We've shared the Pressbox (now Tide Cleaners) story before, but the conversation with Guy Raz on How I Built This went to a new depth.
Earning $40k per year for 5 years, landing our first 'big' partner (1225 Old Town) only after shamelessly asking 10 residents to email the property manager, and getting calls from our banker every other Wednesday when we were $50K short on payroll.
There were many near-death moments—but many more uplifting moments.
Friends showed up on Saturday mornings to canvas a neighborhood. Unpaid interns made gift boxes on Thursday nights. Our 150+ teammates went underpaid for years.
Looking back, we might be the only team in 2013 that relocated from SF to Chicago to start a company.
But our tribe was here. That deep trust—in each other, our community, and especially with Drew—was the real engine behind Pressbox.
No capital. No right to win. Just belief.
Thanks to Guy and his team for the space to share our story, and for championing 'boring' industries. We love that he is nudging the next generation of entrepreneurs to take the hard, but better path.
Who knows, you might just lift an industry, lift your neighbors, and create some GDP.
If you end up with a free hour, we would love to hear what resonates. And if you’re building the next Tide Cleaners, reach out—we’d love to help lighten the load.
How I Built This, featuring Vijen Patel, is now available on all major podcast streaming platforms.
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pressbox-and-tide-cleaners-vijen-patel-the-%241-99/id1150510297?i=1000728733179