also worked their laundry floor. This was a great benefit to me, as I learned about invoicing and also how to do commercial laundry. At the same time, I was teaching people with dis- abilities how to do laundry. This was an excellent experience for me, as it taught me patience and how to pick my battles.” After nine years, Ackert felt there was ‘no more ladder to climb’ at the company, and she began working on a business plan for a company that would be all her own. “It took me six months,” she said. “If it takes you less time than that, you really are not working it out.” The result was Krazee Klean. She secured financing and never looked back.
“I LOVE WHAT I DO” We asked Ackert what drives her and motivates her each day. “My staff, my custom- ers, my business, my legacy,” she said. “My staff drive me. As much as this is a job, I do care about my staff and would consider them my friends. They get me. They allow me to have the freedom that I didn’t get in the first few years of business.” Ackert takes it to heart when
things make the business diffi- cult. “When the oil prices first dropped in 2015, Krazee Klean was hit extremely hard, as a major part of our business is oil- field-based,” said Malishews- ki in her nomination. “Wanda tried everything to keep the business going and to keep all of her staff employed. Unfortu- nately, even after cutting hours and shortening our work week, she had to lay off four people. To Wanda, we’re not numbers, we are people. She cares about each of us. When she had to lay those four people off, it hurt her.” To keep up morale and show them their worth to her, Ack- ert is generous in her praise and in how she treats others. “She goes above and beyond for us,” said Malishewski. “She pays for Dinner Theatre tickets and hotel rooms for staff func- tions. She buys us lunch regu- larly. She has made it com pany policy that the staff can use the delivery vans for moving or anything else. She has even helped out some by loaning them money to buy a much
needed more reliable vehicle or to move into a new house and out of a bad situation. We are a family at Krazee Klean and Wanda is our head.”
ENOUGH TO GO AROUND It’s not enough for Ackert to succeed personally, she wants others to succeed, too, even if they are potential competi- tors. “The pie is big and there is enough for everyone to have a slice,” she says. According to Malishewski, Ackert has never sought to put someone else out of business in order to advance her own com pany. When she got some new equipment, other interested buyers of the same equipment called her, and she was happy to answer their questions about the ins and outs of the new press. She spent two hours on the phone with a woman interested in starting up her own clean- ing business, giving her tips and advice. She extended an invitation for the woman to visit Krazee Klean, as well. Ackert extends that generos-
ity out into the community, as well, donating cleaning of team sports equipment, horse blan- kets and saddle pads for the local 4H club, coats for Kozy Kids, and even laundry for vic- tims of the Fort McMurray fires a few years ago. As a result, her company was awarded the Bonnyville Chamber of Com- merce Business of the Year Award for Outstanding Small Business, and an excellence in customer service award. A staff member was awarded for exemplary customer service, as well. The Lakeland Business of the Year Awards cited the com- pany for Outstanding Large Business of 2016. Several times it has been nominated for the Alberta Business of the Year Award.
PEOPLE MAKE IT HAPPEN Wanda Ackert does what she does because she’s passionate about it, not because she might win an award. She has a keen eye for talent, and promotes accordingly.
“When I started at Krazee Klean, I was just a production worker – sort, wash, dry, dry clean, fold, repeat. That was my job,” said Malishewski. “Wanda must have seen some-
thing in me, because she paid for me to get my boiler tick- et, sent me to management seminars, and made me man- ager and in charge of all her accounts receivable. Never in my life have I imagined I would be manager of anything, let alone being the youngest per- son employed, yet in charge of everyone. Wanda is not just in the business of laundry, she is in the business of creating strong, professional people.” Ackert mentors because she was mentored herself. “I have had several mentors in my life,” she said, “but the one that stands out the most is Terry Rosin, the owner of Coronet Equipment. He never allowed me to doubt myself and always believed in my dream. He has been my friend and business colleague for the last 26 years.” She credits her ability to lead and direct staff to her experi- ences as an employee for 20 years, and seeing what not to do as a leader. “Trial and error is huge. I’m a firm believer in leading by example, since that creates quality leadership skills. Based on my past work ethic, my direction must be clear and precise. I’m a hands-on leader. I will never ask employees to do something I haven’t already done myself. I am a motivator; when staff are feeling discour- aged because they don’t feel they are going to make a turn- around, I roll my sleeves up, jump in and encourage them. ‘Let’s do this!’”
LIVE THE LEGACY NOW As she mulled over what she hopes others are picking up by watching her, Ackert was definite in her answer. “I hope they pick up my integri- ty. That’s what I am all about. My sense of humour – kind of warped at times – and my kind-heartedness. I am a very blunt person at times. I hope people take away from that my honesty in saying how it is. A lot of businessmen in my field are not very receptive to that, which is fine. I don’t have time to beat around the bush. It is what it is.”
It isn’t just filling holes in the staff that drives hiring for Ack- ert. “Krazee Klean is a training facility. We have young people who come here to work with
2018 November/December FABRICARE CANADA 9
us and my staff and I are their teachers. We teach them a work ethic such as attendance, professionalism, working in a team atmosphere. I believe that it is our responsibility to train young people well, since they have 40 years of work ahead of them. Throughout the years, many of my staff (former and present) have said they love working here. This is a great place to work. I feel it’s because I am honest and fair.”
BUCKET LIST
There is life outside of work, of course. “I love gardening, landscaping and mowing the lawn. I find it cathartic. It’s my therapy. My staff can’t eat all the cucumbers I bring in! I love my dogs and my cats. It never used to be this way, since the business took a lot of my time. I would go home exhaust- ed; now I have a long-term, dedicated and loyal staff that allow me freedom to do things I love.”
There are a few things, large and small, on her so-called bucket list. “I’d love to have someone to share my life with – but I’m so picky,” she laughed. “I really wanted to go see Linkin Park in concert, but I don’t think that will happen [Editor: The lead singer passed away in 2017]. I would love to go to Scotland, as that is my dad’s heritage. Someday I would like to have a cottage on a beautiful lake for my retirement.
“Everything that I have done
in my life so far has been a blessing, whether good or bad. It was always a life lesson.” n
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