More Than Laundry: A Spanish Mother-Daughter Dream in Motion

Behind every fresh load of laundry folded at Changin’ Time Laundromat is a story of resilience, family, and a little bit of Spanish fire. Meet Maria De La Cueva and Christina Deasy — a mother-daughter duo who turned a basement project into a beloved neighborhood laundromat that now serves families across Homestead and Munhall.

From Spain to the States: A Journey of Resilience

Maria’s story began in Spain, where life shifted dramatically after her father passed away. Her mother remarried a military man, and in 1967, Maria moved to the United States. She grew up speaking English, eventually settling in Michigan and later Albuquerque, New Mexico before coming to PIttsburgh.

With determination in her heart, Maria joined the Marine Corps, serving 22 years before retiring as a veteran. Along the way, she married another Marine, raised two children, and balanced life in the military with a career working for the U.S. government.

Christina grew up watching her mother juggle work, school, and family with unwavering discipline. But she also craved something different: flexibility, creativity, and the freedom to chart her own course. Together, mother and daughter put their heads together — and a business idea was born.

Loads of Potential: Why Laundry?

The first spark came in the most unexpected way: cloth diapers. Maria’s granddaughter was using them, and Christina saw an opportunity. Starting out of their basement, the family began a cloth diaper washing service. Maria admits she was skeptical at first — “I kind of poo-pooed the idea,” she laughs — but she quickly saw the potential.

From there, they expanded the idea into wash-and-fold services, recognizing that busy families would happily pay to save time. “Why not?” Maria thought. “Families spend $40 on a service that gives them back hours of their lives. It just made sense.”

Building a Neighborhood Staple

By 2012, Maria and Christina had taken a big leap. They bought an established laundromat, rebranded it Changin’ Time (a nod to those cloth diaper beginnings), and invested in brand-new washers and dryers.

This is where Pittsburgh Laundry Systems entered their story. Maria and Christina turned to PLS to completely outfit their laundromat with reliable, high-quality machines. “We came to Sonny at PLS and said, ‘We need all new washers and dryers,’” Maria recalls. “They’ve been our go-to ever since — for every piece of new equipment and all our repairs.” Having a trusted partner to keep their machines running has been essential to growing their business and earning community trust.

But it wasn’t easy. “The hardest thing was money,” Maria admits. “We checked all the boxes but couldn’t get a loan. We used personal savings to make it happen.” On top of that, they had to win over neighbors who were hesitant about change.

Little by little, though, the community came to see their commitment. They offered clean, safe facilities, fair pricing, and a genuine care for their customers. Today, Changin’ Time is a household name in Homestead and Munhall — proof that perseverance, trust, and strong partnerships can turn skepticism into loyalty.

A Spanish Touch in Every Load

Though Maria and Christina run an American business, their Spanish roots still play a role. “It’s crazy — over the last few years we’ve had so many customers from South America and Mexico,” Maria says. “Being able to speak Spanish with them builds trust. We can educate customers in their own language, and it makes a difference.”

That connection — looking out for their neighbors and being looked out for in return — is at the heart of how they run their laundromat.

Fire, Family, and the Future

Maria credits her success to a fiery determination: “There wasn’t going to be any failure. You set your mind, you do what it takes, and you don’t quit.”

The duo splits responsibilities — Christina handles the day-to-day operations while Maria oversees administration and finances. The plan is for Christina to eventually run the entire business, carrying the legacy forward.

For them, success isn’t about millions of dollars. It’s about goals — setting them, reaching them, and making a difference in the lives of the people around them.

Advice for Dreamers

To other women — especially immigrants — who dream of starting a business, Maria offers this wisdom:

“It’s hard work. Start small and build from there. Always be positive, even through hardships. Baby steps lead to big goals. Do something you love, because it will take everything you’ve got. Put your whole heart into it — or nothing at all. And make sure you have a support system. That’s what makes it possible.”

As for what’s next? The family recently bought the building next door. With Pittsburgh Laundry Systems still by their side, they’re ready for whatever comes next. One thing is certain: with love, grit, and a little spin cycle magic, Maria and Christina can turn laundry into legacy.

Check out Maria and Christina’s website to learn more about them! Call 412-Laundry for info!  http://changintime.com

Visit Pittsburghlaundry.com or call 412-351-4500 to build your own dream! Get your free quote today!