how do u guys feel about where you are and where your headed?

[tpgsr]

Originally posted by TOGWT

How to Succeed.

Planning, without a business plan you’ll fail

You need to make a profit to stay in business (materials, labour, overhead (water, fuel, electricity, etc) = cost

A detailing service will thrive in any area of the country if it is based on one, simple rule.

Give your customers more than they expect.

Repeat Customers are the Secret to Success! Give your customers more than just a clean car. Make a real impression.
Give them Quality, Value, and Piece of Mind.

Quality: there is simply no substitute. Insist on the highest-quality service, equipment, and products. Your competition doesn't.

Value: give your customers value for their dollar. Never cut corners to save cost.

Peace of Mind: instill confidence in your customers. Proudly advertise your commitment to excellence.

Promoting: "First Class, We Care" image, develops loyal and lasting customer relations.
JonM

[ajbarnes]

This is a great thread. Perfect for those who are new and are interested in starting up a detailing business.

The #1 thing im my opinion from all of the previous posts that should stick out is planning. I'm living proof of what can happen if you don't plan. The only thing is - (and also should be something that a business person should have as a character trait), is that I never gave up and I'm still going. It's about 4 inches of snow outside as we speak and several inches of snow fell previously, it's cold outside, etc. etc., but, again I don't give up. That's a character trait that you MUST have in order to be successful. Just like someone told me in the past, you gotta eat peanuts before you eat steak. But, it's those who persevere (spelling?), manage, and swollow up any pride while eating those peanuts that'll get to eat that steak in the end.

I began to plan for my business after a year in the business...and boy did I pay for it!! I changed my business name, my direction, my image and so much more to stay afloat and adapt to my new plan. For that I suffered a huge profit loss, losing customer's, distorting and confusing my image at that time, and so much more. In other words, it's almost like I had to start my business all over again simply because I never planned in the beginning. It's very hard running a mobile auto detailing business. The main area that need's alot of focus is your image (how are you viewed by current and potential customer's). The reason for it is because people are very skeptical to "new" things. Mobile auto detailing is still relatively "new". Also, they are quick to assume that if you don't have a shop, it's not possible to do a complete and thorough job on their second biggest investment.

I didn't and still do not have alot of capital to *REALLY* run my business the way I want to and should be. That's where I adapted another character trait that is very important...I learned how to improvise, adapt, and overcome. I fight and fight to make sure my customer's are satisfied and well taking care of, and that I surpass any expectations my customer may have and also to be ahead and better than competition, and for that I have a steady flow of regular's, referrals, and frequent new customer's coming from advertising's. But, I am not passing on running my business correctly. The right vehicle, tools, equipment, etc. will be added. I'm also considering opening a shop, or better yet, have both mobile and shop.

Good luck Rich and also to all current and future business owners!

Don't give up!! Educate yourself & plan.

BTW, quamen, I stole your idea of advertising in plastic bags and placing them at homes and it works like a charm!

[G35stilez]

The biggest thing I can reccomend is an education.

At least some basic business courses at a local college will do. It will help give you an excellent overall feeling for businesses as a whole and more specifically, all of its working parts. There have been a lot of good things said here and as far as business wise most of them are right on target but being that this isn't a class, they are vague and if you are not familiar with the terminology/area of interest, you could be missing some key parts.

For instance, planning...

A successful business plan covers SO MANY parts. I worked on it with a team of 6 for an entire semester to produce a 115 page business page for a simple hand car wash. It was done in a Business Honors Course and proved to be successful. However, countless hours of work went into it and learning the parts of the business plan were SO VITAL to a startup business such as yours. It could be the difference between getting a loan from a bank for 3 fixed locations with projected gross sales over $200k total or continuing with your mobile venture for just $50k grossed.

I really cannot stress enough how much a good education is.

Going on the fixed location guys, I planned it out and you do have a much higher potential for success if done right, but if half assed, much more in the end to lose. Just think of the local drive thru car washes. A standard wash is usually around $10 with a tip and a lot of people get the "Deluxe" which is usually $25 (in my area). You can bang out over 100 cars in a day without a problem. Of course there are other factors involved, but something like that usually denotes cheap labor (people drying the cars and vacuuming them out). Just a thought because I have considered continuing with detailing after college but probably won't unless I go fixed and LARGE.

