In the bustling heart of New York City, Corinna and Theresa Williams saw a need that wasn’t being met – a clean, pleasant laundromat where clothes would be cared for in the most sustainable way possible. So they decided to build it themselves.
Celsious, the unique laundromat they launched in 2019, was born out of the founders’ personal frustrations and a deep commitment to environmental responsibility.
“We wanted to get our fashion cared for in the best and most sustainable way possible,” Corinna explained. “In this massive city, we could not find a clean, pleasant, and welcoming place to do laundry where clothes didn’t come back with stains or whites wouldn’t turn gray or yellow overtime. So we decided to build one ourselves!”
The idea for Celsious was sparked by the founders’ upbringing in Germany, where they were “raised to be mindful of our impact on the environment.” This ethos is woven throughout every aspect of their business.
From the energy-efficient commercial washers and dryers to the bleach-free, plant-based laundry products they use, sustainability is at the core of Celsious’ operations. They even handle pickups and deliveries using electric bikes, regular bikes, and on-foot couriers whenever possible.
“These are just some of the ways we minimize the impact of our business on the environment,” Corinna said.
The founders’ backgrounds also uniquely prepared them for launching this innovative concept. Corinna’s experience as an editor-at-large for a fashion magazine and Theresa’s training as a product designer gave them valuable expertise in branding, design, and visual storytelling.
“Our experience in those fields definitely helped us with the buildout and visual branding, but being an entrepreneur comes with all kinds of new challenges,” Theresa noted. “You have to be adaptable and you have to be able to troubleshoot. You learn as you go, every single day.”
That learning process has allowed them to tailor their services to meet the needs of diverse customer segments – from busy professionals to budget-conscious families. Their Wash-Dry-Fold and Wash-Dry-Bag offerings cater to different schedules and budgets, while their specialty cleaning services handle bulky items like pillows and pet beds.
As Celsious looks to the future, the founders are excited to expand their sustainable service offerings even further. They’re incorporating a new wet cleaning technology that allows them to clean delicate items like wool sweaters and sequined dresses without harsh chemicals.
“We hope to collaborate more with the NYC fashion community after our new service launches,” Corinna shared. “Stay tuned for details!”
For other entrepreneurs looking to build sustainable businesses in traditional industries, the Celsious founders have some advice: Be prepared to forge your own path and find creative solutions.
“Traditional industries are often stuck in their ways, so if you come in looking to buck trends, you might not get a ton of support,” Theresa warned. “You’ll need to be comfortable with forging your own path and finding creative ways to meet your sustainability goals.”
It may take more time and resources, she admitted, but for Corinna and Theresa, the extra effort is worth it to run a business that truly aligns with their personal values.
“Every business faces budget constraints, and the unfortunate truth is that the cheapest way to do things is not usually the most sustainable,” Corinna said. “But for us, it is absolutely worth the extra effort to run our business in a way that aligns with our personal values.”
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The post Celsious: How Two Eco-Conscious Entrepreneurs Are Reinventing the Laundromat appeared first on SHOPPE BLACK.
