WMBCTV: Community Honors Local Woman Entrepreneur During Women’s History Month

Entrepreneurship is often a journey of resilience, hard work, and community - drawing many New Jersey community members to start businesses. About 39% of those businesses are owned by women, according to the SBA.

Kirrsy Baez, Owner of Fancy K Laundry, was recently celebrated by Paterson city officials at her laundromat’s ribbon cutting as part of Women’s History Month. She says entrepreneurship is something she knew she wanted to pursue upon coming to Paterson from the Dominican Republic 5 years ago.

“Being foreign in this country, not being American, for me it’s important to come here and bring our best,” said Kirrsy Baez, Owner of Fancy K Laundry. “I think that this is great and this is what I came here to do.”

The owner says her laundromat is not just a place to wash your clothes, but it’s a hub for the community members.

“This is a family place, people come to this place to talk to somebody, to feel comfortable, to say good morning,” said Baez. “I even got candies for people.”

Baez says she also offers pickup and delivery services in an effort to help those who can’t make it into the shop.

“So I’m thinking about people at home sick, they can’t come out,” said Baez. “I’m thinking about mothers with children busy at home with a busy working day. I’m right here to work with the community.”

The owner describes opening this laundromat as a dream come true.

“This is a dream, this is my dream laundromat,” said Baez.

Baez says that this dream couldn’t happen alone. 

“From somebody like me, from another country, starting from zero here,” said Baez. “It was difficult but, fortunately, there’s always good people along the way that help.”

Encouraging words for those starting out with a dream to succeed.