Question

Topic: Other

Opening A Dry Cleaning Business

Posted by Anonymous on 5/20/2008 at 4:09 PM ET 250 Points
Hello all. For over 25 years, my family has worked in the dry cleaning industry, but for other people (17 yrs in one and 8+ in another). As an only child, I would like to help my widowed mother open her own small dry cleaning plant. However, she would not dare to enter this alone. I am 27 yrs old and although we know everything that must happen between the customer walking in with dirty clothes to walking out with clean pressed garments (doing orders, separating clothes, washing, pressing, steaming, bagging, hanging, locating garments, buttons, stains, etc), we know nothing about the business side. What are the steps you (if you own and operate a dry cleaning business) took when opening your store? For example:

1- How did you fund this investment? Whom did you go to?
2- What do you need to receive this big investment? (a mortgage,
cash savings, ???)
3- If money is granted, where does the money go first, second, etc?
4- How to you set up employment paperwork (paychecks, taxes),
who or what "office" can guide me on this?
5- How do you decide when will be the "opening day?"
6- If there are no profits at the beginning, how does the business
sustain itself (having to pay utilities, rent, employees)? Where
does the money come from? Do you have to ask for an
incredible amount at the beginning to stay afloat for a few
months/yrs?
7- I know it depends on the market, but approximately, after how
long will we start to see profits?

Any advice will help me. I appreciate your time and help.
Blessings
VSmith

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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Tracey on 5/20/2008 at 4:15 PM Accepted
    I think your questions are bigger in scope than we can adequately answer in this forum. We can, however, point you to some good resources to research more.

    I can tell you that opening a small business will take a lot of research and planning. I would recommend you start by looking at resources like SCORE and the Small Business Administration website. Also, consider taking a class on small business management - there are free or inexpensive night courses in most communities; check your adult ed. department.

    You will also need to create a business plan. And regarding #6 -- the money either has to come from you, or you need to get a loan or funding. These are all important questions you've posed that you need to research and address in your business plan. There's no pat answer as they are specific to your industry, community, financing, and individual plan. Best of luck.
  • Posted on 5/20/2008 at 10:10 PM Author
    Dear Randall:

    Yes, you are right. Hopefully, I should be in contact with him soon. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

    VS
  • Posted on 5/20/2008 at 10:25 PM Author
    Dear NuCoPro:

    The link you provided is exactly where I would get started. Thanks.

    VS
  • Posted on 5/20/2008 at 10:30 PM Author
    Dear Tracey:

    Thanks for your prompt response. My question I know is deep, but hey, I must start somewhere. The information you provided did help.

    VS
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 5/21/2008 at 8:36 AM Accepted
    Some other resources:

    https://www.ifi.org/
    https://www.startadrycleaners.com/
    https://www.essortment.com/career/businesstipspl_sgyy.htm

    There are also regional dry cleaning associations, such as: https://www.sda-dryclean.com/ and https://www.pdclean.org/
  • Posted on 5/23/2008 at 10:25 PM Author
    Dear Jay Hamilton-Roth:

    Good resources. Thanks.

    VS
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