PlanetLaundry Podcast

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry podcast! In today’s episode, host Matt DeWolf sits down with Marcia Spivey, an inspiring entrepreneur who’s reimagining what a laundromat can mean for the community. Marcia isn’t just opening any laundromat—she’s building the Hub Laundromat Cafe in Detroit, a unique brick-and-mortar space that serves as a trifecta: a place to do laundry, grab great food from local entrepreneurs, and connect with resources and people through workshops and events. From her beginnings in community advocacy to her drive to create catalytic change in her own neighborhood, Marcia shares the story of her journey into the laundry industry. You’ll hear her candid reflections on the challenges and rewards of developing her business from the ground up—navigating real estate, construction, and building community partnerships, all while staying true to her social mission. Dive in as Marcia and Matt discuss the importance of accountability, creating a hub for connection, and never giving up—plus some practical advice for anyone considering a leap into laundromat ownership. Whether you’re an industry veteran or just love to hear about entrepreneurs making a difference, this episode is packed with insights, determination, and hope for Detroit’s future.

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry podcast! In today’s episode, host Matt DeWolf sits down with Marcia Spivey, an inspiring entrepreneur who’s reimagining what a laundromat can mean for the community. Marcia isn’t just opening any laundromat—she’s building the Hub Laundromat Cafe in Detroit, a unique brick-and-mortar space that serves as a trifecta: a place to do laundry, grab great food from local entrepreneurs, and connect with resources and people through workshops and events. From her beginnings in community advocacy to her drive to create catalytic change in her own neighborhood, Marcia shares the story of her journey into the laundry industry. You’ll hear her candid reflections on the challenges and rewards of developing her business from the ground up—navigating real estate, construction, and building community partnerships, all while staying true to her social mission. Dive in as Marcia and Matt discuss the importance of accountability, creating a hub for connection, and never giving up—plus some practical advice for anyone considering a leap into laundromat ownership. Whether you’re an industry veteran or just love to hear about entrepreneurs making a difference, this episode is packed with insights, determination, and hope for Detroit’s future.

Welcome back to PlanetLaundry, the podcast where we bring you the most insightful stories and game-changing ideas from innovators within the laundry industry. In this episode, host Matt DeWolf sits down with Alex Jekowsky, co-founder and CEO of Cents, to dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence and its rapidly evolving role in laundry operations. Alex shares his journey into the laundromat industry, revealing how a mix of curiosity, entrepreneurial drive, and first-hand experiences led him to build a company devoted to supporting independent operators. Together, Matt and Alex unpack the real meaning behind the AI buzz, distinguishing hype from practical solutions, and explore how technology—when used thoughtfully—can make everyday business tasks easier, more efficient, and even more human. From understanding what AI actually is (and isn’t), to how operators can get educated and start leveraging these tools, this conversation offers practical takeaways for anyone curious about the future of tech in laundry. Whether you’re a longtime owner or just starting out, tune in for actionable strategies, honest advice on choosing vendors, and a fresh perspective on finding balance between innovation and personal connection in today’s digital world.

Welcome back to PlanetLaundry, the podcast where we bring you the most insightful stories and game-changing ideas from innovators within the laundry industry. In this episode, host Matt DeWolf sits down with Alex Jekowsky, co-founder and CEO of Cents, to dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence and its rapidly evolving role in laundry operations. Alex shares his journey into the laundromat industry, revealing how a mix of curiosity, entrepreneurial drive, and first-hand experiences led him to build a company devoted to supporting independent operators. Together, Matt and Alex unpack the real meaning behind the AI buzz, distinguishing hype from practical solutions, and explore how technology—when used thoughtfully—can make everyday business tasks easier, more efficient, and even more human. From understanding what AI actually is (and isn’t), to how operators can get educated and start leveraging these tools, this conversation offers practical takeaways for anyone curious about the future of tech in laundry. Whether you’re a longtime owner or just starting out, tune in for actionable strategies, honest advice on choosing vendors, and a fresh perspective on finding balance between innovation and personal connection in today’s digital world.

