August 2, 2024 • 21 mins
In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Leslie’s Laundry Care, a business revolutionizing the laundry industry with innovative solutions. Join us as Domonique Boone, founder of Leslie’s Laundry Care, shares her entrepreneurial path from her mother’s washing machine to opening a flagship store in Charlotte. Discover how her dedication to creating generational wealth led to the establishment of a business named after her daughter, Leslie, aiming to set a profound legacy within the community.
Listen in to understand the impact of mobile laundry services and how Leslie’s Laundry Care addresses the needs of both residential and commercial clients in Charlotte, NC, and its surrounding areas. Explore the challenges and triumphs of expanding a local business and how Domonique leverages her platform to support the community and drive social change.
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Connect with Domonique and learn more about her innovative laundry solutions at Leslie’s Laundry Care
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Kenny (00:28):
Welcome everybody to another great episode of the
beyond normal podcast.
I'm your host, Kenny groom.
I have a very special guest.
This is a full circle moment forme.
Uh, my very first guest I had onthe platform was, a founder by
the name of Domonique boom.
She is the founder of Leslie'slaundry care.
I'm excited to have you back,Domonique.
(00:50):
I know this is different thanthe first time we had a
connection, but appreciate youcoming on the platform.
You've been working on a lot ofthings.
So let's start out, reintroduceyourself to our listeners.
Tell them a little bit aboutLeslie's laundry care and what
you've been building over thelast couple of years.
Domonique (01:05):
Sure.
So thank you for having me.
My name is Domonique Boone.
I am the owner and founder ofLeslie's laundry care.
We are a mobile laundry and drycleaning service here in
Charlotte, North Carolina.
And we just got our first brickand mortar Leslie's cleaners
downtown Charlotte, 605 BaldwinAvenue.
Kenny (01:23):
Congrats.
Congrats on that.
I've seen, I have used theservice myself.
I've seen the growth.
like you mentioned, a deliverylong and service, but I've used
the locker system.
Now it's exciting to see that,you have a storefront, what does
all this growth, mean to you tobe able to grow your business
(01:44):
from where we were firstconnecting, right?
And you were doing thedeliveries and now you see where
you're at now.
what does that mean?
Domonique (01:52):
It's exciting.
I mean, starting from just mymom's washing machine breaking
to having a full business, um,successful business.
Sometime I just have to pinchmyself because, you know, you
work so hard and you just reallyhave to celebrate those wins
when they come instead oflooking at the next one.
So what I've been trying to dois just being intentional,
taking every moment andrealizing, hey, I work so hard,
(02:16):
you know, when I hit thosemilestones, celebrate those fast
in the moment and continue tojust check in
Kenny (02:22):
I appreciate you, breaking that down for us.
Domonique, um, something reallycool about your business is
that, Leslie is your daughter,right?
And so I don't think a lot of,business owners have used this
cheat code, but in order foryour business to mean something,
a lot of times you have to makesure it connects with your
actual life and then it hasintrinsic value, like it's
(02:44):
easier to wake up every day.
Yes.
So tell us a little bit about,naming the business after Leslie
and then, what has she gottenfrom having a business named
after?
Let's change it up a bit.
Domonique (02:57):
Okay.
Uh, well, I named the businessafter Leslie just with the
intentions to creategenerational wealth.
A lot of times in our community,we don't set anything up for our
kids.
I just had to really just sitthere and understand that I can
be the one to change what hasbeen done for generations.
And so in my mind, Leslie had tobe about six months old when I
started Leslie's laundry and shejust, Been with me ever since.
(03:19):
And it's just good to see thegrowth.
Like she can be talking to herfriends, acting like she on a
zoom call with her employees.
And I see that she reallyunderstands what I'm doing.
She sees the growth.
She sees me working hard, but,um, this year I actually took
the opportunity to say, youknow, I want her to see the
grind and the hustle, but I alsowant her to see the rewards and
understand that part ofentrepreneurship.
(03:41):
You know, we all going to grind.
We're going to make money handover fist.
Um, but I also want her to see.
What it can create for ourfamily to be better.
Kenny (03:50):
Yeah, I love that.
I have a two year old, as youknow, is it too early for me to
start her doing things with mybusiness?
Well, I want to get your opinionon that.
Domonique (03:59):
I mean, I think it's never too early.
Like I said, Leslie was sixmonths kids.
What they see is what they do.
You can tell them things, but.
If you let her help you maybeset up some things and she's a
part of it.
I think that she would cherishit more.
Kenny (04:14):
appreciate that feedback.
one question, you know, as I'velooked for founders, obviously
we're focusing local now, likeCharlotte is my home market and
so I'm trying to talk to as manyfounders as possible.
I can't wait for you all to seeall the amazing founders that
we've been talking to.
That's actually one, questionI've been asking.
You know, every guest we haveis, did you have some of these
(04:36):
earlier experiences, as a youngperson, right.
As a kid with entrepreneurship,Leslie being an example of that
now, right.
Like if I were to ask Lesliethat as when she becomes an
adult and probably runs thisbusiness or has multiple
businesses, people are usually,people are surprised, You know,
it may not necessarily be likewe knew a CEO growing up, right?
