55 Ferraris , 12 Porsches , 2 Bentleys + .. in 8 months!
- Thread starter Cosmin
- Start date
Cvjeticanin
New member
- Nov 30, 2013
- 59
- 0
Cosmin,
I only detail for fun but would like to start working on cars in my free time. Your thread is truly inspirational and motivational. It reminds me of when my family and I started our own business about 10yrs ago.
One thing I learned is to stay open-minded because things change all the time and if your business doesn't adapt you will never be successful.
P.s. I remember reading that you're from Romania....if you ever have a taste for some good snacks/beverages from the old country I got you covered
www.facebook.com/pages/PV-Euro-Market/244217823368
Keep up all the great work!
I only detail for fun but would like to start working on cars in my free time. Your thread is truly inspirational and motivational. It reminds me of when my family and I started our own business about 10yrs ago.
One thing I learned is to stay open-minded because things change all the time and if your business doesn't adapt you will never be successful.
P.s. I remember reading that you're from Romania....if you ever have a taste for some good snacks/beverages from the old country I got you covered
www.facebook.com/pages/PV-Euro-Market/244217823368
Keep up all the great work!
Cosmin
Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 742
- 0
- Thread starter
- #144
*UPDATE , in Dec is been a year since i open the shop
the shop is open by appointment only. so 80-90% we are mobile.
the shop is used for clear bra install, or any major correction, we can fit 2 cars inside.
this year we had around 3 months with rain ,one of them was raining every single day, i got 1month vacation and we still gonna finish the year in 25-30% more than 2014.
so... yes, the shop helps with our new service , the paint protection film. the overhead may be higher with the shop, but i see it as investment. for 2016 my goal is to market more the film install at the shop and find "systems" that can be used by my guys so they can cover the mobile side , so i can focus on the clear bra install and any other major projects at the shop.
the shop is open by appointment only. so 80-90% we are mobile.
the shop is used for clear bra install, or any major correction, we can fit 2 cars inside.
this year we had around 3 months with rain ,one of them was raining every single day, i got 1month vacation and we still gonna finish the year in 25-30% more than 2014.
so... yes, the shop helps with our new service , the paint protection film. the overhead may be higher with the shop, but i see it as investment. for 2016 my goal is to market more the film install at the shop and find "systems" that can be used by my guys so they can cover the mobile side , so i can focus on the clear bra install and any other major projects at the shop.
Cosmin
Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 742
- 0
- Thread starter
- #147
** about 6 years since i start this adventure....
a quick peek to the numbers, a lot of "investment" ,we start 2017 with 3 guys full time, 2016 was 35% more than 2015 and 2017 it start strong with records in sales.
is a challenge to have your own business but the sky is the limit and if you are positive and goal oriented you will succeed. also don`t be afraid to invest and to versify your services and learn new skills.
last graph is all 6 years of business , as you can see after 3years it start picking up strong and steady. that`s what you want, a steady income.
a quick peek to the numbers, a lot of "investment" ,we start 2017 with 3 guys full time, 2016 was 35% more than 2015 and 2017 it start strong with records in sales.
is a challenge to have your own business but the sky is the limit and if you are positive and goal oriented you will succeed. also don`t be afraid to invest and to versify your services and learn new skills.
last graph is all 6 years of business , as you can see after 3years it start picking up strong and steady. that`s what you want, a steady income.
55 Ferraris , 12 Porsches , 2 Bentleys + .. in 8 months!
this post is exclusive to autogeek community.
Hi Mike , got your advice to write this up... :dblthumb2:
i hope it will inspire new detailers and new business detailers , and the old one`s too.
i move to Austin , Tx in february 2010. i was jobless for 2 months, new city , no income and trash by some POS company where i had 2 interviews and they not even told me they got someone else.
i detail as side for 1year and a half but not exotics or stuff like this.
in april i got my dba and i plan the business: luxury and exotics
yes! u have to plan that, is all about planing and goals.
i use a simple software to get my website together. the first 2-3 months in business i charge up to 30-50% off and get things moving.
i did hit few forums , but no luck. i did try magazine ad , no luck , i did hit few dealership doors and they kind of laugh at me but i told them straight: "u will hear about me sooner or later!" , i left bcards in car windows , i give bcards everywhere. NOTHING , some things works for others some not. but i did try it.
finally i start reading about marketing and got adwords google , and few more others web marketing stuff. another boom was p-cards , is a big investment but it pays in a long run.
