Help me spend $1500!!

I'm sure glad I read this thread. It definitely answered a lot of questions for me as I plan on taking up a detailing business myself.



Brown, over the years I've been adding to a comprehensive list of detailing products/tools in a MS Word document. If you'd like, PM me your email address and I can send you a copy of what I have, what I want, and what I like in my arsenal.



After looking through my computer, I found those files that I was looking for in another thread I created in the Professional Detailers forum.
 
Sick thread! I've learned many things as I want to "try" to start out with detailing. I probably wont have the budget of $1500, but I'll do/buy things as they come.



Great thread folks!
 
all you guys starting out have to remember the economy is not great so if i were you i would find out if the allocation can be held in a named account and use it as a cash reserve and start slowly so you can turn a paper profit faster i'm sure the distribution of the funds can be over a period of time. . . with proper marketing you can start by hand on cars that are in good shape and figure out what you need because if you blow that nut in one day with no work on the backside what good is $1500 of supplies. . .

be choosy and market smartly so you can make money day one. . . better supplies and products aren't going to make you a better detailer . . .
 
azifukare said:
all you guys starting out have to remember the economy is not great so if i were you i would find out if the allocation can be held in a named account and use it as a cash reserve and start slowly so you can turn a paper profit faster i'm sure the distribution of the funds can be over a period of time. . . with proper marketing you can start by hand on cars that are in good shape and figure out what you need because if you blow that nut in one day with no work on the backside what good is $1500 of supplies. . .

be choosy and market smartly so you can make money day one. . . better supplies and products aren't going to make you a better detailer . . .
Click to expand...



Good advice.



I want to add something I mentioned earlier in the thread. Being in Canada anything you order from the U.S. make sure they don't ship UPS across the border. You'll get bit real bad. I mean real bad. Go USPS (United States Postal Service), it's really the only way to make it affordable.
 
LOL I have the same idea, I got the Canadian student summer company grant as well. Want to partner up and do this as a strategic alliance? I'm in Woodbridge, where are you?



brownj218 said:
Hey everyone.



As I mentioned in my 'new member' thread, I am starting a business with some help from the government. They will give me $1500 to cover start up costs. I've created a little list as to where the money will go. If anyone has suggestions of what I should/ shouldn't buy, please let me know. Also if there a place online or in my area (greater toronto area) that anyone recommends, please let me know.



Anyways, my list:



($600 maximum for equipment)

($200 minimum for advertising)

($100 required for registration)



Carpet Extractor- $200-$300?

Buffer- $75

Portable Wet/Dry vac- $100

Hose with attachment- $50

Cloths, towels, bucket, other misc.- $125

Shampoo, clay, waxes, polishes, protectants, other chemicals- $250-$350 (doesn't count as equipment)

Advertising- $400

Registration- $100



Unfortunately, everything I buy has to have an invoice and show that taxes were paid. Otherwise I would've bought used stuff off craigslist and spent the rest on advertising. O ya, and I will be doing this out of the trunk of my Protege...so all this stuff needs to be as portable as possible. I plan on driving to people's houses and doing it on their driveway.



Does this make sense?? If anyone sees any flaws in my plan, please let me know. I'm also not sure about the carpet extractor cost which is why everything adds up to $1400.



Once I get my costs down, I'm going to establish a list of services, with prices.



I appreciate the help, thanks!!
Click to expand...
 
I commend you both for your entrepreneurship and ability to take advantage of any opportunity on offer. However, as a taxpayer in the People's Republic of Canada, I checked the web site for this program--$1500 up front and another $1500 at the end of the summer for setting up your own company for 8 weeks. That's like getting $9 an hour from the government on top of anything you earn. As I said, if the money is being offered, I don't suggest you should turn it down, but as a taxpayer, I just shake my head at how my money is being spent.
 
green dimnd said:
I commend you both for your entrepreneurship and ability to take advantage of any opportunity on offer. However, as a taxpayer in the People's Republic of Canada, I checked the web site for this program--$1500 up front and another $1500 at the end of the summer for setting up your own company for 8 weeks. That's like getting $9 an hour from the government on top of anything you earn. As I said, if the money is being offered, I don't suggest you should turn it down, but as a taxpayer, I just shake my head at how my money is being spent.
Click to expand...



Hmmm as far as I can tell it is an excellent program, government money well spent to give young entrepeneurs a boost, experience, and direction in life. Should we give them more needles instead? How about more on recruitment to get them to fight in Afghanistan? Sorry I'm getting carried away. But realistically times are tough for those of us who are older. How much harder is it for young people to get a decent start in life?
 
Hey we should create an Autopia Canadian member alliance hehe. I'm near Woodbridge but I'm not even starting to detail yet, I'm going to eventually start this summer/soon.



Im gonna read up on the grant because I had no idea such a thing existed :nixweiss
 
green dimnd said:
I commend you both for your entrepreneurship and ability to take advantage of any opportunity on offer. However, as a taxpayer in the People's Republic of Canada, I checked the web site for this program--$1500 up front and another $1500 at the end of the summer for setting up your own company for 8 weeks. That's like getting $9 an hour from the government on top of anything you earn. As I said, if the money is being offered, I don't suggest you should turn it down, but as a taxpayer, I just shake my head at how my money is being spent.
Click to expand...



