Meet Joseph Wu

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph Wu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joseph, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Throughout the many years I’ve owned and operated various businesses—whether wholesale or retail—the key to my success has always been focusing on the customer. It’s about understanding who you’re selling to and what they truly want. No matter how much I believed in a product, if it didn’t resonate with the customer in terms of both quality and price, it wasn’t going to succeed. So, I made it a priority to get to know my customers and their needs, which allowed me to deliver exactly what they were looking for.

What should our readers know about your business?
Master Tailgaters, LLC is the parent company, and under its umbrella, we’ve diversified into a few distinct product categories. We specialize in car parts through the Master Tailgaters brand, vertical record players and Bluetooth speakers under Fuse Audio, and cooler refillable ice packs with our newest brand, CoolerPak. Each of these categories serves different markets, but they all reflect the same commitment to quality and customer-focused innovation.

Before Master Tailgaters, I was the President of Green Project, where I led sales and operations starting in 2008. That experience taught me invaluable lessons about the fluid nature of business. The industry shifted, particularly as factories began selling directly to our customers. Recognizing this, we adapted by focusing on big box retailers to maintain a competitive edge. The key takeaway was understanding that markets evolve, and so must we. Flexibility and listening to customer needs are what allowed us to pivot and succeed in new directions.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: LA Classics & Foodie Favorites We’d kick off with a trip to Langer’s Deli for that iconic #19 pastrami sandwich, setting the food bar high right from the start. Then, we’d wander downtown and hit The Last Bookstore before heading over to Koreatown for a proper Korean BBQ experience at Kang Ho-Dong Baekjeong. We’d grill our own meats and enjoy the endless banchan. To wrap up the night, we’d grab drinks at The Normandie Club for a relaxed speakeasy vibe.

Day 2: Family Fun at Disneyland
If kids and family are in the mix, a full day at Disneyland is a must! We’d explore Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, hop on classic rides like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean, and make sure to enjoy all the iconic Disneyland treats like churros and Dole Whip. For dinner, we’d head to Blue Bayou for a special, immersive dining experience inside the Pirates ride.

Day 3: Pasadena & Arcadia
Since I grew up in Arcadia, we’d spend the day exploring nearby Pasadena. After breakfast at Julienne in San Marino, we’d take a stroll through the stunning gardens of The Huntington Library. For lunch, it’s got to be Din Tai Fung at the Americana for incredible soup dumplings. In the afternoon, we’d wander around Old Town Pasadena, checking out the shops and architecture. Dinner would be at Smitty’s Grill, a classic Pasadena favorite, before heading for dessert at The Fair Oaks Pharmacy for some old-fashioned ice cream sundaes.

Day 4: Griffith, Dim Sum, and More
We’d start with a morning hike up to Griffith Observatory for sweeping city views, then head to the San Gabriel Valley for some of the best dim sum at Lunasia. Afterward, we’d spend some time exploring Descanso Gardens for a serene, nature-filled break from the city. Dinner would be in Chinatown, where we’d hit up Yang Chow for their famous slippery shrimp. The night could end with a casual rooftop vibe at Perch in downtown LA.

Day 5: Malibu to Venice
We’d take a scenic drive along the coast to Malibu for a morning at Zuma Beach. Lunch would be at Malibu Farm for fresh, ocean-to-table cuisine on the pier. After some sun, we’d head back to Venice Beach, exploring the quirky shops and street performers along the boardwalk. Dinner would be at Gjelina in Venice for wood-fired pizzas and shared plates, and we’d wrap the night with cocktails at Scopa Italian Roots.

Day 6: Little Tokyo & Silver Lake
We’d spend the day exploring Little Tokyo, starting with lunch at Shin-Sen-Gumi for ramen. Afterward, we’d explore The Broad and stop by the Japanese American National Museum. For the evening, we’d head to Silver Lake for dinner at Pine & Crane for Taiwanese food, then enjoy a drink at Bar Stella for a relaxed nightcap.

Day 7: Fishing Trip to Catalina
We’d take an early morning trip toward Catalina Island for a day of fishing. The thrill of catching our own fish would be an adventure in itself! Afterward, we’d bring our catch to a local spot I know that specializes in cooking fresh fish, allowing us to enjoy it prepared in several delicious ways. It would be the perfect way to end the week—fresh food and great company, wrapping up our trip on a high note.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
One of the most important mentors and supporters in my life has been my mother. As a single mother raising me, she instilled in me qualities like grit, determination, and focus. One quote from her that I carry with me to this day is, ‘Think bigger.’ She taught me that an idea can be great, but what really matters is how large the audience for it is. The time and effort spent developing and marketing a product are the same, whether you’re selling to a few or to many. Her wisdom has helped shape how I approach every business decision.

Website: www.fuseaudio.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuseaudio/?hl=en

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=sDubVZ0SO4qV09sVGlhjEg 

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