Excited and Nervous - Year 3 In Business - What Ive Learned So Far

Bates Detailing

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Hey Agians,


I wanted to share a few points for those that are pursuing detailing as a profession.

Key points to remember In the Beginning:

1)This is VERY hard work - yet VERY rewarding personally

2)Quality is key obviously - - - when ready to cut corners due to exhaustion : DON'T! Get through it and ALWAYS produce quality work!

3) Word of mouth is key from the getgo. Don't waste thousands on ads and advertising, word of mouth will get you more than enough business - just have to be patient.

4) TIME - 7 days a week, 15 + hours a day is what it takes to grow rapidly. If you aren't detailing, go pursue jobs, work on your website, work on your technique, improve your knowledge, etc. "If you aren't strong enough to wonder where your next meal is coming from through the first years of your business, you shouldn't be an entrepreneur." ~ a B & B self made millionaire client.

5) Use your upscale clientele as mentors. This was key for myself! Detailing the airplanes, upscale autos, toys of self made millionaires that started there companies from scratch is awesome incentive. Never bombard them with questions of how they did it, only ask them a question or two each time you detail their toys. This is not only very informative, but also very motivating.

6) DO NOT GIVE UP!






What I Do and Don't Worry About Now :


1) I don't worry about the phone ringing - it rings off the hook! We turn down approximately 10 jobs a week due to being booked.

2) Numbers - We will most likely have 8 employees total here in 2 months (EXPENSIVE!). With that said, I must be very careful with booking jobs - One, so that we make profit. Two so that quality doesn't lack (which luckily that hasn't been an issue). Putting the right crew together now is crucial, as opposed to doing the work myself in the beginning.

3) Training - To learn how to properly correct clears, single stages, fiberglass, gelcoat, any metal surface, etc takes time (about a year IMO). You have to trust that those you take the time to train all of these aspects will stick around for the long haul :/


Im sure there is much more but I am getting tired and this was a spur of the moment try to help others thread lol. I can say I am VERY excited for the year and we have a great crew that is very knowledgeable and dedicated to B & B! With that said, I am also very nervous because not only do I need to concentrate on the satisfaction of our clients, I also need to ensure that all of our crewmembers are enjoying their jobs/careers. I believe if you take care of your guys, they will take care of you - and hopefully that holds true this year. Toss a prayer out there for us this year that it goes smooth! Thanks guys and gals, and hope this helps someone here!
 
Congratulations on 3 years :) and very good advice.


Thanks man! After posting I would love to say SO much more - but all that was off the top of my head. I hope someone in their first year or two can take something out of this to improve their growth and/or confidence in this tough profession?!?!?!
 
Congratulations. You seem to have the basics down really well: 1) Don't cut corners no matter how tired. 2) Word of mouth is the best advertisment. 3) Turn down a job rather than overbook and risk less than best quality work. 4) Most importantly, take care of your employees by making the job fun, provide continuous training, be open to learn from them, praise in public, reprimand (if needed) in private.
 
What is your next step in the business? You are planning to grow and if so how?

I know that you personally have slowed down a bit, but I don't know exactly what your role is currently.
 
7 day's a week 15hr days? Your advice is good but anyone looking to get into this business should also read Renny Doyles book. He spends a lot time talking about quality of life and growing your business at a controllable rate. Good luck in year 3.
 
Anthony,

Congratulations
Man on a very successful business and after 3 years of hard word and dedication the work now comes to you....

Quality not quantity = Success..... :props:
 
Hi Anthony,

Excellent post. Worth it's weight in gold to anyone starting our or still new to running a detailing business either part time or full time.

Anyone reading this and starting or still building a detailing business should print Anthony's post out and place it somewhere you're going to see it everyday and then read it everyday and stay focused on his points on what to do and what not to do.

If you're reading this and a member of this forum then you're already doing what he recommends in point 4 and that's to improve learning.

If you're a lurker on this forum, then it's time to register and become active. Start your own threads and ask questions. Reply to someone else's thread and answer questions.

Everyone is treated with respect on this forum and as the saying goes, there's no such thing as a dumb question.


:dblthumb2:
 
Congratulations man

soon im going to start my own business and been thinking right now about many things
like time place money ... etc

but it might be hard if want to pursue this type of business when you are a full time employee

this past Thursday and Friday i detailed one of my co worker GMC yukon

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/63191-gmc-yukon-detailed.html

and he was very happy with the results
in fact he said that he is going to tell all his family and friends about me (word of mouth)

another example of (word of mouth)
since i have a corvette i only go to specific garages that specialized in corvettes
there are many of those garages near me
but one of them is far far away and its the only one that i go to - why?
because my corvettes previous owner told me that this is one of the best corvette garages out there
and so far its the only garage i go since i bought the car for fixing tuning or even asking for advice from their employees
 
The key in any long term process is to sustain the results with personnel changes. This always requires investing in training.
 
Thanks man! After posting I would love to say SO much more - but all that was off the top of my head. I hope someone in their first year or two can take something out of this to improve their growth and/or confidence in this tough profession?!?!?!

Wish I had your ambition to grow but I'm very happy working by my self. wish you all the best in growing your business into what you want :)
 
Hi Anthony...

Excellent points-presentation of your Professional Detailing Business Plan/Belief System!!


A:
"Tip-of-the-hat"...to one of the hardest working men in this type of industry. :wave:

BTW:
-Hope the Wife and children are doing well.

And:
-Have you found/hired the OPS Manager you've been seeking?


As always:
I wish you continued success!!


:)

Bob
 
What is your next step in the business? You are planning to grow and if so how?

I know that you personally have slowed down a bit, but I don't know exactly what your role is currently.


