Sitting down with Tripp Penninger, owner
(803) 354-9637
TrippsFineCleaners.com
How did your business begin?
My grandparents began the business as “Penninger’s One Hour Martinizing” in 1967.
What differentiates your business from other specialists in the field?
We are the only Sanitone Certified Master Drycleaner and the only MFM Certified “Garment Care Expert” in the Columbia market. Our production managers, as well as our upper management, are all DLI Certified Professional Drycleaners and Wetcleaners as well. There’s a lot of technical experience in the care of various fabrics and specialty garments when you look at the people within our company, most of our competition does not have that level of technical experience.
How do you keep up with the latest advances in your field?
We bring in expert consultants to help train our cleaners, spotters and pressers on the latest trends within the industry on a regular basis. In addition, our upper management also attends quarterly training meetings in various areas of the country to keep in touch with fashion trends and other advances within the dry-cleaning industry.
How did you get involved with this business?
Well, I’m lucky. Most children growing up and going through school are unsure of what they want to do for a career. I grew up knowing I wanted to be involved in my family’s business. I began by sorting hangers when I was 10 years old and have been involved ever since.
What do you like best about your line of work?
The people. I truly enjoy meeting the various people every day. We have great employees, all with unique personalities, and I enjoy interacting with them. I also like to interact with our customers and learning about them. When you break it all down, we are simply a people business. “It’s not rocket science” to quote my father; it’s all about helping people, and I enjoy that very much.
