Ireland McCaughey

Q: Did you always see yourself moving to New York, or was it more circumstantial?

A: In the last years of college I always planned to move to New York with my friends, but ended up getting a good job in LA when I graduated. Once Launderette came into ideation, we really started getting excited about the idea and knew we were making the move. 

Q: You’re the co-founder of your own brick-and-mortar business—can you tell us a little about how Launderette came to be?

A: My Co-founder Ben and I met and instantly connected over our interest in entrepreneurship, and after a few ventures we found ourselves really interested in the world of essential or what we call ‘boring’ businesses. In NY, the universal pain point of laundry exposed a need for change in the community and for consumers across the city. We saw an opportunity to make this everyday chore something better and got to work on how to do so. 

Q: What makes your space different from a typical laundromat?

A: A big factor in Launderette's appeal is the layout. When we were touring spaces we knew we needed somewhere with the square footage to allow us the space for what we envisioned, which was a comfortable area for our customers to hangout and multitask while integrating laundry into their everyday life.

Q: What are some small details you obsessed over that most people wouldn’t notice?

A: Every part of building was really intentional. NYC is such a fast paced environment, I wanted to make Launderette a calm space that our community felt comfortable coming back to time and time again. We kept our design minimal and leaned into the organic materials the concrete floors provided. 

Q: What’s it like building a business with your boyfriend?

A: Having a partner in entrepreneurship is something we recommend to anyone as showing up is one of the most challenging habits to tackle. Ben has been nothing short of the best partner, supporter, and leader of this journey together and I am grateful for him everyday. We are lucky to be able to communicate eloquently about high stress topics despite us spending 99% of our time together lol. My number one piece of advice when choosing anyone to start a business with is to evaluate how you move through the hard times rather than the good.

Q: What is it about Williamsburg that made you want to build here specifically?

A: Williamsburg in particular, to me, represents an incredible intersection of community and opportunity. With Launderette, we wanted to create a laundromat that could cater to a wide range of consumers, and through both demographic research and personal experience, we felt confident that we could thoughtfully meet the wants and needs of this neighborhood.

Q: Do you think your age or gender has shaped how people perceive you as a business owner?

A: Of course. In my particular case, having the perspective as a mid-pandemic graduate, I understood the need and want for better 3rd working spaces. I knew that Launderette’s model had an opportunity to thrive. Additionally, people have become far more comfortable trusting third-party courier services not only as a passenger, but also with their belongings through grocery, food, and laundry delivery platforms. 

Q: How would you describe your personal style—and does it translate into the space?

A: I would describe my personal style as intentional, sporty and sexy. I think that my interest in details that translate subtly culminate a recognizable vibe and look.

Q: What brands or pieces have been showing up in your laundry lately?

A: Because we are not a dry cleaning service, we process a lot of the everyday wardrobe, which gives a lot of insight into how people are utilizing their staples. We see a lot of classics like denim, trousers, and tops that hone in on quality and flattering silhouettes. 

Q: I saw you’ve recently started vlogging—what made you want to step into that?

A: Although I love creating content, I have found it difficult to really show the multifaceted nature of my life in short form platforms. I really enjoy watching vlogs, and recognized the personal touch that longer videos on Youtube offered.