Client Feature: Thomas & Karla Snowden – Owner of Sud's Services
- Divine Kitchen
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 17 hours ago
In every community, there are small businesses that step up to fill a need, and Suds Laundry Services is a great example of that entrepreneurial spirit.
Sud's Services is owned and operated by Thomas and Karla Snowden, both born and raised in Slave Lake. Thomas spent many years working in the logging industry, while Karla built her career in the oil and gas sector. With deep roots in the community and firsthand knowledge of the challenges local workers face, they understood how important reliable laundry services are - especially for families and those working in mills, camps, and the oil & gas industries.
When the local dry-cleaning provider closed, the couple saw a real gap to fill. With Thomas often working camp jobs and Karla juggling the needs of everyday family life, they knew the value of having dependable laundry and dry-cleaning close to home. That realization inspired them to launch Sud's Laundry Services in January 2025.
What started as an idea quickly grew into a full-service laundry and cleaning business designed to make life more convenient for Slave Lake families and businesses.
Services That Go Beyond Laundry
Sud's offers more than just washing and drying. Their services include:
Wash, dry, and fold
Stain removal and ironing
Vacuum sealing
Dry cleaning (with a weekly Thursday-to-Thursday turnaround)
Steam cleaning for homes, furniture, businesses, RVs, and camps
Pickup and delivery options for added convenience
Meeting Community Needs
At the moment, Sud's operates as a mobile service, but expansion is already on the horizon. Their long-term plan is to purchase a building in Slave Lake where all services can be housed under one roof, giving customers the convenience of a local storefront drop-off and pickup point.
When asked what makes Sud's unique compared to other laundry services, Karla highlights two things: affordable prices and quality service. Their most popular service is wash-and-fold, closely followed by steam cleaning. They’ve also begun selling coveralls, which has been well received by local workers.
Word of mouth has played a huge role in building their customer base. Flyers and recommendations from happy clients have helped them connect with families and businesses alike. The community response, Karla says, has been overwhelmingly positive:
“We’re so thankful that the community welcomed us with open arms. It motivates us to keep improving and expanding what we offer.”
Overcoming Challenges & Looking Ahead
Like any new business, Sud's faced its fair share of challenges in the early days, from finding reliable suppliers to keeping costs low. But their commitment to affordability remains at the heart of their business.
They’ve also been proactive in learning how to grow. In fact, they reached out to Community Futures Lesser Slave Lake Region for advice. With guidance from Business Analyst Robin Lee Vance, they explored new marketing strategies to reach more customers and strengthen their presence in the community.
As Sud's continues to grow, Thomas and Karla’s focus remains clear: provide affordable, high-quality laundry and cleaning services while making life easier for Slave Lake residents and businesses. With expansion plans already in motion, this locally owned business is well on its way to becoming a household name.
Show Some Love to Sud's Services
Follow Sud's Services on social media or call them at 780-805-1723 or email snowdenco.25@gmail.com to learn more about their laundry and other services.!
Questions About Financing or Growing Your Business?
Please feel free to reach out to our Business Analyst, Robin-Lee Vance, by phone or email. You can also book a meeting directly with the links below:
Phone: 1-780-849-3232
E-mail: robin-lee@cflslr.com