After Autogeek boot camp and some hard work

**Jeff Wagner** · 09-03-2015, 05:29 AM

My name is Jeff Wagner and i wanted to share my Autogeek boot camp success story.

I played professional golf in my 20's then continued to work in the golf business until last year. I am 45 years old now and its one year into my career change.

I signed up for the boot camp in may of 2014. I am proud to say Mike Phillips and Nick Rutter is how i learned to detail. This is one of the best decisions i have made in my life.

I showed up to the boot camp in my flip flops like i was on vacation and Mike worked our butts off to make sure we learned everything we could. I didn't even know what a PC was but that would soon change.

The class was exactly what i needed. We started from the beginning washing the car. Wheels first then the two bucket wash method and iron-x. Still to this day my clients are amazed just like i was when the 2 bucket wash method is explained to them.

Then we go inside to the show car garage and he hands us all sandwich bags. I am thinking what in the world but this was no gimmick. The paint feels clean with a bare hand and with the sandwich bag on my hand the paint felt like sandpaper.

Nano Skin was our way to clay and now i have a piece of rubber sewn onto a towel in my hands LOL. It worked like a magic trick making the paint feel smooth as glass. The car was ready to be worked on with a machine now.

I got to use every buffer on the market. I even ended up wet sanding a 1963 Chevy Impala and bringing a 1939 Red Chevy Coupe back from needing a new paint job. It was great learning the dedicated products, tools, and techniques for everything. I made a few friends in class that i still keep in touch with today.

I told Mike that i worked at a private golf course and all the members there were waiting for me to get back. When i got back i had to sell my beloved black C6 Z51 Corvette and buy a truck to pull a utility trailer with. I searched all over and then when i saw it i knew what i wanted. I drove from Tampa to Miami and got a Hummer H2 SUT with 24" chrome wheels.

Then it was a 6x12 enclosed utility trailer, pressure washer, generator, air compressor, and a 100 gallon water tank. Nick Rutter helped me with my huge first order. I got my business license, insurance, and LLC. Picked a name Artistry Auto Detailing and put some advertising on the trailer.

My first car is a 2015 Bentley Flying Spur :-) I still take care of this car and two others for this client every other week. My work has helped me pick up a couple of his friends and so on. I have not had to advertised at all. I pick up new clients all the time with word of mouth.

I built a website and made a FB business page for people to see what i do. I really didn't want to sell my Vette but the Hummer H2 has been great for business. People call me driving down the road and wait for me in parking lots of stores.

I go the extra mile to make sure everyone is happy and now i have great reviews on my feedback.

I have an amazing portfolio for my first year.

Rolls Royce Wraith
McLaren 650 S
Bentley Flying Spurs
Bentley GT
Maserati
Porsche GT3
Audi R8
C7 Z06's
Tesla's

and many more awesome cars.

I have done semi-permanent paint coatings on most of these cars listed. Paint corrections and ceramic paint coatings are my go to package. There is no one in my area doing this type of work with the exception of a couple guys about an hour away in Tampa.

My prices have gone up but still not where i should be.

I have my garage set up with race deck flooring, a/c, and a crazy amount of lights. I have re-invested what i can when i can. The dionized CR spotless water system was a good decision. A Porter Cable, Griot's 3", Two Flex 3401's, and a Flex PE 14 round-out my buffers for now.

The Tornador Black and White, Master Blaster Side Kick, and the Foam Cannon are a few of my favorite fun tools.

I have gone to Mobile tech Expo in Orlando, Detail Fest, and have taken the 1st Boat Detailing Class Autogeek offered.

I am doing better work than guys who have been doing it wrong for 20 years and not keeping up with technology. I am also fixing work from those guys and the ones with no education or a passion for success.

This post is to say thank you Mike and Nick. Also to motivate anyone starting a business. Take the boot camp class, buy quality products, and work really hard. It can be done and I am proof.

Here are a few pics and some links to my business pages. Hope everyone has a great day!

**Mantilgh** · 09-03-2015, 05:45 AM

Congratulations. Awesome to here your path to success started here at Autogeek!

**FrankS** · 09-03-2015, 06:19 AM

Keep up the good work Jeff!

**whavens** · 09-03-2015, 06:23 AM

Congratulations, the Boot Camp was a blast. I attended the July 2015 Boot Camp and am in the process of getting my business off the ground. I will be working with Nick to get my big order put together shortly.

Great to hear that your business has taken off like it has. Maybe I'll see you at Detail Fest next year.

Walter

**Mike@DedicatedPerfection** · 09-03-2015, 06:43 AM

That is awesome Jeff!!! Congratulations.

Thanks for sharing your story.

**Nick McKees37** · 09-03-2015, 06:47 AM

I never get tired of hearing about your continued success with your new detailing business Jeff. I always look out for your posts on Facebook and it's apparent that you are a hard working guy that is set on succeeding. Your attitude is always positive and that itself plays a huge role in your success.

Keep up the great work.

Mike Phillips · 09-03-2015, 07:33 AM

Hi Jeff,

More than anything else, I love hearing success stories, especially from our alumni students! One thing for sure... you definitely have a passion for perfection and it shows in everything you do.