News — CLA, formerly the Coin Laundry
Association, marked a successful debut for its first in-person “How to Start a Laundromat”
workshop, held Nov. 12 at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center in
Oak Brook, Illinois. This inaugural event provided a select group of aspiring entrepreneurs and
investors with direct access to industry veterans through one-on-one mentorship, practical
sessions, and personalized advice. Attendees gained valuable insights on starting their
laundromat journey, with highlights including an exclusive tour of the World’s Largest
Laundromat and tailored support for each participant’s business goals.
“We’re thrilled by the positive feedback from our first in-person ‘How to Start a Laundromat’
workshop,” said Brian Wallace, CLA President and CEO. “Our goal was to create more than just
an informational event; we wanted to equip new entrepreneurs with actionable strategies and
connect them with experienced mentors dedicated to their success. Seeing participants leave
with a clear plan and a strong support network affirms the value of this workshop, and we look
forward to expanding this opportunity to more aspiring laundromat owners.”
The workshop began with an exclusive pre-event tour of the World’s Largest Laundromat in
Berwyn, Ill., where attendees received a behind-the-scenes look at a high-performing
laundromat in action. This firsthand experience provided valuable insights as participants
prepared for the workshop sessions.
The program offered aspiring laundromat owners essential guidance on building a successful
business, covering topics such as choosing the right location, securing financing, evaluating the
decision to build versus buy, and managing daily operations. Structured sessions delivered
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foundational knowledge, while the close-knit setting encouraged open Q&A discussions,
allowing attendees to address specific questions and receive personalized advice. This
comprehensive approach equipped participants with the knowledge and confidence to make
informed decisions as they move forward in the industry.
To support continued learning, each attendee was paired with a mentor—an experienced
laundromat owner or CLA board member—who provided personalized guidance during the
workshop and remains available as a resource as participants build their businesses.
Following the success of this inaugural workshop, CLA is pleased to announce upcoming “How
to Start a Laundromat” workshops planned for Oak Brook, Charlotte, and Los Angeles.
Registration for these sessions will open soon, offering more aspiring laundromat owners the
opportunity to learn directly from industry leaders.
For more information on future workshops, including registration and agenda details, visit
https://laundryassociation.org/how-to-start-a-laundromat/.
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About CLA
CLA, formerly the Coin Laundry Association, is a national, nonprofit organization, with a
membership of more than 300 manufacturers and distributors, and 1,500 owners in the self-
service laundry industry. Since 1960, CLA has advanced the self-service laundry industry and
improved the customer experience by providing store operators with research, education,
advocacy and other resources required to be successful business owners. For more information
about CLA, visit coinlaundry.org.
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