Episode:43

August 9, 2022

Continuing Education

Brian Johnson of the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) joins us to examine the value of taking part in virtual and in-person continuing educational opportunities.

Episode:42

June 8, 2022

Pleasantly Surprising Customers

Episode:40

April 13, 2022

Making the Most of a Trade Show

Messe Frankfurt’s Greg Jira joins us to discuss the benefits of attending industry trade shows, including ways to prepare prior to the event to get the most out of your time there. We also get a preview of Clean Show 2022.

Episode:40

February 9, 2022

Cleaners, Raise Your Prices!

Kermit Engh of Methods for Management explores why dry cleaners should not be afraid to raise prices when their own cost of production is on the rise. We discuss reasons why most customers will understand this trend, as well as strategies for dealing with those who don’t.

Episode:39

December 15, 2021

Building a Cohesive Staff

Jeff Jordan of Fabritec International shares ways he’s found to form a team atmosphere in a business. We discuss why it’s important in a drycleaning company, the role of management in fostering this feeling in a plant, and how to avoid common morale killers.

Episode:38

October 13, 2021

Building Up Your Online Reputation

Dave Coyle of Maverick Drycleaners joins us to explore online reputation management — what it is, why it’s important and what dry cleaners can do to make sure they are putting their best foot forward online to attract and keep customers.

Episode:37

August 11, 2021

Succession Planning: Becoming Your Dry Cleaner's Next Leader

Monika Manter of Balfurd Dry Cleaners discusses growing into a leadership role in a family business, the decisions that need to be made along the way and, when the time comes, how to make a smooth transition for everyone involved.

Episode:36

June 16, 2021

What It Takes to Create a Drycleaning Plant

Jon Simon of Parkway Custom Drycleaning shares his experiences of starting a new plant, from selecting the location to moving his operations to setting up shop — along with the surprises he found along the way.

Episode:35

April 14, 2021

Dealing With Difficult Customers

Brian Butler, president of Dublin Cleaners, joins us to discuss how to deal with customer complaints, including ways to train your staff to deal with customer claims, methods to avoid conflict with customers, what to do when conflict is unavoidable, and more.

Episode:34

February 10, 2021

Selling Young Adults on Dry Cleaning's Value

Jennifer Marquardt, a partner in Arthur’s Executive Cleaners, shares her experiences of adding young adults to her client base — including what they’re looking for, what they expect and what they might not know a cleaner can do. 

Episode:33

December 16, 2020

Being Charitable: Doing Great Works for the Community

Tom Zengeler, president of Zengeler Cleaners, discusses the value of charity drives — how to start them, how to operate them and what they can mean for both your community and your cleaning business.

Episode:32

November 11, 2020

Marketing: How to Stand Out In a Crowded Field

Diana Vollmer, a managing director and senior consultant for Ascend Consulting Group, joins us to discuss the importance of marketing for dry cleaners in any type of economic condition, what goes into a successful campaign and more.

Episode:31

October 14, 2020

Offering Wash-Dry-Fold: Expanding Services in the Casual Era

Joel Jorgensen, VP of Sales for Girbau North America, discusses the advantages that offering or expanding your company's wash-dry-fold services can bring during these uncertain times. 

Episode:30

August 12, 2020

Workplace Safety 101: Guidelines, Cleanup Time, and Using Good Sense

Brian Cass, co-owner of Martinizing Metro Milwaukee, shares some practical daily, weekly and other tips for keeping the drycleaning workplace safe and clean.

Episode:29

July 15, 2020

To Buy or to Lease: Compare the Differences

Listen as Joe Hebeka, owner of The Belding Group, talks about both sides of the equation: buying and leasing a garment care property. "It's all about the cash flow," Hebeka says, "look at every situation individually."

Episode:28

June 10, 2020

Workplace Security 101: What to Do, How to Do It, and Why You Should

Security begins with the garment care location. Alex Yearout, owner of Complete Cleaners, discusses leadership, the power of a smile, having lighting to reassure clients and staff, and using video to solve "the mysteries of missing pieces." Security, he adds, is about providing a safe workplace.

Episode:27

May 13, 2020

Counter Dream Team: Be Unforgettable to Clients at the Front Counter

Coaching, collaboration and teamwork help create an unforgettable front counter team, relates Todd Ofsink, CEO of Todd Layne Cleaners. To nurture that customer-first mentality, he says it's sort of like being a parent. And he's looking for that caring, special person who can shine at the front counter.

Episode:26

April 15, 2020

Having Backup Equipment: If You Have One, You Have None

Let redundancy permeate your cleaning operation and all throughout your business, relates Zach Kinzer, owner of Bridgestone Cleaners. He describes having backup coverage in equipment and people as the key. Always "be able to flow," he says.

Episode:25

March 11, 2020

Opening New Channels: Lockers, Kiosks

Consumer habits have changed. It's a convenience-first society today, says Wayne Wudyka, CEO of The Huntington Company, the Martinizing franchise and CRDN. He talks about new opportunities for owners to diversify. One he calls, "Life-changing." Find out why.

Episode:24

February 12, 2020

Machine Technology Equals Team Member Efficiency

Machine technology has taken enormous leaps in recent decades. Scott Bell, owner of Bryan's Cleaners, discusses the biggest advances in dry cleaning, but reminds us of the importance of your team members, who make it all happen.