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the official publication of CLA. In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Matt DeWolf chats with store owner Hannah Chapman, who operates WashBar based in Oklahoma. Chapman and her husband got into the industry just 4 years ago in what was a headfirst dive into the deep end of the vended laundry swimming pool. They quickly grew from one location to four and are looking at opportunities. But the biggest opportunity for Hannah is around the way they can impact the people in their community and in their business. She believes strongly in the power of people, and the value that brings to your organization. Hannah and her husband are eager to help educate and give back to the industry, because they were fortunate enough to benefit from others’ generosity when it comes to learning. The pair worked for free at a laundromat for several months prior to owning their own location and said that experience was invaluable. We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the official publication of CLA. In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Matt DeWolf chats with store owner Hannah Chapman, who operates WashBar based in Oklahoma. Chapman and her husband got into the industry just 4 years ago in what was a headfirst dive into the deep end of the vended laundry swimming pool. They quickly grew from one location to four and are looking at opportunities. But the biggest opportunity for Hannah is around the way they can impact the people in their community and in their business. She believes strongly in the power of people, and the value that brings to your organization. Hannah and her husband are eager to help educate and give back to the industry, because they were fortunate enough to benefit from others’ generosity when it comes to learning. The pair worked for free at a laundromat for several months prior to owning their own location and said that experience was invaluable. We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the official publication of CLA. In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman chats with store owner Jake Barone, who operates Laundry House in New York City. Barone is an entrepreneur, a real estate and construction expert, and a growth strategist with a passion for developing and scaling ventures at the intersection of real estate, construction, and business. Jake’s entrepreneurial journey began early. By 16, he was running a successful e-commerce business. At 18, he became New York State’s youngest real estate agent. And, by 19, he launched Gateway Builders, a construction firm that ranked No. 170 on the Inc. 5000 list for its rapid growth. Over the next seven years, Jake grew Gateway into a 40-employee company, delivering more than one million square feet of Class A commercial space for REITs, investment firms, and corporate clients in New York City. Recognizing shifts in the market during the COVID-19 era, Jake pivoted toward laundromats – founding Laundry House, a high-end, data-driven laundromat brand designed to set a new industry standard. Under Jake’s leadership, Laundry House achieved 340 percent revenue growth in just 18 months, establishing itself as a standout brand in the New York City market. Beyond Laundry House, Barone is focused on strategic partnerships and acquisitions, collaborating with laundromat operators to scale their businesses using branding, operational efficiencies, and advanced marketing technology. His expertise in real estate, construction, and business scaling position him as a knowledgeable and experienced professional in the industry. We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the official publication of CLA. In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman chats with store owner Jake Barone, who operates Laundry House in New York City. Barone is an entrepreneur, a real estate and construction expert, and a growth strategist with a passion for developing and scaling ventures at the intersection of real estate, construction, and business. Jake’s entrepreneurial journey began early. By 16, he was running a successful e-commerce business. At 18, he became New York State’s youngest real estate agent. And, by 19, he launched Gateway Builders, a construction firm that ranked No. 170 on the Inc. 5000 list for its rapid growth. Over the next seven years, Jake grew Gateway into a 40-employee company, delivering more than one million square feet of Class A commercial space for REITs, investment firms, and corporate clients in New York City. Recognizing shifts in the market during the COVID-19 era, Jake pivoted toward laundromats – founding Laundry House, a high-end, data-driven laundromat brand designed to set a new industry standard. Under Jake’s leadership, Laundry House achieved 340 percent revenue growth in just 18 months, establishing itself as a standout brand in the New York City market. Beyond Laundry House, Barone is focused on strategic partnerships and acquisitions, collaborating with laundromat operators to scale their businesses using branding, operational efficiencies, and advanced marketing technology. His expertise in real estate, construction, and business scaling position him as a knowledgeable and experienced professional in the industry. We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the official publication of CLA. In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman chats with laundry owner Tyler Purcell, who operates multiple laundromats within the Cincinnati market. Tyler is the co-owner of four, family-operated laundry locations, which are all branded as The Laundry Spot. He’s also a wealth advisor who has been in the financial services industry for more than a decade. We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com.

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the official publication of CLA. In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman chats with laundry owner Tyler Purcell, who operates multiple laundromats within the Cincinnati market. Tyler is the co-owner of four, family-operated laundry locations, which are all branded as The Laundry Spot. He’s also a wealth advisor who has been in the financial services industry for more than a decade. We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com.

In this episode, Alex Jekowsky, CEO & Co-Founder of Cents, and Brian Wallace, CLA President & CEO, discuss the ways innovative technologies from other industries can be applied to laundry, such as upselling through add-ons and gamification. Alex shares the value of branding, advice for customer acquisition and ways to make your store stand out from competitors. This edition of the Laundry Leaders Unfolded podcast has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of our Elite Strategic Corporate Ally, Cents.

Mike Schoeb, CEO of Alliance Laundry Systems, shares what has changed at Alliance in his 17 years and their accomplishments, such as growth outside the U.S., especially in Asia, South America and the Middle East. Mike and Brian discuss trends, such as reinvestment in the industry, attraction of a different type of investor, consolidation of the distribution market, the franchise model and advocacy efforts. Mike also previewed what we can expect from Alliance between now and the Clean Show. This edition of the Laundry Leaders Unfolded podcast has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of our Elite Strategic Corporate Ally, Alliance Laundry Systems.

