Hardest things at the start

madmallard

madmallard

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I did a quick search but didnt see a thread like this, so...

For those of you who feed yourself, self-employed detailers...

Looking back, what was the 2 hardest things to get thru starting out that you were or weren't expecting?
 
1. How much time it takes to run your own business.
2. How much I would love working for my self.
 
Employees!!!!!! You can buy machines, products, get customers, etc.... easy enough BUT, finding good character hard working reliable help has been my biggest challenge.
 
B-Rad...is Joe taking about you?

You are definitely in the top two hardest workers at TNOG
 
1.Getting out of the beginning stages where you take any customers just to stay afloat - I quickly learned to stay as far away from places like Craigslist for customers.

2.Raising prices, but it has to be done and if it's justified you need to do it. (Or simply start out higher).

Pureshine said:
1. How much time it takes to run your own business.
2. How much I would love working for my self.
Click to expand...

Both are so true, I can't see myself ever going back to a "regular job" now.
 
Joe@Superior Shine said:
Employees!!!!!! You can buy machines, products, get customers, etc.... easy enough BUT, finding good character hard working reliable help has been my biggest challenge.
Click to expand...

Wait, so in the first year, you were already turning enough business over you needed to hire people? and you had a tough time finding good workers?
 
madmallard said:
Wait, so in the first year, you were already turning enough business over you needed to hire people? and you had a tough time finding good workers?
Click to expand...

If you lived in a location like Houston or Orange county, had a fixed location in a good area, and did a ton of advertising before launch, I don't think it's too farfetched to be able to hire employees right out of the gate.
 
its not that i don't believe him, it just sounds like a problem not many will have in their first year! ^_^


jarred767 said:
1.Getting out of the beginning stages where you take any customers just to stay afloat - I quickly learned to stay as far away from places like Craigslist for customers.

2.Raising prices, but it has to be done and if it's justified you need to do it. (Or simply start out higher).
Click to expand...

what kept you motivated to tough out #1?
 
Trying to persuade a customer to purchase a detail
Didn't realize how long a single exterior detail could take
 
If you really want to make it big never touch a polisher, a mitt or vacuum, ETC... -EVER. Be a businessman.
 
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