Yes we are growing rapidly and will spend the year accomadating the growth in Middle Tn. Tyson and one of our seasoned employees will start a B & B in Atlanta starting in the late winter of this year. Huge moves and necessary to grow to where we want to be in say 10 years!

Congratulations. You seem to have the basics down really well: 1) Don't cut corners no matter how tired. 2) Word of mouth is the best advertisment. 3) Turn down a job rather than overbook and risk less than best quality work. 4) Most importantly, take care of your employees by making the job fun, provide continuous training, be open to learn from them, praise in public, reprimand (if needed) in private.

Thanks man :xyxthumbs:

congraaattsssssssssssss

Pershiate it bro!

7 day's a week 15hr days? Your advice is good but anyone looking to get into this business should also read Renny Doyles book. He spends a lot time talking about quality of life and growing your business at a controllable rate. Good luck in year 3.

I have not read the book, but Im sure that his words are very accurate. I am going down the path of extremely hard work and thinking about my kids future through our success now and beyond. I do not have the patience or energy to spend 10 years to get to where I can be in 3 or 4. Id rather push it for my family while I am "young" (used loosely lol).

Anthony,

Congratulations
Man on a very successful business and after 3 years of hard word and dedication the work now comes to you....

Quality not quantity = Success..... :props:

Thanks Bobby, I appreciate it 100%!

Hi Anthony,

Excellent post. Worth it's weight in gold to anyone starting our or still new to running a detailing business either part time or full time.

Anyone reading this and starting or still building a detailing business should print Anthony's post out and place it somewhere you're going to see it everyday and then read it everyday and stay focused on his points on what to do and what not to do.

If you're reading this and a member of this forum then you're already doing what he recommends in point 4 and that's to improve learning.

If you're a lurker on this forum, then it's time to register and become active. Start your own threads and ask questions. Reply to someone else's thread and answer questions.

Everyone is treated with respect on this forum and as the saying goes, there's no such thing as a dumb question.


:dblthumb2:

Mike - thank you. I know you have pushed through exhaustion 10 fold compared to myself to get where you are today. It's nice to have someone that can relate 100%!

Congratulations man

soon im going to start my own business and been thinking right now about many things
like time place money ... etc

but it might be hard if want to pursue this type of business when you are a full time employee

this past Thursday and Friday i detailed one of my co worker GMC yukon

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/63191-gmc-yukon-detailed.html

and he was very happy with the results
in fact he said that he is going to tell all his family and friends about me (word of mouth)

another example of (word of mouth)
since i have a corvette i only go to specific garages that specialized in corvettes
there are many of those garages near me
but one of them is far far away and its the only one that i go to - why?
because my corvettes previous owner told me that this is one of the best corvette garages out there
and so far its the only garage i go since i bought the car for fixing tuning or even asking for advice from their employees


It can and will be tough bro - BUT, sticking it out would be beneficial IMO. To take a vehicle that has been completely destroyed and make it look better than new is VERY rewarding personally and can be financially if appropriately charged. If driven, you can make this work man :dblthumb2:

The key in any long term process is to sustain the results with personnel changes. This always requires investing in training.

Yes sir! Training is key, but can bight you in the butt if you choose to train the wrong individuals. My worst fear is to train someone for a year everything their is to know about detailing only for them to leave shortly after. This is where keeping the employees happy with their position comes into play.

Wish I had your ambition to grow but I'm very happy working by my self. wish you all the best in growing your business into what you want :)

Its somewhat funny man - I can probably make more now doing this on my lonesome, but I am choosing to go a different route. My hopes are that this will be a self sustaining company that I can go on vacation and there be no worries about operations. I have chosen to take the hit now financially rather than being comfortable having a single operator operation. Again, that is my choice and it may backfire - doing this on your own may be much more beneficial than my situation for sure! Only time will tell bro!

Hi Anthony...

Excellent points-presentation of your Professional Detailing Business Plan/Belief System!!


A:
"Tip-of-the-hat"...to one of the hardest working men in this type of industry. :wave:

BTW:
-Hope the Wife and children are doing well.

And:
-Have you found/hired the OPS Manager you've been seeking?


As always:
I wish you continued success!!


:)

Bob


Thanks Bob! The Fam is good - and yes we found on OPs Manager whom started today man. I think he will be a great addition to the B & B Family! Thank you for the kind words man, they are always appreciated - even when I have to read the kind words 3 times to decipher them lmao!
 
Way to GO! Congrats on the employment of others so passive income can come your way! Keep it the way you have it now, successful!
 
Hey Anthony it won't back fire:) My wife all ways tell me see it in your head and be positive and it will happen. She has not been wrong yet thats why I been with her 20 years :)
 
Way to GO! Congrats on the employment of others so passive income can come your way! Keep it the way you have it now, successful!

Thanks man!

Hey Anthony it won't back fire:) My wife all ways tell me see it in your head and be positive and it will happen. She has not been wrong yet thats why I been with her 20 years :)

LOL - I think most wives are Always Accurate 70% of the time lmao! Being positive is key - while I have had my negative moments, Im also fortunate enough to have wonderful people in my life to pick me up when I fall...... that is also very important IMO.
 
Congrats! I have people tell me all the time I should start a business myself, since I enjoy detailing cars where most people will pay to have it done. Quality is everything and word of mouth is the best advertising but the fear of getting over booked is what scares me. Richard4
 
Congrats, you have made it through most of your teething issues.
 
Congratulations, you deserve every bit of your success. It really sounds like you have done the right things, for your business, family and employees.
Keep the focus, keep the enthusiasm and you will continue to keep growing.
Keeping you customers happy and repeat business that will keep you strong.
Good Job!Thanks for the post and sharing.
:buffing:
 
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