Episode Archive
Episode: 42
June 8, 2022
Pleasantly Surprising Customers
Kyle Matthews of Detroit’s Janet Davis Cleaners offers ideas and outlooks for boosting the customer experience in your store, making you the only cleaner your clients consider.
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.
Episode: 23
January 15, 2020
Find Great Help: Hiring Tips for the Drycleaning Owner
Practical, real-world tips, from today's new hiring market, on how to find the right employee to fit a drycleaning operation from Sasha Ablitt, owner, Ablitt's Fine Cleaning.
Episode: 22
December 11, 2019
Finishing in Drycleaning Operations
Finishing is an essential part of processing a professionally cleaned garment. Mike Tungesvick, national sales manager at Sankosha USA, talks about the skill and pride of the finisher, and the various types of finishing equipment in use at drycleaning plants today.
Episode: 21
November 13, 2019
Wet Cleaning in the Dry Cleaning World
Learn how wet cleaning can fit into your operation so you can more fully serve your clients today, with Michael "Stucky" Szczotka, owner of Eagle Star Equipment and Poseidon Textile Care Systems.
Episode: 20
October 16, 2019
Distributor Relations
Discover what it takes to be an effective partner today in the supply chain from Mike Ross, owner of Aristocraft Supply. He'll talk about those vital relationships distributors develop with both vendors and drycleaning owners.
Episode: 19
September 11, 2019
Press Pads 101
Press pads are an essential part of the last step in processing a professionally cleaned garment. Michael Oh, owner of Air World Pads and Covers, talks about why you need them, when to replace them, and reminds you that your customer always looks for that finely pressed garment at pickup.
Episode: 18
August 29, 2019
Spotting: The How and Why
Learn about the different spotting tools and types of garment stains, along with some "magic words" (tips for spotters) from the Stain Wizard himself Jeff Schwarz, regional vice president for A.L. Wilson Chemical Company.
Episode: 17
July 17, 2019
Boiler Sizing and Selection for Dry Cleaners
Learn practical tips on how to choose the right boiler capacity for your drycleaning operation from Mike Leeming, national sales manager with Parker Boiler Company.
Episode: 16
June 12, 2019
How to Buy a Drycleaning Business
From leases and locations to transitional costs and welcoming a new team into your operational family, Dan LaCarte, president of the drycleaning division of Model Cleaners, talks you through the highs and the learning experiences of making a buy in the drycleaning market today.
Episode: 15
May 15, 2019
Build Your Drycleaning Business Identity
Kyle Nesbit, senior vice president of business development at Edit Texas LLC, a franchisee of Tide Dry Cleaners, tells you what it takes to "brand and expand" in today's drycleaning market, and why it's important to have a consistent and complementary company identity across all your marketing channels and at all your client touchpoints.
Episode: 14
April 10, 2019
The Man Behind the Clean Show
John Riddle, owner of Riddle & Associates, and the man behind the Clean Show for decades, is the special guest of host Bruce Beggs, editorial director of American Trade Magazines. Riddle discusses professional baseball, the coming Clean Show, and his retirement.
Episode: 13
March 13, 2019
Networking with Peers
How do you reach out to peers in the fabricare industry to get help and discuss ideas? Nora Nealis, executive director, National Cleaners Association, shares ways drycleaning owners can connect with colleagues.
Episode: 12
February 13, 2019
Insurance for Drycleaning Owners in the Age of Convenience
Are your routes covered? Your tech? Your customers’ clothing? Ann Hawkins, vice president, NIE Insurance, talks coverages, claims, and drycleaning owners’ most commonly asked insurance questions.
Episode: 11
January 16, 2019
What It Takes To Build A Plant Design Award Winner
From site selection to cutting the ribbon, what it takes to design a drycleaning plant, told by the grand-prize winner of American Drycleaner's 58th Annual Plant Design Awards, Tide Dry Cleaners, Sarasota, Fla.
Episode: 10
December 12, 2018
Want To Make 20% Profit? Start By Looking Within; By Taking A New View Of Yourself and Your Team
Do you want to drop 20% profit to your bottom line? Dave Coyle, owner of In The Bag Cleaners, shows you by sharing his views on, not "cost controls," but on managing "investments," and on being a caring, trusted advisor to your clients and team members.
Episode: 9
November 14, 2018
Dust Control Tips, New Hiring Trends, and Changes She's Seen in the Drycleaning Industry, with Jan Barlow
Jan Barlow, owner, Jan's Cleaners in Clio, Mich., former DLI president, chair of NFPA 32 for fire safety, and an owner in the drycleaning industry since 1981, talks about changes, new hiring trends, and reminds fellow owners of dust control tips.
Episode: 8
October 17, 2018
Expand Your Brand, Tips From American Drycleaner Columnist Dan Miller
Dan Miller, popular American Drycleaner columnist, and Mulberrys Garment Care owner, shares tips on expanding a drycleaning business into new markets, including positive surprises along the way to building a brand.
Episode: 7
September 12, 2018
Journeys: From Bogota to Florida with Salomon Mishaan
Come along for the ride with Salomon Mishaan, owner of OXXO Care Cleaners, as he explains how he journeyed from his home in Bogota, Columbia, to Florida, to become a drycleaning owner and franchisor.
Episode: 6
August 15, 2018
Let’s Get To Know: American Drycleaner Columnist Martin Young!
Martin Young, popular American Drycleaner columnist, talks about growing up in a drycleaning family, learning stain removal from his dad, and giving back to the industry.
Episode: 5
July 11, 2018
A Hit On Broadway, NYC Cleaners Wins Tony Award, with Bruce Barish
Bruce Barish, owner of Winzer Cleaners, talks about his drycleaning business winning a Tony Award and 110 years of cleaning — truly the longest running show on Broadway!
Episode: 4
June 27, 2018
Let's Get to Know: American Drycleaner Columnist Diana Vollmer!
Diana Vollmer, popular American Drycleaner columnist, talks about growing up in the rural midwest, along with hobbies, interests and her writing.
Episode: 3
May 9, 2018
Drop Stores, Fresh Channel to the Future, with Bob Devaney
Bob Devaney, well-known in the drycleaning industry, gives out great tips all about drop stores; why they are growing in popularity — and value!
Episode: 2
March 13, 2018
Tax Talk! How 2018 Tax Reform Helps Drycleaning Owners
Mark Battersby, well-known tax and finance writer, explores 2018 tax law changes with Bruce Beggs, editor, American Coin-Op.
Episode: 1
January 12, 2018
Forged by Fire! Brothers Cleaners Rebuilds, Wins PDA Honors
Bob Hilker, Brothers Cleaners, winner, 2018 Plant Design Awards, recounts how his plant was rebuilt after a devastating fire.