Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Macken.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My career began in the corporate world, working in insurance and risk management, where I learned how to analyze risk, develop strategies, and provide solutions for clients. That experience gave me a strong foundation in business operations, financial management, and customer service—skills that I would later carry into entrepreneurship.
After over two years of research, my husband Nick and I took a leap of faith when we opened Southern Suds Laundromat in Newberry, South Carolina. What started as a traditional laundromat quickly became more than just a place to wash clothes—it became a community hub. We remodeled the store, upgraded equipment, added Wash-Dry-Fold services, and introduced modern payment systems like Laundroworks (which has endearingly been referred to by one of our customers as the Dave & Busters of Laundry). We’ve always said our mission is to give people their time back and a welcoming environment to do a task everyone has to do. Every decision we make is built around that value.
Entrepreneurship lit a fire in me. Running a laundromat wasn’t just about machines and detergent—it was about marketing, branding, strategy, and community impact. We’ve built partnerships with schools, teams, and local businesses. We’ve sponsored youth sports, Battle of the Badges events, and even hosted Free Laundry Days. Every initiative reminds me that business growth and community impact can—and should—go hand in hand.
As a wife, mom of two, and full-time professional, balance has always been at the heart of my story. Building Southern Suds while maintaining my corporate career hasn’t always been easy, but it has taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of systems. Whether it’s scheduling around kids’ activities, mentoring my daughter as she launches her candy business (Candy Cove), or scheming up the latest project for Southern Suds, I believe in leading by example and showing that women can build businesses, raise families, and chase their biggest dreams.
My journey is far from over. Our vision is to grow Southern Suds into the premier laundromat chain across South Carolina and beyond. But it’s more than just expansion—it’s about creating a brand known for reliability, professionalism, and care. It’s about giving back to the communities we serve and inspiring others to take their own entrepreneurial leap.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t believe any business venture is a smooth road. Being an entrepreneur is about learning to pivot when necessary and having the grit to continue pushing forward.
Before we even closed on our first laundromat, the deal originally fell through. About a month or two later, we received a phone call that asked if we were still interested. The due diligence process of purchasing an existing business is an adventure in itself. Our first year (and beyond) was filled with learning curves from machine issues to watermain breaks. Through it all, Nick and I took a team approach and pushed forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a family-owned, community-focused laundry center located in Newberry, South Carolina. We provide both self-serve and full-service Wash-Dry-Fold options, serving everyday families, busy professionals, and local businesses who value clean laundry, done right.
We specialize in quality, reliability, and convenience. Our Wash-Dry-Fold service is known for its attention to detail—every order is washed with care, folded neatly, and returned fresh and ready to use. On the self-serve side, we’re proud to offer the largest washers in town, a clean and welcoming environment, and modern conveniences like wifi, both a food/snack vending machine and soap product vending machine – and last but not least, our Kids Area.
What sets us apart is our commitment to community and customer experience. We take pride in keeping our facility clean, having our amazing supportive team, and always being available should an issue arise.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of being recognized as one of the Best Laundromats in South Carolina in 2024 and 2025. Our logo and colors reflect a fresh, modern, and approachable feel, while our reputation reflects consistency, trust, and customer-first service.
We want readers to know that Southern Suds is more than a place to wash clothes—it’s a place that saves you time, takes a chore off your plate, and gives you the confidence that your laundry will always be handled with care.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
All of the above! Anything to help me stay organized and on track.
Apps:
– iCal (shared feature) – if it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t get done. The share feature has helped us a lot with communication between Nick and I so we’re always running in the same direction.
-Social media apps help us connect with our customers and helps them to get to know us better.
-All the school apps that help me stay on track for both of our daughters’ activities 🙂
-The latest app I’ve found and am loving is Tody – it helps me keep the house straightened up and cleaned with a routine.
Books:
I love reading, which is one reason we have a little library in our kids’ corner. I think it’s so important to instill the importance of reading and using your imagination with kids.
When I want to relax, I go for a good mystery book – always looking for one I can’t put down. The usual Colleen Hoover sometimes, but I’ve also liked Karin Slaughter, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Patterson, Freida McFadden.
I believe in always growing, so there are a few self-help books thrown in as well. Most recently, The Pivot Year, Leadership Types, and Unreasonable Hospitality.
Podcasts:
I have a mix of podcasts, depending on the mood: The Laundromat Resource Podcast, This Past Weekend, Action Academy, Mindful in Minutes, Modern Wisdom, Rachel Hollis, Trent Shelton, New Heights, Dear Chiefs, Huberman Lab, to name a few.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://southernsudssc.com/
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/share/1Eeowuyg9t/?mibextid=wwXlfr
- Youtube: SouthernSudsLaundryHub
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@keeplaundrylocal
