(This story is part of series introducing a new awards program by the Dayton Business Journal called Inno Under 25, about young entrepreneurs, innovators and business owners in the Dayton region.)
Well, why not us? That was Jeffrey Caldwell’s response when friend and future partner, Charles Wheeler, wondered when someone would create the UberEats of laundry services.
The 24-year-old Caldwell runs Tumble LLC, an on-demand laundry and dry cleaning service, with co-owner Wheeler. Caldwell said he and his partner are both competitive, dominant forces in the business world and have an understanding of one another’s strengths and weaknesses.
“I like to think of Charles and I's partnership as a brotherhood and almost like a more cohesive version of Kobe and Shaq,” he joked.
Caldwell said he is “extremely passionate” about Tumble, admitting to spending many late nights completing orders and planning strategies with Wheeler.
“I had a huge spark of passion once we first thought about the concept and began researching the industry and all the possibilities we had,” Caldwell said. “That passion then grew as more and more family, friends, and even strainers, began to encourage us and saw all the possibilities that we did.”
Feeling his age is not a deterrent, Caldwell said he has the energy and time to accomplish anything, although balancing school and work can be a challenge. He admitted to facing partnership issues with older business owners who, initially, have a tough time taking the business seriously due to the age of its owners.
Caldwell is pursuing his master’s in business administration with a concentration in new venture creation and entrepreneurship at Wright State University. He plans to obtain his degree within the next two years.
“It’s a hell of a feeling (running a business at a young age),” Caldwell said. “I am happy to say that I am extremely blessed beyond comparison to have the opportunity to own and run my own business at my age, especially as an African-American male."
Caldwell also expressed gratitude to his support system.
Caldwell’s goal is to increase Tumble Prime subscriptions over the next year and set up a separate subscription service to deliver laundry supplies to people’s homes. He believes they will expand services to the Cincinnati market within the next two years, and by 2024, have a Tumble app up and running for easy access.
Tumble is intended to become a lifestyle brand, eventually offering other services such as grocery and prescription delivery as well as lawn care and cleaning services.
The laundry service is currently partnered with local laundromats and cleaners. Caldwell believes business grew quickly due to the pandemic as well as effective marketing on social media and fliers in restaurants, gyms and parks.
“Everyone deserves clean clothes, and everyone deserves their own time,” Caldwell said. “We want our customers to have their time back and use it doing what they want to do.”
Tumble won Wright Venture, an annual student entrepreneur competition earlier this year. The business employs four workers aside from its co-owners.
Tumble is currently working on an app, but orders can be placed by phone at 937-540-0599 or on the official Tumble website.
Tumble LLC
Founded: Spring of 2019
Co-owners: Jeffrey Caldwell and Charles Wheeler
Monthly sales: $500 to $1,000, and growing
Website: https://www.tumblego.com/
Services: On-demand laundry and dry cleaning services
