Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Stacey Drake

Stacey Drake shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Stacey, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes. I was recently featured on a laundromat industry podcast, which was such a proud moment for me. It was my first time doing something like that, and I was really nervous since the questions weren’t provided ahead of time and I don’t usually like being on camera. After it aired, I received so many kind compliments, and a few of my dad’s close friends and fraternity brothers even reached out to say how proud he would be. My dad passed in 2021, so hearing that truly made me smile and feel even more proud of myself.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Stacey Drake, owner of BubblyMat Laundry. I’m also a mom and wife, and between raising a family, managing a home, and working full time, I’ve built BubblyMat into what it is today.
What makes BubblyMat unique is our heart and hustle. When the pandemic hit, my husband and I pivoted from real estate and dove into laundromats walking into neglected facilities, hands-on, dreaming of something better.
We’ve grown to three locations in Norwalk, Lynwood, and Long Beach, and built a wash and fold and delivery model because I started the service while on bed rest during pregnancy.
Our mission is to bring dignity and exceptional service to laundry, to be far from the laundromats of old. I want every person who walks through our doors, or has us knock on their door to feel respected.
I’m working every day to scale with integrity, invest in our community and elevate this industry from the inside out.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationships that have shaped how I see myself start with my family. My parents, especially my dad, taught me the value of hard work, consistency, and showing up with integrity even when no one’s watching. Losing him in 2021 was hard, but it also reminded me of how much of his strength lives in me.
My husband and kids have also shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Balancing motherhood, marriage, and business ownership has pushed me to redefine what’s possible. They’re my “why” and they remind me daily that grace and perseverance can coexist.
Lastly, I’ve been shaped by the community around me; friends, mentors, and even my customers. Each of them has poured something into me, whether it’s encouragement, perspective, or accountability. They’ve helped me see myself not just as a laundromat owner, but as a leader, a builder, and someone capable of making real impact.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me patience, humility, and gratitude in ways that success never could. When things fall apart whether it’s business challenges, personal loss, or moments of doubt, you learn what really matters.
After losing my dad and facing setbacks in both life and business, I realized that strength isn’t about how much you can carry, it’s about how you keep showing up when everything feels heavy. Suffering stripped away the noise and taught me to trust the process, to lean on faith, and to be gentle with myself.
It also taught me resilience because once you’ve overcome suffering, you know deep down that you’re strong enough to handle whatever comes next. When everything comes easy, you don’t push as hard or build that inner drive to persevere. It’s the struggle that shapes you. There’s strength in suffering, because it forces you to grow, to adapt, and to keep moving even when it hurts.
Success is beautiful, but it can make you forget how far you’ve come. Suffering reminds you that growth happens in the quiet, uncomfortable places and that resilience, not perfection, is what truly defines you.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what really matters to me is family, friends, and purpose. I care deeply about the people I love and about creating things that make life a little easier or brighter for them, whether that’s through helping with homework or simply showing up when they need support, however they need support. I’m there!
They’d tell you I value connection, community, and growth. I believe in doing things with integrity and heart not for recognition, but because it feels right; it’s my purpose.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, role, and possessions, what would remain is my faith, my knowledge, my heart, and my drive to keep going. My granddaddy told me “learn all you can because that’s one thing people can’t take away. They can take away possessions and even freedom, but they can’t take what you know.”
At the core, I’m someone who leads with compassion and resilience. The titles and accomplishments are nice, but they don’t define me.
What really matters is my character; the part of me that shows up for others, learns from mistakes, and keeps pushing forward no matter how heavy life gets.
Even without the labels, I’d still be a giver, a builder, and a believer; someone who finds meaning in helping, and loving deeply. Because when everything else is stripped away, what remains is who you truly are and I’m proud of the woman I’ve become through every challenge.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bubblymat.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bubblymat_laundry?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bubblymat-laundry-stacey?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BubblyMat1aundry?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/VszHNOHJSB
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bubblymatlaundry2800?si=lZgb_POyv5mTTjzR
• Other: Email: [email protected]
  Phone: 562-231-7262