Starting a Cloth Diaper Business
Business Overview:
Starting a cloth diaper business is not only environmentally friendly but a great way to tap into a trend that is coming back into popularity. Before the advent of disposable diapers, cloth diapers were parents’ only option. They were bulky, unattractive and hard to fold and pin. Disposables are easy to use but rough on the environment because they are not biodegradable. A baby will go through more than 4,000 diaper changes before being fully potty trained. That can add up to over $1,200 USD for diapers that will be used once, soiled, then sit in a landfill. Today’s cloth diapers are not only easy to use, they come in adorable designs, don’t need pins and offer parents a terrific option that lessens their carbon footprint. So why don’t more parents use this earth friendly option? In a word – cleaning. With disposables, you simply throw the mess away; a cloth diaper has to be cleaned so it can be reused. This can be a less than appealing process which is why operating a diaper service is one of the best business ideas out there today. Picking up, laundering and delivering clean cloth diapers is a valuable service that parents will gladly pay for. All you need to get started is a commercial sized washer and dryer and some detergent. Doing the laundering yourself will bring in more profits but you could also send the diapers to a third party laundry service. You’ll also need a van or large vehicle to handle pickup and delivery. Consider a magnetic sign on your vehicle advertising your business. Be sure your phone number and email address are prominent. If you have a website, be sure it’s easy to remember so drivers can make a mental note without having to write it down. Once you have your process sorted out, you’ll need to market your new business. Leave fliers at local baby stores, try to get a list of new births from area hospitals and find listings for local doulas, midwives and baby planners. Send out fliers to this list of prospective clients explaining your service and its benefits. Once you get a few clients on your list, not only will their repeat business keep you busy but word of mouth will be a powerful marketing tool that costs nothing. You may soon find your business in need of additional vans and personnel to handle the workload.
A Day in the Life of a Cloth Diaper Business Owner:
Your day will begin with a check of your appointments. If you are handling the pickup, you will map your route and make your way around town picking up soiled diapers from your customers. You will take them to your laundry facilities (or a third party laundry) and start the cleaning process. Next you will organize cleaned diapers and arrange them for delivery. You or your staff will deliver cleaned diapers to your clients and schedule future pickup dates. You will also spend part of your day marketing your business to area baby stores and other places new moms frequent.
About Your Customers:
Your customers will be parents of babies in diapers looking for an easy way to be environmentally friendly.
What You Need to Start:
- Van or other vehicle for transport of diapers
- Website (optional)
- Washers and driers (or laundry facilities)
- Marketing materials
- Computer with finance software
The Good:
- This is a service that environmentally conscious parents will pay top dollar for.
- Start-up costs are relatively low.
- Franchises are available to help you get started.
- Green businesses are eligible for tax incentives.
- You can easily run this business part time.
The Bad:
- The work can be repetitive.
- It can take some time to build up your client list.
Resources:
- National Association of Diaper Services
- Real Diaper Association
- Real Diaper Industry Association
- Wikipedia on Diapers
About The Author
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