Lexington, Kentucky store owner receives $100,000 grand prize

RIPON, Wis. – (Sept. 9, 2014) – Speed Queen®, a leading provider of commercial laundry equipment, has named Joe Dan Reed, owner of Splash ‘Em Out laundromats based out of Lexington, Kentucky winner of the “My Success Story” essay contest. Representatives from the commercial laundry manufacturer surprised Reed with the $100,000 grand prize last Thursday.

“We are proud to be part of Joe Dan’s success story and pleased to recognize his accomplishments in such a significant way,” says Matt Westphal, relationship manager, Speed Queen Financial Services (SQFS). “When Joe Dan was new to the coin laundry industry he was determined to make his business a success. His winning essay demonstrated that with a sound business plan and some creativity, success will come-and it has, in the form of eight stores.”

Reed owns Splash ‘Em Out laundromats, located across Lexington, Nicholasville and Richmond. For his winning essay, Speed Queen has contributed $100,000 towards Reed’s recent loan for new equipment provided through SQFS.

“We are truly honored to have been chosen as the winners of this phenomenal prize. We attribute our success to always putting the customer first-whether that’s providing a relaxing and clean environment, offering daily specials, or assisting customers to their cars,” said Reed. “Splash ‘Em Out would not have grown from one to eight stores without the support of dedicated employees, a knowledgeable distributor and a manufacturer that understands our unique equipment and financial needs.”

Westphal was joined by Speed Queen national sales manager Dan Bowe, regional sales manager Tom Weisheipl, and Reed’s equipment distributor Michael Davis of Nashville-based Star Distributing, to surprise Reed and his wife, Kelli, with the grand prize at his newest store in Lexington.

This was the first year Speed Queen has held such a contest. Between March 1 and June 15, 2014, Speed Queen store owners submitted essays of 500 words or less describing their unique and creative methods of retaining and attracting new customers. Eligible entrants were required to have financed at least $2,500 in new Speed Queen laundry equipment through SQFS during this time.

More than 50 essays were submitted from across the nation and judged based on the most compelling story relative to theme, creativity and clarity of expression. All eligible entrants received a $100 gift card to be redeemed at an authorized Speed Queen distributor.