SHOE LAUNDARY
Cashing in on the idiosyncrasies of those who would even want to pamper their footwear, a science graduate has hit upon the novel idea of starting a shoe laundry that restores footwear to its previous pristine glory.
The 10-stage cleaning process is priced at a reasonable Rs 100 per pair.
Sandeep Gajakas, 27, is a shoeshine boy with a difference. At his workshop called "The Shoe Laundry" in Dharavi, Sandeep launders shoes and restores them to their original gloss. Propelled by a desire to breakaway from the routine '9 to 5 kind' of a job, this qualified science graduate and fire engineer channelised his madness for hygiene by cleaning people's shoes. After initial resistance from his family, Sandeep who was also a fashion choreographer and footballer, set up his business and devised an elaborate ten-stage process for shoe cleaning.
"The idea came to me during my college days when me and my friends used to wear branded stuff, like jeans, caps,"says Sandeep.
"Most of the deliveries I do it myself because I love to see the expression of the customers when they are happy. I have got this expression when customers refused to believe that they are their own shoes. They did not expect the shoes to be so clean. It is the customers happiness that has pushed me into continuing this business and expanding it," he adds.
In Mumbai, where shoes are exposed to varied climatic conditions and dust, the shoe laundry is a unique service.
Moderately priced at Rs. 100 for per pair of shoes, the charges include pick-up from the client's door-step, thorough washing and drying, replacement of worn-out laces, repairs and touch-ups to cover-up any other repair and the the final home-delivery.
The shoes return home in a couple of days - shining, clean and disinfected. However, leather shoes are a 'No-No'. 'The Shoe Laundry' treats average of 20 pairs a day. Sandeep has a clientele ranging from model actress Hrishita Bhatt, Band of Boys singer Cherokee to veteran director Yash Chopra. Sustaining a business in a fiercely competitive city like Mumbai requires innovation. Sandeep is currently negotiating with a courier (express delivery) service for pick-up and delivery of the shoes and serve his clients better who range from Cuffe Parade in South Mumbai to Malad in the North.
