It’s time to consider starting a route
A number of years ago, someone said the secret to success in the drycleaning
business is simply three things: location, location, and location!
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Why? Routes open doors to unlimited expansion for all areas of fabric processing
and servicing through deliveries to homes, multiple-unit condos and large
apartment houses. The larger the dwellings, the better!
There is the aspect of selling and you have to consider. You can leave a door
knob display piece and a business card, but the most important thing is to
greet potential customers with a smile!
Tell those potential route customers that you are serving some of their
neighbors twice a week and you would like the pleasure of serving them, also.
You could make them an offer of having one garment drycleaned at no charge,
maybe suggesting that you could remove some difficult stain that their present
drycleaner could not handle to prove the expertise of your firm.
Say to them, with complete sincerity, “I would like you to try us” while your newly painted van is sitting out front by the curb.
It sounds simple, but that’s all it takes! Work on the possibility of making at least six calls each time
the truck is stopped, that way you never leave empty handed.
That’s the retail selling end of the route, but the money end can come from the
commercial side of the service. Just think about it — cleaning from commercial offices, theaters, hospitals, service companies
including airlines, police and fire departments and others that may have
special protective uniforms. Don’t forget sport uniforms, banners and flags. The possibilities become endless!
You can even advertise at low cost by offering a drapery discount in a church
bulletin or a company monthly newsletter. Now you, their drycleaner and carpet
cleaner, become their helpful and cooperative best friend!
Routes have no end! If you need more business, spend some productive and
investigative time in your area. Simply go out and get it! Some of the business
requires overnight or special service, but that’s OK since you get paid for it.
In some cases you may have to flame-proof the draperies before displaying them
at a trade show. Again that’s specialty work, and you become the expert with repeat business at every
exhibit.
I like commercial work because you are dealing with business people with
organized hours and business practices, in some cases on a contract basis.
Bills will be paid on schedule.
Some firms offer free drycleaning to preferred personnel with the use of the
company cloak room for holding orders in personalized garment bags, so there’s no disturbance or disruption of business. This can be handled by the office
manager. You can then offer office draperies and carpeting cleaning at
discount.
You need more business?
Consider routes. The possibilities are endless.
