Hey! So nice to speak with you! Can you tell our readers a little bit more about yourself? Where are you originally from and where do you live now?

My name is Jon Tu.

I’m originally from Indiana and moved to Los Angeles in 2013. I live in Hollywood and operate Sparkle Laundry Lounge in Burbank.

I knew I wanted to make films since I was 8 years old. Every career decision I've made supported that dream and along the way I amassed into a cocktail of specialized skills and talents, including but limited to: martial arts, painting, filmmaking, song writing, systems crafting, vertical and lateral thinking, marketing, free writing, building computers, and day trading.

I’m wired as a problem-solver, with just enough mad scientist in me to enjoy pulling systems apart, testing variables, and rebuilding them stronger — rarely satisfied with “good enough.”

Sparkle Laundry Lounge is where that mindset gets applied in the real world.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

What I love about Los Angeles is the range. Every kind of person. Every industry. Every level of ambition. Whatever you’re looking for — talent, opportunity, partnership, reinvention — it’s here if you know where to look or who to ask.

That diversity creates movement. It keeps you thinking. It keeps you resourceful. In a place like this, opportunity isn’t rare — awareness and initiative are.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

Sparkle Laundry Lounge is a laundromat in Burbank with deep local roots. The business has been serving the community for decades under previous ownership, and I stepped in to carry it forward into its next chapter.

Sparkle Laundry Lounge offers self-service laundry, wash-and-fold, and pickup & delivery for both residents and commercial clients.

When I took it over, the focus was tightening operations and gradually layering in additions that make sense. We’ve added a PokéChest machine and installed an AI smart fridge. Presso AI dry-cleaning and AirTouch spot remover are next in line as we continue building out the service mix. A self-serve coffee machine is being shipped to us this month. And we're getting a dog wash.

For residents, Sparkle Laundry Lounge is about convenience and consistency.

For commercial clients, it’s about reliability. Clean linens on time. Structured service. No surprises.

It’s straightforward work. It just has to be done well.

If someone wants to start a business, what's advice that will help them?

Start with something necessary.

Not trendy. Not loud. Necessary.

Build competence before chasing recognition. Focus on process. Focus on consistency. Improve what already works before expanding.

And learn to work smarter, not just harder. Effort matters, but effort without structure burns you out. Build systems. Pay attention to patterns. Refine what works and remove what doesn’t.

Most people want applause before performance. That’s backwards.

Performance builds reputation. Reputation builds leverage.

And when it gets hard — because it will — the only real advantage is not quitting.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

If I’m being honest, the complaints stick more than the compliments. Compliments feel good. Friction forces improvement.

That said, multiple customers have told me Sparkle Laundry Lounge is their favorite laundromat. A few have called it the best they’ve ever been to — including an older gentleman who’s traveled across the country and visited dozens over the years. That perspective carries weight.

A couple of first-time customers even offered to invest after seeing the space.

I didn’t take them up on it. Not because I wasn't grateful — I was — but once you bring in partners casually, you dilute control. And Sparkle Laundry Lounge’s standards depend on clarity of vision.

Compliments are nice. Standards are better.

Where do you see your company in the future?

Sparkle Laundry is built to evolve.

Sparkle Laundry Lounge is the foundation — where standards are developed and tested daily. Future chapters will expand service capacity, strengthen pickup & delivery logistics, and deepen Sparkle Laundry’s role within the community when performance supports it.

Sparkle Laundry isn’t meant to remain static. It’s being shaped as a disciplined brand around essential services — one that can grow thoughtfully into adjacent needs without compromising standards.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

That it’s passive.

It isn’t.

Laundry businesses are mechanical ecosystems — equipment stress, preventative maintenance, workflow timing, energy management, quality control, communication.

Ignore one variable long enough and service degrades.

For commercial clients especially, laundry directly impacts brand perception. Guests notice. Students notice. Clients notice.

It’s not glamorous work.

But it matters.

What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?

The biggest struggle... or rather, obstacle, is scaling responsibly.

Every improvement requires capital, timing, and discipline. It’s easy to move too fast or overextend in the name of growth. Sparkle Laundry Lounge has been built carefully — expanding only when the numbers support it.

Growth is exciting. Overextension is expensive.

That means making deliberate decisions, prioritizing what actually moves the needle, and accepting that not everything happens on your preferred timeline.

Progress is steady as opposed to flashy.

And that’s intentional.

What was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Growing up, Linkin Park had a major impact on me. Their music resonated in a way that felt direct and honest. During more difficult periods, Radiohead was also on heavy rotation — certain albums felt almost therapeutic at the time.

These days I have a particularly fond appreciation for Bring Me the Horizon. I respect artists who evolve and aren’t afraid to experiment. And Lil Wayne. I enjoy his wordplay and outside-the-box lyricism.

As for athletes, I’ve always admired technical mastery — Rodney Mullen, Nastia Liukin, and judo legends Tadahiro Nomura, Toshihiko Koga, and Kosei Inoue. Precision. Discipline. Repetition. Technical Finesse. Those qualities translate anywhere.

And myself. Obvs 😛

Any shoutouts you want to make?

Shoutout to the Sparkle Laundry Lounge team — especially Maria — and to the Burbank community. Sparkle Laundry Lounge operates on trust, and trust is earned daily.

Vahe Avakian for his wisdom, guidance, consultations and for the foundation he established at Sparkle Laundry Lounge.

I also want to acknowledge fellow small business owners and creatives who continue to build with integrity:

Stewart Tuttle at Altar Studios in North Hollywood - BIG RECORDS ONLY.

Frank at Ballers & Brew in Burbank for his hospitality and wisdom.

Irene at Artist Lounge in Northridge for nurturing and accommodating the creative community in her spacious second-floor studio — ideal for rentals, classes, retreats, and workshops.

Joan Lynch for the meaningful work she’s doing at Temporal Refugee Foundation.

Stephanie Van Burk for the beautifully crafted artwork she creates.

Sunrise the Divine for his service and impact within the community.

Haleh Mashian of MASH Gallery in West Hollywood for giving me the time of day and the opportunity to work alongside her.

Favor Valentine for his continued friendship and support.

The folks over at Baked Pizza in Burbank for getting me through lunch and dinner — and for making pizza that doesn’t suck.

And of course — our extra special customers. You know who you are 😉

Where can our readers follow your work or learn more about your upcoming projects?

Readers can learn more about Sparkle Laundry Lounge at sparkle-laundry.com, where we outline our self-service, wash-and-fold, and pickup & delivery services for both residents and commercial clients throughout the Los Angeles area.

For additional background on my journey, my feature with VoyageLA is available online. I also share occasional updates via Instagram at @realjontu.