My Journey To Reach A 7-figure Auto Detailing Business

[Firehouse Mike]

sub

 

[VP Mark]

Excellent thinking! Are you designed or are you still working on your franchise model? I'm assuming that's what you are gearing toward with all the talk of systems and processes.

 

[thebamboo23]

+100

You have come so far since you started this thread and were washing 5 cars

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/introduce-yourself/59358-new-guy-block.html

Really enjoy you Show & Shine posts....DB

Thanks :xyxthumbs:

I like to capture a bunch of 50/50s Im the MAN

Why the hatred? I'm sure there are detailing shops out there that make this much or close to it especially since I think he mentioned revenues, not profits - big difference when you run a shop that big. You can't be a one man show like most on this forum are (myself included) and make that kinda money, but it's conceivable for a bigger detailing business especially if you include services like wraps, tinting, film, high-end coating, PDR, and retail sales - and even more conceivable if you have more than one location. If you're gonna set goals, why not set them big?

That kind of large business is not for everyone, and you don't need a show-car type finish with full write-ups on every vehicle to pull it off either. Larger detail shops live and die by volume and people's DD's, not by whether or not you get every last scratch off of a car and capture the perfect picture with the perfect light. 95% of customers going to a business that size probably wouldn't know the difference.

All of our business models (those of us that have businesses) are slightly different, and what I love about this forum is how supporting almost all of the people on here are.

To each his own, but there's no need to bully someone about their dreams and goals.

BTW, great article Oscar. There's a lot of good stuff in there and things that can be helpful, even if someone is wanting to just grow their business a little over time. :dblthumb2: I look forward to reading your updates in this thread!!

rops:

Yeah, I love seeing the huge difference in mindsets.

Some people see it as a joke and impossible.

Others will learn and hopefully will aim for bigger goals than mine.

Crazy how people will perceive the same thing differently.

Thanks for the help!

No comment. Just lol

What's to laugh about? :hungry:

bits of advice...take care of business, not spending hours keeping a forum diary...and two, your biggest expense will be employees, and once you get over 100 employees you have to provide health care benefits. Have a great attorney, because his services will be needed, and an accounting /tax person. Being sued and having the IRS coming after you will kill any business plan no matter how good the intension.

Thanks for the advice rops:

Trust me, we're going to have everything on lock down with the proper guidance and infrastructure.

I plan on paying big bucks to keep me well above the water.

You speak very matter-of-factly in all of your threads for only having been doing this for two years. Good luck to you.

Thanks for the luck.

A lot can change within 12 months.

I actually feel like I'm way behind.

I could have started this 6 months ago :nomore:

Bingo! I agree. Best of luck bamboo.

THANKS!

Excellent thinking! Are you designed or are you still working on your franchise model? I'm assuming that's what you are gearing toward with all the talk of systems and processes.

Thanks :buffing:

That's actually not our plans at all.

We're modeling our businesses very different than your typical volume/high end shop.

And it's actually really simple and straightforward. Im the MAN

 

[Flatlander]

I've got a great book for you (and everyone interested in getting out of "the grind"). It's called "Scale" by Jeff Hoffman and David Finkel. Get it, read it ten times and work it! Good luck with your dreams! Scale book

 

[VP Mark]

I've got a great book for you (and everyone interested in getting out of "the grind"). It's called "Scale" by Jeff Hoffman and David Finkel. Get it, read it ten times and work it! Good luck with your dreams! Scale book

Thanks! Will download it for Kindle.

 

[thebamboo23]

I've got a great book for you (and everyone interested in getting out of "the grind"). It's called "Scale" by Jeff Hoffman and David Finkel. Get it, read it ten times and work it! Good luck with your dreams! Scale book

Thanks. Def will give it a read

Currently reading 4-6 books a month :xyxthumbs:

 

[pikiki]

Why the hatred? I'm sure there are detailing shops out there that make this much or close to it especially since I think he mentioned revenues, not profits - big difference when you run a shop that big. You can't be a one man show like most on this forum are (myself included) and make that kinda money, but it's conceivable for a bigger detailing business especially if you include services like wraps, tinting, film, high-end coating, PDR, and retail sales - and even more conceivable if you have more than one location. If you're gonna set goals, why not set them big?

