Sangha of Auspicious Companions

Dry Cleaner Gives Away His Services to Unemployed Folks Headed to Job Interviews: ‘Just Pay It Forward’

Ali Shirkhodaei immigrated to the United States in 1986. He started a successful dry-cleaning business in Silicon Valley. Ali wanted to fulfill “his long-held ambition to infuse his career with acts of kindness.” He found a way by offering free cleaning to any customer who was unemployed, and preparing for a job interview. He says about five to ten people take advantage of his offer each week. One of those was a woman who came to him for a shirt pressing on her way to an interview. Afterward, she stopped by to tell Shirkhodaei that she got the job. She said, “I definitely felt the love of my community.” “Ali said he and his team were more excited than she was.”

Be The Change

Think of one way you could infuse your career with acts of kindness. Try it out today, even if it is simply a smile.