Dry Cleaners in Maida Vale: Meet the Masters
Dry Cleaners in Maida Vale
Amit was born and bred in the dry cleaning industry and has a whopping 31 years of first hand experience under his belt. We stole a second with this skilled expert where he revealed his key ingredient to life (read on to find out more) and let us in on how all those years have added up to make such a successful dry cleaners in Maida Vale.
Childhood nickname: None ever stuck
Best present ever received: A watch from my wife
Favourite snack: Maryland cookies
Often found saying: ‘I’m running a business, not a charity!’
Where have you come from and how did you get to where you are now?
My parents bought the dry cleaners in Maida Vale 6 months after I was born so it’s fair to say I pretty much grew up in the dry cleaning industry. I know the business like the back of my hand and even though I dabbled in different industries, dry cleaning is what I’ve always come back to – it’s home to me.
Why have you persisted with your dry cleaning career?
Because I do it well. I’ve been doing it for a very long time and I still love it, if you do what you love you won’t work a day in your life. I’m good at it, it’s second nature to me.
How long have you been dry cleaning for?
I’ve been working as a dry cleaners in Maida Vale for 31 years.
What 4 things must you have to be a successful dry cleaner?
To be a successful dry cleaner you must have a good eye and pay careful attention to detail and you have to have patience because dry cleaning is all about the customer. I’d say a business mentality is also useful to become successful in the industry. Also, a good sense of humour is essential, some of the stuff you see.. if you don’t laugh about it- you’ll cry!
What gives you the most satisfaction from dry cleaning?
Repeat customers, not just customers that come back a couple of times, but the type of customers you can call by name, who have a “regular” service. I’ve known a lot of my customers since I was a kid and to be honest we only lose them when they move or they die. A few young families move to the suburbs and they still try their best to use us. People don’t like to lose their tried and trusted, when you’ve found it you’ve got to hang onto it.
Where has your work ethic come from?
My parents. I don’t think we work half as hard as they did back then. They’ve always instilled a strong work ethic and insured that whatever I did I did it wholeheartedly or not at all. That is not only the key ingredient for work, but also for life.
Why do you think you have become so successful in the dry cleaning business?
Apart from learning from the best, of course, I think it’s down to the fact that I love what I do. If you enjoy what you do and you’re good at it you’re client will know because it shows. It shows in the quality of your work and your enthusiasm to provide the best results every time. Customer loyalty is difficult to earn but once you have it you just have to make sure to keep doing what you did to get them in the first place, that’s the easy part for us.
What do you think customers love most about your services?
It’s the simple things. There is very little cause to complain. We deliver quality and efficiency and I’m a stickler for time. Being on time is being late in my opinion. A little early is the best way to be. I’ve been trying to instill this in my wife also (laughs) but it’s still proving very difficult.
How do you get the best results from your team?
I try not to be overly serious. I’m quite laid back if I do say so myself, our lighthearted environment takes the pressure off and makes work enjoyable. My team and I just laugh our way through the day. It’s the best medicine!
What do you enjoy most when working with ihateironing?
The difference with ihateironing is that the system works well. Customers are customers, you know? They won’t change, but it’s the system and ihateironing is a successful one. The team makes all the difference and the communication is superb, dealing with you guys is always a pleasure.
How much longer do you see yourself in the industry?
That is a very good question. I ask myself that regularly. I’ll always be in the industry because I’ll always need my dry cleaning done so I might as well! (laughs) No no… I’ll be full time for a good few years but a very very VERY longggg time overall. As I said – It’s home!