Laundromat Hiring Tip #1: Ask Current Customers

 

You have a neighborhood coin laundromat. You need cleaners, counter workers, clothes washers, but you’re in the same situation as everyone else is, you can’t get people. How do you combat that?

The first thing you need to do is talk to your current customers. Odds are many of them like your store and know many of the things that need to be done there to improve the store (Remember they see things differently than you). They are there maybe once per week whereas you are there every day and things start to seem "normal" or blend in. Items that need improvement stand out to them faster than you. They see the dirt in the corner that you think is okay "because you'll get it next time." They notice the dirt because they saw it last week and the week before and they think it should be cleaned up by know because in their mind "how can anyone not see that dirt?"

They probably know many of the customers. They know the good stories about your store and some of the bad ones too. Take advantage of that intelligence and talk to them about who are the good customers and whom you need to keep an eye on. Is there a time of the day they come in and notice things or people that are not not improving to the store. Make sure you check out those times they tell you. 

Odds are since they like coming to their store they feel a little bit of an ownership stake in your store. They don't want other people to mess up the place they go to. Play to that feeling and thank them for that passion. Make them a fair offer. They will see getting paid for something they would do for free anyway when they are at your store (such as pick up the dryer sheets), as a huge appreciation. Even if they aren't interested in working for you, compensate these customers with free washes and dries, soap, snacks, or anything else you can do to make them feel appreciated. Use their knowledge to help you improve your store.

Ev
A Heck of A Nice Guy