[tpgsr]

Originally posted by GSRstilez
......
I really cannot stress enough how much a good education is.

.......

I agree with just about everything that you said 100%, but the above quote only about 50%. I had very formal business education. I spent 2 years at RIT's business school, and was on my way to stanford for law. I gave it up. I wasn't learning anything from the business professors. I had learned it all in life and by reading. If you pick up a few great business textbooks, and some books written by great CEO's you will gain an amazing amount of knowledge. I can recommend that you read Jack Straight from the Gut. IT was written by who i believe was one of the best business leaders of all time. Mr. Jack Wlch of General Electric. Amazing leader.

Anyhow i will add more tonight, but knowledge is a great thing, and get it however you can.

[Scottwax]

I got paid to learn how to run a business when I was a Jack in the Box then Denny's manager. Having that knowledge really made a difference. I also took a couple marketing classes in both high school and college, plus I did some marketing for the JITB I was running.

[quamen]

Thanks for all your comments i truly appreciate them. Ajbarnes I know the plastic bag idea is great,and also dont forget to check uline products for great pricing and door handle bags for those condo complexes!!

I really like that i have a view of different ideas and opinions on the thread i started, and in no way am i giving up detailing at all cause this is my passion. Not only does it feel great getting paid to do what i like, i feel much better knowing im doing it on my own, my own boss!! I dont mind working hard and put in much longer than a 8 hour day, but at the end it feels so great. Thanks to all Autopian memebers!!

[PrinzII]

Originally posted by Scottwax
I do think you have to really enjoy detailing (aka, have a passion for it) to be a really good detailer but you also need a good head for business and marketing. You have to be able to anticipate and excede your customer's needs and expectations.

I think Frank's point was more that to excel at the detailing part of the business you have to be passionate about detailing. I know once I got burned out on restaurant management, my work suffered for it. I stopped caring and after a while, it began to show.

I definitely couldn't agree more, Scott. Case in point, my partner and I are both going to Gary's (turbomangt) so we can improve our techniques and learn some new ones.

Even now, I am doing some planning so that we can budget for things like a storefront (hopefully one large enough to detail a Freightliner Century Class) and vans for mobile detailing.

[PrinzII]

Originally posted by Scottwax
I got paid to learn how to run a business when I was a Jack in the Box then Denny's manager. Having that knowledge really made a difference. I also took a couple marketing classes in both high school and college, plus I did some marketing for the JITB I was running.

Like scottwax, I also have a CS background (Help Desk) as does my partner (retail). Those skills are very important in garnering and/or retaining business.

[Corey Bit Spank]

lol i quit my job at Delta Sonic because I felt bad about having to do a ****** job

I'll be working for Mike this year. Oh real detailing...the wonder.

[Reflections]

Originally Posted by ShineShop

Furthermore, whether anyone decides to become a mobile or fixed location is completely up to the individual. I have also stated that there are very successful and professional mobile operators out there but they are outnumbered 100 to 1 with some idiot working out of the trunk of his cavalier (or whatever).

I will have you know, good sir, that my Cavalier has a lot more storage room than you might think. And it's good on gas to boot!
It has room for: mid size extractor, fein mini turbo vac, pc polisher, fluids, pressure washer (I can buckle it in to the front seat as a passenger and use the carpool lane), mf towels, clay, mitts, tire/detailing brushes, the works!

[mirrorfinishman]

Originally Posted by Reflections

I will have you know, good sir, that my Cavalier has a lot more storage room than you might think. And it's good on gas to boot!
It has room for: mid size extractor, fein mini turbo vac, pc polisher, fluids, pressure washer (I can buckle it in to the front seat as a passenger and use the carpool lane), mf towels, clay, mitts, tire/detailing brushes, the works!

Sounds like you have a passion for operating your own business.

[White95Max]

Originally Posted by Reflections

It has room for: ...pressure washer (I can buckle it in to the front seat as a passenger and use the carpool lane)!

that's great!