Hey guys and girls,
I am going to try and keep this short as possible, so here's my situation. I am a 22 year old college graduate and just left the life insurance business (first job out of school). I wasn't making much money on straight commission and the economy didn't help either so I decided to resign. Right now I am living at home with mom and dad (pretty cool, I know
) and plan on starting up a side detailing business to make some extra cash while looking for something that's full time and stable. I have been detailing since I was 15 and is one of my passions. I would do it for free for friends, but I need the cash.
With that being said, here's my business plan in a nutshell:
I plan on targeting neighborhoods around my parent's house, so practically soccer moms around the area who aren't going to know much about the detailing process. I'm going to post flyers in all of the surrounding neighborhood's tennis boards, walk into local businesses, etc.. I am going to start with friends and neighbors and implement a referral program to generate leads off of them. For instance, I wash a neighbors car and if they refer two people to me, then their next basic wash package is 30% off. Im not looking to get super rich off of this venture, but to have some extra cash for bills, etc.. I will also have a simple and easy website (for reference), as well as, business cards.
My packages (I'll need yall's help on these probably):
*Remember I will be targeting suburban families, not as much high end so this should look very basic*
1. Wash and Vacuum
Process: hand wash, wheels, tire shine, windows inside and out, dry, and vacuum
Products: two bucket method with ONR, ONR diluted with water for wheels and tires, stoners for windows,
meg's tire dressing
2. Wash and Wax
Process: wash and vacuum, plus wipe down console and dash, and application of cleaner wax by hand
Products:
meg's supreme shine protectant, and duragloss polish and cleaner
3. Polish and Wax
Process: wash and vacuum, wipe down interior, application of fine polish by hand, application of of wax by hand
Products: duragloss clear coat polish, optimum spray wax
4. The Works
Process: wash, clay, application of light abrasive - med abrasive (depending on condition of paint) by hand, application of wax by hand
Products:
Meg's clay, SSR1-SSR2, optimum spray wax
**I'm hesitant to use my PC for the "works" package since I won't be insured or bonded, and if I were to get sued I'd be done for.**
5. Wash at Work (wash at their office park)
Process: hand wash, wheels, tire shine, windows inside and out, dry
Would try to knock out three or four cars in a short time frame. (time = money )
6. Interior Package (don't have a steamer, no shampooing)
Process: vacuum, dress inside console and dash, leather treatment, spot clean
Products: Meg's super shine protectant, meg's leather cleaner and conditioner, APC and water cut 10:1 for spot cleaning.
I know it's going to be a pain and would be soo much easier to use the PC, but I'm just concerned if something were to happen. I'd feel a lot more comfortable doing it by hand.
My Angle:
-Use my story. Poor college kid trying to earn money while looking for full time.
-Absolute convenience. Drive to you!! ONR method. No hoses.
-Eco Friendly. No hoses, use less water, etc...
-Lower prices. I have compared what I'm thinking of charging to local competition and still coming out to about $15-$25/hour on services. Obviously that's an estimate depending on the condition of the car.
-Referral program. Start out with people I know, and branch out with referrals for future discounts.
With all of that I'm pretty confident I could drum up some decent business around the area. I realize that my packages are pretty dumbed down to yall, but to the average suburban vehicle owner it should be easy for them to understand. I don't want it to be complicated and keep it as simple as possible.
What do yall think?? Is there anyone out who started their business with a similar story? What do yall think of the packages and some recommended pricing?
Thanks for your feedback. It's greatly appreciated and I'm very excited to see what this could turn in to.
Ben
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