after 8 months of detailing as a business i rich and beat my goal every time , got from jobless to $5200 a month. and i know i can pull 6-7 by myself and have sunday and maybe some saturdays off.
as cars.... i work on dream cars: 55 ferrari ( Formula F1 , Enzo , 458 ,california , 599, f430 , 360 , 612 scaglietti, testarossa , maranello, 355) , 12 porsche , 2 bentley , 1 aston martin , 1 rolls royce and a lot more bmw, mercedes etc. wasn`t all of them corrections or polish involved , but not everyone want the full deal. u have to adapt your service to get the most out of it.
my future plans is get a helper in 3-4 mo from now and push to 10k a month. i know is possible , is just have to get the right ingredients... and i will have them.
about dealer work , is good to have an account if they can afford your service. of course i try get a deal from there , i do give a deal price in exchange of giving out some business cards.
as soon as i start as a business i realize that getting regular clients is a big step. monthly or weekly is just great.
when i have a new client i usually go to see the car first , inspected , talk with the owner and after that i shoot an email with few quotes based of what needs to be done and what i think will help to get a better condition of the paint /interior.
when i email a quote i always put 30 days expiration , i give available days to be choose.
if the client is serious about getting the car detailed is all set , the day time , and the process. i focus on 1 -2 cars a day , but if light maintenance as wash wax , i can pull few cars a day.
talking about competition.... my first words was... "i don`t care". are a lot of cars in this town and is up to each one to get the best out of it. so i see my things and they see theirs...i am friendly and open to any detailers gtg , or similar things .
i don`t see competition as competition. i know they are there they do good /great jobs but i have other things to focus on than waste time what A or B does. i have my own plans and rules and i follow them.
in the last few mo , 1/2 from each mo income went back to marketing. if u are superman and no one knows , u are nothing! so get your word out.
if u plan make profit from detailing think it as a business , is more important. if u focus on detailing u may loose some bucks , clients , time and energy.
i see few post here and there of "how" a detail should be... well when u detail for living things change, u don`t have time for 200 pictures from 20 angles each wheel.
what`s on my schedule: correction on black porsche 911 , correction on black GTR`s, 2011 white bentley correction , maybe a light polish GT40 to get it ready for sale - pending.
english is my second language so don`t be mean.
Time is Money!
Think first , Money after!
Cosmin
as you can see the winter affect me a little , but spring and summer is where my plans are.
Love it.
buttedetail
New member
- Oct 6, 2016
- 3
- 0
This is an outstanding thread Cosmin. Thank you for sharing your experiences and tips with us. I've learned a lot from you that I'll be applying towards my own fledgling business.
blackinnova
New member
- Apr 18, 2017
- 72
- 0
** about 6 years since i start this adventure....
a quick peek to the numbers, a lot of "investment" ,we start 2017 with 3 guys full time, 2016 was 35% more than 2015 and 2017 it start strong with records in sales.
is a challenge to have your own business but the sky is the limit and if you are positive and goal oriented you will succeed. also don`t be afraid to invest and to versify your services and learn new skills.
last graph is all 6 years of business , as you can see after 3years it start picking up strong and steady. that`s what you want, a steady income.
WOW amazing job, if I may ask, how long you've been learning about detailing before you started this business 6 years ago? *sorry for my bad english, it's my second language*
Cosmin
Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 742
- 0
- Thread starter
- #152
blackinnova said:
i read a lot on forums and try a lot of products from the counter or ordered online. all that because i was chasing some oxidation on my car , later proof that the paint was thin so was a lost cause.
i would say a good half year took me with weekends "lost" in detailing on my own car.
spending 5-8 hours on my own car was normal at that stage. behind the blinds my neighbors were like" he is washing his car again"
Cosmin
Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 742
- 0
- Thread starter
- #154
Thank you! 7 years so far , and still run strong , we just got a space to open a shop!
we can work on 3 cars simultaneously and we can garage between 4 and 6 cars. the ceiling is 11ft high, central A/C , bathroom , small office , used for storage. also the mods follows with 24/7 monitor alarm , remote cameras,bottles fill in "station". Also i choose to have mobile lighting , compared with old shop where i install neon on the walls. Mobile lighting is better for film install , you have the light where you need it , and if you move no worries to remove all the wires from walls.
main goal with the shop is to have an average of 3 cars daily in there, paint correction , coatings and protection film install.
so far got done the LED light swap, baseboard , logo, and arrange supplies inside.
initial :
8Ft long LED , brighter than the neon and don`t need the warm up time.
my mobile set-up , i will have 4 of those, are adjustable , the angle and the height too...., plus the cord i attached has an extra plug that can be handy.
not the best quality pic , but gives you an idea of the place.