It's not like they just give the money away. Getting it is a process. My business plan was 14 pages, and they made me revise it 3 times. In order to get the money, you have to breakdown the cost of every single thing you are buying...down to the penny. They make sure you are advertising, and require proof for everything. You also have to prove that you are spending full time hours (40hrs/week) towards your company. Each small business enterprise center has a maximum of 15 students they can accept into the program. Although 150 people applied this year at my center, they only took 5.



The reason I am doing this program is because my brother actually did it last year. We come from a low income household, so money has always been tight with us. Last year, my brother used the money to start his grass cutting business. From last year to this year, his company has gone from $20 lawn cuts to $16,000 interlocking and landscaping jobs. He has already bought a truck, and is buying another one next month. He is employing our other younger brother and paying him $15/hr, just because he can. And all this comes from the $1500 that he used to build a customer base and gain recognition in the community. Keep in mind that we are both in school, and it would've taken him half the summer to make the $1500 at his old minimum wage job...at which point it would've been too late to start the business. O ya, and this business is paying his tuition for the landscaping program at humber.



Anyways, I just deposited my $1500 last week. Business cards and flyers are in the midst of being printed. I just got the name registered, my business account opened, and i have just over $1000 worth of product coming from autogeek and autopia carcare. I ended up throwing in about $600, but I got at least that much worth of work waiting from friends/coworkers as soon as the products come in.



Overall, I'm pretty excited. I just want to thank the people that helped me out with this thing. Hopefully it works out, as I have already put a considerable amount of time and effort in so far. I have weeks of practice and prefection ahead of me before I start advertising to strangers in the community. Until then, there will be many more questions to come...
 
green dimnd said:
I commend you both for your entrepreneurship and ability to take advantage of any opportunity on offer. However, as a taxpayer in the People's Republic of Canada, I checked the web site for this program--$1500 up front and another $1500 at the end of the summer for setting up your own company for 8 weeks. That's like getting $9 an hour from the government on top of anything you earn. As I said, if the money is being offered, I don't suggest you should turn it down, but as a taxpayer, I just shake my head at how my money is being spent.
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Canada is not a republic. It is a constitutional democracy.



This is an excellent program as it encourages entrepreneurship rather than working for $9/hr at the mall and learning little to nothing. You forget the funding for this is more like a headstart than anything else.
 
Thanks for the explanation. Your brother's example sounds like a fine one to follow. I wish you every success in your new business. And please be kind if I come to your company to appy for a job in a few years!
 
brownj218 said:
Hey everyone.



As I mentioned in my 'new member' thread, I am starting a business with some help from the government. They will give me $1500 to cover start up costs. I've created a little list as to where the money will go. If anyone has suggestions of what I should/ shouldn't buy, please let me know. Also if there a place online or in my area (greater toronto area) that anyone recommends, please let me know.



Anyways, my list:



($600 maximum for equipment)

($200 minimum for advertising)

($100 required for registration)



Carpet Extractor- $200-$300?

Buffer- $75

Portable Wet/Dry vac- $100

Hose with attachment- $50

Cloths, towels, bucket, other misc.- $125

Shampoo, clay, waxes, polishes, protectants, other chemicals- $250-$350 (doesn't count as equipment)

Advertising- $400

Registration- $100



Unfortunately, everything I buy has to have an invoice and show that taxes were paid. Otherwise I would've bought used stuff off craigslist and spent the rest on advertising. O ya, and I will be doing this out of the trunk of my Protege...so all this stuff needs to be as portable as possible. I plan on driving to people's houses and doing it on their driveway.



Does this make sense?? If anyone sees any flaws in my plan, please let me know. I'm also not sure about the carpet extractor cost which is why everything adds up to $1400.



Once I get my costs down, I'm going to establish a list of services, with prices.



I appreciate the help, thanks!!
Click to expand...



Not to upset any of the prior posts, but I would spend my money on establishing the business and getting your insurance rolling. Next I would contact a good but inexpensive webdesigner. You don't need a crazy site, just a bio, your#, and your fees. Next I would suggest getting door hangers made up, because there are lots of uses. To name a few, doors obviously, rear view mirrors, garage doors, mailboxes, giving them to customers as a brief explanation of your services and whatnot, etc. I would contact a buddy of mine, Camillo from www.webprinting.org. This guy knows his stuff, Very reasonable, and fast! He can help you on any printing, and your site too. My honest opinion if I were you, because I started with nothing, would be to do what I stated and just do washes and hand wax app's at first. Two big reasons for this, one you aren't limiting yourself to being at one location all day detailing, which means more homes you will be at and more exposure! Second, you will make money and establish relationships with people, gain ref's, and biggest reason MAKE MONEY so you can buy the right equipment and not kill yourself with an unrealistic budget. Try passing out door hangers at your local gyms to owners with nice cars! All it takes is a few good contacts, good work ethic, and you will grow. Best of luck! Feel free to PM me for more marketing ideas if your stuck. Marketing is my passion as well as detailing.:work:
 
jayjacque said:
Hmmm as far as I can tell it is an excellent program, government money well spent to give young entrepeneurs a boost, experience, and direction in life. Should we give them more needles instead? How about more on recruitment to get them to fight in Afghanistan? Sorry I'm getting carried away. But realistically times are tough for those of us who are older. How much harder is it for young people to get a decent start in life?
Click to expand...



Excuse me?:nono
 
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