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Well I'm tryin to start mobile detailing where I live about 16,000 people or more live here. At least 2 times a week I go out And buy supplies, soon as I get my income taxes, I wan to get a canopy and PW, and trailer.. etc.
I have registered my assumed business name w/court house, then I'm need to go to local newspaper and run leagl ad anoucning my business, then return to court house letting them know I went to the newspaper, today called about insurance,
Sorry this is SOOO Long MY Q is what steps should I take now?????
why go mobile unless you have to ..working out of a shop or your garage is better in my opinion . you dont have to pack up all the time and its easy to take a break and eat lunch in front of the tv at home. ive done both and prefer being at home with my family nearby .. being home/making moneygood luck
why go mobile unless you have to ..working out of a shop or your garage is better in my opinion . you dont have to pack up all the time and its easy to take a break and eat lunch in front of the tv at home. ive done both and prefer being at home with my family nearby .. being home/making moneygood luck
For the past year and ahalf been living in apartments, 3 weeks ago moved into a house but no garage. thats one of my problems.
why go mobile unless you have to ..working out of a shop or your garage is better in my opinion . you dont have to pack up all the time and its easy to take a break and eat lunch in front of the tv at home. ive done both and prefer being at home with my family nearby .. being home/making moneygood luck
I agree ...even at your house without a garage you still have access to water, electricity and a bathroom
Quote:
Originally Posted by dickie
Well I'm tryin to start mobile detailing where I live about 16,000 people or more live here. At least 2 times a week I go out And buy supplies, soon as I get my income taxes, I wan to get a canopy and PW, and trailer.. etc.
I have registered my assumed business name w/court house, then I'm need to go to local newspaper and run leagl ad anoucning my business, then return to court house letting them know I went to the newspaper, today called about insurance,
Sorry this is SOOO Long MY Q is what steps should I take now?????
And Where to find a good cheap canopy
Well it seems like you are taking the right steps, but now I have a few questions...
What is your experience level?
Are you doing this full time?
What is you client base and how many of these 16K actually detail their cars?
Are you really running to the local Autozone type store to by off the shelf products to run a business?
Will you be busy enough to afford the insurance?
What machines are you using?
and ..the last and biggy ... Do you have a business plan?
I agree ...even at your house without a garage you still have access to water, electricity and a bathroom
Well it seems like you are taking the right steps, but now I have a few questions...
What is your experience level?
Are you doing this full time?
What is you client base and how many of these 16K actually detail their cars?
Are you really running to the local Autozone type store to by off the shelf products to run a business?
Will you be busy enough to afford the insurance?
What machines are you using?
and ..the last and biggy ... Do you have a business plan?
Well my experience comes from starting hanging around a detail shop, soon started working there. But just did washes and inside details, owner didn't pay us 2weeks in a row, so month later I & my friend started detail biz w/ wash bay, and other room to fit 6 cars his dad owned it, lasted only 5 months, So I could say no paint correction, buffing, or polishing experience.
Yes. full time
Now my client base, don't really have no, and out of the 16k um I'm not sure how many get their cars cleaned,
And yes I've been for 6 months researching and I pick up supplies few times a week..
Machines I plan on this next 2 weeks finding a PW, and canopy..
I have a business plan made out but after looking at a few I don't think mine is any good.
Well my experience comes from starting hanging around a detail shop, soon started working there. But just did washes and inside details, owner didn't pay us 2weeks in a row, so month later I & my friend started detail biz w/ wash bay, and other room to fit 6 cars his dad owned it, lasted only 5 months, So I could say no paint correction, buffing, or polishing experience.
Yes. full time
Now my client base, don't really have no, and out of the 16k um I'm not sure how many get their cars cleaned,
And yes I've been for 6 months researching and I pick up supplies few times a week..
Machines I plan on this next 2 weeks finding a PW, and canopy..
