LAUNDRY “SALLY”

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4010, 28 July 1931, Page 7

LAUNDRY “SALLY”

BRIGHT IDEA'S SUCCESS It is the little things that build great businesses. Here is tue story ol a man who hit on a little idea time brought him 50,000 customers (states the ‘ Sun day Chronicle’). Many years ago Mr D. M. Boyd opened in Glasgow the lirst laundry which replaced worn-out collars with new ones to all its patrons tree ol charge lor tlie rest ol their Jives. It was a great success in Scotland, as might be expected.

But Mr Boyd wanted to extend Ins business. So lie came to London and opened Collars Ltd. at Wembley. He met with unexpected prejudice from his staff. The London laundry girls did not believe him alien be said he would pay them a lot of money lor good work. faced with these difficulties Mr Boyd pondered deeply how to make his stall nappy. Then he hit on the idea of giving tree dances to his employees every time 12.1 UK) new customers were enrolled. To make the idea more interesting and competition keener, lie created “ Sally,” a cardboard fguic represent ng all the laundry girls at the linn. A member of the staff painted ■ Sally.” She looks slim and lovely in her evening clothes, and she stands on painted stairs leading to a painted ballroom. At the top of the stairs is a handsome painted man, representing the masculine ideal of romantic girlhood. “ You will notice,” said Mr Boyd, looking proudly' at the picture, which lias a prominent position on the laundry walls. “ that there are twelve steps to the stairs. Each step represents 1,000 new customers. “ When Sally roadies the top stair I give the girls a free dance, with simple refreshments, and prizes for all ranging from Os to £5.” Sally’s progress is watched with feverish interest by the girls. On either side of her is printed in bold letters- “ When shall we have our next dance? When the little lady reaches the top step.” And the excitement when Sally gets almost within kissing distance of the handsome man is intense. The girls work at top speed, and when Sally drops, at last, into the immaculate arms of her hero, there arc loud cheers. “Sally lias been a great success.’ said Mr Boyd. “We have had four dances since I put her on the wall, and that represents -18,000 now custom ers. “ I came to London without a single customer, and iiampe-ed by prejudice. I have now ]OO,OOO customers, and Sally is getting new ones every day. I spend £25,000 a year on now collars, and estimate that 1 save my clients £40,000 a year.”