14 years old with a REAL detailing company

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baseballlover1

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Hello, i am 14 years old. and i am currently thinking about buying a shop (it is now being used for storage for some cars). i already have a "detailing company". it is not official (by official i mean like having insurance and all). i am thinking about making it official. i havent looked at this garage too thourally(sp), just the exterior. i am going to be going to look at a 914 GT that is inside it to buy in about 3 weeks or something like that. and i think im going to ask the owner if he wants to sell the garage. i am just wondering what you guys think on the subject... also what you guys would recomend in the way of wash bays (how can i get one, are they wayyy too expensive and is it just better for right now to just wash the cars outside for right now) also flooring and stuff like that. for all those people that say theres no way he can do this on his budget or whatever, i do own a 1977 porsche 911 and a 1974 porsche 914 (i bought them both with my money), and am going to go look at a 68 mercedes 280 sl in a couple days. so i dont have the budget that most 14 year olds have. i would appreciate anybody input on this. also how much trouble is it to get the buseness liscense and insurance and all?
 
i would question how you make the kind of money that would take at age 14 first of all. a few more con's, what are you a freshman? 8th grade? stick with school, get a real job and keep your hobby of cars on the side. you know you can't operate a succesful business part-time correct?



ok now that i got the dad part out of the way. you should probably be asking your guardians these questions. maybe you should start out with something much more simple like detailing friends of the families cars, or your current clients and hit it full steam during school breaks. believe you me when youre stuck in your garage breaking your back and ruining your shoulders polishing 4 years from now while your buddies are all at a frat party getting seriously educated to obtain a top notch profession you will have some regrets. im not aware of the business laws in va, but i dont even know if what your contimplating is legal at that age. how many lawns did you mow to buy the few sleds you already have? looking back when i was 14, i would have missed out on so much if i made the move youre thinking of. good luck though to each his own.
 
I'm almost positive that there are legal issues with you being underage. From what I can remember, US law does not explicitly state that parties to a contract must be adults, but it gives much consideration to situations where minors are entered into contracts.



My concern is that, unless you hired a lawyer for support, a lot of the contracts you made with customers would be void or voidable. Your situation is especially unique, and typical law books only seem to touch on situations where the older party makes an unfair contract with a minor, in which case the minor can typically default on the agreement without any liability.



You're better off talking about this with your parents. I'd suggest talking to a lawyer as well if you really intend to give this a shot.
 
You could always detail while finishing your education, if that's your intention? Detailing part time will pay way more that the typical college student minimum wage. If you look at the industry from an entrepreneur business owner angle it can be a profitable venture. If you look at it as doing the actual labor long term, you'll be breaking your back for a low end wage. If you stay focused and keep business minded throughout your education, it will give you more drive while you’re learning. Good luck with what ever you decide, you seem like you've accomplished more at 14 than most adults.



As far as your question about a wash bay, make sure the shop has an area pitched to a high flowing drain that the city will allow you to use to wash cars over. Due to EPA, washing outside isn't allowed unless there is a drain that dumps into the city feed and not into the storm.



Budget wise, to open a nice shop, it costs about as much as one of your cars. Not a big deal.
 
I too would like to know how you have the money to buy these cars, especially with the work laws for people your age, it's obvious no one would hire you because of your age let alone give you the kind of wage to buy these cars let along insure them and put gas in them...so my guess when you say "your" money you mean money your mom and dad put in your bank..either way, stick with school...Way to young to get yourself into something like this...once you hit high school you wont have time for running this business, unless you plan to fit some details in during recess.
 
Several things you will need to do. Check with the planning and zoning office to confirm that you can have the type of business in that location. Incorporate as either a S or C corp. This way any contractual relationships will be between the corp and the client. Get a business license from your local jurisdiction. Now that you have a license and a location and since you will be in school 8-9 months of the year and 6+ hours a day you will need employees to do the detailing and office management. Potential customers will want to have someone available during normal business hours right? Hopefully you get the idea that this is a little more complicated than renting a building and hanging up a sign. Remember that after you sign the lease and hire the employees the landlord whats his money each month and the employees what their paychecks each week regardless of the number of cars you've detailed.



As others have said get your education and do the detailing when you have time after all your school work is done.
 
The guys are being harsh, but it likely comes from expeirience and knowing how hard it can be to maintain a side business and a full time occupation (work/school).



I'll put it simply do you know:



-What your overhead costs will be.

-What the general scope (as best as you can research) of the market is (both in $$ and man hours).

-What's your target market share?

-How much do you need to charge an hour to cover your expenses and to turn a profit.

-What are the details of Insurance, what liabilities are they going to cover.

-What's a realisitic expectation of how long it will take to turn a profit.

-What's your tax position, can you register a company under your name at 14 or do you need to register it under someone else's.

-Are you even allowed to work in your own shop (being 14) if you do get insurance. I know you Yanks are sticklers for liability and lawsuits and all that jazz. Up here (Ontario) there's minimum ages for employment AND a minimum age for labour in shop enviroment.



