What do your kids think of your detailing career?

S

Scottwax

New member
If you have kids, that is. How about other family members if you are childless?



My kids like that I get to be around some really nice, expensive cars and they like earning money by helping me but neither particularly likes detailing. They do good work though. Both say that when they are out of the house and stinking rich, they will pay me to take care of their cars. :rofl



When they were younger, and they'd hear an ad that ended with "for full details, call XXX-XXXX", my younger son would say, "No, call Scott's Mobile Auto Detailing" and he'd rattle off my number. I had to explain to him the ad had nothing to do with car detailing, but the details of their particular product.
 
When they were younger, and they'd hear an ad that ended with "for full details, call XXX-XXXX", my younger son would say, "No, call Scott's Mobile Auto Detailing" and he'd rattle off my number. I had to explain to him the ad had nothing to do with car detailing, but the details of their particular product.
Click to expand...



That is too funny!!

__________________
 
My child is 1 1/2 now. When she is in her early 20s she can take over my (by then) multi million dollar mobile detailing business. " SUPERIOR SHINE INTERNATIONAL"
 
No kids yet. IF they ever do come around they wont be doing the grunt work tho. They would get the easy way out sittig in the office bossing employee's around. If they complain about that they will then be smacked around a bit :)
 
My son is 8 months and I think he hates the hours I'm putting in. I'm not getting to see him as much as I would like.



James
 
I have two girls ages 10 1/2 and 7 1/2. They're really into cars and that makes me proud. I let them help out (clean vents, wipe down panels) when I can but they know not to ever go near the cars unless I'm around. They both have a fondness for Porsches. The oldest likes the cabrios and the youngest likes the Cayenne Turbo that comes. They both hate Corvettes and I don't know why......they just say that they're ugly. No offense to any Corvette owners. So if you have kids, get them involved. It's a great way to spend some time together getting to know them better.
 
Last april my sons (7 years old, first grade) school had a carrer day. He was so excited!! He put my hat on and handed out flyers to just about everyone at school. He also get a kick out of handing people my business card because my name is on it. (He has the same name as I do..



Arn't children great!!!!
 
Flexin said:
My son is 8 months and I think he hates the hours I'm putting in. I'm not getting to see him as much as I would like.



James
Click to expand...



At first I thought that said "I think he hates the hours HE'S putting in" and I was like, "what? your 8 month old son details cars?!?!" Imagine though?



I don't have kids, because I'm a college student but my parents seem to be really proud that I run my own business and put a lot of time, effort and money into it rather than wasting my time in my life. I don't know if this will ever become a career or not, but if it does I'd like to think they'd be proud just the same.
 
My mom's always trying to get me to quit, cause even since she found out how much I make doing this shes been convinced that I'm gonna drop out of college. The rest of my family is proud that I run my own business, though, instead of working at McD's for 5.45 an hour. I'm pretty sure theyd be pissed if I took it up full-time, though, they have this weird "if you don't become a white-collar professional, we will disown you" vibe going on. I'd like to detail full time, but I love my family more, so it looks like chemical engineering for me :). Guess I'll keep it up as a hobby when I get out of college.
 
Hate to say this but your parents are right. Finish the ChE degree. Opened up a world of jobs for me upon graduation. ChE's are among the most versatile and sought after engineering degrees. In my graduating class, only 2/3 work as ChE's. The rest became computer admins (me), lawyers, a couple of doctors, a couple work for CIA as analysts, etc..



ChE will get you the job that allows you to indulge your detailing kick. :D
 
themightytimmah:



From someone that walked away from a 20 year computer programming career in June 2004.

Not making nearly the money that I was, but it is nice to be able to see my kids more.



Finish up college and then go after your dreams, detailing, office job, whatever...



Do what you love and the money will follow...
 
I have two kids, one boy and one girl. My boy is almost 3 (8/10), and my daughter is 1.5 years old. I know they both wish I was home more, especially since majority of the time I'm working 7 days a week and then when I'm home I'm taking care of paper work, ordering supplies, returning calls, etc. But, the good thing is at least I'm providing a handsome life for them and I soon will be hiring people so that I can shorten my hours. :xyxthumbs
 
Actually, I'm not really sure other family members think very much about what it takes to plan, startup and operate a detailing business. At least they don't tell me about it.



Hey, I've been doing this detailing work for almost twenty years and although my detailing business has been featured in newspapers, trade magazines and I have appearred on radio and the Fox GoodDay Philadelphia TV morning show, I get the impression that most of my family just takes me for granted. It's almost like they know that if there's a way for me to accomplish something, I'll figure out a way to get it done.



Over the years I have had very little input from other family members with regard to how to operate my business. It's almost a non-topic. Maybe that's because they know by now that I like to do just about everything my own way. Hey, isn't that what being your own boss is all about anyway?
 
ajbarnes said:
I have two kids, one boy and one girl. My boy is almost 3 (8/10), and my daughter is 1.5 years old. I know they both wish I was home more, especially since majority of the time I'm working 7 days a week and then when I'm home I'm taking care of paper work, ordering supplies, returning calls, etc. But, the good thing is at least I'm providing a handsome life for them and I soon will be hiring people so that I can shorten my hours. :xyxthumbs
Click to expand...



The time goes so fast. Before you know it those kids will be older and not looking to spend time with you unless you lay down the foundation of a healthy relationship now. You don't want to look back and say to yourself "I sure wish I'd spent more time with my kids".



It's easy to overdo things and get burned out in the quest for more cash. I've been self employed for 20 years and it would be very easy to work 7 days/week, 12 hours a day. I make it my business NOT to. I take weekends off and schedule vacation time with my family. It's as important as working. Trust me. ;)
 
Jinba ittai:



I agree 100% with you. We waited 15 years to have kids. It was our choice to wait.



It's been a year That I left my full time job... Yea I am still not making the money I was, but I am home every night by 6pm and try my best not work on the weekends. If I have to I am home by 11am or noon on Saturday. Time flies fast I can't beleive that my boy is going to be 8 in January..
 
My son has "special" meaning in my business. His name is Donovan and is autistic. Without getting too deep...It is my belief that I was led to North Carolina 4 years ago because of the 'world class' autism programs in the (big) city public schools here. I left a six-figure salaried job with a huge transportation company. They (my employer) of thirty years couldn't find me a job in N.C. even though I suggested a level drop and or big paycut. I quit, sold everything and settled in. On arrival I decided to buy a nice muscle-car. I entered the car in many events during my 1st year here. The car was a hit....I was approached by some influential folks who had cars in the shows as to how I was able to produce such fine finishes on my car and if I would prep thier autos for future events. With my focus on Donovan's future, we are in the Detailing business and doing quite well. Without preaching, I am sure that the good Lord is making it all happen for us. I'm hoping and praying that when he is ready, he can step into a well established business and improve what we've started. So far he likes being involved and my clients love him. We are "Donovan's Detailing" and our website is www.awesomefinishes.com I thank everyone from this forum because you've had a very big impact on our success. :clap:
 
:) Terry, that's a very touching story. North Carolina is a beautiful state and I'm glad things have worked out for you there. I wish you and Donovan the best of luck. :2thumbs:



Kids really do add meaning to one's life, don't they?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top