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the official publication of CLA. In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman chats with veteran laundry owner Travis Reed, who operates multiple laundromats throughout Indiana. Reed grew up in the business – with his parents purchasing their first laundromat in 1985, right after Travis was born. He worked with his dad, Bryan, in the family business and then purchased his first laundromat in 2003, just four months after graduating from high school. Today, Travis owns six laundry locations north of Indianapolis, with a seventh on the way this spring. We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the official publication of CLA. In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman chats with veteran laundry owner Travis Reed, who operates multiple laundromats throughout Indiana. Reed grew up in the business – with his parents purchasing their first laundromat in 1985, right after Travis was born. He worked with his dad, Bryan, in the family business and then purchased his first laundromat in 2003, just four months after graduating from high school. Today, Travis owns six laundry locations north of Indianapolis, with a seventh on the way this spring. We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the official publication of CLA. In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman chats with Rob Maes, the owner of Express Laundry Centers, a four-store chain in the Houston area. In 2006, after more than 20 years in corporate America, Maes wanted to start his own business and decided on the laundromat industry after attending a CLA seminar. Today, four stores later, Rob serves on the CLA Board of Directors – and will ascend to the chairmanship in January. Maes shares his vision for CLA and its Board, as well as discussing some of the future challenges facing the organization and dispelling a few misconceptions about the CLA Board. We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com. This edition of the PlanetLaundry Podcast has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Cents.

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the official publication of CLA. In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman chats with Rob Maes, the owner of Express Laundry Centers, a four-store chain in the Houston area. In 2006, after more than 20 years in corporate America, Maes wanted to start his own business and decided on the laundromat industry after attending a CLA seminar. Today, four stores later, Rob serves on the CLA Board of Directors – and will ascend to the chairmanship in January. Maes shares his vision for CLA and its Board, as well as discussing some of the future challenges facing the organization and dispelling a few misconceptions about the CLA Board. We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com. This edition of the PlanetLaundry Podcast has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Cents.

In this episode, CLA President and CEO Brian Wallace sits down with Joel Jorgensen, Vice President of Sales at Girbau North American, to discuss trends in the laundry industry. Jorgensen joined Continental in 1997 as regional sales manager and later served as director of sales and marketing before taking on his current role in 2006. Jorgensen has guided Girbau North America’s sales, marketing and service operations during his 25+ year career. Joel was an early proponent of encouraging laundromat owners to explore new markets that could be served out of the traditional laundromat setting—WDF, delivery and commercial accounts. He shares how their customers are joining one of the largest trends in laundry and how they are using some of the innovative tools out there to grow their business. Joel also shares his perspective on some of the newer trends affecting the industry, such as consolidation of distributors and franchise models. This edition of the Laundry Leadership Conversations podcast has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of our Elite Strategic Corporate Ally, Girbau North America.

In this episode, CLA President and CEO Brian Wallace sits down with Joel Jorgensen, Vice President of Sales at Girbau North American, to discuss trends in the laundry industry. Jorgensen joined Continental in 1997 as regional sales manager and later served as director of sales and marketing before taking on his current role in 2006. Jorgensen has guided Girbau North America’s sales, marketing and service operations during his 25+ year career. Joel was an early proponent of encouraging laundromat owners to explore new markets that could be served out of the traditional laundromat setting—WDF, delivery and commercial accounts. He shares how their customers are joining one of the largest trends in laundry and how they are using some of the innovative tools out there to grow their business. Joel also shares his perspective on some of the newer trends affecting the industry, such as consolidation of distributors and franchise models. This edition of the Laundry Leadership Conversations podcast has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of our Elite Strategic Corporate Ally, Girbau North America.

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the magazine of CLA. In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman chats with John MacKrell, founder and chief executive officer of HappyNest, a national laundry pickup-and-delivery service brand. MacKrell, a former investment banker and active duty Army officer, started in the laundromat industry in 2003, after purchasing his first store in East Greenwich, R.I. Over the next 15 years, he built or purchased another five laundromats. However, frustration with the low usage of his laundry equipment during the slower midweek periods prompted him to begin offering residential laundry pickup-and-delivery services throughout Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts. As his delivery business grew, he developed software to manage the process. Starting in 2018, MacKrell started licensing his enterprise-level software as a white label SaaS to independent laundromat owners. Then, in 2020, he decided to pivot away from licensing software to partnering with quality operators to create the national brand, HappyNest. Today, HappyNest has 130 partners in 35 states. We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com/. This edition of the PlanetLaundry Podcast has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of HappyNest.

Welcome to the PlanetLaundry Podcast – brought to you by PlanetLaundry, the magazine of CLA. In this episode, PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman chats with John MacKrell, founder and chief executive officer of HappyNest, a national laundry pickup-and-delivery service brand. MacKrell, a former investment banker and active duty Army officer, started in the laundromat industry in 2003, after purchasing his first store in East Greenwich, R.I. Over the next 15 years, he built or purchased another five laundromats. However, frustration with the low usage of his laundry equipment during the slower midweek periods prompted him to begin offering residential laundry pickup-and-delivery services throughout Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts. As his delivery business grew, he developed software to manage the process. Starting in 2018, MacKrell started licensing his enterprise-level software as a white label SaaS to independent laundromat owners. Then, in 2020, he decided to pivot away from licensing software to partnering with quality operators to create the national brand, HappyNest. Today, HappyNest has 130 partners in 35 states. We hope you enjoy this conversation. We invite you to listen to more PlanetLaundry Podcasts at https://planetlaundry.podbean.com/. This edition of the PlanetLaundry Podcast has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of HappyNest.