(04:59):
We knew somebody who was a CEOof a fortune 500 company, but
that hustle mentality, owningsomething that's really in a lot
of our, DNA, like our geneticmakeup, right.
being a founder, owningsomething, embracing the grind,
like you said, it's cool to seeLeslie on the front lines.
Now I've seen it firsthand.
She really is not just thenamesake of the business.
(05:21):
She's willing to roll hersleeves up and figure out how to
get the work done.
I think last time that wetalked, with you being our first
episode, we focused on consumer,versus business, and you were
trying to transition to more ofa commercial, clientele.
tell us a little bit about howthat's gone.
And where you are at now interms of growing your business,
(05:43):
is it more focused on that B2Bthat you were before?
Or, is consumer still to play?
Domonique (05:49):
Well, we still serve as residential and commercial.
but the goal for Lesley'sLaundry Care is just to be a
commercial.
We're just to serve ascommercial clients.
right now, we're probably about75 percent commercial and 25
percent residential.
with the residential clients,it's just hard to just get away
because there's a lot of peoplethat has built with me.
And so those stories and it'sjust the trust.
(06:12):
so I, I I'm liking where I'm atright now with the 75, 25 split.
And I think also with the newspace, it will allow me to
service more residential walkin, which will bring more
revenue.
so I've changed it over theyears.
and it's pretty much it'sworking out.
Kenny (06:30):
No, that's good.
That's good to hear.
Um, that split, like you said,it probably doesn't go to 100
percent for most businesseseither or.
Um, and I'm really excited tosee, more black founders.
Embrace b2b.
I think there's tons ofopportunity.
I think you can make more money.
(06:50):
Uh, that's just my opinion.
you can tell me if I'm wrong,but I feel like you can make
more money, um, moreefficiently, I will say.
Versus I think consumer spendingpatterns and consumers are
rather needy and so we likecustom products and things like
that.
(07:10):
And so I think you go down thatpath a lot of times, uh, B2C,
but B2B a lot of times we justwant it done.
And as long as you drop it offby a certain time, we don't even
care.
We don't even want to see youdrop it off at times.
being a business owner myself, Idefinitely see the value in
having, other businesses thatsupport me.
And, I just think there's tonsof opportunity coming in that
(07:32):
space.
Domonique (07:32):
Yeah, absolutely.
I mean, with the commercialclients, it's a clear
understanding on when you'regonna pick up the laundry.
How many days a week?
you don't have to deal with theresidential like, Oh, I want
starch.
I want heavy starch.
I mean, I don't mind, but I'mjust You don't want 300 people
saying that to you opposed tohaving an order of 300 pounds,
(07:55):
so more so, yes, it's more.
I get it.
Kenny (07:59):
you touched on the new, brick and mortar space.
congrats on that.
what does that do, for yourbusiness?
what does that solve?
a challenge or does it justenable growth?
Domonique (08:12):
Yeah.
So thank you so much.
I really appreciate it.
it establishes growth.
and it solved the problem that Ihad because when I launched the
lockers, when COVID hit, Ilaunched laundry lockers.
I put them in Carolina placemall, Northlake mall.
I was able to process probablyup to an additional 15 people
laundry, residential laundryorders per day.
(08:33):
If the lockers were filled.
And so one of the challengesthat I ran into was where am I
going to process the laundry?
I don't have a space.
And so I just really, for thepast two years, just really been
hustling, trying to figure out,okay, well, yes, you can put
lockers in 10 different places.
You can have a hundred newcustomers, but you still need
somewhere to process thelaundry.
(08:53):
So I really just had to nail inon my operations and just
understand for laundry and alsowith dry cleaning.
How it can be more beneficialand more efficient for myself
and also the customer.
And so literally I was asked tosit on the board for, CVMS DC.
And I was sharing my journey toone of the representatives that
(09:16):
was incorporating.
They were like, Hey, I have alaundromat downtown Charlotte.
And I'm like, Oh really?
So that was just really how theconnection was made.
And everything went through.
I always tell people like, shareyour story.
You don't know who you'retalking to.
You don't know how they canhelp.
If you tell them, Hey, this ismy next step.
They might know somebody, theymight have what you need.
(09:36):
So just never be ashamed toshare your journey.
Cause I think a lot of timeswhere we're at, we're focused on
what we're going, but wherewe're at, we need assistance to
get where we're going.
Share your journey to everyoneyou speak to.
And it's also a chance to pitchevery time you talk to somebody.
Kenny (09:51):
Yeah, for sure.
speaking of pitching, like Ifeel like you and Leslie always
come prepared.
Like no matter where you're at,your company logo is present.
like you said, I'm pretty sureLeslie even has the elevator
pitch down at this point.
Like you both, if you're aroundsomebody who's a potential
investor in your business,you're willing to put that time
in and just be ready.
(10:11):
I'm curious for, um, you've beenreally intentional about
building community andnetworking.
specifically, I see the localstuff right there in our
conversation.
