What happens when a former global corporate leader trades the boardroom for the laundromat? In this episode of The Grit to Growth Podcast, Levi Te Slaa sits down with Jon Schemmel, the man some call the "Midwest Laundromat King." Jon shares how he went from buying his first laundromat in 2020 to building a 22-store portfolio across three states—and why every acquisition feels like uncovering a new mystery.
Jon opens up about the realities of running a laundromat business, the power of strong banking relationships, and the unexpected opportunities that come from saying yes to the right conversations—even if they happen over a blackjack table in Deadwood.
Beyond laundromats, Jon dives into his other ventures in real estate, land flipping, investing, and business consulting. This episode is packed with insights for anyone considering entrepreneurship, multi-stream income, or scaling a small business into something much more.
What You'll Learn:
How Jon scaled from one laundromat to 22 locations
The behind-the-scenes realities of running a 7-day-a-week operation
Why relationships (not just business plans) are the key to funding and growth
How side hustles and investments complement his main business
His “Red Belt” mindset for constant improvement
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