What inspired you to start your business?

About 12 years ago, I was working at a self-service laundry mat. Often, I would be approached by customers, eager to get back to the hustle and bustle of daily life, asking if they could have their laundry delivered back to them. I noticed this pattern for many years and asked my boss at the time if we could offer delivery. With some convincing, they allowed me to try my hand at delivering for customers. After a couple of years, I gained enough traction to start Laundry Liberator and fill a major gap in the marketplace that I discovered by listening to customer feedback in that industry.

Laundry Liberator is a pick-up and delivery laundry service that serves many businesses and individuals in Bozeman, Big Sky, and the greater Gallatin Valley, MT.

What's special about your business?

When Laundry Liberator was first in business, we were the one and only laundry delivery service in the Bozeman area. 

In 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, economic demand for delivery services skyrocketed. Though this was positive for business in a sense, it was the first time competitors had entered the industry space. Primarily those competitors consisted of established businesses, such as dry cleaners, simply adding the service of delivery to their other services.

However, we distinguish ourselves from the competition by offering: hang drying options, scent-free detergent washes, and taking personalized customer requests.

What is your relationship with SCORE? SCORE client What influenced you to seek help from SCORE?

I come from a background of living paycheck to paycheck, practically my whole life. When my financial situation began to shift, I was eager to have a brick-and-mortar space for my business to cope with the growth. I ended up Googling, “free services for small businesses” and discovered SCORE. 

My mentor Rick Sanders, helped me analyze the reality of my finances and was very frank with me regarding my lack of readiness for having my own space. Though this was hard to digest, Rick helped get things in order to achieve this goal in the long run.

How SCORE helped.

Through a 5 year relationship with my mentor assisting me with a financial organization, I have achieved the goal of opening a brick-and-mortar space for Laundry Liberator that is projected to open before the Spring of 2023.

Having a storefront will be essential to attracting more clientele and is essential to our growth.

What would you tell a fellow business owner about SCORE?

Anyone thinking about starting a business has no reason not to use SCORE. It is free advice from professionals who do what they do with nothing but the best interest of your business in mind.

Finances can sometimes be a taboo subject, but it is important to be upfront and honest with your mentor about your finances and your opportunities, in order to receive adequate help. Be honest with your mentor about your business concerns and be ready to hear hard things and take their advice. 

What have you learned from your experiences as a business owner?

Listen to the customer’s requests. — You might receive a business idea.

If you find free advice like SCORE, take it seriously. — Advice is valuable.

Be humble. — Accept your shortcomings and feel comfortable communicating them with the intention to grow.

Highlight the overall value of your services — I charge more than my competitors, but my clients know why they pay more to use Laundry Liberator

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