Shop opens February 1st

[YellarStang99]

Yea, I`m in college right now. I have a 30hr/week job already, but if I could find someone near me that had a detailing business & needed some extra help I would jump on it. Just to have a chance for a job I would actually enjoy and the opportunity to learn from a pro.

[JohnHenry]

Great advice in this thread. I`d offer two more suggestions:

- Background Checks... at least felonies. You don`t have to turn down someone who wrote a bad check at age 19, but you really want to avoid offenses of violence, repeated fraud, serious drugs or sexual stuff. You can check your local sex offender website for free. Criminal records checks for seven years cost about $35 each.

- Drug Test... I`ve figured out how to get a five panel test... THC, Opiates, Cocaine, Meth and Barbiturates, for $10.

Avoids a ton of problems. I think mentioning this in the fine print of your marketing materials looks good too.

[Concours.John]

Great advice in this thread. I`d offer two more suggestions:

- Background Checks... at least felonies. You don`t have to turn down someone who wrote a bad check at age 19, but you really want to avoid offenses of violence, repeated fraud, serious drugs or sexual stuff. You can check your local sex offender website for free. Criminal records checks for seven years cost about $35 each.

- Drug Test... I`ve figured out how to get a five panel test... THC, Opiates, Cocaine, Meth and Barbiturates, for $10.

Avoids a ton of problems. I think mentioning this in the fine print of your marketing materials looks good too.

Background and drug tests a must. I have an ex Army Ranger friend who`s a PI also my back up if alarm drops.

Edit - I didn`t want this post to be taken out of context. This is very intelligent and creative individual which I have great respect and trust.
I don`t ask for favors it`s business.
He offered to be on my list because he lives right by the shop.

Everyone who is and has served deserves our respect.

[Poorboy]

Background and drug tests a must. I have an ex Army Ranger friend who`s a PI also my back up if alarm drops.

you might be pushing it to get a perfect employee unless you are going to be paying some big $$$ ....

[Concours.John]

you might be pushing it to get a perfect employee unless you are going to be paying some big $$$ ....

I fully understand that. I`d rather take someone who knows nothing but motivated than someone stuck in bad habits.

I`m not a cheap person and the money comes with dedication, honesty, and hard work.

I`ve always said that a great detailer with the right training would make the best restoration specialist because they know the end result already.

If I had a dollar for everytime I found something on a restored car that could have been fixed with a little more time before paint.

[Poorboy]

I fully understand that. I`d rather take someone who knows nothing but motivated than someone stuck in bad habits.

I`m not a cheap person and the money comes with dedication, honesty, and hard work.

I`ve always said that a great detailer with the right training would make the best restoration specialist because they know the end result already.

If I had a dollar for everytime I found something on a restored car that could have been fixed with a little more time before paint.

good to hear but you might be looking for the needle in a haystack ...

yes, i loved doing restorations after I had been detailing for some time, but it`s a slow process comparatively.

[C. Charles Hahn]

I just had another thought pop into my head. Why not put your employees in the position of being personally accountable to your customers for their work? They not only represent you and your business, but they represent themselves as well.

For example, create a rear-view mirror hang tag that is placed in each vehicle prior to delivery back to the customer. On it, say something like "This detail was completed for you with pride by: _<NAME>_. I take your satisfaction very seriously; if you have any questions or concerns I will personally be happy to help you to the best of my abilities. Thank you for choosing John`s Concours Detailing!"

This way while it`s clear that they work for you and the customer should continue coming to your shop, it gives the employee a chance to develop and maintain a reputation of their own. They will know that if they slip up, customers will know, and if you start getting customers that request a certain person NOT work on their vehicle, it raises a red flag for you to investigate why that`s happening.

[DealerDetailer]

This job sounds 100% like me! I`m a 23 year old and love working on my car (mechanical and body) and correctly work at a Chevy dealership here in Illinois. I am now leaving again for my spring semester of College (1 more year . My grandparents now live in Ohio and during the summer break I plan on going out there again; I would love to help you out when I`m in Ohio!

