As we come to the end of Hispanic Heritage Month, every day we are proud to honor the many people in the ZIPS community who have helped us grow to 75 stores nationwide. We want to thank our franchisees and staff who are dedicated to providing great service to our customers and our customers who trust us year after year with their garments.
Although franchisees Diego Osorio and Leda Peterson didn’t come to this country or into ZIPS Cleaners as family, they’ve certainly become one
Today, they’re a close-knit team and co-owners of ZIPS York and ZIPS Lancaster. What bonds them is not only Leda’s daughter Michelle who Diego married, but also their shared values, commitment to treating customers and staff with respect, and incredible work ethic.
Leda came to the United States from Honduras when she was 19 years old. Her family taught her to work hard, have faith in God, treat others with respect, and be self-reliant. Those lessons stayed with her as she moved from Miami to the Washington, D.C. area, where she worked tirelessly, often holding multiple jobs at once including one at an original ZIPS location.
Diego was born in Guatemala and moved to Maryland in 2003 at the age of 17. Like Leda, he learned early on that “if you want something, you have to work for it.” His mother worked long hours to support the family, while his grandmother became his greatest influence, instilling the principles he lives and leads by today. Among them: follow the Golden Rule; live with respect, honesty, and consistency; care for customers’ garments as if they were your own; earn trust; and lead by example. He believes that when employees see you care, they’ll follow your lead. By living these ideals, Diego has built lasting loyalty among both customers and team members.
Today, Leda, Diego, and Michelle live in York, Pennsylvania, and recently opened a beautiful new ZIPS location in Lancaster. Leda remains active in the business while enjoying time with Diego and Michelle’s two children. Together, they continue to inspire their team and their customers through their faith, values, and dedication.
Thank you for all you do Diego and Leda – for your staff, your customers, and the entire ZIPS Cleaners family!