So tell me a little bit about,you just touched on it with the
laundry mat, but how have someof those local connections that
you've made enabled you to growyour business?
Domonique (10:34):
Yeah.
So we have Leslie's laundry carefoundation where we feed the
homeless once a month, Socks andsandwiches, or we just provide a
meal for about 100 homeless,unhoused neighbors.
I think with the laundromat, wecan do more, with the community
and it's going to allow us tocreate senior programs, do life
skills with teenagers, youth,even seniors, and just be able
(10:59):
to grow within the community,feed the community, and just
have access.
with health and also wellness.
So we have a lot of big thingscoming.
It's really going to becommunity focused because the
Cherry neighborhood is one ofthe first black neighborhoods in
Charlotte that has somethinggoing on.
And so we really just want tobring that back to the
neighborhood.
We, as we're working in theneighborhood, women are in their
60s.
(11:19):
They're like, my mom used tobring me to this laundromat.
And it's just the culturalaspect that I want to bring back
to the Cherry neighborhood andI'm ready to do it.
Kenny (11:27):
Yeah, that's dope.
Um, We both have been in theYou've been here your whole
life.
I've been in Charlotte, I feellike, for a pretty long time as
well.
Um, yeah, I think it's reallyimportant.
Like you said, certainneighborhoods need to keep that,
keep that culture, keep thatessence.
(11:47):
we have a lot of people movinghere, who are not from here.
that takes me back to the memeI'm seeing online where people
are saying, stop moving to mycity, Charlotte is at one of
those spaces.
at a real, turning point now, Iactually saw a stat where it was
like, Atlanta has probably threeor four X amount of people that
Charlotte has, but Charlotte hasin terms of the land that's
(12:10):
readily available for folks,like, two to three X Atlanta.
it makes sense.
Atlanta is rather dense and thenCharlotte has this sprawling
opportunity, to build anddevelop.
We're seeing it, every singleday.
There's stuff going up.
I think Charlotte is one ofthose cities.
that's going to be like a good,proof of concept for, how do we
build, this, vibrant city whiletaking care of the people who
(12:34):
are from there, And so Iappreciate you, the foundation.
I was able to go out there,meals and just like the
education piece.
I think that excites me a lotfor the youth and then for maybe
even for seniors that are in thearea because I definitely see
there's a lot of opportunity.
Um, with that, I'm pretty sureI'll figure out how to bring my
(12:55):
family out and then, uh, Lesliecan, uh, maybe give my little
one some tips on, uh, businessone on one.
Domonique (13:02):
Yup.
Kenny (13:03):
When it comes to, the giving back and, the things that
you're doing in the community inCharlotte, what does that do for
your business?
Domonique (13:17):
Well, with the give back piece, it's more fulfilling
for me, uh, as an individual,Well, like you said, I'm not
from Charlotte.
I'm from Buffalo, New York.
So,
Kenny (13:26):
but you've been
Domonique (13:26):
here.
So I've been here since about99, but I'm from Buffalo.
Kenny (13:33):
You still claim it.
Domonique (13:34):
uh, we moved down here with literally just the
clothes on our back and westayed in a homeless shelter for
a couple of days and moved intoa house and now we all own
homes, my parents, my brother,and also myself.
So when I just think about theaspect and the resources that we
had when we moved here, it wasreally only the crisis ministry.
(13:55):
And I think about how it justfelt as a kid.
So for me, it's just tappinginto that market and saying,
Hey, I can be a resource foryou.
Whether you're unhoused or not,you know, a lot of people just
need, there's a need out here.
And so I just want to be thatcentral location that people can
come and get some help.
A lot of times people areashamed.
(14:17):
You know, I'm sure my parentswas ashamed having two kids and
just trying to figure it out.
But it worked out, you thinklong haul in the bigger picture,
but in my heart, it's just theneed, like just helping, like,
how can we help?
We all can make money, but like,how can you help somebody that
has less than, or just in amoment in their life where they
may just need somebody to say,Hey, I love you.
(14:37):
Hey, you got this.
Hey, keep your head up.
And a lot of the times we justmove on about our lives and we
don't even think.
Maybe that person might need ahug today.
You know, maybe you just needto, I just need to say, I love
you.
And it might just cure whateveryou're thinking.
So I just want to be that forthe community, however I can.
And that's where Leslie'slaundry care foundation came
about.
Kenny (14:58):
Yeah, I love it.
I want to like touch on that forbusiness owners in particular.
cause like you said, they'remanaging their business.
They're going through a lot.
They probably need a hug somedays.
They probably need some otherresources on other days.
the business owners that you'retalking to, because obviously
you're, you're really ingrainedin our local economy.
(15:18):
Right.
you talk to other founders,Like, what are they needing in
terms of support right now?
And the reason why I asked thatis, I'm going back to B2B.
I think that there's ways thatbusinesses can be created to
fill these gaps for some of thefounders out there.
So I'm curious, what are youhearing or in your own
experience, as you reflect,what's needed to support
(15:39):
founders at this time?
Domonique (15:40):
I think what's needed to support founders, especially
Black founders is capital.
