You Think 53 is to Old To Start???

[Beemerboy]

For the last several years I have thought about starting a mobile detail biz....The thing is that I am happiest when I am working on cars..I have the sales & marketing knowledge and understand how to promote the business, and have been self employed for 5 years until recently. I have given much thought to the business plan and looked at the start up costs. none are a deterrent.

The only thing the concerns me is my age.

I have no physical imitations other than I should loose some weight

So my question is what are your thoughts on this?

Thanks alot!

[audiboy]

If you think you're up for it and think that it will make you happy, I say go for it. By the way, what type of physical imitations could you have and is your weight really that tight?

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by audiboy

If you think you're up for it and think that it will make you happy, I say go for it. By the way, what type of physical imitations could you have and is your weight really that tight?

I could loose 30 pounds and that would make the work easier...nothing else is really limiting me....I was thinking that I would take this winter to get everything in place get my name out there and then launch in spring of 08

[norahcrv]

Originally Posted by audiboy

If you think you're up for it and think that it will make you happy, I say go for it.

I agree!! I wouldn't want you to look back in fifteen years & say "Gee, I wish I'd tried that." From what I've seen & heard of some of the details you've done, you certainly have the talent for the work, Dave!! . . . and personally speaking, I'd be more inclined to let a "mature" person of 53 touch my paint than some of the "youngsters" out there! (No, I'm not referring to anybody here in the City!!!)

Keep us posted & best of luck!!

Originally Posted by audiboy

. . . and is your weight really that tight?

(nice one, AB!! )

[audiboy]

Originally Posted by norahcrv

(nice one, AB!! )

I was hoping someone would catch that.

[RTexasF]

How long do you plan on doing it? At 58 I have a lot more pain, creaks, and groans than I did at 53. It doesn't stop me from detailing but there's no such thing a a "quick four hour detail" anymore. They take me all day to do it right and that's working in my garage not mobile.

Not throwing a damper at all, I'm all for you. Just thought I'd remind you it doesn't get any easier as age creeps up on you.

[Jetbo]

I don't think your age should be a problem, the first few years will be the most important so it will be nice to know you will be doing allot of the work yourself so you can set the standards for the shop. Then in a few more years if your did a good job making it a success you can sell it off for a nice retirement fund or take more of a desk position and oversee the business while others you trust get their hands dirty. Either way I think its not to late if you got the drive to see it through.

[distrbd]

Some of the most successful people made it big when they were in their fifties.
When you say "mobile detail biz",how many cars per day are you talking about?is it a one man show in order to make it more manageable? or are you planing to get bigger?
At any rate,since you enjoy doing this kind of work I'm sure it is more likely you would succeed .
Best of luck.

[jaybs02]

If it will make you happy, and you will be enjoying, then why not.

I'm sure that if you spend more time moving about working on the cars you will loose some of that weight that you are concerned about...So go for it

Good luck with either way you choose

"J"

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by Beemerboy

For the last several years I have thought about starting a mobile detail biz....The thing is that I am happiest when I am working on cars..I have the sales & marketing knowledge and understand how to promote the business, and have been self employed for 5 years until recently. I have given much thought to the business plan and looked at the start up costs. none are a deterrent.

The only thing the concerns me is my age.

I have no physical imitations other than I should loose some weight

So my question is what are your thoughts on this?

Thanks alot!

are you kidding me Dave stick with the desk job and keep it a side biz

people as old as us are moving out of the biz not into it

have you been hanging out at your favorite watering hole again

I know at least two people close to your age that have sold their biz and moved on to easier work.
It's one thing to do a car or two as a side biz, but bending and squatting everyday is for the young people out there


If you really have the itch ..think about a shop and hiring and training some youngsters

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by RTexasF

At 58 I have a lot more pain, creaks, and groans than I did at 53. It doesn't stop me from detailing but there's no such thing a a "quick four hour detail" anymore. They take me all day to do it right and that's working in my garage not mobile.

Not throwing a damper at all, I'm all for you. Just thought I'd remind you it doesn't get any easier as age creeps up on you.

Amen to that brother

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by Beemerboy

I could loose 30 pounds and that would make the work easier...

that and about 20 years

[Poorboy]

ok..I know what some of you are thinking i've known Dave for a long time now and we like to kid each other ...I wish you all the luck in the world if you really want to go down that road again

ps i know where you can get some detailing supplies

[distrbd]

Originally Posted by Poorboy

If you really have the itch ..think about a shop and hiring and training some youngsters

A recipe for disaster.

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by distrbd

A recipe for disaster.

but then he has someone to blame