Today we’d like to introduce you to Viktor Ize-Iyamu.
Hi Viktor, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started out working at a dry cleaners called Dry Clean City years before I ever thought I’d own
one. I was on the frontlines handling clothes, helping customers, learning the rhythm of the
business day by day. I didn’t plan to make a career out of it, but over time I saw the potential.
The systems, the customer relationships, the consistency; it all clicked for me.
In 2020, two weeks before the pandemic shut everything down, I bought Deluxe Cleaners. Talk
about timing. It was a wild start, but that period taught me how to adapt fast. Instead of folding
under pressure, we doubled down on what we could control: great service, loyal customers, and
operational efficiency. Over the years, we’ve transformed Deluxe from a traditional dry cleaner
into a modern, tech-enabled laundry and home services company with multiple locations across
the Triangle. The mission’s simple: take a chore everyone hates and turn it into an experience
people actually appreciate.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth? Not at all. Buying a business right before a global shutdown was like jumping out of a
plane mid-storm and learning to build the parachute on the way down. I had to learn leadership
under fire, navigating staffing shortages, shifting customer behavior, and keeping morale high
when everything felt uncertain.
The biggest challenge was redefining what Deluxe could be. People weren’t wearing suits or
dresses during the pandemic, so I had to pivot fast; leaning into wash-and-fold laundry, pickup
and delivery, and household services. It forced me to see the business differently, not as “just a
dry cleaner,” but as a lifestyle convenience brand. Those challenges ended up shaping our future
direction and made us stronger than ever.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Deluxe Cleaners started with eight stores when I bought it. Over time, we downsized to three
strong-performing locations so we could rebuild our foundation the right way; focused, efficient,
and customer-centered. Now we’re expanding again, both physically and digitally, and building a
brand people can truly trust.
We specialize in done-for-you laundry, dry cleaning, alterations, shoe repairs, and household
cleaning services through Deluxe Home Services. Our restoration cleaning services and
LaundryLink pickup and delivery program are also helping us reach customers far beyond our
stores. What sets us apart is our attention to care: every item, every detail, every customer
matters.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how far we’ve evolved. We’re not just a cleaners anymore, we’re
a company that saves people time, simplifies their routines, and brings excellence to everyday
living. We are the one stop shop for most cleaning needs. We are the Jack of all Trades, and also
the Master of All.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The best mentors are the ones who’ve actually been in your shoes, or at least understand what it
feels like to walk in them. I’ve learned the most from people who can relate to the pressure, the
sleepless nights, and the constant balancing act that comes with entrepreneurship.
Networking for me has been all about authenticity. I show up, I listen, and I look for ways to add
value before I ever ask for anything. Groups like BNI have been a huge part of that growth, not
just for referrals but for real relationships. When you build with people who believe in your
vision and respect your grind, everything else falls into place.
Pricing:
- Wash, dry and fold $2.99 per pound
- Dry cleaning Men’s suit $22.50 Tuxedo $25.50
- Wedding dress preservation: $225 with storage box
- Comforters $39.99
- Home cleaning Service: Starting at $4.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://deluxecleanersnc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deluxecleanersnc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeluxeCleanersNC
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@deluxecleaners.nc