-I think the biggest one is: Being 14 how easily do you find people trust you to work on their car. Perception is a big part of sales... and I'd laugh off a 14 year old asking for ~200 to detail my car. Having new customers take YOU seriously might be a challenge, do you have an older business partner that could act like a front, dealing directly with the customers while you do the work etc. One thing that might help with this is to get surplus body panels, tape them off and tackle various jobs. Hang them on the walls to show customers what you're capable of. Anything from correcting oxidation, heavy marring/scratching to simple things like the difference between untreated panel/cleaned/waxed.



If you can't answer the majority of the points above maybe you need to do a bit more research, pick up some small business planning books and read up on how to do a sucessful business plan. It's much easier to sort these things out now while you have nothing invested then try and figure them out later while you're trying to get business in.



Good luck, and if it works out for you post up some pictures of your shop.



Cheers!
 
While I think that a lot of the comments by the professionals are very accurate, it is a shame that they very dissmissive of your enterprenuerial spirit. I applaud your efforts to research a vocation that you are obviously passionate about. It might have been better received if your request for information was worded differently. Perhaps outline what you are currently doing in your detail business, what your short & long term plans are, how you expect to get professional training, what your capitalization sources are, etc. As a small business owner you need to protect yourself, your assets and since you are a minor, your parents assets, with a legal business entity and proper insurance. Every state differs regarding licensing, labor laws, environmental laws, etc. In our state if you are employed in your family's business the labor laws are less restrictive. For example my daughter can work in my husband's tire business at 14, but he could not hire another 14 year old that is not a member of his household to do the same job.



Now for the "Mother" portion of the talk. An education is priceless! Combine doing what you love and are passionate about with a good education and you will enjoy your career. An make sure that you take all the computer and accounting classes that are available...as a banker I see lots of people that are good at their "craft" but cannot track expenses or income, are undercapitalized and their businesses fail.
 
Okay..I have read through your other threads and I think you need to slow it down a bit. I was excited like you when I first started detailing too but you have only been doing this for 2 months, doing a car a weekend wont justify the cost of buying a shop. How long is it going to take you to start making a profit given shop costs, product costs, licensing..etc..
 
Joshua312 said:
I too would like to know how you have the money to buy these cars
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Those cars are actually really cheap now-a-days.



If you are 14 years old you should forget about making money unless it's a necessity. Enjoy your youth!
 
southpactire said:
While I think that a lot of the comments by the professionals are very accurate, it is a shame that they very dissmissive of your enterprenuerial spirit. I applaud your efforts to research a vocation that you are obviously passionate about. It might have been better received if your request for information was worded differently. Perhaps outline what you are currently doing in your detail business, what your short & long term plans are, how you expect to get professional training, what your capitalization sources are, etc. As a small business owner you need to protect yourself, your assets and since you are a minor, your parents assets, with a legal business entity and proper insurance. Every state differs regarding licensing, labor laws, environmental laws, etc. In our state if you are employed in your family's business the labor laws are less restrictive. For example my daughter can work in my husband's tire business at 14, but he could not hire another 14 year old that is not a member of his household to do the same job.



Now for the "Mother" portion of the talk. An education is priceless! Combine doing what you love and are passionate about with a good education and you will enjoy your career. An make sure that you take all the computer and accounting classes that are available...as a banker I see lots of people that are good at their "craft" but cannot track expenses or income, are undercapitalized and their businesses fail.
Click to expand...



:werd: Very good advice!
 
Why not work for a detail shop first, get more experience under your belt. Like others stated, get your education. Education is priceless!!!! I have stated this to my nephew many times; he has been running one form of business or another since he was 15. But he never made a move without discussing it with me or his parents. He actually sold two of them for a very nice profit. He will even state that it was his education that has allowed him to understand money and business and put him a notch above his competitors. I applaud your drive, where most kids your age have video games glued to their hands.
 
jakec- That too is good advice :xyxthumbs An education is vital in most *any* field, even detailing (learning by trial-and-error is a bad way to go, voice of experience...). There are even detailing courses (AutoInt's Prep Excellence) that experienced pro detailers attend to further expand their skill sets.



Detailing isn't brain surgery, but it can be a little more complicated than some might first imagine. You sure wouldn't want an irreperable "oops" with a customer's car ;)
 
There are professional people out there that you can consult with in regard to buying this property. I am sure they would be better able to offer the advice you will need. Also, it would be a good idea to talk with the people at the US Small Business Administration office in your area. Small Business Administration - Richmond



Remember, 'people who say it cannot be done, are usually interupted by others doing it'.
 
Reading back on this kid's previous posts I don't think there is any truth to this...I will remain skepticle until proof is given.



However it is true, then I have to repeat what most have said and WAIT!!

Being 14, you can't even drive yet, you can't get zoning permits, you can't legaly buy anything on your own that isn't paid cash.

And if you parents actualy do help you to get this, you are going to work yourself to death! Working after school atleast 6 days a week to keep the income high enough to pay for everything as well as homework and having some kind of child hood...There is no way to have that much time.



Another side note...You are too young to get enough honest business.

If I walked into any business to get a service done and the only person around is some kid...I would just turn around and walk out.



I am 21, I've graduated high school and have completed some college. I have considered starting the detailing business, but knowing how much work is involved I have still kept it just a hobby.
 
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