From Scientist to Business Owner: How Alyssa Mouton Bought a Laundromat and Won Federal Contracts

Send us Fan Mail SUMMARY Alyssa Mouton spent a decade as an analytical chemist, expecting to build her career in the oil and gas industry until retirement. Becoming a mother changed her priorities, leading her to explore business ownership, acquire a laundromat through an unconventional approach, and discover how federal government contracts could transform its revenue potential. Her story offers a practical look at transitioning from a corporate career into entrepreneurship, financing a business acquisition, and finding opportunities most aspiring business owners never consider. SHOW NOTES Strategic Focus You don't need to invent a product or launch a startup to become a business owner. Alyssa's transition from scientist to entrepreneur demonstrates how acquiring an existing business can create a new career path, provided you understand the financial risks, operational demands, and opportunities for growth. Her experience also challenges the promise of passive income and reveals how an ordinary laundromat can become a platform for commercial services and government contracting. Key Takeaways From scientist to entrepreneur. Discover why motherhood prompted Alyssa to reconsider her career and how she identified a business that could operate while she was still employed. The acquisition opportunity nobody advertised. Learn how sending letters to more than 20 laundromat owners led to an off-market purchase, seller financing, and a relationship with an experienced business mentor. One laundromat, multiple revenue streams. Explore how Alyssa expanded beyond self-service laundry into wash-and-fold, pickup and delivery, commercial services, and federal contracts without immediately acquiring another location. The federal government as a customer. Understand how SAM.gov, women-owned small business certification, procurement set-asides, and commercial past performance can help smaller companies compete for contracts, and why knowing your costs before bidding is essential. GUEST CONTACT & CONNECT Alyssa Mouton is a Louisiana-based entrepreneur, former analytical chemist, laundromat owner, federal government contractor, and business educator. Through Alyssa Mouton Brand, she helps entrepreneurs explore laundromat ownership and government contracting. Website: https://www.alyssamoutonbrand.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-mouton-04b92328a/ Instagram: @laundry_lyss_ - https://www.instagram.com/laundry_lyss_/ TikTok: @laundry_lyss - https://www.tiktok.com/@laundry_lyss Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssa.mouton.7 Join the proveHER community to connect with women navigating business ownership, growth, and the decisions that shape their futures. Read the companion Blogcast for more business insights and conversations: https://badasswomeninbusinesspodcast.com/bawblog --- Subscribe and Review If you loved this episode, drop us a review, share it with a badass woman in your life, and subscribe to Badass Women in Business wherever you get your podcasts. Stay badass. Stay bold. Build it your way. Keep up with more content from Aggie and Cristy here: Facebook: Empowered Women Leaders   Instagram: @badass_women_in_business LinkedIn: ProveHer - Badass Women in Business Website: Badasswomeninbusinesspodcast.com Athena: athenaac.com