Hyacinth Tucker

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Hyacinth Tucker, and I’m the founder and owner of The Laundry Basket LLC — a mission-driven laundry and dry-cleaning delivery company serving families, nonprofits, and institutions across Maryland, DC, and Virginia. I’m also a U.S. veteran, a former Allstate agency owner, and a lifelong entrepreneur.

I started The Laundry Basket because I saw how something as simple as clean clothes can impact dignity, confidence, and opportunity — especially for families in transition, students, returning citizens, and caregivers juggling multiple jobs. What began as a laundry solution quickly became a vehicle for social impact: we now partner with school systems, shelters, and community organizations to provide essential laundry services, workforce development, and accessible training through our worker-owned Laundry Basket Institute.

Every step I’ve taken in my career — from serving in the military to building businesses from scratch — has prepared me to lead with compassion, resilience, and innovation. I’m not just in the business of laundry; I’m in the business of restoring confidence and changing lives.

What did it take/how did you get started?

It started with a simple observation: people were struggling with something that most of us take for granted — access to clean clothes. I saw families overwhelmed, students missing school, parents working multiple jobs without time to do laundry, and individuals experiencing homelessness who had nowhere to wash their clothes with dignity. As someone who has always been drawn to purpose-driven work, I couldn’t ignore the gap.

I didn’t come from the laundry industry. I came from entrepreneurship, insurance, and service — and I used that background to build a business that meets a real, human need. The Laundry Basket LLC was born out of a desire to reduce barriers, restore dignity, and create community through a basic, overlooked service. I started with one car, a few clients, and a lot of determination.

I leaned into partnerships, listened to what families and organizations needed most, and expanded intentionally. It took grit, creativity, and the willingness to think differently about something as “simple” as laundry — and it became a platform for workforce development, youth confidence, and community support.

What does the future look like for you and your business?

The future of The Laundry Basket LLC is all about scale, impact, and ownership. We’re expanding beyond just delivering laundry — we’re delivering opportunities. Over the next few years, I plan to grow into new markets like South Florida, Northeast Ohio, and Toronto, while licensing our model so others can bring The Laundry Basket to their own communities.

We’re also investing in technology, building out a digital platform that allows laundromats and dry cleaners without delivery infrastructure to partner with us and offer on-demand services. And through The Laundry Basket Institute, we’re training returning citizens, veterans, and parents to not only gain job skills but build businesses of their own in this industry.

Ultimately, I see The Laundry Basket becoming a national brand — not just known for clean clothes, but for cleaning up the path toward economic freedom and community care. The future is bright, blue, and full of purpose.

What drives / motivates you on a daily basis?

What drives me is knowing that my business is about more than laundry — it’s about people. I’m motivated by the student who can finally walk into school with clean clothes and confidence, the single parent who gets back a few hours in their week, and the returning citizen who finds meaningful work and dignity through our training programs.

I come from a background where opportunities weren’t handed to me — I had to create them. So now, I’m passionate about creating those opportunities for others. I’m fueled by purpose, by community, and by the belief that small, consistent acts of service — like clean laundry — can change lives. Every time I see someone stand a little taller because of the work we do, it reminds me why I started and why I keep going.

What advice would you give someone interested in doing what you do?

My advice? Start with service, stay rooted in purpose, and don’t be afraid to disrupt something “ordinary.” Laundry might seem simple, but when you lead with intention, it becomes transformational. If you're thinking of entering this industry — or any service-based business — you need to care deeply about people, not just profit. Build relationships first.

Talk to your community, understand their pain points, and build solutions around their real needs. Be ready to work hard, adapt often, and stay consistent. Also, don’t try to do it all alone — build a team, find mentors, and lean on partnerships. And finally, treat every customer, every load, every decision like it matters — because it does. The little things are what build trust, and trust is what grows businesses.

What has been the hardest part of your business journey?

The hardest part of starting my business was doing it without a roadmap. I didn’t come from the laundry industry, so I had to learn everything — from logistics and pricing to operations and staffing — through trial and error. On top of that, being a Black woman entrepreneur meant I had to constantly prove my value in rooms where my vision wasn’t always understood right away.

Access to funding was also a major challenge in the beginning. I had to bootstrap, pitch, and push just to get the basics in place. But those obstacles made me more creative and resilient. I found ways to partner, automate, and innovate. And even though it was hard, it forced me to build a business rooted in real need and lasting impact.

How have you managed burnout thus far?

Burnout is real — and as a founder, especially one driven by purpose, it can creep up fast. I’ve managed it by learning to pace myself and protect my “why.” I remind myself that I can’t pour from an empty cup, so I’ve started building in non-negotiable time for rest, prayer, reflection, and joy.

I also surround myself with a strong support system — from my family to trusted mentors and a growing team that believes in the mission. Delegation has been key. I don’t try to do everything alone anymore. And I celebrate the small wins along the way — they help keep me grounded and motivated. Taking care of myself is how I stay in it for the long haul.

What are a few resources that you'd recommend?

Absolutely! Here are a few resources that have been game-changers for me as a founder and purpose-driven entrepreneur:

Book: “Grit” by Angela Duckworth – This book helped me understand the power of perseverance and passion, especially when building something from the ground up.

Podcast: How I Built This with Guy Raz – Hearing the real, raw stories behind some of the world’s most successful companies reminds me that setbacks are part of the journey.

Website: Hello Alice – A fantastic platform for grants, resources, and training specifically tailored to small business owners and underrepresented founders.

Tool: Canva – For easy, professional-looking marketing materials, pitch decks, and social media graphics — it’s a lifesaver when you don’t have a full design team.

Community: LinkedIn – It’s more than a resume platform; it’s where I find partnerships, pitch opportunities, and connect with people who care about what I do.

These resources have helped me stay informed, inspired, and equipped to keep growing The Laundry Basket LLC.