That kind of large business is not for everyone, and you don't need a show-car type finish with full write-ups on every vehicle to pull it off either. Larger detail shops live and die by volume and people's DD's, not by whether or not you get every last scratch off of a car and capture the perfect picture with the perfect light. 95% of customers going to a business that size probably wouldn't know the difference.

All of our business models (those of us that have businesses) are slightly different, and what I love about this forum is how supporting almost all of the people on here are.

To each his own, but there's no need to bully someone about their dreams and goals.

:iagree:down to earth opinion and I share that...Some people only know to how to critique and even more just question you about comments or opinions. I won`t mention any names cause is not my style but the ones who read here often known those few. Thank God for the most part everyone else here is good people and will help you one way or the other. When some with dreams or goals share it here is an opportunity to look up at others that reach their max potential on their biz and encourage them to go for it and learn. Oscar I will pray for you and your goals, and the only one who can stops you to reach your goals is YOU
not the ones with disrespectful comments or post. Those should be ban from this forum period....

 

[custmsprty]

I love this.

I am curious to see how you address the challenge of employee retention: i.e. - A big challenge will be that when your properly trained employees realized that they can take their new found expertise (which was paid for by your training) on their own and make more money running their own detail shop.

Exactly, unless you pay them six figures, then you're pretty much back at square one. And they may take some customers with them.

 

[Kengo123]

Good luck Oscar!

I totally agree with the mindset thing.. it's like $40 an hour, 1 car a day, doing all the work yourself is the limit that we've been conditioned to accepting. imo, reading the renny Doyle book and taking business ideas from other detail-first detailers has pushed me to think that that's the RIGHT way to be a detailer. Lately, I've been working on that mindset, and this post came right on time.

Get that money dude!

 

[thebamboo23]

:iagree:down to earth opinion and I share that...Some people only know to how to critique and even more just question you about comments or opinions. I won`t mention any names cause is not my style but the ones who read here often known those few. Thank God for the most part everyone else here is good people and will help you one way or the other. When some with dreams or goals share it here is an opportunity to look up at others that reach their max potential on their biz and encourage them to go for it and learn. Oscar I will pray for you and your goals, and the only one who can stops you to reach your goals is YOU
not the ones with disrespectful comments or post. Those should be ban from this forum period....

Agreed. No matter where you go you will always have those people that like to critique more than anything.

But no worries

Thanks for the big time support :dblthumb2:rops:

Exactly, unless you pay them six figures, then you're pretty much back at square one. And they may take some customers with them.

I see your point of view but this is far from the truth.

When all you're doing is giving them money for their time, you do not have a strong relationship with your team members.

You have to give them something bigger than money for them not to only stay with you...

But to stay committed and dedicated to the vision of the company

Good luck Oscar!

I totally agree with the mindset thing.. it's like $40 an hour, 1 car a day, doing all the work yourself is the limit that we've been conditioned to accepting. imo, reading the renny Doyle book and taking business ideas from other detail-first detailers has pushed me to think that that's the RIGHT way to be a detailer. Lately, I've been working on that mindset, and this post came right on time.

Get that money dude!

YES!

This all starts with your mindset. Being able to see the big picture.

Of course, marketing, financials, execution, and so on play a critical role into, but it all starts with conditioning the mind Im the MAN

 

[VP Mark]

I wanted to write something more detailed in response to this. Big props for having the guts to go after something this big. I'm sure you have covered many bases but some of the things that come to my mind are:

1. Capital, you are going to need a lot of it. Unless you are planning to do mobile services, which is going to be hard to pick up the volume you would need.

