55 Ferraris , 12 Porsches , 2 Bentleys + .. in 8 months!

Spiney said:
Great thread. Very well done Cosmin you are well on your way to achieving the American Dream. And doing it the right way through hard and smart work, not saying someone owes you.
Do a Good job, get your money and move on.
Excellent post Cosmin you have definitely Planned to succeed and you are there. Bravo
It can be done. Spiney-Dave
Click to expand...


Thanks Dave ,
a quick 23 months update :
the van is all set-up from water/electrical/10x20 canopy/extractor/compressor/pressure washer etc so is ready for some low/mid volume.
i get an constant income in the last 3 months with or without rain ( i do corrections in garages so doesn`t affect me ) ...so i plan hire someone in march.
also i am booked till half march , a lot of polish :)

the wrap start to pay back

v3.jpg
 
Cosmin, great thread and keep up the good work and continue to thrive in this business. Don't worry English isn't my 1st language either Im the MAN You should check out the social group "Lets Help Each Other Succeed!" created by Tony from B&B Tennessee.
 
Cosmin, you saw what you wanted to be. You wanted to be a class act. And guess what? You sir, are a class act. You are writing your own ticket to success. Keep being an inspiration to others and don't forget to take the time to reflect upon your accomplishments as an inspiration to yourself!
 
Cosmin, you're a real inspiration! Your website and your original post just changed my entire approach. The class of vehicle in my area is nowhere near what it is in yours, but that doesn't mean I can't be just as effective and successful. Thanks again for sharing what you have accomplished with the rest of us!
 
Definitely a huge inspiration. What is truly amazing within this thread is seeing the progression you've made in just under 2 years. It's even more amazing you were unemployed and took it to a full-time income so quickly.

For the first time in over 25 years, I am unemployed right now and currently about 50% -60% set up with my mobile van. I certainly hope to be able to capitalize on the great info shared in this thread & your proven methods of success to achieve similar results.

BTW, I showed my 17 year old son your truck set up & website (*Ferrari's, Porsche's, Bentley, etc...)and he is 'stoked' about working on exotics. So, for the record you're willingness to share is not only an inspiration, it shows what determination & persistence can accomplish and helps others 'believe' it can be done!

Congrats!
 
2 Years UPDATE !

~ thanks guys for the support! ~

i hired a helper ,
the clone process is on!
this is his second day "in the field"
looks like he will be a winner. is been rainy the last 2 weeks , i am mid busy so i found optimum time for training a rookie.
today he play with da on my old car with my dog as supervisor , i have few friends that will be happy to have some practice done on their cars
;)
​


clon3.jpg
 
Cosmin said:
2 Years UPDATE !

~ thanks guys for the support! ~

i hired a helper ,
the clone process is on!
this is his second day "in the field"
looks like he will be a winner. is been rainy the last 2 weeks , i am mid busy so i found optimum time for training a rookie.
today he play with da on my old car with my dog as supervisor , i have few friends that will be happy to have some practice done on their cars
;)
​


clon3.jpg
Click to expand...

It looks like your supervisor gives his snout of approval on the new guy. Letting new guy practice on your friends' rides is perfect...and very creative, in my opinion. :xyxthumbs:
 
a quick tip related with business : the power of a "quick" wash, with example.

paint correction generates more money now , maintenance/regular wash generates more money tomorrow....
so... don`t underestimate the power of a quick wash , of course when is sold with profit.
here is an example:
john want`s paint correction , you charge him once $400+ for correction. and yous ee him again in 6 mo or a year.
Matt want`s his car washed weekly , you charge him $50-$70 in max 2 hours

by the end of the year , your correction from john bring you less $1000 , and the regular "quick"wash from matt a min of $2600

of course if you can get the car corrected and keep it in maintenance wash , that`s even better...
 
Cosmin can you post some pictures of the inside of the van. I would love to see how you fit everything in there.
 
sullysdetailing said:
Cosmin can you post some pictures of the inside of the van. .
Click to expand...


the van is packed , but if is organized it fit everything. the set-up is for light to mid volume. the bags with towels are missing , usually are keeps by the extractor and on top of the canopy :)

Pass side rear door , lower half:

v7.jpg


pass side door , upper half
v8.jpg



rear view :
v9.jpg


rear view :
v10.jpg


driver side rear door
v11.jpg
 
Cosmin said:
a quick tip related with business : the power of a "quick" wash, with example.

paint correction generates more money now , maintenance/regular wash generates more money tomorrow....
so... don`t underestimate the power of a quick wash , of course when is sold with profit.
here is an example:
john want`s paint correction , you charge him once $400+ for correction. and yous ee him again in 6 mo or a year.
Matt want`s his car washed weekly , you charge him $50-$70 in max 2 hours

by the end of the year , your correction from john bring you less $1000 , and the regular "quick"wash from matt a min of $2600

of course if you can get the car corrected and keep it in maintenance wash , that`s even better...
Click to expand...

