desiree Said

March 9th, 2010 @11:37 pm

Hi po,

I dont know how to start a thread on blogs i hope i am in the right section..I have just reserved a slot for the march 27 seminar and we are targeting 28 as the opening day. I would like to ask in advance the following questions so that it can help me in setting up my shop.

1. I have this space that is rectangular. What i am planning is to have about 4 square meters at the back that doesnt have a roof. I will just place some iron bars for security. This is to let raw sunshine go into that particular area where i hang the clothes. Is this plan okey or hanging dry even in closed doors better and sufficient? The hanging area if you can picture will not be seen on eye level since only the roof is missing at that 4 square meters of space.

2. What type of ventilations do a laundry shop require?

3. How is there a temperature setting on the washers? What temperature should be used on what type of clothes?

4. What floor finish i ideal for a laundry shop, tiles or venyls?

Appreciate any input specially on item 1.

And last thing, can i get my charlies on the day of the seminar?

Thank you,

Desiree

Hi Desiree,

Thank you for posting comment. Anyway, As for your questions, please read on:

1. Regarding the hang drying area, my shop is set up with an indoor drying area. Meaning, it is not exposed, not open and clothes are “air dried” not “sun dried”. However, your setup would be better because there would be enough air for circulation.

2. No ventilation necessary except for the exhaust of the dryer. You’ll need it to let the hot air out coming from the machine.

3. Some machines has a built in heater that provides the temperature. Some machines get the hot water from a source. We don’t usually require hot water except for whites using it with bleach, and for smelly clothes too.

4. Tiles would be ideal for laundry flooring.

5. Yes, charlies soap is available on the seminar day.

Good luck!

This are queries I got through comment. I will reply based on my experience, (briefly). This will give an idea, but research is still necessary. My replies would be in the italics.

I am currently studying masters in management in one of the universities here in Cebu. As part of the course requirement, we are required to submit a feasibility study, and i have chosen the laundry business for my study.Through the internet, I came across your postings about tips in putting up a laundry business. In this regard, i hope you won’t mind if i ask you the following questions about your business:

1. How much was your capitalization in starting up the business? Depends on the scale of your business, it could range from 100k to 1M.
2. How many years have you been in the business? Im already turning 9 years in the business.
3. How many machines did you have at the start and what were these machines? (Pls specify details; e.g. washing machine wiht 10-11 kg capacity) I started the business with only a pair of washer and dryer, 10kg capacity.
4. How much is you rent per month if you are renting? I’m renting the whole place at 20k but rental is shared by my other businesses.
6. What is the approximate area does a small, start-up laundry shop usually occupy? I have an area of 24 sq.m. when I started.
7. How much is the estimated sales per day? What is its sales growth for the past years? Sales varies from 1500k-4000k per day.In terms of sales growth, if you stick in one area, there’s really none, unless you expand, meaning put  up branches. I already have 3 branches at present, all stand alone, meaning not a pick up station.
8. How much is the estimated water and electricity expense per month? Consumption depends on the business coming in. The more customer, the bigger the expense.
9. How profitable is the business? (Its estimated percentage to sales) Depends, to say the ball park figure of direct cost: It’s 14%.
10. What are your services and their corresponding prices? I set a standard of 28-30/per kilo of wash dry fold. Wash dry press at 70/kilo.
11. What is the time frame for every laundry job? 24 hours
12. How many employees do you have? Are they full time? 2 All around. Full time
13. How long did you get your return on investment? Ranges from 3 to 6 months
14. What is the condition of your business now? How does it deal with competition? Business is doing good. I compete with quality service. I never bring down my price, it’s not good for the business.
15. How do you dispose of your water waste? Goes straight to the city sewage system.

16. What are your SOPs to avoid wastage of detergents and damage to the fabrics? I keep an inventory. I also use a very efficient type of detergent, very convenient on usage and almost 0 wastage.

17. What are your firm’s advantages over your competitors? How do you attract and keep customers? Our advantage is we are already 9 years in the business and we were able to develop a system that makes our business run smoothly. We offer quality service, which is value for money. We keep our customers by maintaining good relationship, we keep our promises and deliver with pride.

Your positive response to this matter will be very beneficial to my study and will be highly appreciated. You may email me your response at my email ad above.

