Meet Heather Taylor, Manager of A Cleaner World Brandon Avenue in Roanoke

Heather Taylor grew up at A Cleaner World – literally.  In fact, many of her current customers remember the store’s marquee sign announcing her arrival into the world.  That’s because her dad is Mike Taylor, Managing Partner of A Cleaner World Roanoke.  Heather has fond memories of her time growing up in a dry cleaning family – things like being pushed around the store in clothes buggies and helping sort hangers.  When she got a bit older, she started working Saturdays and during summer break.

Apparently she’d had enough of the dry cleaning industry, because her last words before leaving for college were, “I’ll never go into the dry cleaning business.”  Famous last words that have now become a standing family joke.  Shortly after graduating from college, the Brandon Avenue location needed a manager, and Heather was presented the opportunity to join the A Cleaner World team.  “Even though I never saw myself working here again after college,” said Heather, “I’m happy to have been given this opportunity.  I’m not someone that could sit in front of a computer all day.  I love the variety, and my favorite part of my job is interacting with customers and really getting to know them.”  Four years later, she’s going strong.

Like so many of our managers, Heather receives such satisfaction from solving a problem for a customer.  For instance, she had a bride come in with a wedding gown that was stained at the bottom with red clay mud.  Apparently she had gotten caught in the rain during her bridal pictures – which were taken before the wedding.   Her wedding was only a couple weeks away.  Heather immediately got to work on her dress and was able to return it to her within the week.  “It felt really good to see the smile on her face,” said Heather.

Whenever I get a chance to talk to one of our managers, I like to pump them for garment care advice.  It always amazes me how much they know.  Heather shared two tips.  First, she recommends using caution when spotting your clothes yourself.  Tide pens, for instance, make it really difficult to remove a stain especially if they are used on a dry clean only garment.  Second, the biggest misconception floating around is that hair spray removes ink.  It doesn’t.  In fact, it just moves the ink around and then sets the stain in the fabric.  But with all their knowledge, our managers can still face challenges.  Heather’s biggest stain challenge was wing sauce on a white and navy stripped silk dry clean only dress.  Never fear, even wing sauce can be removed with the right knowledge, process, and persistence.  After several days, the dress was as good as new.  “I put a lot of heart and effort into my store,” stated Heather.  “I hope my customers see that.”

If you are in the Roanoke area and don’t know Heather, stop by her store and say hello.  She’s there waiting for you.