Funny you should mention this, as I was just recently calculating the time a full paint correction and detail job takes -vs- setting up a 'hand car wash' and doing more 'production' type sales. (i.e. quick wash as you mentioned)

While I would almost prefer detailing an exotic over 1-2 days and adding those to my empty portfolio, it definitely seems cranking out enough daily drivers with a quick $35 - $50 - or $70 job adds up pretty quickly.

I'm hunting for a 'high traffic' location for Thurs, Fri, Sat, & Sundays... mainly for "Hand Wash" & Mini-details.

Then, if it works out... plan to schedule the corrective & mobile services for Mon, Tues, and Wed by appointment.

*Still not sure where the day off fits in yet, lol.

:hungry: :buffing:
 
Wow Cosmin, that van is NICE! Did you have to get a loan, or have you been able to pay cash cor all your gear? Very nice indeed.
 
art72 said:
Funny you should mention this,
While I would almost prefer detailing an exotic over 1-2 days and adding those to my empty portfolio, it definitely seems cranking out enough daily drivers adds up pretty quickly. *Still not sure where the day off fits in yet, lol.
:hungry: :buffing:
Click to expand...

keep 1 day off , use it for paper work , inspections , schedule , plans , and rest.
my goal per day is 200-400+ as 1 men show , but i try to pull 350-1000$ per day with a helper, made with mix of correction and maintenance wash wax.


nickgodfrey said:
Wow Cosmin, that van is NICE! Did you have to get a loan, or have you been able to pay cash cor all your gear? Very nice indeed.
Click to expand...

i got a loan , i can pay it in full but i prefer to build a credit history, by the time i plan extend or have a steady location i can loan more.
i was plan for a van for a few months and had my numbers together for equipment too.
i can handle any kind of job.
next month i have first boat , it will be a full interior clean up , so another horizon will open for me.
after 2 years from working from my sedan trunk , the last month with the van was a huge difference.

thank`s guys!
 
As others have stated, incredible, inspirational story. Thanks for sharing, + all the tips.
 
You are my inspiration. was thinking of starting a part time business after i learn how polish and protect. But might go full time after college because of you:dblthumb2::dblthumb2: Being a Ford Nut i always loved the transit ever since they came to the states. What are you getting for MPG with it loaded?? Your posts my not be perfect in terms of a English professor, but they are perfectly clear and make sense, having parents where English is their second language i understand perfectly. I hope to one day meet you:xyxthumbs:
 
I am speechless Cosmin:dblthumb2::dblthumb2:

If I may ask where are you from?
 
Thanks for the true view and some great tips! How do you help identify with what your client wants? I find myself often doing more then expected because of my damn pickiness.
 
JonFD said:
Thanks for the true view and some great tips! How do you help identify with what your client wants? I find myself often doing more then expected because of my damn pickiness.
Click to expand...


that`s no good if you plan have profit and stay motivated.
if weekend worrior it will be ok , but when you have a few clients line up that day , time is priceless and has to be use right.

the best way to identify what the client wants is to ask questions and let them talk.
questions like: is any problems with the paint? are any stains you want me to address, what do we do today, what do you expect from this detail , is anything else i should know before i start... this will be just a few.
some answers will be : i have this scratch/scuff/stain here , got some bugs/tar/sap here, i want crystal windows, i want no dressing on interior, the car sits outside i want extra protection etc , kind of to give you an idea.

based of the conversation and condition of the vehicle , i have an attack plan and i stick with it , so i don`t go over my limits and do things are not included in the detail. that way i address the issue , get the detail done in time and get paid for the time work i estimate.
hope this helps ,
thank`s
 
rele said:
I am speechless Cosmin:dblthumb2::dblthumb2:

If I may ask where are you from?
Click to expand...

i am Romanian.

a quick update... i hired a helper , he doesn`t polish yet , but he helps with everything else.
to have an idea how things go: he helped me 17 days with a total income of $7880 in those days, we had days with $50 a day and days with max $770. and remember he doesn`t do any polish or correction yet.

i had day with
- black porsche 2 step correction(swirl free) interior included,
- range rover , maserati , jaguar all washwax and interior
Total time 10hours and 40 min - drive to 2 locations included.

another day :
- SUV Porsche cayenne black , 1 step correction , interior , engine ;
- Ferrari f430 wash wax , interior , engine
- Bentley black - wash wax and interior
total time 10 hours 20minutes - drive to 2 locations included.


i see a lot of people who start new business and offer cheap price service , if that`s your value.. is fine with me , but here is an example that even if you charge right for your time , value and knowledge things roll and you don`t get stuck with 1 car a week as a few think.
with my prices i may not be booked for a month but i do have cars to do , regular clients to visit and my name is out there ....
Cosmin
 
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