I could never hire help only because I wouldn't be able to trust anyone.
I can see your meaning here, but if you are the only person then you severely limit how much your business can grow.
I go about hiring my helpers a little differently, the obvious thing I've found is that money and benefits are GREAT motivators as long as you can define just what the "helper" is doing. Now I've had this talk with a couple other detailers on the phone and online and I'm going to give you my opinion and experience when it comes to hiring, take from it what you will.
1)Never hire someone with "experience" detailing, especially someone with several years or more. Much bigger headache and the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" applies here. They are set in there ways and if they come from a express detail shop or other "high production" shop they are more interested in getting the car done as fast as possible even if it means cutting quality.
2) I find
WOMEN make better employees then men, especially when you treat them as an equal in your shop. My first helper was a friend of mine and she still works for me on a regular basis. She is actually the main reason I was able to keep my customers when I tore my rotator cuff, she was able to actually do alot more than I thought. Even helped me when it came time to correct paint. If she wasn't happy with her full time job she'd be my first full time employee. Other women I've hired where all just as amazing, I find they have a better eye for details then men. When they say you've missed a spot, I listen lol, my fiance will attest to that by the way. One con as other detailers will tell you are from having mixed genders on your payroll, if you have a dog in your group it can make tensions tight and can cost you alot.
3) When you get applicants to your openings I love a good resume, even if they don't have any experience you can tell alot about a person by there resume but I don't make it a selling point, initial presentation when they come for an interview, and how they sell themselves while in front of you. But whichever way you go follow your gut/instinct, if it's telling you bad then odds are it's right. Are you willing to bet your business it isn't?
4) I always ask for a working interview of a day, and I pay for it as well, I go about my day as best I can while keeping an eye on them. Things to keep in mind are how well are they following your instructions, are they trying to take shortcuts (Incredibly easy to spot and good indication they're not for you unless you run a express shop), are they paying attention to what they're are doing(I term it, "how bad does there ADD effect them).
5) They have to love one of two things, if you get both then even better, got to love cars, or
like cleaning. If a person that comes to your business who doesn't like either of these spells disaster as an employee and it's only going to hurt you in the end.
The list can go on and on and there will be more added by other members but these are the ones I find that best suits
MY business. Any questions please ask.