When I have to detail a ZR1, Z06, Grand Sport, SS Camaro or even the constant body shop cars I have; I always give the exact amount of focus and care in to each (many at the shop including my assistant think I`m crazy for doing so). I do admire the cars for what they are, modern marvels, but I also love making them look their best. The way a ZR1 looks sitting on fresh snow reflecting the light of the panels is hmm . I am an extremely dedicated worked (references available, but let me work and I`ll show you) and I still have much to learn about detailing (wish classes where offered in northern Illinois. Anyone know of any?)

Well let me tell you, I wished I was in Ohio to give you a hand in starting up; even if it was part time for some time...you would hire me full time later, I know it . For me there’s passion in making a car look just freaking amazing! I love getting customers who when I drive up just stand there and go .

I hope I get the job Boss!

[Bunky]

you might be pushing it to get a perfect employee unless you are going to be paying some big $$$ ....

I suspect salary may be important. I have seen some detailers seem to want someone almost as good as them but then pay their help significantly less than they want themselves.

If you want better people, you usually have to pay more to keep them especially if they want to be in the biz for some time rather than just picking up cash.

[Concours.John]

I suspect salary may be important. I have seen some detailers seem to want someone almost as good as them but then pay their help significantly less than they want themselves.

If you want better people, you usually have to pay more to keep them especially if they want to be in the biz for some time rather than just picking up cash.

I may be an exception realizing in order to grow this to what I want there has to be sacrifices personally for some time. I make much less than anyone I have subbed work out to on the hour. In order to maintain growth and retention the burden of gain does not hit my pocket for some time.

Having worked in a high end shop I understand the need for appropriate pay to experience. I`ve seen the results of overlooking this. Making sure a shop can maintain those with experience relies on the owner to forcast and be sure thse funds are there.

I was a victim of this direct isssue giving my own money up in a shop I didnt own and 1000`s of unpaid hours to promote it after an asset purchase to retain long term customers and gain new. No raises for 4 years.

I want to be an employer who can be counted on and do not want anyone to have this experience. Knowing the right time is key. The purpose of this thread is to bring up some issues that might be missed.
And Thanks.

This might explain why im so obsessive. I`m not arrogant enough to believe I know and think of everything.

My schooling is in electronic engineering but previous career was Quality Assurance in the prototype industry. ISO technical writer. Although it has directly applied to being detail orientated.

[JohnHenry]

you might be pushing it to get a perfect employee unless you are going to be paying some big $$$ ....

Come on, Steve... I know you had to overlook Pockets` little pyromania problem but is really that hard to find kids with no prior serious felonies or drug problems these days? Please say it ain`t so, Boss!

Now the level of detailing skill and dedication that John is looking for... I would think that presents his biggest challenge.

[Poorboy]

Come on, Steve... I know you had to overlook Pockets` little pyromania problem but is really that hard to find kids with no prior serious felonies or drug problems these days? Please say it ain`t so, Boss!

Now the level of detailing skill and dedication that John is looking for... I would think that presents his biggest challenge.

While there may be a few kids left with morals, the needle becomes finding the employee that not only doesn`t have any other problems, be it a record, drugs or even a drinking problem which you can`t test for, but one who has the interest, desire, and drive. When and if you find the needle, it will be the Boss`s job to figure out how to keep the needle and keep it sharp

[Concours.John]

While there may be a few kids left with morals, the needle becomes finding the employee that not only doesn`t have any other problems, be it a record, drugs or even a drinking problem which you can`t test for, but one who has the interest, desire, and drive. When and if you find the needle, it will be the Boss`s job to figure out how to keep the needle and keep it sharp

Exactly!

[daveinsweethome]

been a deail freak for 40 years and a business during all those years too.
in calif. sub contractors can be a truly trick thing. govt or those very subs can bite you. i will never use em any more , so that said i have found, rather culled out after years some miraculous employees. you must learn to read them before even giving them a start. sounds tough but i is your job to grill them and find the gems. certainly not easy if you screw up it is a mess. i hired people based on my life experiences with the ones i met in life and then just asked myself is this one a keeper. success was not perfect but all in all i did good. small details and your own knowledge will lead you. if you choose wrong just dont wait to pull the plug. one is out there in line that is you years ago. hope this doesnt sound too new age or like crap. it is just a story of my business. just being a small owner and doing what you have done up to now is impressive. communicate and it will happen

[C. Charles Hahn]

While there may be a few kids left with morals,

Sad that this statement even has to be made, and even more sad is that it`s 100% true