Today we’d like to introduce you to Gulay Mirzai
Hi Gulay, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Gulay Mirzai, and I am originally from North Cyprus. After earning a degree in graphic design, I moved to Istanbul, driven by my passion for exploring different places and my strong desire to start my own business from a very early age. My husband, Baris Mirzai, and I were school friends from university in North Cyprus, and our friendship eventually turned into a relationship. After we moved to Istanbul together, we got married.
At the age of 24, Baris and I launched our first marketing agency in Istanbul, where we provided a wide range of creative solutions through social media to various companies in Turkey, including some global brands. The agency offered services across a broad spectrum, and it was an exciting time as we were able to work with big names and develop impactful campaigns. Two years later, Baris and I launched a tech startup community focused on video technology and video marketing. We ran these companies for eight years, continuously driven by our passion for innovation and starting new ventures.
In September 2021, we decided to move to Dallas, Texas, seeking new opportunities and challenges. Our story with Clean&Carry began not long after. When we first arrived in Dallas, our apartment didn’t have a washer or dryer, so we found ourselves going to a laundromat—an experience quite different from what we were used to in Istanbul, where the concept of laundromats and laundry services isn’t as common. While doing our laundry, we noticed how people, including ourselves, weren’t particularly happy spending their time dealing with laundry. There were so many more enjoyable things to do, yet people had to spend hours on this chore. It struck us that there had to be a better solution—something to help people manage their laundry without wasting their precious time.
This sparked the idea for Clean&Carry. As I mentioned earlier, one of our greatest strengths from our time running the marketing agency was our ability to create and develop strong brand identities. One night, we stayed up brainstorming names for our new venture. After considering many options, I came up with the name Clean&Carry and wrote it on the refrigerator board. That was the beginning of something special.
Baris, who had been learning coding, took the lead in developing our website and order system, working tirelessly through many sleepless nights to bring it to life. We received our first order at the end of 2023, marking the official start of our journey. After that, we began reaching out to local laundromats, sharing our business idea with them. Their excitement mirrored ours, and we soon started working together.
Clean&Carry was born out of a simple idea to make people’s lives easier, and it has grown into a full-fledged service that we are incredibly proud of.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like any startup, the journey with Clean&Carry has had its challenges. In the first month, we were primarily focused on understanding our customers’ needs and refining our services accordingly. Baris and I were deeply involved in every aspect of the business. We touched every level—from delivering laundry to marketing, from coding the app to checking washing quality, and handling customer service. We set a goal that as founders, we should know every part of the business inside and out, and that commitment taught us a lot.
There were also a lot of sleepless nights spent working on this brand-new business, striving to create and deliver a perfect service. We often worked through the night to ensure that all customer questions were answered promptly through our chat system. In fact, we handled most of the customer inquiries ourselves, as it was crucial for us to deeply understand our customers’ needs and concerns.
One of the biggest challenges, though not insurmountable, was trying to understand each individual customer’s needs while simultaneously managing relationships and operations with our laundromat partners. It was a delicate balance, ensuring that our customers were satisfied while also maintaining high-quality service standards with our partners. However, we believe that our passion and persistence were key in helping us navigate these early challenges. They not only helped us to get through the tough times but also to build a strong foundation for our business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
**1. Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know?**
Clean&Carry is an innovative, on-demand delivery platform, similar to DoorDash and Uber Eats, but tailored specifically to revolutionize the laundry industry. Our mobile app offers a seamless and efficient solution for laundry pickup and delivery, providing customers with top-tier laundry services without ever having to leave their homes. By partnering with local laundromats, we deliver a reliable and cost-effective service that meets the diverse needs of both individual and commercial clients. We specialize in handling bulk orders, offering same-day service, and catering to hotel clients, ensuring swift and effective service for all our customers.
In parallel, we are rapidly expanding our network of drivers, akin to Uber’s model, providing opportunities for individuals to earn income using their vehicles. Our vision is to build a sharing economy within the laundry sector, where both laundry owners and drivers benefit. Clean&Carry aspires to become a tech giant in the laundry vertical, much like Uber in the taxi industry, by becoming the largest laundry service provider without owning a single laundry facility.
