what are your biggest problems about running/starting your business?

thebamboo23

thebamboo23

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I think it'll help a lot of people out if we have one big ol thread to post common problems about starting/running business and solution to those problems

I'll start;

problem: getting my first few customers
solution: signing up/posting on facebook, instagram, craigslist, yelp, and forums

problem: how to set prices/packages
answer: talked/looked at other pro detailers on the forum to see how they're structuring their prices/packages
 
Problem: getting my customers to refer me to new customers

Solution: offering discounts to new refered customers

Sent from my Chaser using Tapatalk 2
 
thebamboo23 said:
I think it'll help a lot of people out if we have one big ol thread to post common problems about starting/running business and solution to those problems

I'll start;

problem: getting my first few customers
solution: signing up/posting on facebook, instagram, craigslist, yelp, and forums

problem: how to set prices/packages
answer: talked/looked at other pro detailers on the forum to see how they're structuring their prices/packages
Click to expand...

Yes, but you need to research the competition in your area. If you are new,, lower your prices to be around 5 or 8 bucks lower. I have had to do that. My DD package now starts at 85. if its under 100 people are more likely to go for it, that is starting for small to mid sized car.
 
The biggest problem is know how to run the business and mange it. I would stay away from craigslist mostly hacks on there and you don't want to be associated with them.
 
DO NOT LOWER YOUR PRICES. Offer a premium service, build your reputation and charge more!
 
Problem: my phone reception
Solution: chuck old phone, get new phone and carrier
Progress: not done yet

Problem: my google places/maps rank has dropped
Solution: idk, trying to figure it out now lol
 
Joe@Superior Shine said:
DO NOT LOWER YOUR PRICES. Offer a premium service, build your reputation and charge more!
Click to expand...

Joe, This is a great thing to say, however you do have to look at the income base for your area. I started this way, and i saw eyes bulge and they went to the guy who has been here forever and has most the market. Before I knew about any of this, I went to the same guy. I was not impressed when I picked up my car.

Even after I explained the level of care I put into the job, all they care about here is Wall mart prices.

So how do you break in and educate people? I have a Dr Friend who used to have a black Audi, now he as a Kia Optima. I told him I could make it look awesome for 85 bucks. he said he doesn't care about detail and lets his son wash it. Wall-Mart has a tunnel wash in their parking lot now,,, it is lined up. most people here just want shiny swirls.

I lowered my price 20 bucks on my com[pact to mid size DD, and 10 bucks on the next two size vehicle up. I still can not get anyone to bite.
 
Joe@Superior Shine said:
DO NOT LOWER YOUR PRICES. Offer a premium service, build your reputation and charge more!
Click to expand...

:iagree: I've double my prices in the past 2 years and added coatings which can bring $$$$$. You need to decide what kind of detailing you want to do.
 
beamerstrumpet said:
Joe, This is a great thing to say, however you do have to look at the income base for your area. I started this way, and i saw eyes bulge and they went to the guy who has been here forever and has most the market. Before I knew about any of this, I went to the same guy. I was not impressed when I picked up my car.

Even after I explained the level of care I put into the job, all they care about here is Wall mart prices.

So how do you break in and educate people? I have a Dr Friend who used to have a black Audi, now he as a Kia Optima. I told him I could make it look awesome for 85 bucks. he said he doesn't care about detail and lets his son wash it. Wall-Mart has a tunnel wash in their parking lot now,,, it is lined up. most people here just want shiny swirls.

I lowered my price 20 bucks on my com[pact to mid size DD, and 10 bucks on the next two size vehicle up. I still can not get anyone to bite.
Click to expand...

Drop me an email or PM and lets figure this out together. If you do facebook I have a private group I'll let you in.

Pureshine said:
:iagree: I've double my prices in the past 2 years and added coatings which can bring $$$$$. You need to decide what kind of detailing you want to do.
Click to expand...

WORK IT!!! :dblthumb2: :buffing:
 
Problem: website not ranking

Solution: Create a google webmasters tool and manage it make sure your site is being crawled and there are no problems also add a site map to your site and submit it to google webmaster tools. Another thing is updating content and keeping your site active.

Websites take quite some time to start climbing ranks. Making it to the first page doesnt happen over night.
 
thebamboo23 said:
problem: getting my first few customers
solution: signing up/posting on facebook, instagram, craigslist, yelp, and forums
Click to expand...

Have business cards on you at all times! I've started "tagging" nice cars where ever I go. My eye automatically goes to cars I like when I'm out and about in a parking lot so I usually just stick a business card in their drivers side window. Thought about maybe including a coupon that's something like "You've been Spotted! 10% your first detail service b/c your car caught my eye!!" I dunno, haven't done that yet. I also teach in a school district for my full time job (weekend warrior for detailing) so I made a special deal for teachers and sent out a flyer for 15% off for teachers. I made my prices what I thought they should be, then usually added about 10% or 15% to it b/c I will most likely always offer some kind of "discount"
 
For me at the moment. Consistent work. Some weeks I am just slammed others maybe 1 car. I focus on paint correction and coatings.

Also educating the consumer. I'm currently the only one in my market offering coating services. No one around here knows what that is. Everyone that I have coated a car for though loves it. Word of mouth is my biggest advertiser
 
One great idea I do after ever detail is I put a couple business cards in their car so rather than telling theirs friends they can give them a card. For for getting your website close the the top of page you need good SEO and up date your website every couple weeks and the more people clicking on it the better the rating. I wouldn't put business cards on people cars really 90% of people will just toss them and most high end customers won't even look at them. When I see people do this it seems their desperate for work.
 
"common problems about starting/running business and solution to those problems"

Leadership
 
keep it going guys..or if you have a question, ask it here
 
Make sure you have your marketing up to speed! Especially online. This is critical because without customers you will quickly go out of business.
 
My biggest concern is at what point can I turn side work into a career. I have a great job now and I make a good living but I would love to move to owning a shop full time and detailing. There are only a couple other detail only shops around and mostly mechanics that have a guy that understands a couple basics of detailing and hologram installation.


I am in a middle class income bracket maybe upper middle for my area. I didn't finish college but make more at my job than most of my friends from high school with degrees. I work for the Lincoln Electric company which is known for how they take care of their employees. I do factory work here and like I said I don't hate it.

I'm not a risk taker unfortunately and that's what holds me back.

Anyone have thoughts on when opening a full time detailing shop becomes a reasonable option?
 
You should run the business out of a van. You don't have to pay all those utility bill, lease bills. Once you get a good strong clientele of like 100 people just try to work part time in your factory if you can so you can still have a cushion to fall back

sent from Yakima valley washington
 
I am pretty much in the same boat. I've had my weekend warrior business for 3 years now. And every year is better and better. Word of mouth is traveling for me.. But yes I don't know when i should fire my boss and ditch my cushy 9-5. Very hard decision. But I'm working on a plan.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AG Online
 
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