinking of laundry:
Do you walk in the footprints of others or tiptoe in them until you find your path?
When You Might Not Need a Coach/Consultant
Sometimes skipping the coach/consultant is the better option. Here’s when going solo makes sense:
- You already have the background knowledge or are willing to self-educate.
- You’re operating on a lean budget, and a high-priced consultant isn’t feasible.
- Your business is simple and straightforward.
- You have access to industry forums, online courses, events, and peer support groups.
Not using a coach/consultant comes with risks. It’s easy to misjudge market opportunities, underestimate startup costs, and make poor equipment and location decisions without expert input. These mistakes can often cost more than a coach/consultant would have.
So, What Should You Do?
The truth is, you’re smarter than you think when it comes to laundry.
The core business of laundromats is relatively simple, and many owners go from zero to thriving thanks to their determination, persistence, and research. However, the tradeoff is time and mistakes. If you’re facing complex challenges, lack confidence, or want to fast-track your success, a coach could be worth the investment.
Start by doing your homework. Visit stores in different areas, talk to owners/operators (many are easy to talk to), attend industry events, speak with distributors in different markets, work in a laundromat, contact the CLA (consume all their free information), subscribe to industry publications (PlanetLaundry, American Coin-Op), and if you still not sure after all this. Purchase fractions of a coach/consultant's time to answer your remaining questions. Plus, this will allow you to get a feel for them if you engage them long-term.
In the end, trust yourself. The laundromat business isn’t rocket science.
That's all I got for you today.
Waleed
🏴☠️ ✌️
Echoing the wisdom of Seth Davis.
What I learned is that if a coach lacks sufficient persistence, he will be unable to complete the critical task of finding growth opportunities out of adversity.