**2. What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?**
We specialize in taking the hassle out of laundry. Clean&Carry is known for its commitment to making laundry day effortless for our customers. Our service model allows customers to schedule laundry pickups and deliveries at their convenience, with just a few clicks on their smartphones. We’re recognized for our reliability, ease of use, and our ability to tailor services to meet each customer’s specific laundry preferences. Beyond serving individual households, we cater to commercial clients, offer bulk order handling, and our ability to provide same-day service is a powerful differentiator in our market. We also serve hotel customers, ensuring their laundry needs are met with the highest standards of quality and timeliness.
**3. What sets you apart from others?**
What sets Clean&Carry apart is our unwavering commitment to innovation and customer-centric service. Unlike traditional laundry services or other delivery apps, we focus exclusively on creating a seamless, on-demand laundry experience. Our unique model integrates local laundromats into a highly efficient network, allowing us to offer top-quality services with the convenience of home delivery.
We stand out by combining advanced technology with personalized service. Our app is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for customers to schedule pickups and deliveries with just a few clicks. We also offer same-day service, bulk order handling, and specialized solutions for commercial clients, including hotels, ensuring we meet the diverse needs of all our customers.
Moreover, our approach to building a sharing economy within the laundry sector, similar to Uber’s model in the taxi industry, sets us apart. By expanding our network of drivers and laundry partners, we are creating a scalable, sustainable business that benefits both service providers and customers alike. Clean&Carry is not just about doing laundry—it’s about redefining convenience and setting a new standard in the industry.
**4. What are you most proud of brand-wise?**
Brand-wise, we are most proud of our ability to revolutionize an everyday chore into a seamless, delightful experience for our customers. We’ve managed to create a brand that not only resonates with convenience but also with trust and reliability. We’re particularly proud of the relationships we’ve built with our customers and local partners, which are the backbone of our business. Additionally, our consistent growth and positive customer feedback affirm that we are making a meaningful impact in the community we serve.
**5. What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc.?**
We want readers to know that Clean&Carry is more than just a laundry service; it’s a lifestyle upgrade. We offer a wide range of services, including wash-and-fold, dry cleaning, and special fabric care, all accessible through our user-friendly app. We also cater to commercial clients and bulk orders, providing same-day service that sets us apart from the competition. Our services are designed to cater to the busy, modern individual who values time and convenience. Whether you’re a hotel customer, a mother, someone with mobility challenges, an elder, or simply someone who needs their laundry done quickly, Clean&Carry is here to serve you. By choosing Clean&Carry, customers are not just getting their laundry done; they’re gaining back their time to focus on what truly matters in their lives. We’re committed to continually innovating and improving our offerings to ensure we provide the best possible experience for our customers.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
As someone who considers themselves a perfectionist, I’ve always tried to make sure everything is done perfectly. However, through my experiences with my previous business and now with Clean&Carry, I’ve learned an invaluable lesson: the importance of starting right now. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or for everything to be perfectly aligned. Start small, start where you are, and start at the moment. The key is to take that first step, even if it feels imperfect.
Another piece of advice is never to underestimate yourself just because you’re at the beginning. Always approach your work with a professional mindset, no matter how small your brand or business might seem. It’s essential to carry yourself with the confidence and attitude of a professional because that mindset will set the tone for how others perceive and interact with your brand. Don’t think of yourself as a small brand—believe in the potential of your idea and act accordingly.
Persistence is another crucial factor. Being consistent and staying the course is what will ultimately lead you to success. Those small habits and small steps, repeated over time, are the building blocks that will lead you to a bigger, more successful version of yourself and your idea.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to make mistakes or face challenges along the way. Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. Surround yourself with people who support and challenge you, and don’t be afraid to seek advice or mentorship from those who have been in your shoes. Building a strong network can be incredibly valuable as you navigate the ups and downs of starting a new business.
Lastly, remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Enjoy the process, celebrate the small wins, and stay true to your vision. Your passion and persistence will carry you far, but so will your ability to adapt, learn, and grow along the way.
Pricing:
- PAY-AS-YOU-GO $2.15/lbs
- SUBSCRIPTION $1.75/lbs $9.95/month membership fee
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cleanandcarry.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleanandcarry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091451773888
- Other: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/cleanandcarry.com