Happy New Year !!
Cosmin
Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 742
- 0
- Thread starter
- #155
a few bucks in animoto , and the vid is ready. :xyxthumbs:
been certified with xpel and now just finish my training with suntek.
i plan add tint to the services by mid year and we been busy with 4 employees full time.
having a space has open new possibilities... :wave:
been certified with xpel and now just finish my training with suntek.
i plan add tint to the services by mid year and we been busy with 4 employees full time.
having a space has open new possibilities... :wave:
Neospektiv
New member
- Mar 27, 2018
- 2
- 0
Cosmic
Reading posts like this are so inspirational. This is what being in America is all about. Having a dream, pursuing it through the ups and downs and finding success on the back side! Congrats!
You are a great example for others to find joy in all their circumstances and realize that things happen for them not to them. The rough start you had was what propelled you to such great success. It fueled your drive to keep going. I have so many friends that want to start their own business but they are so comfortable making the corporate paycheck they never take any action. They talk a good game, but their comfort levels keep them from taking a risk. Good truly can be the enemy of great.
You are an inspiration.
In reading your original post you said
*******
finally i start reading about marketing and got adwords google , and few more others web marketing stuff. another boom was p-cards , is a big investment but it pays in a long run.
*******
What other web marketing did you do? Also what are p-cards? Did you mean business cards? Would love to tap deeper into what drove your early success.
I am just now starting up here in Dallas. I will have to stop by and say hi next time I am in Austin.
Reading posts like this are so inspirational. This is what being in America is all about. Having a dream, pursuing it through the ups and downs and finding success on the back side! Congrats!
You are a great example for others to find joy in all their circumstances and realize that things happen for them not to them. The rough start you had was what propelled you to such great success. It fueled your drive to keep going. I have so many friends that want to start their own business but they are so comfortable making the corporate paycheck they never take any action. They talk a good game, but their comfort levels keep them from taking a risk. Good truly can be the enemy of great.
You are an inspiration.
In reading your original post you said
*******
finally i start reading about marketing and got adwords google , and few more others web marketing stuff. another boom was p-cards , is a big investment but it pays in a long run.
*******
What other web marketing did you do? Also what are p-cards? Did you mean business cards? Would love to tap deeper into what drove your early success.
I am just now starting up here in Dallas. I will have to stop by and say hi next time I am in Austin.
Cosmin
Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 742
- 0
- Thread starter
- #157
Thank you Sam ,
i run post cards , are expensive , but on long run if design and message is right, it can pay back. i may spend 5k on list , card and postage , but was payed in 2-3 months and helps you build a network...
my "early success" was to make my luck and be at the right place in the right time, sustained by a lot of long days and work.
i forgot what i did related with web marketing , but it may be the website redesign and organized, sponsor on a variety of car forums, over all be present on the web.
also if you can get any dealer work , it may keep a steady flow when slow....
****
We just add another 1250 sq ft to our initial space , now we cover 2500sq ft , shop1 for protection film and maybe tint and shop2 that get`s remodel for detail, polish , coating.
shop 2needs to be done with painting , and LIGHTING , about 40 LED tubes will do it.
i run post cards , are expensive , but on long run if design and message is right, it can pay back. i may spend 5k on list , card and postage , but was payed in 2-3 months and helps you build a network...
my "early success" was to make my luck and be at the right place in the right time, sustained by a lot of long days and work.
i forgot what i did related with web marketing , but it may be the website redesign and organized, sponsor on a variety of car forums, over all be present on the web.
also if you can get any dealer work , it may keep a steady flow when slow....
****
We just add another 1250 sq ft to our initial space , now we cover 2500sq ft , shop1 for protection film and maybe tint and shop2 that get`s remodel for detail, polish , coating.
shop 2needs to be done with painting , and LIGHTING , about 40 LED tubes will do it.
skwidstyle
New member
- Nov 1, 2015
- 5
- 0
just got to get a p1, a 918, a carrera gt, an aventador sv, a couple 675lt, maybe an f40, & a diablo & murcielago (both sv's), a huayra, a zonda & and an Egg to add to your resume!
Remember the Texas Legislature is only in town every two years as well as the lobbyists. There are a lot of rich people in Austin but for 6 months every two years it increases by 10s of thousands and no lobbyist wants to show up in anything but a perfect looking car.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