Thank you very much.

jan Said,

March 4th, 2010 @9:54 pm

Hi,
Matagal ko na po gustong magtayo ng Laundry Business kaya lang di pa ko ngkaroon ng pagkakataon. Gusto ko pa sana magkaroon ng modules kaso sa Dubai po ako naka base ngayon, pano po ako makakakuha ng copy pra po sana my idea na ko kung pano ang procedures ng pagtayo ng Laundry Business pag-uwi ko ng Pilipinas hopefully sana next year na.
Sana matulungan nyo po ako.

Maraming Salmat!

Janice Gicana

Hi Janica,

Modules are available for overseas orders too. Payments are made thru paypal or others pay through money order like MLhuillier, LBC and last one I got it from Cebuana Lhuillier, but I think all these are all by Western Union. I also got another thru Xoom. Just email me if you’re ready to order so I can give you details.

But honestly, I’d prefer you read this blog for the meantime that you’re still in Dubai, and attend the seminar when you get back home to the Philippines. That way, modules wont get misplaced or lost. You would also be able to study the business further.But its your choice. I’m just speaking out loud here.

Good luck and Have a nice day!

Schedule of the next seminar is APRIL 17,2010

It will start 10:00 am to 4:00 pm or till end of open forum

For the seminar, here are the topics to be discussed:

-Start up capitalization
-Feasibility Study
-Setting Up of the Laundry Shop( lay out)
-Dry cleaning Procedure
-Marketing Strategies
-How to’s on the Operational Procedure
-Stain removal Procedure
-Forms and Fliers

Bonus topics:
-How to make your own Fabric softener and fabric freshener
to make your business more profitable!

Modules will be given out for the seminar

Open forum at the end of the seminar

Location of the seminar:
SM Cebu North Reclamation Area, Cebu City

Seminar Fee is P2500.-
Early Bird Promo if you reserve on or before MARCH 17 ,2010. Fee is P2000.-
PAY 2 DAYS BEFORE SEMINAR DATE
If you pay on the seminar date itself, fee is P2800.-
For those interested, please pm me for payment details.
We require pre-payment please..NO PAYMENT, NO RESERVATION
There’s LIMITED slots available, so please reserve early.

You can also txt at 09228267515
BTW, snacks and lunch are served.

SEE YOU THERE!

sherryl.tuazon Said,

February 27th, 2010 @11:04 am

Hi Ms. Etten!

Your blog is a big help. Nice to know na dame din pla business owners who share the same problems that i have.

Questions po:

1. I am currently using Power Clean’s supplies - detergents, fab softener, cologne etc. I would like to try charlie’s, do they have dealers somewhere in bacoor cavite? Happy naman ako sa PC, kaya lng i want to try charlie’s, is it true n i wont need to use fab softener?

2. I mix clothes and tag them using yarns, sobrang tedious and time consuming to tag and to sort after drying. Hirap p, yung iba natatangal yung yarn, sobrang nakakalito na. Any suggestions?

3. Ok po b yung presyo ko ng press only - P20/pc for school/office uniform, polo at slacks? P40/kilo for regualr shirts/shorts/maong?

4. How do you handle customer complains n kulang daw yung damit nila, kahit nkitemize n at bilang n yung damit nila? Problem is, they only complain pag uwi nila, mga after 24 hours n. Nasa job order n ang store policy namin, they have to check accuracy of clothes within 24 hours. Some of these customers ay mga suki n, syempre we want to keep them so we have to attend to their complains kahit parang mali p sila. what should i do?

dame ko pa sana questions… eto po muna. thanks in advance, sana mapansin nyo ang letteer ko

Hi sherryl,

Thank you for reading my blog and acknowledging the help you get. That motivates me to post more. Reply to your questions below:

1. We don’t have dealers in Cavite, all orders are shipped through courier. Yes, if you use Charlies soap, you wont need to use fabric conditioner.

2. Correct it is really tedious to mix clothes, so some instead of using yarn make use of needle and thread. It is cheaper and easier to do or use and not easily detached in the process.

3. Oh definitely yes, you already have a good margin with the price you have.  Price per pc is better than per kilo, and at 20 per piece. That is already more than the prevailing market price.

4. Some customers have this habit of blaming the laundry for lost clothes but then if you tell them to look closer inside their closets, they find the item and tell you they have found it already. If you really are following a system of itemized clothes, then nothing should go wrong. You can tell the customers in a very nice way that their clothes are complete before they’re packed.

Keep on reading the blog and Have a nice day!