Career Change Question

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Hey folks,



I'm currently employed as a sales executive in the financial industry. I do fairly well and pull in a six figure salary. Corporate life is getting old and I'm thinking of becoming my own boss and starting a detailing business - detailing is a passion of mine.



My questions is how realistic is it to make a six figure salary in this business?



I realize a very broad question, but I'm just looking for a general answer. i.e. sure if you apply yourself and have a solid business plan, you need to be a conglomerate to pull in that coin, etc.



Thank you in advance.



Regards
 
I run a small used car lot during the week and only detail weekends and evenings so I'm probably not the best person to answer this question but in short I would say it is very unlikely that you could pull down 100k detailing. The only way I could see it happening is if you are an excellent PDR tech or some other type of repair guy (upholstery repair, rock chip touch up, etc) The PDR tech I use is booked a couple days ahead and bills $65 - 100 per car which he can bang out in well under an hour. Other guys I use for interior repairs and that sort of thing are usually part of some sort of franchise system...the guy who owns the franchise is probably doing well for himself. If you have the skills to create a sustainable system using other peoples time to make you money then you might have a shot.



I think actual "detailing" (wash, polish, wax, interior clean up, etc) is the least profitable and most physically demanding. Of course there are probably exceptions to the rule, but in general my hunch is that an owner/operator doing detail work is not getting rich. If you figure out a way to make 100k a year on your own let me know.
 
Yes, you can. You can make 7 figures too. It all depends how you approach the business.



Most people on here are what's called Autopian detailers. They love vehicles, they love detailing, and they love doing it right and getting to 99.995% perfection. Most Autopians are doing 1 to 2 vehicles a day, sometimes spending multiple days (or weeks) on a single vehicle. While I'm sure a lot of Autopians do very well for themselves (which is absolutely great, they're their own boss and they make good money doing it), I don't think you'll find very many making 6 figures or more. The money in this business is in volume. And I don't mean pumping out 4 or 5 vehicles a day with a helper. Ideally, multiple shop locations across a large metropolitan city, a good amount of staff, good training and good managers. I could go on and on, but you get the general idea. If you want other insights, zip me a PM.
 
If your looking to make 6 figures and you start out at the bottom like everyone has. You're going to have to be patient with it because the first couple years your going to have to spend money either setting up shop or your vehicle with tools and supplies. If you can get started with a good clientel than your set, but practice a lot on your own cars and friends cars. Than you can become the next Barry from Presidential Details, Todd from Esoteric Details, Dave with Street Dreams Details, or John with Metropolitan Details. Granted I do this more full-time since i'm going to school and trying to find another full time job, but when I'm not detailing a car I'm either putting in countless hours on the computer on this forum, or other training websites, putting in orders, editing my webpage. Just be prepared to not make 6 figures right away, and be willing to put in a lot of hours...
 
If it helps... I was a head chef for a local restaurant, worked 45-50 hrs. a week. Made north of 40K a yr. I have been detailing for 15+ years for friends and family. Then it turned in to neighbors, neighbors friends then people asking me if I minded if they gave my number to a friend, then friends of friends were calling me. You see where I'm going.... I quit the restaurant this past march and detail full time. I do not have a shop nor do I ever intend to. I am not technically mobile, however, I will make a call to do a touch-up or an ONR wash. People just drop their cars off at my house, I complete the project, and I even pick them up from work or whatever to get their car back. I do NOT do express-type detailing and I am selective about the jobs I take. I average $300-$350 per day give or take a few$$. My younger brother helps out sometimes when I have two cars to get done in one day.



I am by no means bragging, but I am on track to make more than my cooks salary this year alone. It's not 100k, but it's only been six months.



-josh
 
ADetailedFinish said:
If your looking to make 6 figures and you start out at the bottom like everyone has. You're going to have to be patient with it because the first couple years your going to have to spend money either setting up shop or your vehicle with tools and supplies. If you can get started with a good clientel than your set, but practice a lot on your own cars and friends cars. Than you can become the next Barry from Presidential Details, Todd from Esoteric Details, Dave with Street Dreams Details, or John with Metropolitan Details. Granted I do this more full-time since i'm going to school and trying to find another full time job, but when I'm not detailing a car I'm either putting in countless hours on the computer on this forum, or other training websites, putting in orders, editing my webpage. Just be prepared to not make 6 figures right away, and be willing to put in a lot of hours...
Click to expand...

Yes, I forgot to add this part as well. A business (ANY business), takes time to start generating cash. Start-up expenses can be high, and capital might be needed depending on how you're going to go about starting your detail business.
 
A couple options:



Break your back and detail the cars yourself and maybe someday you'll be blessed to maybe earn $100K.



Operate a detail business that employes people to do the work and you constantly tweek and grow the business yourself. $100K is chump change if done right.



I'd even think about taking over/purchasing an existing detail shop that has a decent track record of clients/business. This way you will get a turn key operation that is already earning $$. I sold my business this way and it worked very well for the buyer. BizBuySell - The Internet's Largest Business for Sale & Franchise for Sale Marketplace
 
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