THE TOPIC WAS EDUCATION
by Jordan Wood
Davis Imperial Cleaners

[As published in the ISFA PRes Ahead Newsletter]

As the story goes, the year was 1956. My grandparents, Leona Davis 30, and Bernie Davis 34, had two small children and so many dreams. They wanted to give their family some of life's simple pleasures: a loving home, a college education and a legacy. So, with $500 borrowed from Leona's father, two nervous but very determined people began to build what they hoped would someday be considered the finest dry cleaning establishment in Chicago. A place where people could come with confidence knowing that their finest garments would receive exceptional care. A place where clients would be warmly recognized and welcomed like family.

Opening day 1956, Leona became the company's production manager, inspector, spotting technician, dressmaker, and sales representative. Bernie's job titles included: route sales representative, bookkeeper, accountant, marketing manager and custodian. Together with persistence, perspiration, and perseverance, they achieved their goals for both their family and their business.

In 1982 my grandparents retired, and my parents, Rick and Lynda Wood, began their work to carry on Davis Imperial Cleaners' tradition of excellence. For as long as I can remember, my Saturdays and school holidays were spent with my parents at work. From making hangers at the age of five, to running a pickup and delivery route during my high school summers, I started to learn more and more about Davis Imperial and the dry cleaning industry as a whole.

Much to my dissatisfaction, my parents insisted that I needed to work for a 'real boss.' So at the age of 14, with work permit in hand, I attained my first 'real' job. From that point forward, I worked at various retail and service establishments while continuing to weave in time at my parent's business.

After graduating from Lehigh University with a degree in Supply Chain Management and Finance, I was hired by a Fortune 500 company as an Operations Analyst. I spent two years with the firm, and although I learned quite a bit about Corporate America, I was not fully satisfied with my work. I approached my parents about coming into the family business. One of the prerequisites set forth by my parents was to attend the introductory and advanced dry cleaning classes offered at the International Fabricare Institute in Silver Springs, Maryland. So on May 2nd I said goodbye to the shirt and tie I had been wearing for the previous two years and boarded the plane, hoping to return a mere three weeks later as a dry cleaner.

It didn't take long to realize the complexity of this industry. Within an hour of sitting down in the classroom, I found myself at the spotting board in the plant staring at my first tannin stain. For a moment I wondered why I was there, and then I thought about my grandfather, knowing how he must have been looking down and smiling, so proud, so proud that his grandson was starting to attain the necessary skills required to bring Davis Imperial Cleaners' reputation and tradition of excellence to the third generation. So for the next three weeks I spent countless hours reading and studying about dry cleaning. This book knowledge was coupled with a plethora of hands-on training. I learned how to sort loads, press various garments, operate a dry cleaning machine, use a shirt unit, and properly maintain all of this equipment. It didn't stop there; I listened to a wide array of experts speak about regulations and responsibility in an industry that has been plagued with a bad reputation as it relates to general business practice and environmental relations. I started to understand that I was not at IFI to simply learn about dry cleaning, but I was also here to understand my responsibilities as a member of the dry cleaning family.

After three weeks of written exams and hands-on practicals, I became a graduate of the 146th IFI School of Dry cleaning. As I boarded the plane to return home, I knew that I wasn't returning as the experienced dry cleaner I had hoped. Instead, I was coming home with something more important. Yes I was returning with an excellent knowledge base, but I was also arriving home with an understanding of the importance of continuing education, the value of the participation in dry cleaning trade organizations and a comprehension of support available through organizations such as IFI and ISFA.

My hope is that my experience at IFI will enable Davis Imperial Cleaners to maintain its position as a member in high standing of this multifaceted industry. During the three weeks I spent at IFI, I heard the smile in my parents voice every night as I described what I learned that day, and I knew that although my grandfather wasn't there, he was proud of my desire to carry on the tradition of the business he had started more than 48 years before.

So as I stand at the front counter next to my 78-year-old grandmother listening to stories from customers about my grandparents when they first opened, or my dad as a 23-year-old route driver, I know I made the right decision, and I realize my experience at the IFI School of Dry Cleaning was the first step in fulfilling my dream to be a successful third-generation dry cleaner.

[ Editor's note: Jordan Wood was the recipient of the 2004 R.R. Steets & Company Scholarship to the three week IFI Dry Cleaning Course. This article is a journal of his experiences]