I have a business plan made out but after looking at a few I don't think mine is any good.
appreciate the input
Ryan
Damn it Dickie 1 Part of me wants to get frustrated with you. And tha other part tells me you HAVE exactly what it will take to succeed.Just hang on tight and stay focused.
I would say to start offering just waxing by hand(no major paint correction)and focus alot on the interiors.Most people(especially women)care way more about interior cleaning then exterior.Learn how to clean Leather/cloth and get you a "littlegreenmachine" by Bissle for carpets/uphoustery This would be 1 of my 1st major purchases plus it will come in handy around tha house with kids.
ok then from your description ... you sound like you need to open a wash and wax business dude... no corrections it's hard to make a living doing this.
You need a lot of customers each day to make enough to make it worth while.
My suggestion is to get a job with a different detailer or body shop, even if you have to volunteer and suck out as much info and experience in using machines
ok then from your description ... you sound like you need to open a wash and wax business dude... no corrections it's hard to make a living doing this.
You need a lot of customers each day to make enough to make it worth while.
My suggestion is to get a job with a different detailer or body shop, even if you have to volunteer and suck out as much info and experience in using machines
I can agree with Steve on this, running a detail biz is not that easy and most all of your customers are going to come from word of mouth, that takes a lot of time.
Getting a job in a local dealership for a while and learning while getting paid is a valuable lesson and experience.
Like I mentioned in another of your threads, work on your organaizational skills. You've got 6 threads going basically asking the same question. Slow down and gather your thoughts. I know you're excited, but you can't run a business hopping all over the place. Your actions need to be well planned/focused.
I think you may have a few factors working in your favor. One, small town. Assuming small town Il. is somewhat similar to small town Tx, everybody knows everybody. If you are well liked that is going to work for you. Small town folk like to help each other. A new start-up business might just get some customers that aren't all that interested in having their vehicles cleaned up but are willing to help out a young entrepreneur. This will help establish a base if you can do a good job at a fair price and convince those initial customers to tell others about your service.
Secondly you are young and don't presume to know it all and sound willing to learn. Also to do this day in day out is physically grueling, your youth will serve you well.
I think the wash and wax business might be a good start, but I would go ahead and purchase a PC and some good polish products and begin practicing on your own and family vehicles. IMO the PC has a pretty short learning curve and paired with the right products and know how you might be able to quickly ramp up the level of your details. I'll quickly add...slow down...take your time to do things right the first time.
There is a lot to learn about being a detailer and a businessman. If you are only good at one but not the other failure is only a heartbeat away.
Like I mentioned in another of your threads, work on your organaizational skills. You've got 6 threads going basically asking the same question. Slow down and gather your thoughts. I know you're excited, but you can't run a business hopping all over the place. Your actions need to be well planned/focused.
I think you may have a few factors working in your favor. One, small town. Assuming small town Il. is somewhat similar to small town Tx, everybody knows everybody. If you are well liked that is going to work for you. Small town folk like to help each other. A new start-up business might just get some customers that aren't all that interested in having their vehicles cleaned up but are willing to help out a young entrepreneur. This will help establish a base if you can do a good job at a fair price and convince those initial customers to tell others about your service.
Secondly you are young and don't presume to know it all and sound willing to learn. Also to do this day in day out is physically grueling, your youth will serve you well.
I think the wash and wax business might be a good start, but I would go ahead and purchase a PC and some good polish products and begin practicing on your own and family vehicles. IMO the PC has a pretty short learning curve and paired with the right products and know how you might be able to quickly ramp up the level of your details. I'll quickly add...slow down...take your time to do things right the first time.
There is a lot to learn about being a detailer and a businessman. If you are only good at one but not the other failure is only a heartbeat away.
good luck
Damn it Dickie 1 Part of me wants to get frustrated with you. And tha other part tells me you HAVE exactly what it will take to succeed.Just hang on tight and stay focused.
it's hard to make a living doing this.
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