We shadow this local laundry legend and get a sneak peek into how her local biz is run
Who’s up for another round of ‘take The Fold’ to work day?
We recently spent the day shadowing Louise, the owner of Suds Hub, a fantastic commercial laundry business in the Highlands. Trust us, it was “Loads” of fun… get it?
From an early rise to a bustling day, Louise and her team are on a roll, providing high quality laundry services for local businesses and residents.
We were impressed by their hard work, super-friendly service, commitment to quality, and all those cheerful smiles.
Join us for a spin as we follow Louise through a day at Suds Hub.
Photo by Bodhi Todd Photography
Rise and Shine
Louise’s day starts bright and early!
First on the agenda is checking in with the Suds Hub team making sure they have everything they need for another successful day.
“We’ve assembled an amazing group working for us,” says Louise.
“Each morning, we gather for a quick briefing to discuss what the day has in store.”
The business opens at 7am with the delivery drivers ready to get out on the road for all those laundry and linen deliveries.
Once the morning meeting is over, the drivers are off and running, and they have a lot of places to go.
“We’re Highlanders here, and we get how tough it can be for folks in the villages to get what they need without trekking into town. That’s why we’ve made sure our business reaches out to them directly.”
We say g’day to a driver who’s heading all the way down to Goulburn and back, stopping in at all those villages and towns along the way. Moss Vale, Exeter, Bundy, Penrose, Wingello and on….
“Our reach is pretty far,” Louise tells us.
“We’ve even got clients out at High Range and Marulan and Kangaroo Valley!.”
Photo by Bodhi Todd Photography
On The Shop Floor
We then wander with Louise around the shop floor, scoring friendly smiles from the team, who are starting up their pressing shift.
We can see them doing an excellent job, taking care as they press all those beautiful linens, ready for the next step.
“The pressing team starts early so that when the next shift comes in on the floor, they can fold what’s been pressed and then bag it up, ready for clients to pick up that day.”
Louise has got her checklist with her, marking things off as we go. Her attention to detail and organisational process means the day runs smoothly and all her clients are satisfied.
Photo by Bodhi Todd Photography
Keeping Clients In The Loop
Next, Louise grabs her phone and starts messaging clients to let them know their orders are ready for pick-up. Some are collecting clean, fresh laundry, while others will be picking up dry cleaning.
“We use the traditional dry-cleaning methods here,” Louise tells us, explaining how their process protects garments while effectively removing stains and odours.
Walking past the ready-to-go laundry, we notice a lot of coats, jumpers, and doonas. With winter just starting, it’s no surprise.
“We know that customers want their laundry back quickly,” Louise adds.
“So, we strive to get everything returned to them as soon as possible.”
Makes sense! Nobody wants to be left without their coat in a Highlands winter, right? The Suds Hub crew make sure that doesn’t happen.
Photo by Bodhi Todd Photography
Out The Door
Residential laundry is important to Suds Hub but there is also a huge focus on commercial and business laundry as well.
Louise spends a good chunk of her day out and about, meeting up with new businesses around town, visiting hotels and motels, meeting with managers and business owners, quoting and providing more info about all the good stuff the Suds Hub team do.
Yesterday after typing up a proposal for a local restaurant, she’s been invited to a local five-star hotel to show them the quality that Suds Hub can provide.
“Our plan is to completely outfit a hotel room with our linens and towels so the hotel manager can see our quality first hand. Then, the food and beverage manager will check out our range of tea towels in that same room,” Louise fills us in.
At The Fold, we’re all about locals supporting locals. So, when we see Highlands businesses like hotels and motels using local food in their kitchens, local drinks in their bars, local staff on their floors, and now local laundry services as well, we couldn’t be happier!
And if you’re not currently using a local laundry service, it might be time to give Louise and the team a call.
“Just give us a call and start a conversation. It doesn’t hurt to chat.” Louise adds.
Photo by Bodhi Todd Photography
Flexible And Friendly
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. Every hotel is different with unique room sizes, bedding, kitchen needs, even different dining table sizes and the Suds Hub team understands that.
“One hotel wanted two types of robes: one for their regular guest rooms and another for their VIP suites. We cater to these specific needs,” Louise points out.
“Some restaurants don’t open until lunch, so we schedule pickups accordingly. We fit our services around the businesses, not the other way around. That’s what my days are about right now, talking to local businesses and finding laundry or linen hire solutions that work for them.”
Photo by Bodhi Todd Photography
Back In The Office
As we head back into the inviting front office in the afternoon, we are greeted by a friendly little face. It’s Louise and Adam’s 8-year-old daughter who loves the Suds Hub customers as much as her parents do.
“Since we’re a family business, a lot of our clients get to experience that firsthand. When school lets out, my kids often join me at the front office. I’ve set it up to be really warm and welcoming, not just for our clients but for my family too.”
It’s a wonderful, community atmosphere here. We watch as clients come in, chat, and share their stories.
We’re impressed to see that Louise knows many of them by name and keeps up with their lives and families. She’s definitely built those special connections.
And because of this, Louise and the team has received loads of wonderful feedback from both their hotel and Airbnb clients since opening!
“Most of my clients have said, “We’re never going back to the old way. We did it ourselves for years, but your service is amazing.” They’re just blown away by the quality of the linens they can now put on their own beds,” Louise adds.
Photo by Bodhi Todd Photography
Finishing Up
Louise has been on the go since 7 am and will probably be here until 7 or 8 pm tonight.
“Balancing these long hours with our small family is a busy task, but we’re giving it our all. Many of our customers have noticed how hard we’re working to achieve our business goals while staying true to our values,” Louise tells us proudly.
Community is a top priority at Suds Hub. They’re dedicated to fostering a strong sense of community both within their business and in the Southern Highlands.
“We’re genuine locals ourselves, committed to doing our best for our neighbours.”
They aim to build a thriving business that gives back to our community. They hire local staff and have big plans for community support.
“Quality is a big deal for us. We go for quality over speed, making sure every item meets our high standards. Customer service is key too, we’re all about giving our clients the best experience possible.”
And it shows!
Suds Hub are entering into this year’s Local Business Awards and we wish them all the best.
With their level of dedication, quality and genuine care for Highlands’ locals and for local businesses, we think they deserve it!
Photo by Bodhi Todd Photography
If you’re thinking about transitioning to a local laundry service, don’t hesitate to contact Louise and her team at Suds Hub.
From Airbnbs and restaurants to cafes, motels, hotels, and beyond, they deliver top-tier laundry solutions throughout the Southern Highlands.
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