Can you be great at everything?

[The Driver]

A friend of mine asked me the other day, why don`t you do tint, pdr and clear bra applications? I explained that I specialize in paint and to say that I could do a clear bra install as good as a professional in that area would be selling the client short. I`m a firm believer in doing one thing great rather than multiple things good. I always call in a pro for outside services such as clear bra installs etc. I understand the need to get it done in one shot but there`s no way I could sleep at night knowing my clients could have received better work.

What`s your take?

[EVOlved]

I agree 100%. On the other hand if there is something that you are outsourcing a lot and you feel you have mastered your speciality, why not start training for that?? Then maybe you could master both and put some more food on the table!! I wouldn`t dive into multiple things like that though pick one like I said that your outsourcing a lot or the one you would most appreciate so you are passionate about it still.

[jtford95]

Agreed. I can`t offer something if I can only do it half way. I would learn how & then offer it only after I mastered it. Also, you may find out your not that good at doing it or just don`t like doing it.

[JSFM35X]

If you are a specialist and it keep you busy, and earns you enough there is no need to look further. If there is a related product that you can become proficient in, I say go for it. Stack that $ up if it get in your way. The key is, you need to strive to be the best (around) or that add on service can/will erode your other business.

[Stokdgs]

A great Detailer will have to take a lot of hours on average, to bring a vehicle to as good or better than when it was new..

Once done, pretty much all the hours you and the Client allocated are gone..

Unless the Detailer has expert help to possibly multi-task and accomplish the other things that could be done, it will be a challenge to try to stay on track, as a 1-man shop..

What could possibly help us to perhaps do more than one thing at the highest levels we set for ourselves already, is to continue to use Outsourced, best possible people and then learn from them, and maybe work with them on your projects that they are doing for you..

All the schools in the world are absolutely great and necessary, but after all this, nothing can substitute for a Mentor, someone who has been there and done it all, and is willing to take you and let you benefit from their decades of experience...

I always have enjoyed learning all things related to cars, etc., and am still motivated to continue to learn, not necessarily for me as much as being able to pass all this experience on to others who were just like me once, eager to learn, have a passion for the various crafts, and are interested in Quality work vs Quantity work..
Dan F

[Trouble]

I wish I could sub out my detail jobs. Then I could be good for nothing

[Todd@RUPES]

A friend of mine asked me the other day, why don`t you do tint, pdr and clear bra applications? I explained that I specialize in paint and to say that I could do a clear bra install as good as a professional in that area would be selling the client short. I`m a firm believer in doing one thing great rather than multiple things good. I always call in a pro for outside services such as clear bra installs etc. I understand the need to get it done in one shot but there`s no way I could sleep at night knowing my clients could have received better work.

What`s your take?

Here is my take...

Many of the attributes that make good detailers - drive, motivation, unwillingness to do it wrong, keen eye for detail also transfer well to other areas of car care, such as PDR and clear bra applications.

If you are an exceptional detailer, you likely can learn and apply those other trades very efficiently. It`s really not a matter of learning the skill, it is a matter of marketing.

For some markets and price points, you will do well to learn the other trade and adopt a jack-of-all-trades, master of none approach. For other price points and markets, a master of a specific trade is better. There is no hard rule, it is more what works best for your business model.

[Kevin@GTNA]

I have been asked and pondered the same question multiple times. I look at it like this.

It took me years to gain the experience necessary to get to the point where I am today as far as my reputation as an auto detailer/ paint correction specialist. Looking at that time frame, I stood firmly on the belief that I didn`t want to become a jack of all trades because no matter how much "hands on training" you get, there is a learning curve for any of these services.

I was never willing to risk my reputation as a detailer while I went through the learning curve for the other things. I always went out and found the best there was, and subbed that work out so I could focus on what I was the best at.