Well, here is certainly a different kind of Before and After for you. I looked for the Garage forum, but couldn't find it so I felt I'd put it here amongst my brethren...the Pros.
In the past 3 years my life has seen many season change and just as many elements within my life. I ceased detailing over the winter of 2006-2007 due to the backside of a marriage. In the breakup I gave up everything willfully except for my new car, electronics, and sports equipment. Of course all things automotive which meant my detailing supplies and business supplies cam with me, but the shop I had constructed, the office I had built... all of it stayed behind. It was a painful and weird time.
In the time that followed I ceased the business of detailing. Of course I maintained my own vehicle, but I no longer kept up with clients. They new my position and where I was "at" and that was that. I still made a couple of mobile visits for friends and clients I had more of a bond with, but being in an apartment building had it's drawbacks as many of you can attest. Aside from that, I no longer had the drive or ambition. It was a part of my life I thought was over.
Oddly enough, later in 2007 I became friends with my very first professional client when I opened in Lancaster in 2005. We became even better friends, and soon enough we began to flow like water. Truly we were meant to be together like wax on clear
I moved in with her and things started looking better.
I received several detailing calls in the mean time and turned them all down, except for one. My (then) girlfriend wondered if she helped, if I would do it. I was weary at first, as I have never worked with anyone on one vehicle and I have a "flow". But we got it on (actually her dad helped with one too) and it was great. She is a perfectionist and a "car-gal" which made her a natural. Her dad is a car-guy too but this is not about him. It was really odd working with her at first. I remember looking at her as she scrubbed away at the interior methodically and I buffed thinking
Our new house was in the city and we had no cover. I still didn't feel comfortable detailing anything but our own vehicles, but I was starting to feel it again. We started dreaming about building an onsite garage and wondering where the money would come from. Anyway, the engagment happened and we still wondered.
Finally, this past fall upon returning from a 7 week trip to the Mediterranean to plan our wedding, we became landlords in a odd twist of fate. A home became available to us through a dear friend and it had a garage! Along with a newly redone 50K kitchen and more to boot, we fell in love with the home. Nothing like becoming landlords, getting a new home, and starting a new life while planning a wedding to get things moving.
How about toss in starting a new LLC. We both prayed hard and looked for direction with what we wanted to do together and we decided that resurrecting (in part) the detailing business would give us the most options and flexibitly as well as allow us the chance to work together. So, in October we began the process of creating a new LLC and the passion re "re-ignited". Along with that came addressing the need for a clean and attractive salon for the cars to come into until we get the mobile aspect rolling again properly.
So, three years later, here is where I find myself professionally....I am back in business and I can't wait. Racedeck Tuffshield, Racedeck Pro, 16- 6500K T8 Bulbs, Lots of cabinets from Husky, fixed drywall, lots of paint, new plumbing, some new partners. Thank you J.A. for all of the love and support. It took us from the end of October until January 1st, 2009. New year, new beginings. Enjoy the show:
move in
Snaplock comes in and other junk starts to move out
Linear Mode