I think a lot of times, youknow, people just think you got
it or you hustling or whatever,but if you had, I feel like us
founders have plans, we're readyto go, but we might not be our
lifestyle, whatever might, youmight have student loan debt,
300, 000, but you can't get aloan.
(16:01):
You know, you might've justgoing through a divorce.
It just might be differentcircumstances that may allow
where people don't have accessto capital to go to the banks.
So I think a lot of times, andthen when you're, what I'm
experiencing, even when I'mgoing to investors are, okay,
well, we want 70 percent of yourcompany for 25, 000.
And then it's like, well, That'snot even enough.
(16:21):
it's not fair.
That's not a fair, evenevaluation of the company.
So for me, and other blackfounders, I think capital would
be the main one.
but also, like you said, likebeing able to just pitch and
clearly articulate your businessand what you do quickly.
a lot of the times we wereunable to do that.
And even the classes, I probablytaken every class on the sun in
(16:43):
Charlotte, shout out to the cityof Charlotte, but I don't,
you're not taught how to pitch.
And I think, when you're goingto these corporations, you have
to be able to really articulatewhat you can do and what's the
problem you can solve, becauseyou may have a good product or
you may have a good service, butif you can't tell them that
they're not going to hire you,and then just also just being
(17:04):
ready.
You know, we might say, Hey, Iwant to do business with Bank of
America, but are you ready?
You know, and if you're notready, can the person in the
supplier diversity help you getready?
So I just think the connectionpiece, so to your point,
capital, the resources to beable to pitch, but also the
supplier diversity gap with aminority businesses.
Kenny (17:26):
Yeah, I like that.
you just gave me an idea.
I need to have, some supplydiversity folks, on the
platform.
Domonique (17:32):
Absolutely.
Kenny (17:33):
Yeah, because I think, like what you were saying, like,
they're there to make surethere's some opportunities that
are given, right?
Um, And there needs to be somepreparation.
Like they need to kind of helpus along that process a little
bit at times.
And so that's a good, thank youfor that idea.
Domonique (17:53):
what
Kenny (17:54):
You just, you give him, you know, so much, you being our
first guest and then comingback,
Domonique (18:00):
I can tell,
Kenny (18:01):
the listeners as well, Domonique, we were recording
some content before and,Domonique was like, yeah, man,
like.
You need to have like a brandedspace.
Like it needs to elevate alittle bit.
And so that's where, while we'rein this space here, I definitely
appreciate you for, giving methat motivation to keep going,
because, I'm pretty sure afterthat first episode, the quality
(18:22):
of my product wasn't where Iwanted it to be.
The sound wasn't good.
The video.
I don't even know what I waswearing.
it was in the middle of thepandemic.
You were like, just keep going.
and everything you really doright from the community work,
even to your business like that,that's motivation for me.
So I just want to say, thankyou.
For, all that you do, you andLeslie, Leslie's not here.
(18:46):
but definitely her presence isalways felt on the business.
Jonna, so what is, you've got astorefront, brick and mortar.
You've been growing yourbusiness.
You've got an even split B2B,B2C.
Like you got that optimized.
Like what is the next growth?
(19:08):
opportunity for the business.
Domonique (19:11):
The next growth opportunity for the business
will be growing my team.
Uh, I feel like I've struggledwith hiring because I hired
family and friends, uh, didn'tquite work out.
Can't go to the cookout now,but, um, hire family and
friends.
They would just take advantage,you know, but now I am just
(19:33):
focusing on hiring qualitypeople where I can keep them all
for a year or two more so thancontractors for three to six
months.
So just creating the longevityof a, a good quality team.
So I can do less and they can domore.
Kenny (19:51):
Hey, I commend you for, going the friends and family
route.
I definitely commend you and,yeah, I definitely see that
being a cool opportunity for youhaving somebody full time who's
committed.
I definitely think that helpsbusiness owners out for sure.
It's another challenge, right?
Because then it's like you gottamake sure you're rallying the
(20:13):
troops and you've got the properstructure in place.
but that's just a part ofgrowing your business.
Right.
And so, that's a really coolone.
there's so many businesses outthere now we know where it's
sold for prior to.
Right.
And then they're the one doing alot of the work, which is okay.
But then eventually you want tomake sure like you've got some
(20:33):
people helping you to grow yourbusiness.
And so, that's a cool next step.
Like that's a, that's a hugedeal.
Right.
And so I'm glad to see youfocusing on that and looking
forward to hearing about that,as well.
And then continuing to be acustomer myself.
and support the brand, that waymaybe getting out there and, any
of your drives, anything likethat, that you need support for,
(20:54):
you know, I'm always there fromthat perspective.
I think that's you given.
Again, you give it so much.
I'm like, I don't want to askDomonique for more.
this is the first episode of ourrelaunch in a new space.
new equipment.
the space is looking good.
It made sense to have you as myfirst guest for sure.
(21:15):
And I'm just looking forward tocontinuing, from that very first
interaction that we had tocontinue in the highlighting
black founders specifically.
who are doing amazing thingslike you, but I appreciate you
so much for being on the fivefour.