2. Do NOT underestimate the value of a press release. If you starting this big of a project up, you should be sending releases to every possible local media outlet. I don't care if you are just offering a new type of carpet cleaning, after your grand opening press release keep them coming. Media outlets NEED things to print/release, and as long as it is interesting and different they will put it out there. Great free advertisement in addition to the other methods you mentioned.

3. Franchise modeling, even if you are not a franchise, is an excellent way to have iron-clad processes and systems in place. I actually wrote out a franchise model for my business when I started my business and one of the toughest positions to train/retain in this business is the technicians themselves. Having a modeling helps, but that will be one of your biggest challenges staff wise.

4. Product/efficiency. I had a couple of really high end companies approach me regarding being a distributor of their products. You might want to consider it, since in such a big operation selling small amounts of products to customers for follow up work/free gifts/up-sells might really help your revenue/margins. If you are interested, PM me and I will forward the info. Most of them have Jobber pricing too, but I wasn't interested because I didn't spend the usually $300+ a month needed to keep on their rolls. Doesn't sound like you will have that problem. We are talking 50-60% off retail prices here, even on bulk (50 gallon) product.

5. Lawyer up. Make each employee sign a non-competitive agreement stating that they will not work for a competitor or start their own similar business within x amount of years from leaving you. I honestly don't think this will be a big issue, since starting up a detailing business is much harder than most think, but this would give you some insurance/leverage should an upstart employee get a bright idea.

I have some other ideas too, but don't want to sound like I'm trying to educate you or anything. You seem to have thought this out really well, so I just wanted to share some thoughts that might peak your interest.

 

[JMP]

Both of you sound knowledgeable and in interest of ? You are both posting great ideas here for a reason...PM me if you want/ need investor/partner...

 

[Lee Yoder]

Subscribed....interested to see how this goes.

Later,
Lee

 

[Busy mind]

Any updates on this? Successes or failures you've run in to?

 

[d33p]

It's only been a month

 

[R.A.S. WY]

Any updates?

 

[Buff-N-Glo]

This is just like saying I"m going to become rich working at Mcdonalds

 

[Busy mind]

This is just like saying I"m going to become rich working at Mcdonalds

Never heard of people starting out as a manager and working their way up? One of the latest CEO's of McDonalds did just that.

 

[BitterGreg]

5. Lawyer up. Make each employee sign a non-competitive agreement stating that they will not work for a competitor or start their own similar business within x amount of years from leaving you. I honestly don't think this will be a big issue, since starting up a detailing business is much harder than most think, but this would give you some insurance/leverage should an upstart employee get a bright idea.

I have some other ideas too, but don't want to sound like I'm trying to educate you or anything. You seem to have thought this out really well, so I just wanted to share some thoughts that might peak your interest.

While this is very good advice, a few comments. Non competes are like anti theft (sensors) retailers put on clothes, it is a visual deterrent rather than an actual one. You should always have them signed to help prevent someone from taking your clients, but are rarely ever pursued, and in most states rarely ever upheld. The working for a competitor part, unless at a very high level is ever enforced because you are taking away their livelihood.

Make sure you get a lawyer that specializes in Labor Law. Lawyers are like doctors, all of them know a basic knowledge of all areas, but typically specialize in 1-2 areas. You wouldn't go to an orthopedic doctor to do brain surgery.

Ensure the lawyer is in your state, most labor laws are governed by the state, and all are different.

Just because you have an employee sign something, it doesn't mean it is a legal binding doc.

PLEASE DO NOT have the mindset of "this is an at will work state so I can get rid of An employee whenever and for whatever reason I want" this is not true, and could cripple your company.

 

[BitterGreg]

Also, this is not in anyway directed at the OP, but I use a lot of quotes and phrases with my clients two of them are " Hope is not a strategy"-me and "everyone has a game plan until they get punched in the face"-Mike Tyson

You have to have a game plan"business plan", or you will not exceed, but just because you have a game plan doesn't mean you will succeed, you have to be able to adapt to all that is changing around you.