The Leap of Faith
For years, Cami (who asked to be identified by her nickname for security reasons) balanced two demanding worlds. She worked almost full-time as a hospital nurse while simultaneously running a laundromat she had purchased in October 2020. By April 2023, she made the bold decision to quit nursing altogether and devote herself fully to the laundromat.
Her gamble paid off. In 2024, the business generated $475,000 in revenue, with about $119,000 in profits. Even more striking, she now spends just 5 to 6 hours a week managing operations.
The Origin Story
Cami’s journey began when she sold her home and invested $300,000 into buying a working laundromat in Arizona. At first, it was anything but easy. She juggled 12-hour hospital shifts with late nights at the laundromat, learning the ropes of a cash-heavy business.
But she saw potential. Customers streamed in daily, employees handled deliveries, and the machines never stopped humming. Slowly, she realized that the laundromat offered something nursing could not: time freedom and scalable income.
The Business Model
What makes laundromats so powerful? For Cami, it’s a mix of steady demand and smart management.
- Revenue streams: Walk-in customers, laundry delivery services, and vending machines.
- Low time commitment: With staff in place, she focuses on oversight rather than daily grind.
- Cash flow: Laundromats are famously resilient, with consistent demand regardless of economic cycles.
Cami’s laundromat is proof. Even during downturns, people need clean clothes. And with delivery services expanding, her business tapped into a growing convenience trend.
The Emotional Shift
Leaving nursing wasn’t just financial—it was emotional. Nursing had defined her identity, but it also drained her energy. The laundromat, by contrast, gave her control.
“I work maybe five or six hours a week now,” she told CNBC. “It’s a welcome change of pace.”
Instead of long hospital shifts, she spends her time strategizing, managing staff, and enjoying life. The contrast is stark: from exhaustion to empowerment, from burnout to balance.
Lessons Learned
Cami’s story offers lessons for anyone dreaming of entrepreneurship:
- Risk can be rewarding. Selling her home to buy a laundromat was bold, but it unlocked freedom.
- Passive income takes work upfront. The first years were demanding, but systems now run smoothly.
- Unconventional businesses can be goldmines. Laundromats may not sound glamorous, but they deliver steady profits.
The Bigger Picture
Her success highlights a broader trend: people leaving traditional careers for entrepreneurial ventures that offer autonomy. In an era of burnout and shifting work values, stories like Cami’s resonate deeply.
She is not alone. Across the U.S., professionals are rethinking their paths, choosing businesses that may seem humble but provide financial independence and lifestyle flexibility.
Spin Cycles of Success
Cami’s laundromat isn’t just about clean clothes—it’s about rewriting her life story. From $475,000 in annual revenue to working only a handful of hours each week, she has built a business that gives her both money and freedom.
Her journey proves that sometimes the most ordinary businesses can deliver extraordinary results. And for Cami, every spin cycle is a reminder that she chose courage over comfort—and won.
