Inspiring Entrepreneurs - Saichelle McNeill, Washroom Laundry Service
Saichelle’s Story
Saichelle’s path to entrepreneurship was a tough one. Some people say they are born entrepreneurs, some say they were forced into it. Saichelle is in the latter camp.
After graduating with a degree in biology and chemistry, her efforts to get into pharmacy school were unsuccessful. She took various jobs in labs and factories that eventually led to a position as a Quality Engineer, where she learned manufacturing operations principles. Although she faced barriers in pay and promotions, she went on to be a manager of managers.
Saichelle made a life for herself and her son. He was deaf, so she learned sign language to communicate with him.
Reinvention
Then she hit a major bump in the road and spent 27 months in federal prison. “Camp cupcake,” where Martha Stewart served time, was Saichelle’s turning point. Saichelle reflects, “It could have been the thing that ruined my life. But I can’t say that now. It’s the thing that made my life what it is today.”
Saichelle used her laundry tasks in prison to keep a positive outlook. Each person was allowed to do laundry once a week, which required a half mile walk to the laundry facility. She started doing laundry for other women, who would pay her in various forms such as crocheting material.
When she was released, she faced all of the barriers to employment that people coming out of the criminal justice system face. She had a successful interview at one point with a manufacturing company in Hickory. She had discussed her background with the VP of HR, and, because her crime was not violent and not related to work, she was extended a job offer. She was excited, even though the pay was much lower than her previous positions. She eagerly accepted. The day before she was supposed to start, she received a certified letter from the company that they were rescinding the job offer. The HR VP couldn’t convince the leadership team that she was worth it.
She cites that experience as the single most direct thing that fueled her path to entrepreneurship. Ironically, that company is now a customer of WashRoom Laundry.
As she struggled to remain positive, she started spending time riding around the city with a friend who owned a tow truck. Then the idea struck her. She could do people’s laundry again. She saw a huge need for the service, and very few existing businesses in the space.
And so, Saichelle became an entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurship
Saichelle started her business in 2016 with articles of incorporation and a website – and determination. She spent the next few years pounding on doors to find partners. After months of trying to find the first client, WashRoom Laundry services took off supporting an existing dry cleaning store. She ran the business from there until COVID hit.
As COVID reared its ugly head, over 2/3 of the laundry shops closed near Saichelle’s location. It created a situation where people had to travel to get their cleaning done. She was able to pivot to a full delivery service. COVID also created a need for more types of cleaning from businesses, such as office fabrics and suits used in clean areas. Her commercial business started to boom.
Today, Saichelle says she is living her best life. She wakes up at 8am, checks her computer, grabs coffee and breakfast, and scrolls Instagram. Around 11am, the phone starts ringing and doesn’t stop.
She is comfortable at home. She lives with her son, 15-year-old daughter, and her mother. Both her mother and her sister work for WashRoom Laundry.
Saichelle believes in giving people a second chance. She is a proud employer of people with criminal records who want to work but face structural barriers. She is committed to helping build a stronger and better community in Charlotte, NC.
Business Success
Through a scholarship from ScaleUpCLT, Saichelle took part in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) of Charlotte’s Accelerator (EOA) program. ScaleUpCLT is an initiative of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance® Foundation that accelerates the growth of minority-owned businesses, in partnership with EO Charlotte and the City of Charlotte.
“The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Foundation and our funders are so proud of Saichelle and the other entrepreneurs that are growing their businesses. The longstanding partnership with EO Accelerator, the City of Charlotte and the CLT Alliance, allows us to collectively support small business and positively impact the regional economy,” said Kelly O’Brien, President of the CLT Alliance Foundation.
“EOA was everything for me,” says Saichelle. “When I was accepted in, it was one of the most rewarding days of my business career. Being a part of EOA – having someone tell me that they believed in me.
“When I started, I had the lowest revenue in my group. But before the end of the first year, I was over $275K, and in the second year closed at $785K. At the end of this year will be at $1.5M or $1.8M in revenue.”
Saichelle says her first EOA learning day was all about money. She learned about cash flow and balance sheets – things she didn’t know anything about. After the learning day and feedback from her coaches, Saichelle immediately increased her prices, and saw $1500 in cash to the bottom line after the first week. “Who was going to tell me that? Only these people with the unique perspective of the true entrepreneur,” says Saichelle.
Saichelle continues, “I had done multiple other programs that support small businesses – none of these helped me. Their experience isn’t the same as a business owner’s experience. EOA is run by entrepreneurs who have been in my shoes. I needed practical, immediately actionable feedback that I understood and could implement. Things like: answer the phone; try these marketing channels; your website is everything; build your Google business page and get reviewed. These things were tangible for me, and actually moved my business forward.”
Lessons for the Entrepreneur
Saichelle says her #1 pointer for the entrepreneur is, “PICK UP THE DANG PHONE!” The call she picked up from Amazon changed the trajectory of her business. After 30 days of little work, the call came. Amazon kept them going and put them on the map. She didn’t get PPP or EIDL money. She says, “the Lord blessed me with Amazon.”
She says the entrepreneur needs a phone line that is dedicated to the business. “I don’t want to leave a message. If you really can’t pick up, at least have a great voicemail. You MUST have an open line of communication with your client. You don’t know when your Amazon is calling.”
She also says not to worry about being perfect when you are starting out. “You are the expert – perfection is not required. I started with a janky website, and a van that I bought for $1. We affectionately called the van ‘the beaver.’ It had no air conditioning. The flip window wouldn’t close. But people don’t care about the mechanism with which you provide service – they only care about the outcome.”
Saichelle says she runs her business with emotion. She says, “I would tell other female entrepreneurs that it’s ok to lead like a woman. I run my business with a caring personality, being personally available to the team. It’s all right. Because I’m passionate when I’m around my employees, they care and want to see me successful.”
Saichelle is an inspiring example of overcoming barriers with creativity and determination. She possesses the grit it takes to embark on the entrepreneurial journey. And she has become a leader among African American businesswomen in Charlotte.
Congratulations, Saichelle. Well done.