Walsh’s success reviving the business and finding new revenue streams earned her an Excellence in Business Innovation Award at the Oberon Business and Tourism Awards 2018. Here she reflects on a hectic 12 months at The Laundry Pad. 

What prompted you to go into business?

A conversation I had on a girls’ weekend away. Oberon has a large timber industry and a lot of overseas contractors were expected in town. People were moving out and renting their homes, fully furnished.

I threw out the question, “What do you do for cleaners and linen?” They all said they outsourced, so I thought to myself, here’s an opening for a business! I rang the local laundromat and asked if they wanted to sell. Within a couple of months, it was mine.

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve encountered so far?

Financially it’s been a struggle because there was a lot of outlay. The business I bought was your basic wash, dry, fold service and it had very limited equipment. I had to buy a new commercial washing machine and spent $25,000 on linen when I set up the hire service.

I already knew that it's hard to get finance when you’ve only been operating for a short time. So, having to find the funds for large, although necessary, purchases myself hasn’t been easy.

Have there been any moments when you felt especially pleased you took the gamble?

Lots! Every week, new things are happening – it’s been unbelievable. I’m negotiating with a large eco-resort at the moment, trying to get their business. They’re a bit concerned I’m too small and won’t be able to handle the volume, but I’m slowly showing them.

I’m taking on bigger clients each week, including the largest motels in Oberon. I’ve also started washing workwear for local timber and trucking companies – opportunities just keep presenting themselves.

Take the gamble. Go full steam ahead and don't be scared.

As a new business owner, you’re doing it all – washing, deliveries, marketing, the accounts. How have you managed the juggle?

Long days!My boys have been very tolerant. There’s no other way – not if you want to get ahead. I didn’t have any superannuation so I wanted to build up a business I could sell in the future. So, I went into this with a five-year plan.

Most of what was in that plan has already happened. It’s been a lot of hard work and sleepless nights but I couldn’t be happier with how it’s worked out so far.

Raising market awareness can be challenging when you launch a business. How have you done it?

I’d never done marketing before, but Facebook is amazing. I put up funny posts andhold competitions. I bought an old VW van for deliveries and asked people to choose a name I could paint on it. Now everyone in town knows Sudzzy!

Another popular promotion we ran last year was ‘do it for the farmers’, where we donated $5 from every load towards drought relief for local folk on the land. The idea of helping your neighbours out really resonates in a small community. Face-to-face selling has helped the linen hire take off.

Do you have any tips for others about to embark on a new venture?

Take the gamble. Go full steam ahead and don’t be scared. It is daunting but it’s definitely worth it in the long run.

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