i want to start my own business in the laundry industry, where do i start for resources to help?

Answer 1

The first step is to research the market and prepare your business plan. The business helps you think through the business, what it entails, what you need to do. It can give you an idea of what to expect.

Here are some free articles that can help you get more information about the laundry industry and help you prepare your plan for success:

COIN LAUNDRY: AN INDUSTRY OVERVIEW http://asbdc.ualr.edu/bizfacts/8005.asp = a good overview of the industry
IRS Market Segment Specialization Program: The Laundromat Industry http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-mssp/laundry.pdf = deals with cashflow and books of a laudromat business including water consumption analysis

You can also contact and join this organization:

Coin Laundry Association (CLA)
http://www.coinlaundry.org
1315 Butterfield Rd., Suite 212
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Tel [phone]
Fax: [phone]

The Coin Laundry Association has a paid report called Today’s Coin Laundry ($69) that covers everything from inspecting an existing laundry to closing the deal, while helping you:

- Decide if the laundry business is for you
- Select the right equipment distributor
- Interpret demographics
- Conduct lease negotiations

You can find the report at https://www.coinlaundry.org/cla-cms/Templates/internal_form.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=/resource_edu/todays.html&NRNODEGUID={2EE51777-093C-4B56-B4B1-C7220B75C484}&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyLoggedIn

Starting a small business takes a lot of courage. But, as they say, courage does not pay the bills. To be successful – to stay in business – you need more than courage. You need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and lots of luck.

Some things you need to consider:
- "How can I support my family while I build up by business?"
- "What are my abilities?"
- "Is there a market for the product or service I have chosen?"
- "How long will it take this business to reach the financial goal I have?"

You may want to read the article "How to Start a New Business Successfully" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch.htm , which lists six steps to launch a new business successfully:

1. Provide a benefit.
2. Determine the fit with your market.
3. Right timing is everything
4. Be ready to support your business
5. Develop a blueprint for success
6. Market, market, market

To give you ideas on what exactly do you need to start your own business, here are ten things you need to know before launching your own business “10 Things You Need to Know When Starting Your Own Home Business” http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/startingbiz.htm .

I recommend that you read the following books:

- What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business : Real Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs
- Starting From Scratch: How To Start A Business When You Don't Have Money
- If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business and Want to Know More
- On the Move : How to Succeed and Survive As an Entrepreneur
- How to Make 1000 Mistakes in Business and Still Succeed

Remember though that as a new business owner, you may need help from time to time. Whether to give you advice, steer you in the right direction or introduce you to important contacts, it is a great help to have someone to mentor you. There are several places where you may be able to find a mentor:

- Government Mentoring Programs such as SBDCs, which works with community colleges and local business development councils to offer mentoring programs http://www.sba.gov/sbdc/sbdcnear.html ; or the Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training http://www.sba.gov/womeninbusiness/wnet_roundtables.html
- Volunteer programs such as SCORE http://www.score.org which is composed of mostly retired executives and entrepreneurs
- Formal mentoring programs such as Athena Foundation http://www.athenafoundation.org/programs/globallinks.html , Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program http://www.helzbergmentoring.org/HEMP/ , or The Aspen Institute MicroMentor Program http://www.micromentor.org
- Professional organizations such as the National Women’s Business Council http://www.nwbc.gov/Mentoring/programs.html
- Industry and trade associations
- Local business groups, such as the chamber of commerce
- Local chapters of business groups

Answer 2

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Start Your Own Coin-Operated Laundry by Mandy Erickson
* How to Start and Manage a Coin-Operated Laundries Business: A Practical Way to Start Your Own Business by Jerre G. Lewis

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

although i do not know much about the laundry industry, i know that when starting a business you normally first need a business plan. many templates can be found online. you then normally confront a bank, investor, or someone willing to loan you money. you will want to find a wholesale business supplier to supplie you with appliances at a discounted price. many of these will require a business license to get the discount, this license is obtained through the government. you then will want to find a place for the business and from there it should all make sense.

Answer 4

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