Page 21 - BusinessWest May 26, 2025

This helped us gain traction in the community and bring in new cus-
tomers, especially through targeted Facebook ads and seasonal cam-
paigns. Our fall-themed ads and winter promotions helped drive mem-
bership sales and increase awareness of the dangers of salt buildup on
vehicles.
Building Community Relationships. Hosting fundraisers, supporting
local organizations, and engaging with the community has strength-
ened our brand and built goodwill. One of our proudest moments was
raising $500 for Holyoke Youth Football. We’ve also worked with local
businesses for cross-promotions, helping expand our reach while sup-
porting others in the area.
Learning Every Aspect of the Business. Rich made it his mission to
understand the ins and outs of the car wash. From mechanical repairs
to customer service, knowing every aspect has allowed us to be hands-
on owners and troubleshoot problems quickly. I focused on streamlin-
ing operations, improving customer retention strategies, and refining
our service offerings. This hands-on approach has allowed us to stay
lean and maximize profitability.
Five Things We Wish We Did Better
Work-life Balance. Running a business as a couple means work
follows you home. We often found ourselves discussing operations at
dinner or on weekends, which led to burnout at times. Setting clear
work-life boundaries earlier — such as designated ‘no-business’ hours
— would have helped us recharge and avoid unnecessary stress.
Your Vision...
Boldly Brought to Life.
Elevate your designs with custom
graphics and signage that
transform spaces into immersive
brand experiences. From
LEED-certified solutions to striking
architectural enhancements, our
expertise ensures every detail
aligns with your creative vision.
Let's make your next project unforgettable.
“We took on too much ourselves in the beginning.
Trying to manage every detail left us stretched thin.
Learning to delegate and trust employees sooner
would have helped us focus on growth rather than
just daily operations.”
Architectural & Window Films • Wall Coverings
Feature Walls • Dimensional Logos
Signs of All Kinds
31 Benton Drive • East Longmeadow, MA • 413.525.2244 • gographix.com
Financial Planning for Unexpected Costs. While we had a budget,
unexpected repairs and maintenance issues caught us off guard. For
example, when a major piece of equipment broke down unexpectedly,
we had to scramble to cover the repair costs. A larger emergency fund
from the start would have reduced financial stress and allowed us to
handle surprises more smoothly.
Hiring and Delegation. We took on too much ourselves in the begin-
ning. Trying to manage every detail left us stretched thin. Learning
to delegate and trust employees sooner would have helped us focus
on growth rather than just daily operations. We now understand the
importance of hiring the right people and providing clear training to
ensure the business runs smoothly without us having to be there 24/7.
Better Systems for Membership and Promotions. Our unlimited
membership program is a great value, but in the early months, we
struggled with managing renewals, tracking customer accounts, and
efficiently promoting it. Implementing a more robust system from the
start would have saved us headaches and provided a better experience
for our customers.
Clearer Communication as Business Partners. Running a business
together is different from a personal relationship. We had to learn to
separate emotions from business decisions and communicate more
effectively about expectations and responsibilities. Early on, miscom-
munications sometimes led to frustration, but over time, we developed
a clearer structure for dividing tasks and making decisions together.
Looking Ahead
Our first year was full of lessons, and while we’ve made mistakes,
we’ve also built something we’re incredibly proud of. We’ve increased
our customer base, established a strong local presence, and created
a business that continues to grow. As we move into our second year,
we’re focusing on scaling, refining our processes, and continuing to
provide top-notch service to our customers in Holyoke and beyond.
To fellow entrepreneurs — especially couples diving into business
together — our advice is simple: plan for the unexpected, communicate
openly, and celebrate the wins (big and small) along the way.
Here’s to another year of growth, learning, and cleaner cars! BW
Nicole and Rich Sherwood are the owners of Clean Queen Car
Wash in Holyoke.
NOMINATE YOUR
HERO TODAY!
Healthcare Heroes Class of 2024
Nominations for the class of 2025
are due by July 17th
Sponsorship Opportunities Available: 413.781.8600
Business W est << AUTO SALES >>
MAY 26, 2025
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