Planet Laundry Nov 2020

COVER STORY

Years in the laundry industry: Two years After your service, what inspired you to get into the laundry business? A local businessman in our neighborhood owns three different businesses, and I told myself I could do that same. My dreamwas to own apartments, a sports complex and a laundromat. After joining the Chief’s Mess in the Navy, it taught me how to become a leader and gave me the confidence to believe in my ability to accomplish anything. What skills did you learn in themilitary that helped prepare you for success in the business world, as well as in life? Leadership. I’ve led young sailors on ship deployments and in combat. While in Iraq as the air ambulance detachment, we were 100 percent mission complete. Also, I learned to never say“I can’t”or “I don’t know.”As a senior enlistedmember, sailorswould come tomewithquestions, and I needed to answer them or find those answers. As a member of the Chief’s Mess, I was held to a higher standard of accomplishment, and these higher standards transferred with me into retirement. I run my laundry business with a military mentality. Don’t be late. If you see something wrong, fix it now – not later. Look good and be good. Respect is earned. What programs or resources for veterans would you recommend? I took advantage of the VA home loan program, when I was purchasing my apartment buildings.

people to do things they never thought were possible. In essence, the mantra I’ve lived by my entire adult life is that winners never quit, and quitters never win. And, if the dream is big enough, the facts don’t count. STEVEN GAGNIER, Product Designer Whirlpool Corp. – Benton Harbor, Mich. Military branches: U.S. Army, U.S. Navy Reserve

Years of service: Army, 1983- 1992; Navy Reserve, 2001-2004 Career path while in the military: Combat engineer – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Navy Construction Battalion, Sea Bees Rank upon discharge: U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, U.S. Navy

Petty Officer First Class Years in the laundry industry: 16 years – 10 years on the residential side and six years in the commercial segment After your service, what inspired you to get into the laundry business? I was working as a CNC machinist, while attending college for computer-aided drafting and design. Then, a friend suggested I apply for an entry-level drafting position atWhirlpool. What skills did you learn in themilitary that helped prepare you for success in the business world, as well as in life? I enjoyed the camaraderie with the people I served with. I don’t decide who I’m going to work with, so it’s important to me to work well with others.

BRAD NUNEZ, Service Technician Western State Design Hayward, Calif.

Military branch: U.S. Navy Years of service: 2009-2018

Career path while in the military: Navigation electronics technician for submarines Rank upon discharge: E5, or Petty Officer Second Class Years in the laundry industry: One year After your service, what inspired you to get into the laundry business? Transitioning out of the military was scary. The idea of

CARLTON PHILLIPS Swissh &Go Laundry – National City, Calif.

Military branch: U.S. Navy Years of service: 1986-2012 Career path while in the military: Aviation electrician, working on various types of Seahawk helicopters, as well as the P-3 Orion and the Boeing C-40 Clipper Rank upon discharge: E8, Aviation Electrician’s Mate, Senior Chief

losing the safety net that you made your life for so long and then doing something different is terrifying.When transitioning out, I was fortunate to have been in contact with a company called Orion Talent, which arranged a few days in Portland,

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