The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

[wiseguys]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

Business plans are a god send in situations like what Superior Shine had. Quick reactions are critical too!
Superior Shine is my idol. lol.

[sstg]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

As a true business professional in this industry, you know that it all comes down to having a plan and setting realistic goals and objectives for your business. And we both know that takes work.

Sorry this is what I was referring to from mirrorfinishman.

[Nappers]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

.....I had hoped the housing drop and gas prices would drive your business down bad.

Aaron

I should not type after working 12 hours at the ol' lockup....

I meant to say, glad you guys did so well WITH THE HOUSING DROP AND GAS PRICES SKY ROCKETING.

I'm going to bed now just so I can do it all over again in 11 hours. Next week, day shift baby! Shoot, the brass, court, cops in and out, nurses, meals, medications.

Aaron

[sstg]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

Well said.

[Nappers]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

Before Christmas, I made my first detail for dollars on a Ford Excursion, what a beast. got $200.00 for it and return customer for their MB SLK 230 Kompressor, MG, F350, F250 and their NBS Ford Thunderbird.

I need to hone my G100 skills to which I think I know what's wrong and try to make it to an Open Garage this year. Then I'll consider doing more cars.

Glad everyone had good year. I had hoped the housing drop and gas prices would drive your business down bad.

Aaron

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

HI Renny,

I am sure there are plenty of detailing business owners out there, especially the recent startups, who began to wonder during 2007 what happened to all of their detailing customers. Sure the economy plays a part in how these business owners were treated. However, the important question they must ask themselves is; how are they going to deal with the current downturn in business activity. Will they survive the storm? or will they be added to the never ending list of people who fail?

As a true business professional in this industry, you know that it all comes down to having a plan and setting realistic goals and objectives for your business. And we both know that takes work. Work that some detailing business owners would rather not think about usually because they are to busy with the daily operations of their business. They do what they like to do on a daily basis, the easy fun part, and leave the tough part for later. Well, for many of these detailing business operators, the future is here and the disappointment of not having enough business to survive is quickly becoming more real with each passing day.

In summary, we both understand that it is all about the action we have taken as business owners over the years that has allowed us to endure these types of troubled times. Sure we must remain flexible to make changes, however, we both realize this is no time to overreact to current economic conditions.

[TH0001]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

2007 was great year for me on a business level. In the last 7 months, I have detailed over 65 Ferraris including a 17.8 million dollar 250 GTO. I have been to 2 other countries and detailed parts of some amazing collections. 2008 has been a let down so far, minus the 4 concours cars we did for the Cavallino concours show that won platinum awards.

2008 does have the potential to be amazing as several channels and shows have inquired about having us to either a reality type show (traveling to famous peoples houses or SC even has discussed fronting a shop for us in south Florida) or as polishing segments on some fairly popular automotive shows (HorsePower TV for example).

[Nick Chapman]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

This year things will be different, i'm going to bank all money.....

I keep telling myself that, but it never happens

[Joe's detailing]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

I had a decent year made alot of money, then spent it all....
This year things will be different, i'm going to bank all money.....

[Stevens Detailing]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

2007 had a little different feel for me also. It was my 11th year in buisness and my second year of working alone with no employees. I definitly grossed more but worked very hard for it! I also decided that I wasn't going back to having employees again so I needed a new game plan for 2008.

The begining of 2008 I started Shine Supply, a new division of my detailing company, Stevens Detailing. Shine Supply is an exclusive dealer of Meguiar's products and I'm servicing some local body shops, dealerships and car washes. I also did a web-site so I can generate some sales via internet. I've already converted two major car washes in town (Ventura,Ca.) that were using Blue Coral products and I converted a BMW dealership over that was using 3D products. It's been so awesome to just share my passion and experience and make some money at the same time.
It's very easy to sell a product you have complete faith in and the experience to show these companies how to use the product. I have a very good angle that some other local distributors lack because they aren't detailers, just salesmen. So my main issue this year will be balancing the detailing and the product sales. My goal is to grow the sales to where I can cut my detailing to just "exterior only" jobs - anything from a clay n wax to color sand & buff. I love detailing so I will never get away from it! There's nothing like a #21 shine with some Hyper on the tires

Hope you all have a great year also. Keep those dreams alive!

[stealth]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

About the same for me but picked up more gov't units to do. $ is always there even if payed a month later. Paper work w/bids,purchase orders & requisitions are really no problem. Scheduling units gives me a lot of time flex for civilian clients, sometimes I'm detailing a PD unit @ midnight after the others are long gone. This year I'm just going to put out my cards/flyers & gift certs. as usual, but have been visiting car dlrs., body shops & other detail shops offering my services as a subcontractor. I've gotten work from body shops because insurance pays only $35 to clean the unit upon return to customer & only if the adjuster approves it. Good luck everyone.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

2007 was an awesome year for us! We've landed some very exciting clients, with some very nice collections! I never thought in a million years that we would be working on some of the cars that we have. I have to pinch myself sometimes We went from 1 person doing everything(myself) out of the bed of a truck, to hiring 2 full time employees. Buying a dedicated van for the business, and another truck.

Plans for 2008 are in the works. Right now, I am looking into a shop to lease. It's getting too tight in the garage at my house. Most all of our detailing is mobile, but I would like to have a dedicated space to take care of customers cars, storing equipment and keeping the van locked up at night(it's too tall for the garage at my house). Although I don't do much at my house, I think it would drum up a little more business, plus look quite a bit more professional having an actual shop.


I hope 2008 is a successful year for everyone!

Nick

[CarbonBlack]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

there is no one on this forum that I would want to succeed more than you

you have it coming to you
(gotta teach you daughter to detail)

[TKDDAD]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

I take back what I posted about our gross. We grossed more!!!!!

Congrats on a good year Joe !!...here's to a better 2008

[Superior Shine]

Re: The Auto Detailing Business At The Next Level

I take back what I posted about our gross. We grossed more!!!!!