Episode Archive

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.