Written by Evelyn Mytka, Contributing Writer
When Karla and Fil Rodriguez set out to start a business, they weren’t planning on owning a laundromat.
With backgrounds in nursing and oil and gas, and a busy family life, they were exploring different paths into entrepreneurship, looking for something practical, sustainable, and aligned with their lifestyle. What they didn’t expect was that one of their biggest day-to-day frustrations would lead them to their business idea.
After taking a course and researching different opportunities, they began reaching out directly to existing laundromat owners, even those not actively selling. That approach eventually led them to Airdrie Laundromat, a long-standing local business that would soon become their own.
Today, they’re building more than just a service-based business. They’re creating connections within their community, supporting other small businesses, and helping customers reclaim something increasingly valuable: time.
“Laundry was a pain point in our own lives… it couldn’t just be us.”
Evelyn: What inspired you to start this business?
Karla: We were looking into different business opportunities, and laundromats came up through a course we took. It wasn’t something we had ever thought about before.
But when we really thought about it, laundry was a pain point in our own lives. We have a busy family, and it’s something that always needs to get done. We realized it couldn’t just be us, there must be other people experiencing the same thing.
So we started exploring it more seriously and reaching out to existing laundromats.
“We were approaching businesses one by one, even if they weren’t for sale.”
Evelyn: How did you end up purchasing Airdrie Laundromat?
Karla: We were approaching laundromats directly, even if they weren’t for sale.
When we reached out to the previous owners here, they weren’t planning to sell at first. But after getting to know us, they started considering retirement, and it turned into a direct sale.
Everything happened really quickly after that. We officially took over on July 1, 2025, and at the same time, we moved our family to Airdrie. It was a big transition all at once, exciting, but definitely overwhelming.
“You meet people from all walks of life.”
Evelyn: What do you enjoy most about running the business?
Fil: For me, it’s interacting with people. You meet customers from all walks of life, and I really enjoy that. It comes naturally to me from my background in nursing.
Karla: For me, it’s knowing that we’re helping people. When someone drops off their laundry, we’re giving them their time back. They can spend that time with their family or doing something important to them, and we take care of the rest.
Evelyn: Who are your main customers?
Karla: It’s pretty balanced. We have customers who come in and do their own laundry, and others who use our drop-off services.
We also work with other small businesses — like massage clinics, restaurants, hotels, and staging companies — that need help with linens and towels.
It’s been really nice building those relationships. It feels like a community, where businesses are supporting each other.
“You’re in charge of everything… operations, marketing, administration.”
Evelyn: What have been some of the biggest challenges so far?
Fil: This is our first business, so everything is new. There’s definitely a learning curve with that.
Karla: You’re in charge of everything — operations, administration, marketing — and it’s about figuring out what to prioritize and how to balance it all. We’re still learning what the community needs and how we can serve people better.
“The digital marketing program helped us get our social media up and running.”
Evelyn: What support did you receive from Business Link Alberta?
Karla: We used the digital marketing program and also got market research support.
The digital marketing program helped us improve our online presence. Our social media existed, but it wasn’t really active, so we got guidance on what to post, how often, and how to make it more effective.
We also used their free market research service. It helped us understand our competition and identify other opportunities in the area.
Fil: It was straightforward and easy. They helped us every step of the way.
Evelyn: What are your goals for the future?
Karla: We want to continue growing the business and building more relationships, especially with other local businesses.
We’re also looking at opportunities to expand our services and potentially bring more things in-house in the future.
Right now, it’s really about learning, improving, and taking the next steps with intention.
“You don’t need everything figured out. You learn along the way.”
Evelyn: What would you say to someone thinking about starting a business?
Karla: A year before this, it wasn’t even on our radar. I think it’s about being open to opportunities and taking action, even if you don’t have everything figured out. You learn a lot along the way.
Starting and growing a business comes with a lot of unknowns, but Karla and Fil show that taking action, staying open to opportunities, and asking for support along the way can make all the difference. Whether you’re exploring your first idea or looking to grow an existing business, Business Link Alberta offers free one-on-one support to help you move forward with confidence.
Connect with Airdrie Laundromat:
Website: https://airdrielaundromat.ca/
Facebook: Airdrie Laundromat
