How much experience did you have before starting?

bighip21 · 10-08-09, 08:36

Question to all of you pro's, how much experience did you have before starting your own side/pt/full businesses?

I have roughly 6 years of interior/light exterior detailing experience, ZERO experience using a buffer, and numerous years of experience making my car look nice

I've always gone with the hand wax/polish approach as I was too afraid I'd screw up the paint using a machine buffer.

I've been considering getting out of the IT world, and pursuing a PT to hopefully FT career/entrepreneurship in the world of detailing. Would also like to provide mobile detailing as well. Plan on spending as much time as I can this winter preparing, studying, learning, etc..

Any comments, rants, opinions are accepted!

Setec Astronomy · 10-09-09, 03:39

I'm not a pro, but I would consider machine polishing and detailing 15-20 cars that are not your own for no/limited money before you "open" for business. I'm talking friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, etc. Start with the oldest/most beat up cars, in case you screw something up. I'm not talking about just screwing up with the machine, there's the trim or interior part you thought was a different material that you used the wrong process on...and, oh well!

There's a lot of experience that goes into being a "professional" at anything. Put the shoe on the other foot, and think about your present job, that you have been doing for X amount of time...if someone came to your place and said they could do your job, and their experience was that they have had 6 years of having their own computer, but they have never adminstrated a network, but they're willing to read up about it over the winter and learn on your network...what would you say?

Jean-Claude · 10-09-09, 08:19

4 years before I turned pro.

Jakerooni · 10-09-09, 08:53

I did about 8 years under the belt before I jumped in on my own. I'd definantly start out PT on this to see if it's right for you. The IT feild is getting pummeled just like Engineering did a few years back. So I see where your coming from. But detailing is about as labor intensive as it gets. It has a knack of wearing a body down quick like if your not ready for it.

bighip21 · 10-09-09, 10:46

All great points, thank you! I don't plan on jumping into anything right away before knowing anything obviously. I was just curious as how most of you got started, or rather how much experience you had before jumping in.

I was considering some of those meguiars training courses, or detailking also just for a hands on start. Best way to learn is hands on, and best way to be taught is from people that do it everyday.

RaskyR1 · 10-09-09, 10:48

About 9-10 years before going on my own, all high volume work though. Managed two shops prior to that as well.

With all the detailing forums there are now I think one can get there much, much faster.

MaksimumAuto · 10-09-09, 11:40

About 2-3 weeks. And 100+hours of forum time. It's been going on for about 7 months now. I'm booked out nicely....I have 3 Lamborghinis to do this month...and I get rave reviews. Plus I'm only 17. Experience doesn't have to be something acquired over time. If you start learning small and gradually learn new things it doesn't take that long.

For instance, I made a list of all the products that sounded interesting to me. I then researched the hell out of them...bought them...and applied them. If you already know of some good techniques and tricks...it saves a lot of trial and error to use them to their 100% ability.

todd@bsaw · 10-10-09, 08:45

Just another point to make about starting your own business...

Only about 10% of operating a detail business is actual skill involved in the process, the rest is just understanding how to operate a business.

Sure, that's an arbitrary guess, but it's one of my biggest pet peeves of people coming to this site looking for advice on starting their own business that most don't understand.

Just look at the majority of the questions that pop up in the pro forum?

Cancelling Appointmentsl
Thoughts on Packages/Prices

What's in your contract?
Insurance for your business
Do you accept Credit Cards?
1000+ questions about logo/flyer/ad designs...

These are all things that should be decided upon and thought about before you start running your business and are all just as important as using Meguair's or Optimum polishes. Take a couple days to work out a proper business plan and answer all these questions yourself and put them on paper. If most of you took as much time reading books and forums on general business management as you do what product and pad to use for what car, we would have a great group of successful business owners.

My recommendation for anyone looking to "get started" or "go pro" detailing is to check this book out from your library and start reading:
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taken from an Amazon.com review

One of Gerber's most striking observations is that most small businesses are started by "technicians", that is people who are skilled at something and who enjoy doing that thing. (A technician can be anything from a [auto detailer] computer programmer to plumber to a dog groomer to a musician or lawyer.) When these technicians strike out on their own, they tend to continue doing the work they are skilled at, and ignore the overarching aspects of business. Without clear goals and quantification benchmarks, they soon find themselves overworked, understaffed, and eventually broke. Worst of all, they may come to hate the work they do. Rather than owning a business, they own a job, and they find themselves working for managers who are completely clueless about how to run a business- -themselves.

bufferbarry · 10-10-09, 02:36

Todd,
You raised a very good point about experiance. I'm learning that the hard way. I got started out about 11 years ago when I was discharged from the Army. I planned to the school thing. I was going to take a year off and just work. LOL I never got back to school. I worked for a high volume shop like rasky and jake and picked up real quick. I started buffing (hacking) about 30 cars a day for about 2 years. I left to work at another high volume shop who had some quality. at this point i was focusing on quality and thats where I really learned. Later moved into a AUDI/PORSHE/BMW Dealer and learned some more. Then I worked for a tunnel wash for 6 months lol don''t ask. After that I learned dents and managed a high volume wholesaler. finally went on my own. Now I got work paid the bills and finally started some marketing and been busy ever since. There are way to many factors to play into a business. Its not easy and very time consuming. Somedays I just wanna never buff another car. other days its like bring them on. All in all I'm glad I had the gonads to do it! I think if your balls are big enough to try it! Do it! LOL here I am with 2 acres of land a house a family, and some other property!

brwill2005 · 10-11-09, 07:39

I agree with statement about having the business skills, in addition to detailing skills. For me, it took some time to figure out what services to offer and how to market them. Once I realized the average consumer was mostly looking for convenience and a good value, I tailored my offerings to that. Very few people are looking for full correction show details. Also important, is knowing how to run a business efficiently. The more money you can save on your expenses, the more profit you will make. Many very expensive products have much cheaper equivalents that produce results that are the same or better.

brwill2005 · 10-11-09, 07:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaksimumAuto

About 2-3 weeks. And 100+hours of forum time. It's been going on for about 7 months now. I'm booked out nicely....I have 3 Lamborghinis to do this month...and I get rave reviews. Plus I'm only 17. Experience doesn't have to be something acquired over time. If you start learning small and gradually learn new things it doesn't take that long.

For instance, I made a list of all the products that sounded interesting to me. I then researched the hell out of them...bought them...and applied them. If you already know of some good techniques and tricks...it saves a lot of trial and error to use them to their 100% ability.

I am curious to know how you became 'booked out nicely' in 7 months time? Since you are 17, do you mean booked on the weekends. Also would like to know how you landing the 3 Lamborghinis? No offense, but I would never trust a car like that with a 17 year old. Do not get me wrong as was in your shoes once, however, a 17 working on a car that expensive is a recipe for disaster. Are you insured?

unleashedfury · 10-11-09, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by brwill2005

I am curious to know how you became 'booked out nicely' in 7 months time? Since you are 17, do you mean booked on the weekends. Also would like to know how you landing the 3 Lamborghinis? No offense, but I would never trust a car like that with a 17 year old. Do not get me wrong as was in your shoes once, however, a 17 working on a car that expensive is a recipe for disaster. Are you insured?

This I would also like to know.

Are you Insured. Even the best detailers, have mishaps. And messing with a expensive exotic like a lambo.. will easily ruin your career if you have a mistake. Not to mention you'll be paying for that mistake forever.