This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Maria Cabral Menezes, 27, who founded the brand WashWise, a “dry shampoo for clothes” that refreshes items between washes. WashWise raised $1.2 million in pre-seed funding, as it announced on August 10. Backers range from people in the laundry industry, like the CEO of Cents, to executives associated with Pickle , JPMorgan, Soho House, and SoulCycle, according to a press release. Business Insider has confirmed her previous employment at JPMorgan and Citadel, as well as her enrollment at Wharton. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
I knew the laundry space was broken when…
