I've been trying to kick off something like this in the Texas panhandle. I've had a pretty good experience so far. I'm going very low key. I pick up the vehicle and bring it home work it over and take it back. (being an elementary school teacher lends a good deal of trust it seems lol)

Been just doing word of mouth so far and started a little newspaper add this Sunday. Been pushing it as a hand done deal with no power washing and/or machines except for the polish. Very few people here have ever heard of a clay bar and doing that has brought in a lot of interest.

I'm pretty much doing this only during the summer before going back to teaching in August. I've only been doing it for a couple weeks and have had a half dozen or so people hire me.

I'd also like some insider info if anyone would like to pm or e-mail me. I would GREATLY appreciate it. I'm really hoping this will pan out. Teacher's pay is miserable and it's really helping a single parent get along.

 

With every business comes risk versus reward. You have to determine for yourself if you have the drive to make it succeed. It will no be easy but with that comes the potential for greater rewards. 1. Proving people wrong is a good feeling, and 2. You could make good money if it is done right. Best of Luck.

 

Im More An Mechanic/ Engine Type. Dont Know Much About Detaling But... With Any Bussiness The Best Way Is To Work For Someone And Pay Close Attention.you Dont Neccessarily Need A College Degree To Start A Bussiness. Find A Mentor And Ask Tons Of Questions And Show That You Have A Passion. Most People Will Help You Out And Show You The Ropes.

 

Just another word about your competition. They’ll most likely be illegal immigrants working out of the back of a clapped out ’86 S-10. They will have picked up a Chinese rotary buffer from Harbor Freight and will mix their own compound from beach sand and Mayo packets stolen from Taco Bell. See how they keep their overhead low?

You on the other hand will have sunk a considerable amount of money into the best materials and equipment possible thinking that most folks actually care. The sad truth – as I learned on electronics installations in boats – is that most folks don’t give a hoot about how you actually do something – as long as it’s cheap and looks good on the surface. A quickie wash and a decent shot of most any quick detailing product available at China-Mart keeps most folks happy. Sad, but true.

My advice? Start small with folks who value the kind of work you have the passion to do. Build your business slowly based on word of mouth and don’t even try to compete with the morons. You’ll be much happier.

 

hmm, mayo and beach sand, I think I'll go and try that it seems to make about the right consistancy.....

Though he is right, 95% of people don't give two chits about what you use or how you do it, just that it looks to their standards when done. Of course, the other 5% will waste an hour of your time asking to see feel and smell your products, asking what each one does and so forth.

Also, one keynote, always have a book with MSDS on each and every product with you at all times. Only once in 6 years have I had to pull mine out, but its a necassary evil thanks to the jakasses that are supposedly allergic to everything, including basic citrus cleaner

 

Well I don't know what is up in Utah, but its a small town so I doubt I will have that much competition... I know the winters will be hard, but the spring, summer, and fall should be great... I am going to check out Barnes and Noble and see what books I can pick up about starting a small business... I also found some pretty good websites that give hint and tricks to auto detailing... I wonder what kind of small business loan I should get and for how much... does anyone have a link to what all I need for a small business?

98-I will definetly keep that in mind thanks

 

sba.gov has alot of info.

 

I actually started up something a few weeks ago here in NY. What I did was make up a flyer and post it up at work (Eaton) and at my old job (Firestone). I only work friday, saturday and sunday, so it gives me all week to work on cars. I've gotten many calls from my flyers, and even more by word of mouth. I dont plan to make a career out of this, but just some extra income coming in. Just be careful with how much you take on. Its only been 3-4 weeks and I make sure that I leave myself at least 1 day to spend with my family. But do a good job and get your name out there, and the money will come. After 4 weeks, $2500 profit! Half way to buying my Whipple now Good luck and let us know how it is going

 

be careful with the SBA as well. THose aholes add so many stipulations to loans its unbelievable. There are early termination fees if you pay it off before its due, and if you sold the business to someone they have regulations in their contracts about that too. I know, I pay them monthly.

And remember, weather is a huge factor to the busniess. Good weather makes for good business for a while, but to long a stretch of good weather can be bad for business with nothing to get a car dirty. Bad weather can be detrimental if it last more than a couple days, and overcast weather is as bad as rain itself. I could write a book on here of all the different things you'd need to know. If you want to go deeper, email me at
stang99x@yahoo.com

 

Email sent... thanks 98

 

A friend who just opened a resturaunt recently just recieved a government small business grant. I'm supposed to get the info in the next couple days. I'll shoot you the info when it gets here.

grant > loan in a huge way.

 

Just got back from Barnes and Noble and picked up "Start Your Own Business- by Rieva Lesonsky" so far so good lol.. never thought about women(being a minority) would get goverment assitance I guest I thought of myself as higher then that... but whatever lol...

:: back to reading ::

 

Email must not have come through, shoot it again. Either that or you're getting put into the bulk bin. Women and minorities get better loans, that is very true (so much for the majority in the country eh?) so getting your wife to get the loan would be a good idea for the best rate.

 

haha you must not know me... atleast guys in the 04+ do... lol I am a woman

do you think a guy would dress in a bikini?

 

I figured that out when I found your email and saw your name.