Just Another Bill…Right?

“I can find everything I need on YouTube.”
“I’ve got Facebook groups for networking.”
“I’ve been in this business for years, what could they teach me?”

Let’s be real here: we’ve all questioned whether or not we should renew our trade association memberships.

When I took over the business from my dad, I joined CLA (Coin Laundry Association). I looked at a few resources, figured I was good, and let my membership lapse. After all, it was just another expense, right?

Wrong.

What I didn’t know, and what many operators still don’t know, is that a trade association isn’t just a knowledge repository. It’s an ecosystem that can transform you, your business, and your professional trajectory.

I’ve found that the value of membership is a combination of:

• Learning about industry shifts before they hit your market
• Being in rooms you wouldn’t otherwise have access to
• Having a voice in decisions that affect your business
• Contributing to the industry’s collective knowledge
• Meeting people at events you might not have met otherwise
• Having an advocate when it comes to legislative matters
• Meeting people who can transform your business

Let me share something personal.

Thinking about, the thinking of laundry:
What would the status of the industry be without a trade association?

In 2022, I attended the Clean Show in Atlanta for the first time. Later that year, I found myself speaking at CLA’s Inaugural Wash Dry Fold event in Chicago. In January, I had the privilege of speaking to nearly 200 people as a guest on the CLA’s “How to Start a Laundromat” webinar. 

Think about that for a second.

I went from letting my membership lapse to speaking at industry events. The connections I made through CLA didn’t just expand my network; they opened doors I didn’t know existed.

Trade associations like CLA aren’t just about what you get. They’re about strengthening the industry together. I can’t promise that every event or resource will revolutionize your business, but trade associations offer an invaluable community in an industry where too many operators work in isolation. When we all come together, we have a stronger voice in legislation, greater influence on industry standards, and more leverage with vendors, distributors, and manufacturers. In an industry that’s constantly evolving, can you really afford to go it alone? 

Next time that renewal notice hits your inbox, see it for what it really is—an investment in your business’s future, your professional growth, and the industry’s collective strength.

See you at the next event.

That's all I got for you today.
Waleed
🏴‍☠️ ✌️

P.S. Join me on LinkedIn or X (Twitter)

Echoing the wisdom of Herminia Ibarra.

Networking is a lot like nutrition and fitness: we know what to do, the hard part is making it a top priority.

Thanks for reading this edition of Wash Weekly. I hope you enjoyed the topic this week. If you didn't, I'll try harder next week. 😉