Chicagoans is a first-person account from off the beaten track, as told to Anne Ford. This week’s Chicagoan is the owner of Good News Laundry (817 Noyes, Evanston), Jeffrey Kelly.

“Waking up—that is the hardest part of my day. Because at the end of my day, I’ll be at home in bed anywhere between 2 and 4 AM. I live in Dolton. That’s an hour away. It’s easier to wait until traffic is completely gone and I can get home in 40 minutes. I can stay here, do a little work, do a little maintenance, do some paperwork, think of different ideas, anything.