Domonique (21:28):
Of course.
Thank you so much.
And yeah, like you said, it wasthe middle of the pandemic.
Everybody was figuring it outand I'm just so proud to see
your growth.
So you keep going and the sky'sthe limit.
Kenny (21:41):
looks amazing, guys.
thanks to our listeners.
Thanks to you, Domonique, forcoming on, everybody for tuning
into another great episode,peace.
Welcome everybody to another great episode of the
beyond normal podcast.
I'm your host, Kenny groom.
I have a very special guest.
This is a full circle moment forme.
Uh, my very first guest I had onthe platform was, a founder by
the name of Domonique boom.
She is the founder of Leslie'slaundry care.
I'm excited to have you back,Domonique.
(00:50):
I know this is different thanthe first time we had a
connection, but appreciate youcoming on the platform.
You've been working on a lot ofthings.
So let's start out, reintroduceyourself to our listeners.
Tell them a little bit aboutLeslie's laundry care and what
you've been building over thelast couple of years.
Domonique (01:05):
Sure.
So thank you for having me.
My name is Domonique Boone.
I am the owner and founder ofLeslie's laundry care.
We are a mobile laundry and drycleaning service here in
Charlotte, North Carolina.
And we just got our first brickand mortar Leslie's cleaners
downtown Charlotte, 605 BaldwinAvenue.
Kenny (01:23):
Congrats.
Congrats on that.
I've seen, I have used theservice myself.
I've seen the growth.
like you mentioned, a deliverylong and service, but I've used
the locker system.
Now it's exciting to see that,you have a storefront, what does
all this growth, mean to you tobe able to grow your business
(01:44):
from where we were firstconnecting, right?
And you were doing thedeliveries and now you see where
you're at now.
what does that mean?
Domonique (01:52):
It's exciting.
I mean, starting from just mymom's washing machine breaking
to having a full business, um,successful business.
Sometime I just have to pinchmyself because, you know, you
work so hard and you just reallyhave to celebrate those wins
when they come instead oflooking at the next one.
So what I've been trying to dois just being intentional,
taking every moment andrealizing, hey, I work so hard,
(02:16):
you know, when I hit thosemilestones, celebrate those fast
in the moment and continue tojust check in
Kenny (02:22):
I appreciate you, breaking that down for us.
Domonique, um, something reallycool about your business is
that, Leslie is your daughter,right?
And so I don't think a lot of,business owners have used this
cheat code, but in order foryour business to mean something,
a lot of times you have to makesure it connects with your
actual life and then it hasintrinsic value, like it's
(02:44):
easier to wake up every day.
Yes.
So tell us a little bit about,naming the business after Leslie
and then, what has she gottenfrom having a business named
after?
Let's change it up a bit.
Domonique (02:57):
Okay.
Uh, well, I named the businessafter Leslie just with the
intentions to creategenerational wealth.
A lot of times in our community,we don't set anything up for our
kids.
I just had to really just sitthere and understand that I can
be the one to change what hasbeen done for generations.
And so in my mind, Leslie had tobe about six months old when I
started Leslie's laundry and shejust, Been with me ever since.
(03:19):
And it's just good to see thegrowth.
Like she can be talking to herfriends, acting like she on a
zoom call with her employees.
And I see that she reallyunderstands what I'm doing.
She sees the growth.
She sees me working hard, but,um, this year I actually took
the opportunity to say, youknow, I want her to see the
grind and the hustle, but I alsowant her to see the rewards and
understand that part ofentrepreneurship.
(03:41):
You know, we all going to grind.
We're going to make money handover fist.
Um, but I also want her to see.
What it can create for ourfamily to be better.
Kenny (03:50):
Yeah, I love that.
I have a two year old, as youknow, is it too early for me to
start her doing things with mybusiness?
Well, I want to get your opinionon that.
Domonique (03:59):
I mean, I think it's never too early.
Like I said, Leslie was sixmonths kids.
What they see is what they do.
You can tell them things, but.
If you let her help you maybeset up some things and she's a
part of it.
I think that she would cherishit more.
Kenny (04:14):
appreciate that feedback.
one question, you know, as I'velooked for founders, obviously
we're focusing local now, likeCharlotte is my home market and
so I'm trying to talk to as manyfounders as possible.
I can't wait for you all to seeall the amazing founders that
we've been talking to.
That's actually one, questionI've been asking.
You know, every guest we haveis, did you have some of these
(04:36):
earlier experiences, as a youngperson, right.
As a kid with entrepreneurship,Leslie being an example of that
now, right.
Like if I were to ask Lesliethat as when she becomes an
adult and probably runs thisbusiness or has multiple
businesses, people are usually,people are surprised, You know,
it may not necessarily be likewe knew a CEO growing up, right?
(04:59):
We knew somebody who was a CEOof a fortune 500 company, but
that hustle mentality, owningsomething that's really in a lot
of our, DNA, like our geneticmakeup, right.
being a founder, owningsomething, embracing the grind,
like you said, it's cool to seeLeslie on the front lines.
Now I've seen it firsthand.
