Today we’d like to introduce you to Komal Patel.
Komal, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a local Katy resident and a UH graduate in Computer Science. I am a mother of two children born and raised in Houston and Katy area. Prior to having kids, both my husband and I were full-time IT professionals and it was important that one of us stayed close to our kids and dedicate full attention to their early years of childhood.
So, I decided to quit my job and stay home to provide care for my daughters. During this time, I grew passion in volunteering, working with kids, and staying involved in the local communities. I have been part of my daughter’s elementary school PTA where I coordinate Eureka Science program and have also managed a team of kids in variety of STEAM programs like Destination Imagination and Robotics.
Fast forward to 2016 when I started exploring options to go back to work. I wanted the flexibility of being close to my kids and stay involved in their activities while resuming my professional career. This is when I realized that starting my own business is the best option. I did not have any experience in running a business but I was confident that the combination of my professional experience with what I learned while volunteering, I can be successful.
My search involved pizza, learning, postal, dry cleaning services and many other types of businesses. I wanted a business that was close to my house, had growth opportunity, somehow helped the future generation of kids, and allowed me to stay connected to the local communities. This motivated me to go with the Dry Cleaning business and chose Hanover, MA-based Lapels Dry Cleaning franchise.
Lapels has pioneered its eco-friendly dry cleaning experience over the past dozen years. Part of that effort includes a partnership agreement with GreenEarth®, the dry cleaning industry’s only non-toxic cleaning alternative. Using these kinds of solutions and the latest technology in equipment, Lapels is one of the few dry cleaners able to boast that there is no hazardous waste in their process. Their environmentally-friendly cleaning process has no odor and is gentler on clothes, thus lengthening the life of clothes.
I opened my first location in Katy/Fulshear on June 3rd, 2017 followed by the second location in Richmond the week after. Third location will open in Sugar Land in the first quarter of 2018 and I hope to expand further in the Katy and Cypress areas soon.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I knew starting a business will be challenging especially when I did not have any experience. Finding skilled staff was particularly challenging and I had to start the location without any experienced staff. But this forced me to learn all the aspect of the business straight away from day one and that in itself has given me a lot of confidence to manage the operation in the event my staff becomes unavailable. I have also learned that it takes a lot of time to run the business especially in the beginning and it has not allowed me to properly dedicate time to my family. I am lucky to have my extended family in town who has supported me through the journey.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Lapels Dry Cleaning provides professional dry cleaning services for all type of clothes and garments including leather & suede, comforters and blankets, and wedding gown cleaning and preservation. We also provide alterations, shoe repair, and rug cleaning services.
Lapels Dry Cleaning also sets itself apart with its customer service. Lapels customers are greeted to a warm and inviting reception area, with friendly customer service representatives, and alteration services. Lapels offer its customers Automatic Rewards earning them credit towards free dry cleaning for every dollar they spend, Loyalty Programs, a VIP Program which eliminates the need to wait in line, the use of a 24 Hour Drop Off Service and FREE Home Delivery to all its customers. Same day service is also available for pick-up after 5:30 pm. Lapels also offer a “car hop” service where customers can drop off and pick up their clothing without ever leaving their cars.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I took on responsibilities of chores with my dad always on the road and me being the older sibling. I was very much into programming and taught programming while in college. I loved watching movies and reading mystery books.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5102 FM 1463, Suite 100
Katy, TX 77494 - Website: www.mylapels.com/katy
- Phone: 281-849-1640
- Email: kpatel@mylapels.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LapelsKaty/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lapels-dry-cleaning-katy
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/LapelsRichmond/
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