Juan Medina is an entrepreneur. But six years ago when he came to the United States from Columbia, he was still undecided on what business he wanted to be in - restaurant or grocery store. But it was a Sunday morning visit to a proposed location for his grocery store that changed his direction.

"I turned to my left and saw this store packed with people and machines turning around in circles," Medina said, adding that from that moment he was sold on the idea of a coin laundry business. "I decided I want to do this."

Hitting a Home Run
Once he learned the coin laundry business is largely recession proof, doesn't require employees and is cash upfront, Medina was ready to find a distributor. He interviewed many different brands but ultimately settled on IPSO.

"It was very good priced and high quality ... I'm very pleased," he said. "I hit a home run with my IPSO distributor."

He was even more impressed with the service before and after the sale.

"From the start they were very helpful with financing," he said, adding that IPSO staff "are always available."

Super Support
Since opening in October 2006, IPSO staff has been frequent visitors to his Bonita Coin Laundry assisting with setting pricing and walking Juan through the various maintenance tasks to keep the laundry running at a high level of profitability.

"The IPSO machines are very easy to maintain ... I'm absolutely pleased," he said.

Advice to Investors
"This is a very nice business and comes with a flexible schedule," he said, adding that it's allowed him to start his own business without giving up his current full-time job — though he's already looking for a second location and planning to devote his full attention to the coin laundry business.

For others considering coin laundry investing, he advises to learn about the current laundries in the area and get as much information as possible. He cites the Coin Laundry Association as a great source.

Juan also is quick to point out the need to choose high quality equipment and a full-service distributor, "that's very important."