She really is not just thenamesake of the business.
(05:21):
She's willing to roll hersleeves up and figure out how to
get the work done.
I think last time that wetalked, with you being our first
episode, we focused on consumer,versus business, and you were
trying to transition to more ofa commercial, clientele.
tell us a little bit about howthat's gone.
And where you are at now interms of growing your business,
(05:43):
is it more focused on that B2Bthat you were before?
Or, is consumer still to play?
Domonique (05:49):
Well, we still serve as residential and commercial.
but the goal for Lesley'sLaundry Care is just to be a
commercial.
We're just to serve ascommercial clients.
right now, we're probably about75 percent commercial and 25
percent residential.
with the residential clients,it's just hard to just get away
because there's a lot of peoplethat has built with me.
And so those stories and it'sjust the trust.
(06:12):
so I, I I'm liking where I'm atright now with the 75, 25 split.
And I think also with the newspace, it will allow me to
service more residential walkin, which will bring more
revenue.
so I've changed it over theyears.
and it's pretty much it'sworking out.
Kenny (06:30):
No, that's good.
That's good to hear.
Um, that split, like you said,it probably doesn't go to 100
percent for most businesseseither or.
Um, and I'm really excited tosee, more black founders.
Embrace b2b.
I think there's tons ofopportunity.
I think you can make more money.
(06:50):
Uh, that's just my opinion.
you can tell me if I'm wrong,but I feel like you can make
more money, um, moreefficiently, I will say.
Versus I think consumer spendingpatterns and consumers are
rather needy and so we likecustom products and things like
that.
(07:10):
And so I think you go down thatpath a lot of times, uh, B2C,
but B2B a lot of times we justwant it done.
And as long as you drop it offby a certain time, we don't even
care.
We don't even want to see youdrop it off at times.
being a business owner myself, Idefinitely see the value in
having, other businesses thatsupport me.
And, I just think there's tonsof opportunity coming in that
(07:32):
space.
Domonique (07:32):
Yeah, absolutely.
I mean, with the commercialclients, it's a clear
understanding on when you'regonna pick up the laundry.
How many days a week?
you don't have to deal with theresidential like, Oh, I want
starch.
I want heavy starch.
I mean, I don't mind, but I'mjust You don't want 300 people
saying that to you opposed tohaving an order of 300 pounds,
(07:55):
so more so, yes, it's more.
I get it.
Kenny (07:59):
you touched on the new, brick and mortar space.
congrats on that.
what does that do, for yourbusiness?
what does that solve?
a challenge or does it justenable growth?
Domonique (08:12):
Yeah.
So thank you so much.
I really appreciate it.
it establishes growth.
and it solved the problem that Ihad because when I launched the
lockers, when COVID hit, Ilaunched laundry lockers.
I put them in Carolina placemall, Northlake mall.
I was able to process probablyup to an additional 15 people
laundry, residential laundryorders per day.
(08:33):
If the lockers were filled.
And so one of the challengesthat I ran into was where am I
going to process the laundry?
I don't have a space.
And so I just really, for thepast two years, just really been
hustling, trying to figure out,okay, well, yes, you can put
lockers in 10 different places.
You can have a hundred newcustomers, but you still need
somewhere to process thelaundry.
(08:53):
So I really just had to nail inon my operations and just
understand for laundry and alsowith dry cleaning.
How it can be more beneficialand more efficient for myself
and also the customer.
And so literally I was asked tosit on the board for, CVMS DC.
And I was sharing my journey toone of the representatives that
(09:16):
was incorporating.
They were like, Hey, I have alaundromat downtown Charlotte.
And I'm like, Oh really?
So that was just really how theconnection was made.
And everything went through.
I always tell people like, shareyour story.
You don't know who you'retalking to.
You don't know how they canhelp.
If you tell them, Hey, this ismy next step.
They might know somebody, theymight have what you need.
(09:36):
So just never be ashamed toshare your journey.
Cause I think a lot of timeswhere we're at, we're focused on
what we're going, but wherewe're at, we need assistance to
get where we're going.
Share your journey to everyoneyou speak to.
And it's also a chance to pitchevery time you talk to somebody.
Kenny (09:51):
Yeah, for sure.
speaking of pitching, like Ifeel like you and Leslie always
come prepared.
Like no matter where you're at,your company logo is present.
like you said, I'm pretty sureLeslie even has the elevator
pitch down at this point.
Like you both, if you're aroundsomebody who's a potential
investor in your business,you're willing to put that time
in and just be ready.
(10:11):
I'm curious for, um, you've beenreally intentional about
building community andnetworking.
specifically, I see the localstuff right there in our
conversation.
So tell me a little bit about,you just touched on it with the
laundry mat, but how have someof those local connections that
you've made enabled you to growyour business?
Domonique (10:34):
Yeah.
So we have Leslie's laundry carefoundation where we feed the
homeless once a month, Socks andsandwiches, or we just provide a
meal for about 100 homeless,unhoused neighbors.
