In the middle of San Jose, California, where tech giants dominate the landscape and the cost of living continues to soar, one local dry cleaner is quietly transforming lives—not through innovation or technology, but through simple, human kindness. Ali Shirkhodaei, the owner of Lux Cleaning and Alterations, has built more than a successful business over the years; he’s built a reputation for generosity that has rippled far beyond his storefront. His offer is simple but powerful: if you’re unemployed and heading to a job interview, he’ll clean your clothes for free. No questions asked. All he wants in return is that you pay the kindness forward when you’re able.
From Tehran to San Jose
Ali’s journey to this point is one shaped by hard work and resilience. He immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1986 with a degree in molecular biology and dreams of building a life in a new country. Like many immigrants, he found that translating his academic qualifications into a job in his field was no easy feat. Instead of waiting for doors to open, he built one himself. He opened Lux Cleaning and Alterations in San Jose and slowly established a reputation for quality, speed, and a strong connection with his community. Over the years, he’s become more than a business owner—he’s become a trusted presence in his neighbourhood.
A gesture rooted in empathy
The idea to start offering free dry-cleaning for unemployed people came after Ali chatted with other dry cleaners who were exploring ways to give back to their communities. It wasn’t a marketing gimmick or a bid for attention. It was something that resonated with Ali on a personal level. He knows what it’s like to struggle, to try and get ahead in a world that doesn’t always give second chances. And he knows how much something as seemingly small as a clean, pressed shirt can mean to someone trying to make a good impression and land a job that could change their life.
“I think it will definitely give them some hope that the community they live in (cares) about them,” he told the San José Spotlight. “It’s not about just getting, it’s about giving. That’s the part that brings all of us joy.”
No red tape, just trust
Ali doesn’t require proof of unemployment or paperwork. He relies on trust, and in doing so, fosters dignity. For those who come through his doors needing help, there’s no shame or judgement—just a freshly pressed outfit and a word of encouragement. He sees about five to ten people a week who take him up on the offer. While that might not sound like a huge number, each of those people is carrying their own story, their own challenges, and their own hopes for a better future.
One woman, for instance, came in to have a shirt pressed before a big job interview. She later landed a position at a tech firm and returned to thank Ali personally. She left a glowing online review and made it clear that the small act of kindness had played a much bigger role than anyone might guess. It’s these moments—these connections—that keep Ali committed to his mission. It’s not about the money. It’s about what happens when people are given the chance to show up as their best selves.
@sanjosespotlight Ali Shirkhodaei, owner of Lux Cleaners & Alterations in Campbell, offers free cleanings to anyone unemployed and heading to a job interview. Read more at SanJoseSpotlight.com. #campbell #westvalley #siliconvalley #bayarea #drycleaning #smallbusiness #unemployed #smallactsofkindness
Practical support with heart
What’s especially remarkable about Ali’s approach is how it blends practicality with compassion. He understands the pressures of job interviews—the stress, the fear of rejection, the pressure to look and act a certain way. By taking one thing off someone’s plate, by making sure they have clean, well-pressed clothes, he’s easing a burden. That kind of help may not be headline-grabbing, but it’s life-changing to the people who experience it.
His philosophy is simple: if you can help someone, you should. And once you’re in a position to help, you pass it on. That pay-it-forward mentality has inspired not only those he helps, but others in the community who’ve heard about what he’s doing. Ali isn’t just running a business; he’s modelling a way of living. He’s reminding people that kindness doesn’t have to be grand or expensive to be meaningful. It can start with a shirt. It can start with showing up for someone when they need it most.
Ali’s work ethic is legendary among his customers. He’s known for completing what might be a 45-minute job elsewhere in under ten minutes, and for taking on complicated jobs with a smile. His attention to detail and his pride in his craft are part of what’s kept his shop running for decades. But it’s his willingness to give without expecting anything in return that’s earned him the kind of loyalty and admiration you can’t buy.
A quiet challenge to societal norms
There’s something quietly radical about what Ali is doing. In a society that often equates worth with wealth and success with status, he’s proving that the truest form of success might just be what you do for others. He’s creating opportunities not just for employment, but for confidence, dignity, and momentum in people’s lives. And in doing so, he’s created a ripple effect—a reminder that kindness can be as essential as any other part of getting back on your feet.
Ali’s story has begun to gain more attention, and as it spreads, it’s likely to inspire similar initiatives in other towns and cities. And why shouldn’t it? His model is easy to replicate: identify a simple but meaningful need, meet it with generosity, and ask only that those helped remember the gesture and help someone else when they can. It’s community-building in its purest form.
As long as there are people looking for work, Ali’s door will be open. And as long as he can, he’ll keep pressing shirts, restoring confidence, and quietly changing lives—one job interview at a time.