Today we’d like to introduce you to Ross Dodds.
Ross, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started on a journey of researching the possibility of getting into the laundry business at the beginning of January 2014 and 11 months later finally locked in on one in Hollywood and began the purchasing process. We closed Escrow 12/11/2014 and I hit the ground running with many repairs and upgrades needed on an older laundry. Progress was halted when I received a phone call at 3:41 AM 12/16/2014 that the shopping plaza was on fire. I will never forget the feeling of is everyone, okay, was it my fault, is my business Okay, what will I see when I get there? It ended up being an electrical fire that started in another unit but it was a total loss for us in the laundry also. The next 2 years was a rollercoaster of highs, lows, frustrations, and fun all wrapped into one!
The laundry finally re-opened officially 1/1/2017.
Today we employ 6 people and are continuing to see month over month growth and really enjoying being part of our community and holding events around it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Fire is an obvious struggle.
Being Underinsured was an obstacle. Insurance covered us for 12 months on the loss of income but the rebuild ended up taking 24.
City permits and inspections caused MONTHS and months of delays over the lifetime of the project.
LADWP caused us a 2-month opening delay by not being available to hook up the power on our finished project.
Wash On Western – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a self-service laundromat with full-service fluff and fold options available. We feature Brand New Dexter Express Washers and Dryers so you can complete a wash and dry in under 60 minutes. When we started rebuilding after the fire t was our goal to provide a bright, warm and safe place to do laundry that makes people question why they have been doing laundry anywhere else.
We are fully attended at all times so any questions can be handled on the spot.
We offer free Starbucks coffee or cocoa while you are doing your laundry, free wi-fi, fully stocked soda, snack, and laundry detergent vending machines and a recent addition of an ice cream vending machine.
We have lots of tables with seating for working or reading while you wait and for folding when your laundry is done.
We also offer Coin or Credit Card on every machine so no matter how you like to pay, we have the option available.
We brightened the space with skylights and took out the typical drop down the ceiling to further make space feel bigger and airier.
Our customers are our number 1 priority and I believe we are known for that and a very clean store.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Outside of the typical business financial goals that we would like to see met each month our focus is more on our customer, and our product because when we offer a great product time and time again that makes our customers happy and they tell others so the financial side of the equation is just going to follow automatically.
Focusing on my customers and being able to talk with them also keeps my job of owning a laundry more fun, I love to talk to people and find out their story.
Pricing:
- Front Load Washers starting at $2.50 (20 pound all the way up to 90 pound washers)
- Dryers starting at $1.00 for 30 minutes and we guarantee your clothes will be dry or we will run it again for free.
- Fluff and Fold Drop off starting at $1.25/ per pound
Contact Info:
- Address: 1548 N Western Ave.,
Los Angeles, CA 90027 - Website: www.washonwestern.com
- Phone: 323-829-1288
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/washonwestern/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/WashOnWestern
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wash-on-western-los-angeles
Image Credit:
Wonder Tribe Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
