Need some advice on getting started

ReLoaDeD BuLLiT · 02-01-08, 05:48

I live in Palm Beach, FL. There's a LOT of competition around here, but I've seen a lot of their work and a lot of it doesn't surpass mine. I've been detailing for years now, just never wanted to make a living out of it, until now. I'm highly motivated to get started. I have a car I'm going to sell to get a bronco or truck of some sort to pull a trailer or something of the sort around in. I considered a van, but I'd rather use something that's more comfortable for me as a daily driver than a van. I already bought a business name, and just did a free listing in the yellow pages, as well as got a case of business cards made up with my business name on them. My question to the pros is, what do I have to do to get started? I already have all the products necessary to detail. (over 1k worth).

Where do you folks buy your detailing trailers? should I start out of the back of the truck and eventually get one? My thing is I don't have much storage space for one. Where would you guys buy a nice detailing trailer at? preferably with a hose reel, and water tank already on it? I already have a 2600 psi pressure washer that works out pretty well. Possibly a generator as well for power? I don't have one of those yet.

I really need/want business. How do I go about it? Seems to me that people would get pissed if you put your business card in their window/under windshield wiper, etc

ReLoaDeD BuLLiT · 02-27-08, 04:39

thanks for the help.... ;/

brwill2005 · 02-27-08, 05:41

There are lots of things to consider when starting any business. Unfortunately you chose a bad time to start a company. If you are really serious and have the desire and patience, go for it. It helps to have some capital (money). Concentrate more on marketing than on the equipment such as trailers. You can have all the equipment in the world, but if you do not have any customers, what difference does it make. A quick way to get your name out is with direct mail. It is expensive, but it does work.

Twista616 · 02-27-08, 06:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by brwill2005

There are lots of things to consider when starting any business. Unfortunately you chose a bad time to start a company. If you are really serious and have the desire and patience, go for it. It helps to have some capital (money). Concentrate more on marketing than on the equipment such as trailers. You can have all the equipment in the world, but if you do not have any customers, what difference does it make. A quick way to get your name out is with direct mail. It is expensive, but it does work.

Be more creative with your mailings too. Try and relate car detailing to their everyday life...if you watch those infomercials in early mornings like 1-5am...they relate the product that they are selling to your life. Its funny cause you watch one of those and you think to yourself..."yea, hes right, that does happen alot to me" They are creative when they put those on TV...ill think of a good example in a sec...my mind is drawing a blank..

brwill2005 · 02-27-08, 06:50

Keep thinking because I am curious as to what exactly you are referring to. Only so much can be done on a 3x7 coupon, but if you can give me an example, I might just try it.

EMAES · 03-09-08, 08:33

Word of mouth is the easiest and cheapest form of advertising out there, also make sure to target car owners that have more disposable income than the average($rich$ neighborhoods?)

themightytimmah · 03-09-08, 09:32

I work in PB county too, so I won't suggest where my business comes from, but there's a ton of money to be made in services I don't offer.

If you need regular income, it's important to do a lot of wash and waxes, interior cleanouts, weekly washes, etc. As much as I like doing the $450, 3 step buff jobs, piece work kept me going financially when I was out of school and detailing full time.

I used to hit finance office complexes, doctors offices, and other high-income workplaces, those were where the money was at. Try going in and talking to the receptionist, and direct mail. Putting cards on cars never worked for me. The first couple jobs are a pain to get, but after a little while word of mouth and people seeing your work will bring in plenty of cash.

If you get a trailer and pressure washer, monthly packages are the way to go. I used to charge people 150 a month for 4 washes and a monthly wax, but I gave it up when I went back to school. I had my washes down to 35 minutes with a vacuum included, and I did the monthly wax with Poli-Seal or M66 via Cyclo. A Flex is a good machine to have for this - rotary experience isn't necessary.

Get a tank and find a supplier for DI water to cut down on drying, saving you time and swirls. If you can get your wash technique virtually swirl-free, you've got a huge leg up on the competition, esp with owners of black or high-end cars.

A generator, vapor steamer, and extractor are good to pick up too, as those soccer mom interior jobs are usually pretty nasty but quick money.

dmw2692004 · 03-09-08, 10:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by themightytimmah

I work in PB county too, so I won't suggest where my business comes from, but there's a ton of money to be made in services I don't offer.

If you need regular income, it's important to do a lot of wash and waxes, interior cleanouts, weekly washes, etc. As much as I like doing the $450, 3 step buff jobs, piece work kept me going financially when I was out of school and detailing full time.

I used to hit finance office complexes, doctors offices, and other high-income workplaces, those were where the money was at. Try going in and talking to the receptionist, and direct mail. Putting cards on cars never worked for me. The first couple jobs are a pain to get, but after a little while word of mouth and people seeing your work will bring in plenty of cash.

If you get a trailer and pressure washer, monthly packages are the way to go. I used to charge people 150 a month for 4 washes and a monthly wax, but I gave it up when I went back to school. I had my washes down to 35 minutes with a vacuum included, and I did the monthly wax with Poli-Seal or M66 via Cyclo. A Flex is a good machine to have for this - rotary experience isn't necessary.

Get a tank and find a supplier for DI water to cut down on drying, saving you time and swirls. If you can get your wash technique virtually swirl-free, you've got a huge leg up on the competition, esp with owners of black or high-end cars.

A generator, vapor steamer, and extractor are good to pick up too, as those soccer mom interior jobs are usually pretty nasty but quick money.

Best Advice right there. Im 16 and ive been spending sleepless nights on working on advertisements and designing my websites( im a technical guru. going to school for computer science and networking aslwell as business.)

Word of mouth is amazing, i already have around 15 details lined up as soon as the weather warms up. Just advertise as much as you can.

And dont forget. Spend money to make money. I invest around 1,500 total, and ive already made back around 85% of that via washes, quick wax's, interior jobs and stuff like that. The 1st two details will put me "debt free."

Knowing your competition would also be a good thing, call around to local shops, detailer's, and see what they charge. Price yourself competitively with them.

BillyL207 · 03-10-08, 12:20

Where in Palm Beach are you located? There's wellington , Palm Beach by the ocean , west palm beach etc

brwill2005 · 03-10-08, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmw2692004

Best Advice right there. Im 16 and ive been spending sleepless nights on working on advertisements and designing my websites( im a technical guru. going to school for computer science and networking aslwell as business.)

Word of mouth is amazing, i already have around 15 details lined up as soon as the weather warms up. Just advertise as much as you can.

And dont forget. Spend money to make money. I invest around 1,500 total, and ive already made back around 85% of that via washes, quick wax's, interior jobs and stuff like that. The 1st two details will put me "debt free."

Knowing your competition would also be a good thing, call around to local shops, detailer's, and see what they charge. Price yourself competitively with them.

I am a bit confused. Please help me to understand. You are 16, which would make you a freshman or sophomore in high school. Does your high school offer computer science and business specialties? How did you get the 15 details lined up? Was it with word of mouth or other advertising. If it is word of mouth you must have been detailing for quite some time to build that kind of reputation. If it is other advertising, please share because it sounds very effective. When you say spend money to make money, do you mean advertising or equipment?