I think with the laundromat, wecan do more, with the community
and it's going to allow us tocreate senior programs, do life
skills with teenagers, youth,even seniors, and just be able
(10:59):
to grow within the community,feed the community, and just
have access.
with health and also wellness.
So we have a lot of big thingscoming.
It's really going to becommunity focused because the
Cherry neighborhood is one ofthe first black neighborhoods in
Charlotte that has somethinggoing on.
And so we really just want tobring that back to the
neighborhood.
We, as we're working in theneighborhood, women are in their
60s.
(11:19):
They're like, my mom used tobring me to this laundromat.
And it's just the culturalaspect that I want to bring back
to the Cherry neighborhood andI'm ready to do it.
Kenny (11:27):
Yeah, that's dope.
Um, We both have been in theYou've been here your whole
life.
I've been in Charlotte, I feellike, for a pretty long time as
well.
Um, yeah, I think it's reallyimportant.
Like you said, certainneighborhoods need to keep that,
keep that culture, keep thatessence.
(11:47):
we have a lot of people movinghere, who are not from here.
that takes me back to the memeI'm seeing online where people
are saying, stop moving to mycity, Charlotte is at one of
those spaces.
at a real, turning point now, Iactually saw a stat where it was
like, Atlanta has probably threeor four X amount of people that
Charlotte has, but Charlotte hasin terms of the land that's
(12:10):
readily available for folks,like, two to three X Atlanta.
it makes sense.
Atlanta is rather dense and thenCharlotte has this sprawling
opportunity, to build anddevelop.
We're seeing it, every singleday.
There's stuff going up.
I think Charlotte is one ofthose cities.
that's going to be like a good,proof of concept for, how do we
build, this, vibrant city whiletaking care of the people who
(12:34):
are from there, And so Iappreciate you, the foundation.
I was able to go out there,meals and just like the
education piece.
I think that excites me a lotfor the youth and then for maybe
even for seniors that are in thearea because I definitely see
there's a lot of opportunity.
Um, with that, I'm pretty sureI'll figure out how to bring my
(12:55):
family out and then, uh, Lesliecan, uh, maybe give my little
one some tips on, uh, businessone on one.
Domonique (13:02):
Yup.
Kenny (13:03):
When it comes to, the giving back and, the things that
you're doing in the community inCharlotte, what does that do for
your business?
Domonique (13:17):
Well, with the give back piece, it's more fulfilling
for me, uh, as an individual,Well, like you said, I'm not
from Charlotte.
I'm from Buffalo, New York.
So,
Kenny (13:26):
but you've been
Domonique (13:26):
here.
So I've been here since about99, but I'm from Buffalo.
Kenny (13:33):
You still claim it.
Domonique (13:34):
uh, we moved down here with literally just the
clothes on our back and westayed in a homeless shelter for
a couple of days and moved intoa house and now we all own
homes, my parents, my brother,and also myself.
So when I just think about theaspect and the resources that we
had when we moved here, it wasreally only the crisis ministry.
(13:55):
And I think about how it justfelt as a kid.
So for me, it's just tappinginto that market and saying,
Hey, I can be a resource foryou.
Whether you're unhoused or not,you know, a lot of people just
need, there's a need out here.
And so I just want to be thatcentral location that people can
come and get some help.
A lot of times people areashamed.
(14:17):
You know, I'm sure my parentswas ashamed having two kids and
just trying to figure it out.
But it worked out, you thinklong haul in the bigger picture,
but in my heart, it's just theneed, like just helping, like,
how can we help?
We all can make money, but like,how can you help somebody that
has less than, or just in amoment in their life where they
may just need somebody to say,Hey, I love you.
(14:37):
Hey, you got this.
Hey, keep your head up.
And a lot of the times we justmove on about our lives and we
don't even think.
Maybe that person might need ahug today.
You know, maybe you just needto, I just need to say, I love
you.
And it might just cure whateveryou're thinking.
So I just want to be that forthe community, however I can.
And that's where Leslie'slaundry care foundation came
about.
Kenny (14:58):
Yeah, I love it.
I want to like touch on that forbusiness owners in particular.
cause like you said, they'remanaging their business.
They're going through a lot.
They probably need a hug somedays.
They probably need some otherresources on other days.
the business owners that you'retalking to, because obviously
you're, you're really ingrainedin our local economy.
(15:18):
Right.
you talk to other founders,Like, what are they needing in
terms of support right now?
And the reason why I asked thatis, I'm going back to B2B.
I think that there's ways thatbusinesses can be created to
fill these gaps for some of thefounders out there.
So I'm curious, what are youhearing or in your own
experience, as you reflect,what's needed to support
(15:39):
founders at this time?
Domonique (15:40):
I think what's needed to support founders, especially
Black founders is capital.
I think a lot of times, youknow, people just think you got
it or you hustling or whatever,but if you had, I feel like us
founders have plans, we're readyto go, but we might not be our
lifestyle, whatever might, youmight have student loan debt,
300, 000, but you can't get aloan.
(16:01):
You know, you might've justgoing through a divorce.
It just might be differentcircumstances that may allow
where people don't have accessto capital to go to the banks.
