Start an ironing service... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

Stephb1986_2

Good luck love, How dare the other person turn work away! Especially in the current climate. Don't for get to use doctors surgeries and dentists

Steph xx

Maz

Yeah, I was pretty furious as you can imagine!

Thanks for the tip about doctors' surgeries etc., hadn't thought of them!

Christie_L

I just thought that I would ask... do any fellow ironers cover the Towcester (Northants) area?

Nicky xx

Maz

Hmmm........no response yet from my advertising and flyering........

Maybe it's the wrong time of year to be advertising an ironing service?

I'd really appreciate any advice from any seasoned ironers about this, I really want to get this off the ground.

I've advertised in all local shops that take ads, church notice boards, a couple of 'up market' nurseries, local free paper, parish magazine, local community centre, free ads websites etc

Have I missed anything? Any advice would be very much appreciated.

p.s. I live in Mid Devon so if anyone wants or knows anyone who wants their ironing done around here, please let me know!

Christie_L

Hi Maz

I would say that about 95% of my customers have found me through my website. I tried the same routes as you - local newsagents/magazines etc but found they were a waste of time. It might just be the area that I live but most busy professionals that want an ironing service will sit during their lunch-break and google for local ironing services rather than trawl shop windows/read local media etc. My website only cost around £30 to set up (I used Mr Site) and has proved well worth the outlay.

HTH.

Nicky x

property.advert

This idea really intrigues me, enough so that I'm going to start crunching some numbers but I'd just like some feedback on a couple of questions if you have time.

I think I'm quite good at ironing. I hate it, but I think I'm proficient and fast. Not a good recipe if you hate a task to go into business I know but whilst I might do it to start off, I have no intention of doing it long term. I believe my greater skill set is in logistics and management.

So my questions.

If your workforce are currently able to work for minimum wage or ever so slightly above, how much more do you think they would need to change jobs ? I really mean people who can do it well, not just looking to raise their income.

Do you think people would work on a piecework basis ?

Can you request that your staff are self employed and thus reduce costs ?

Finally (for now), I used to live right in the middle of London, in an affluent area and had a lot of disposable income and yet I would never, ever pay someone to do my ironing. I'll admit, I never bothered with t-shirts (maybe sometimes) or jeans etc. but the very idea of throwing money away on ironing (though I wasted far more on worse things !) seemed crazy. Do people really pay and what sort of people ?

Many thanks

washy_woman

yes people really pay, and pay well for us to do their ironing. If I was out working full time and spending my nights or weekend time ironing, I would pay to have it done. I got the idea after working in an office for years and listening to women moaning on a monday morning about how they spent half the weekend washing and ironing. They are all my clients now.

amberene

Ooooo is there anyone in the Reading area (I'm in Theale) that would do my boyfriend's shirts? He won't do them and <dramatic toss of head> don't see why I should. So they sit there and sit there...

I wish I liked ironing or was any good as it looks like a nice side line. I don't mind washing up or making lasagnes, but hmmm not sure there's a business there

mrs-d_3

Hello how is ironing business going? I'm asking as I'm in process of starting my own and I was hoping I can pick your brains.

Christie_L

Hi mrs_d

My ironing business is doing really well at the moment, which I think is a really positive thing considering that a lot of people are cutting back on financial outgoings in the current climate. The majority of my clients are from what I call the 'posh houses' (ie £500,000+) or are professionals like doctors/solicitors etc, and I suppose they continue to have a bit of spare cash to spend on chores that otherwise they don't have time/inclination to spare.

Good luck if you decide to start your own ironing business. It is hard work but worth it :-)

Nicky x