Wash and grow: how the right payment platform helped a laundry service to innovate

The laundry sector, which had previously been cash-based, was crying out to be brought into the smartphone age Photograph: PR IMAGE

Katy Mitchell didn’t ever imagine she’d buy a laundry company. So, in June 2019, when she took control of the keys and cash boxes for 270 student laundry facilities around the UK, she could be forgiven for wondering what she’d just done. Fast forward five years and she’s doubled the turnover of the business, built a team of 25, and been named Managing Director of the Year for Laundry Solutions by SME News.

“It was a complete surprise,” she says of the award. “And absolutely brilliant to have some recognition – as a small business manager you’re so far away from being on a Forbes list or on the front page of MoneyWeek. We’re just really proud of what we do.”