Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in laundry and dry cleaning but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Scott Mueller, Vice President of Sales at RJ Kool Company, located in St. Louis, MO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My main job is selling commercial laundry equipment through RJ Kool Company. My customers would be anyone who needs to do laundry, from rags to rugs and anything in between. I also sell sales consulting & rev ops services through Atomic Revenue. My customer would be anyone who wants to launch their company, products, or brands. I work with a group of phenomenal people who are experts in all rev ops/sales fields a business needs.
Tell us about yourself
I started a drycleaners with my parents in 1988. My parents retired in 1998, so I bought them out. In 1998 we were doing $160,000 per year. I sold the drycleaners in 2003, and we were doing over $800,000 in annual sales. In 2011, I started working at RJ Kool Company on a territory that had done $300,000 the following year, and I have built that into a territory producing over 2 million in sales annually.
In 2020, I started Scott Mueller Sales Consultants and started working with Atomic Revenue. I have a loving wife of 27 years, April Mueller. She has blessed us with four wonderful children, one of which is married, bringing a son-in-law into our lives. Brittany, 24; Bethany (Andrew), 22; Brett, 18; and our surprise, Brady, 12. They keep me going along with our three dogs, Silva, a Blue Heeler; Bella, a Half Pointer, Half Italian Greyhound; and Luna, an American Eskimo.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building a company and then finding the right time to sell it. Small businesses are much like the stock market as the value of the business can change rapidly for good or bad, which makes timing so important. With SMSC LLC and Atomic Revenue, it's about the fabulous Wicked Smart, Self Directed, Problem Solvers I get to work with daily.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Responsibility for others' livelihoods. It is a huge burden that you carry.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Surround yourself with mentors.
- Ask questions, then listen.
- Job shadow a successful company in a similar non-competing industry to learn flow, functions, and processes.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://rjkool.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottmueller801
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-sales-mueller
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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