So I think a lot of times, andthen when you're, what I'm
experiencing, even when I'mgoing to investors are, okay,
well, we want 70 percent of yourcompany for 25, 000.
And then it's like, well, That'snot even enough.
(16:21):
it's not fair.
That's not a fair, evenevaluation of the company.
So for me, and other blackfounders, I think capital would
be the main one.
but also, like you said, likebeing able to just pitch and
clearly articulate your businessand what you do quickly.
a lot of the times we wereunable to do that.
And even the classes, I probablytaken every class on the sun in
(16:43):
Charlotte, shout out to the cityof Charlotte, but I don't,
you're not taught how to pitch.
And I think, when you're goingto these corporations, you have
to be able to really articulatewhat you can do and what's the
problem you can solve, becauseyou may have a good product or
you may have a good service, butif you can't tell them that
they're not going to hire you,and then just also just being
(17:04):
ready.
You know, we might say, Hey, Iwant to do business with Bank of
America, but are you ready?
You know, and if you're notready, can the person in the
supplier diversity help you getready?
So I just think the connectionpiece, so to your point,
capital, the resources to beable to pitch, but also the
supplier diversity gap with aminority businesses.
Kenny (17:26):
Yeah, I like that.
you just gave me an idea.
I need to have, some supplydiversity folks, on the
platform.
Domonique (17:32):
Absolutely.
Kenny (17:33):
Yeah, because I think, like what you were saying, like,
they're there to make surethere's some opportunities that
are given, right?
Um, And there needs to be somepreparation.
Like they need to kind of helpus along that process a little
bit at times.
And so that's a good, thank youfor that idea.
Domonique (17:53):
what
Kenny (17:54):
You just, you give him, you know, so much, you being our
first guest and then comingback,
Domonique (18:00):
I can tell,
Kenny (18:01):
the listeners as well, Domonique, we were recording
some content before and,Domonique was like, yeah, man,
like.
You need to have like a brandedspace.
Like it needs to elevate alittle bit.
And so that's where, while we'rein this space here, I definitely
appreciate you for, giving methat motivation to keep going,
because, I'm pretty sure afterthat first episode, the quality
(18:22):
of my product wasn't where Iwanted it to be.
The sound wasn't good.
The video.
I don't even know what I waswearing.
it was in the middle of thepandemic.
You were like, just keep going.
and everything you really doright from the community work,
even to your business like that,that's motivation for me.
So I just want to say, thankyou.
For, all that you do, you andLeslie, Leslie's not here.
(18:46):
but definitely her presence isalways felt on the business.
Jonna, so what is, you've got astorefront, brick and mortar.
You've been growing yourbusiness.
You've got an even split B2B,B2C.
Like you got that optimized.
Like what is the next growth?
(19:08):
opportunity for the business.
Domonique (19:11):
The next growth opportunity for the business
will be growing my team.
Uh, I feel like I've struggledwith hiring because I hired
family and friends, uh, didn'tquite work out.
Can't go to the cookout now,but, um, hire family and
friends.
They would just take advantage,you know, but now I am just
(19:33):
focusing on hiring qualitypeople where I can keep them all
for a year or two more so thancontractors for three to six
months.
So just creating the longevityof a, a good quality team.
So I can do less and they can domore.
Kenny (19:51):
Hey, I commend you for, going the friends and family
route.
I definitely commend you and,yeah, I definitely see that
being a cool opportunity for youhaving somebody full time who's
committed.
I definitely think that helpsbusiness owners out for sure.
It's another challenge, right?
Because then it's like you gottamake sure you're rallying the
(20:13):
troops and you've got the properstructure in place.
but that's just a part ofgrowing your business.
Right.
And so, that's a really coolone.
there's so many businesses outthere now we know where it's
sold for prior to.
Right.
And then they're the one doing alot of the work, which is okay.
But then eventually you want tomake sure like you've got some
(20:33):
people helping you to grow yourbusiness.
And so, that's a cool next step.
Like that's a, that's a hugedeal.
Right.
And so I'm glad to see youfocusing on that and looking
forward to hearing about that,as well.
And then continuing to be acustomer myself.
and support the brand, that waymaybe getting out there and, any
of your drives, anything likethat, that you need support for,
(20:54):
you know, I'm always there fromthat perspective.
I think that's you given.
Again, you give it so much.
I'm like, I don't want to askDomonique for more.
this is the first episode of ourrelaunch in a new space.
new equipment.
the space is looking good.
It made sense to have you as myfirst guest for sure.
(21:15):
And I'm just looking forward tocontinuing, from that very first
interaction that we had tocontinue in the highlighting
black founders specifically.
who are doing amazing thingslike you, but I appreciate you
so much for being on the fivefour.
Domonique (21:28):
Of course.
Thank you so much.
And yeah, like you said, it wasthe middle of the pandemic.
Everybody was figuring it outand I'm just so proud to see
your growth.
So you keep going and the sky'sthe limit.
Kenny (21:41):
looks amazing, guys.
thanks to our listeners.
Thanks to you, Domonique, forcoming on, everybody for tuning
into another great episode,peace.
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