Final updates on the goings on WAY down South.

[Aaryn NZ]

Hello my Autogeek family.

First off - appologies for my lack of updates on these threads & general absence on the forum of late. Life once again has thrown us some ugliness, & without going into too much detail my Mum has fallen ill to cancer & we have nearly lost her a couple of times due to medical complications but at this stage, she is somewhat stable. This along with the stresses of the new building, moving house, moving shop, staff etc has even seen me back in the A & E department with another suspected heart attack, which as it turned out was a false alarm & I must add, probably a damn good wake up call & reminder that there is a limit.

Anyhow - here we are with another update on "the goings on WAY down South" which I started back in July with these two previous posts -

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...420&highlight=

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...238&highlight=


As with those two threads I will post some pictures for entertainment value & I'll start with some shiny black paint -






So the shop remains busy & even the normal Spring time "lull" was fairly non-existent but as per normal, everything is picking up pace coming closer to the holiday season. I hope to have a couple of days off this year & I will do my best to say "no" so I can spend some time with family. So, since my last update we did employ the young man & how it works down here in NZ is - you can take someone on for a three month trial & if they aren't any good you can terminate their employment at any stage no questions asked. This week is his last week of his trial period & my Wife & I have some decisions to make . . . . stay tuned.
Other goings on in the shop - umm . . . My Commercial Dr ColorChip set up is still impressing me & is a valuble addition to our business. Unfortunately the New Zealand Chapter of the IDA has turned into a franchise beneficial organisation & sadly my views on raising the standards of detailing in NZ over getting as many people signed up as members has seen me kept out of the loop as a board member but to be honest - if thats the direction they are going, then I would rather not be a part of it.

A pretty cool little Plymouth Scamp. I like this car, I like the simple styling & like the Nova, the compact design.



A tidy example of a sweet C6 Corvette.




I had previously touched on our desire to have a retail section in the new shop & being a small town & aside from the normal over the counter products found at local auto parts stores nobody has tried this here before. Uncharted territory but I believe once we get the word out there we shall have some success. Early signs are good. We have paired up with a great supplier here in NZ - United Car Care & we will run our retail store as United Car Care Blenheim under our banner "Details". We will offer a good range of products from the likes of Gyeon, Menzerna, Valet Pro, Wheel Woolies, Rupes, Solution Finish, Duragloss, MetroVac, Waxaddict . . . Its pretty exciting for us & we are looking forward to the challenge.

Kia make some pretty cool cars & this little "Hot Hatch" Ceéd is a nice car indeed. The pearl white looked incredible in the sunshine.




A sweet "Mineral Grey" Roush Stage 3 Mustang.




This Ford Galaxie was one of my favourite cars I have detailed this year. In terms of condition there wasn't anything too dramatic to deal with other than the usual swirls but I had fun with it & enjoyed every minute of the detail.




Right, so because I have been slack with my updates on the new shop progress, I'll just fire a few pictures on to catch everyone up from where we left off.

This was the next stage after my last update in August with the exterior cladding on & with the painting being done.




This one showing the columns & steel work for the cantilever roof over the wash bay & some yard work being started.




Nope, this is not my first job "rolling"in. Picture shows the roof completed over wash bay.





Exterior painting finished & car park nearing aspalting stage.




From this stage until the time we moved shop was only a fortnight & this time was hectic busy & it appears no pictures were taken during this time but really, it was only the asphalt going down, so nothing terribly exciting.
Here are a couple of photos of the inside of the building whilst the carpet tiles & vinyl flooring was being layed.






Forgive me for the fuzzy photo quality of these two. This is us putting the floor down in the workshop. Benjamin (2yrs) spent the morning running around with a mallet & floor tile helping out he said.






A picture of my sign man & Hot Rodder Brian painting the signs on our wall.




So after months of frustrating set backs & sitting back watching & not being allowed to do anything we are finally in our new shop & open for business. Its been super exciting & super hard at the same time. I have a great team behind me & a few people I cannot thank enough for getting stuck in & helping out & breathing life into our dream. Thank you to all of you here - my Autogeek Online family for the kind words shared in previous threads & the encouragement that provided the enthusiasm to keep on keeping on. Thank you!

Here are some pictures of the shop finished & ready for work - Entrance, reception & to the right is our customer lounge/waiting area. Note - Ivan on our reception counter & Mike Phillips on the television.






Looking over the reception counter into the workshop & standing in the roller door entrance to the workshop looking across to our customer lounge/waiting area & retail space.






Some pictures of the first week of the new shop in action.









Mustang being washed on the wash bay. Note - more signage in progress too.






Ange's new ride being baked after coating.




I don't believe you guys get the Holden Colorado in the States? This one looking sharp in black parked outside in front of the shop.




Some promotional photos being done for local media features.







There we have it. The start of a new journey for us & our little business down here in New Zealand. Thank you all for sharing the ride & I look forward to sharing our story with you all as we move forward.

The Details team.

Aaryn NZ.

[TMQ]

Holy Moly! Now that is a really top drawer setup!!! Maybe I'll grow up and be like you. That, Aaryn, is a first class operation!

Love how you touched on the different cars plus the shop development all in one smooth thread. This is good stuff here!

I am very impressed.

And lastly---take care of yourself first! We here at AGO need you around!!

Tom

[Dmb5450]

Aaryn, I am glad business is going well for you. That is a great looking shop and something to be very proud of. Keep up the great work. I love that picture of the Jag!


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

[Justin at Final Inspection]

First off let me send my well wishes and prayers to your mom. Also take care of yourself and don't be afraid to take some time off for yourself and family. If your clients respect you and your craft they will understand. I finally took the past week off here for Thanksgiving. It was much needed and although fun I am glad to get back at it today.

Your shop is stunning! Congrats on getting in there and cranking out some sweet stuff! We do get the Chevy Colorado and GMC Caynon here in the states. I have actually had my eyes on one for a bit but due to my car addiction I can't make up my mind on what I want to buy! HAHA.

Congrats brother and keep doing your thing!

[SWETM]

That is a sweet looking shop you have done! The work with the cars you have done is top notch! Fun to follow your progress at your new shop and best of luck!

Hope that your mom gets well and get thrue the cancer. And take care of your self and listen to your body.

Best regards Tony

[Paul A.]

First off, well wishes sent to your mum and family. You will all be in my prayers. Hard work, especially perservering through the turbulent times, pays off.

That is an absolutely BRILLIANT setup and shop. I wish you all the luck in the world with it!

And Benjamin hauling around the tile and mallet is the most adorable thing I've seen in a long time!

Keep pluggin' my friend.

[RTexasF]

Healing prayers for your Mum and the best thoughts to you and your family. Your hard work shows very well in your post. Thank you for letting the rest of us see it.

[DetailKitty]

OMG what an incredible shop!!!!!!!
Well done!

I send prayers and well wishes to your Mum and strength to you all. Hang in there and remember to leave time for yourself and family.

[PaulMys]

Sorry to read about your mom, bud. As a guy who lost his dad to cancer, you have my fullest well-wishes for her to beat the hell out of that awful disease.

And I don't even know what to say about the new shop except WOW!!!!!!

Now THAT is a SHOP!!

Awesome update & pics as always, Aaryn. Very happy for you, my man!!

[VISITOR]

Aaron, i hope the best for You and your Mum in that both of you recover fully well and get back on track. nothing but the best for your business as well...