Well, I did it...

[Nick Chapman]

I let everybody go and moved the business back to my garage.

Got tired of dealing with employee's, and all the drama that goes along with having them, so I let my guys go(1 full time, and 1 part time). The part timer already has a full time job, and I'm getting my full time guy set up with another job. I wouldn't just fire him

I moved out of the shop because I didn't want to be pressured anymore to make a certain $$$ every month before I could make a profit. When you have employees, it makes it a little easier to manage those expenses. But now that I'm by myself again, I figured it would be best to just take the business back to my garage.


In a way, I feel a sense of relief. Like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I'll be a heck of a lot busier now that I'm doing all of the work, but I don't have the pressure of having to manage employees, and having to make a certain amount before I can make anything in my pocket.

Anyhow, thats it.

Nick

[rebelde33]

Re: Well, I did it...

I'm sure you will be better by yourself without having to run a shop. You can still do what you like without all that pressure.

[yalerd]

Re: Well, I did it...

Hey Nick, either way you go, I know that most of us will back you up in whatever decision you make.

Good luck going back to your garage, I know you'll do well man

[Superior Shine]

Re: Well, I did it...

No guts no glory!

[Sydster]

Re: Well, I did it...

I'm sure you will be better by yourself without having to run a shop. You can still do what you like without all that pressure.

Good Luck Nick!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Well, I did it...

Nick, good luck working back out of your garage. We all know the troubles you were having with the employees. Good luck and remember your girls. Don't get to busy remeber to make time for them. Once again good luck.

[Derrick]

Re: Well, I did it...

That's the way i like it to. I am working out of my personal garage from home and nothing is better than that. I don't see how people can deal with other employees. I know there are some real good ones but unless they match your own passion for detailing i feel that i would have to be watching over their back the whole time so i would just rather do the work myself

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Well, I did it...

That's the way i like it to. I am working out of my personal garage from home and nothing is better than that. I don't see how people can deal with other employees. I know there are some real good ones but unless they match your own passion for detailing i feel that i would have to be watching over their back the whole time so i would just rather do the work myself

Thats exactly it!
In the begining, I thought I could open this detail shop, and hire a couple of employee's. I had the work to make it all happen, just didn't have the manpower to get it all done. Found a deal on a shop, and everything started to fall into place. And it was good for a little while.

Then the employee's started to get a little lazy. Always needing time off work, and never telling me until the day they needed off. That put me in a position to have to cancel jobs(which I absolutely hate to do). And they also started getting lazy with their work ethics. Customers were calling me, telling me things that were missed, overlooked or just ignored. Engines weren't being cleaned when customers were paying for them. Floor mats were cleaned, but carpets weren't. Just things to get done with the job as quick as possible.

I finally said enough with it all. This isn't what I invisioned my business becoming. I wanted a quality detail shop that gave it's customers more than what they were paying for, not less. I guess in the begining the greed when to my head, and I had visions of making more money by producing more work. But in the end, it just wasn't worth it. I'd rather make less money and be reguarded as the best detailer in my area, than to be just like everyone else pumping out as many vehicles as possible.

It's all good though. We learn from our mistakes, and I learned a valuable lesson from this mistake. I'm not saying that I won't ever hire another employee, but I will be a little more selective in the future. I'm all moved back into my garage at home again, and trying to recover my business back to the reputation that I lost. Once I get that back, I will not let anyone take it away from me again!

Nick

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Well, I did it...

Thanks for sharing your experience through all this with our forum.

This is why a many detail shops are primarily production shops, not quality shops and not even show car quality detailing shops. The owner has the talent and the passion but he can't get the employees to perform to his standards.