Anyone successful in small towns?/know anyone?

[BMW TUNING]

Hello all Iam considering going into buisness for myself, I grew up in Portland Oregon and have seen many successful people there. I cirrently live in Sweet Home Or. a very small town close to Lebanon and Albany. Is it possible to survive in small areas? I know that quality work could spread by word of mouth real well(everyone knows everyone), but I just dont see alot of nice expensive cars around. Anyone else work in areas like this? Experiences? What about pricing will I be able to charge what people in the major cities do? Any info would be greatly appreciated thanx guys.

[StumpyDetailing]

Unfortunately I doubt there would be a high-end market you are hoping to charge for... You would have much better success targeting the quick detail range of $50-$150 rather than $150-$300 range.

Clean em, claybar em, wax em, and clean the interiors well and anyone'll be happy.

If someone wants their car's swirl marks removed, tell them its another $100 and it will look beautiful.

Thats what I would do in a small town without many high-end cars!

[Holden_C04]

On Saturday, I have to travel about 3.5 hrs for a massive correction. That's around 400 km one way. You can succeed in a small town but it's much more difficult and you must play to a larger proportion of the market. It's either that or become mobile and cover a larger area.

[JohnDeere]

i made 3.7 million last year and got a new horse and 5 mercendes benz

[BMW TUNING]

Uh OK! Anymore info on that? areasize? type of detail done? pricing? how do you get clientle? I dont think my whole town has 3.7 mil so that might be a little bit of wishful thinking.lol

[StumpyDetailing]

Originally Posted by JohnDeere

i made 3.7 million last year and got a new horse and 5 mercendes benz

Mercendes?

[DigitalN.]

Originally Posted by JohnDeere

i made 3.7 million last year and got a new horse and 5 mercendes benz

Please, please just leave.


I live in a somewhat small (in comparison to cities around) town of 10000 people and I have had pretty good success as alot of people around here have some spare cash to throw around on a basic wash/clay/wax job. I don't have the tools to do a proper scratch repair yet otherwise I would possibly make a market with all the folks around here with their garage queens.

[Bunky]

Just look at some recent posts by JohnDeere.

[BMW TUNING]

Thanks guys Digitaln how did you start out getting customers and what about your pricing. thanx

[DigitalN.]

It all started from me knowing a friend who never cleaned their car, so I took it for a day and cleaned it up, and when I took it back to her, her dad happened to be standing there and asked me to do the same thing to his two vehicles. $100 dollars later turns out he had some friends that wanted more shine in their personal and soon after even collectible vehicles.

It's all about contacts, and don't be afraid to give away a free wash and wax or even a full detail if it will get you known around town!

[Denzil]

I can personally attest to being successful in a small town. Of course, everyone's definition of being successful varies. I go to school full time and detail on my 3-day weekends and currently am working on a 35' race car trailer for a client. After the trailer, he wants me to do his personal jet.

It's definitely possible once your clientele has been established. Word of mouth gets around quick whether you're an absolutely amazing detailer or absolutely horrible. Simply cater to your clients' needs and you'll be on the path to success. This is how you make a name for yourself and make yourself known. It just takes some time.

[BMW TUNING]

Ya I was thinkin about doing some for really cheap so that people would be able to see some befores and afters. I think alot of people dont realize the amount of work and the results that can be had in a good detail. Generally I think people picture their car washed w/ dish soap and a rag, then a quick vac. and hear the $100+ price and say ya right.