Safir Ali and his brother Mubeen thought they had a better way to improve and modernize the dry cleaning user experience. Judges behind the 2019 LaunchPad Contest agreed and consequently they won the contest stimulating local entrepreneurs using technology to advance their businesses.
Their ‘Hamper’ concept is based on two services, but is simple. Before the company even built a drop-off kiosk, they created an app that would allow people to schedule when a driver could come and collect their dry cleaning. Using technology similar to the kinds of location software Uber uses, Hamper users create an account, tick off what items they need laundered or dry cleaned, then select both a pick up and a drop off time. A Hamper driver would come and collect the items, and then return with them fully pressed and cleaned.
The app was launched in 2017, but was never the end game. Last summer, Hamper started a pilot program for kiosks to be set up in three office buildings using new technologies for excellent customer service. Being able to combine the quality of a family business with 21st century technology has been exciting for both Safir and his brother.