Advice For Someone About to Bite the Bullet

[tb16ua]

Hi all! Hope everyone is well. My first post here, looking to learn a few things from the pros here. I have been detailing on the side on weekends in addition to my full time job for about 3 years now. I have always gotten great reviews and most of my jobs are via referral. I have been in sales for 9 years and I am tired with not making what I feel like I earn and seeing the fruits of my labor go to someone else. At this point I think Im ready to make a transition to running my own business and detailing full time.

I feel like I can make this work as I have a lot of experience working with small businesses through my job and am close friends with some small business owners in the area. I have a great network of "car guys" from being part of the "scene" for a few years now and feel Id be able to easily market to both car enthusiasts looking for detailed paint correction and the regular Joe just looking for a high quality wash & wax.

I have a location that will be extremely low rent and very professional looking. Luckily one of my buddies owns his own business and has a garage area that'd work perfect for something like this to keep overhead as low as possible starting up.

While I am confident I can make this work... I'm humble enough to understand I don't know all the ins and outs of the business. Any advice from people who have been in my shoes at some point? What are the pitfalls to avoid and what best practices did you implement to become successful as quickly as possible????

Appreciate any feedback and look forward to being part of the community here. :props:

[Mike Phillips]

Welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:


You're on the right forum for friendly people that will help to become successful. Last year at Mobil Tech Expo I had two pro detailers come to me and tell me after reading the articles on our forum and putting into practice the things they learned they both doubled their income.

First guy said he went from $40,000 a year to $80,000.00 a year.
Second guy said he went from $50,000.00 a year to over $100,000.00 a year.


They said what helped them was learning how to upsell show car detailing for big bucks to better clients instead of competing with the majority of detailers doing production work.

This starts with you educating yourself and you do this by reading this forum and then asking questions. Attending my detailing boot camp class is also a good idea as it will flatten out the learn curve dramatically.

Also get my book and Renny Doyle's book, both on the AG store.

Show Car Shine Detailing Book Combo (http://www.autogeek.net/how-to-run-a-detailing-business-book.html)



I'd recommend checking out these threads....


A few tips on starting a part-time detailing business (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-make-money-detailing-cars/27827-few-tips-starting-part-time-detailing-business.html)
Match your services to your customer

High quality production detailing by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/76337-high-quality-production-detailing-mike-phillips.html)


How to use a one-step cleaner/wax to maximize profits (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/58359-how-use-one-step-cleaner-wax-maximize-profits.html)


Brand Yourself, Brand your Forum Nickname and Brand your Business Name (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/23241-brand-yourself-brand-your-forum-nickname-brand-your-business-name.html)


How to choose a name for your detailing business (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/22283-how-choose-name-your-detailing-business.html)


Share your best business card design tip? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-make-money-detailing-cars/53011-share-your-best-business-card-design-tip.html)


Hope that helps....



:dblthumb2:

[tb16ua]

Awesome links I will have to dive into those this weekend...