Shutting down the mobile detailing business.

tuscarora dave

tuscarora dave

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Winter is here and the cold weather is fast coming so this weekend I'll be doing my last for money detail. More than just the cold weather though. For the last 3 years I have been working a full time forty plus hours a week job and also detailing cars on the weekends and sometimes in the evenings throughout the week. With all of the behind the scenes preparation that needs to be done (most don't see this stuff but you guys know what I'm talking about) plus other things that I feel are very important for me to do, It has been quite overwhelming on a constant basis for the past 3 years and I have just reached the end of my rope. I can not continue at this pace.

What some of the members here may not know is that on top of the full time job, the prep work to enable the detailing to happen and the detailing itself, about six years ago I had begun helping alcoholics and people addicted to other substances as well to regain their footing in life. I have dedicated my life to this work and place it first and foremost above anything else. This work in itself can be overwhelming at times, taking phone calls at all hours of the day and night, sitting one on one with the people I am attempting to help, mentoring, sharing with them my own life story of salvation, encouraging these people and suggesting the next best thing to do at any given moment. To be involved in the success of one's efforts to turn their life around and to watch this unfold from day to day is the most rewarding thing I have ever experienced but it still takes an awful lot of sacrifice to be effective at it.

All this mentioned and I haven't even touched on the other personal responsibilities that often times don't get met that one must do to be living a healthy life such as household chores, maintaining healthy friendships and relationships, walking my girl "Jack" (see avitar) and trying to eat healthy and exercise. I feel that I have been drowning in all of this stuff going on in my life so something has to go. This week I'll be pulling all of my detailing supplies from the van and storing all of it inside for the winter and shutting down the business end of things. I have made an appointment with a doctor to have a series of tests done to see exactly where I am health wise and will then be able to put in effect a plan of change to get to where I need to be in that respect. After all, what do you really have if you don't have your health?

A lot of big changes coming for me and I feel pretty good about them and just thought that I would share some of them with the best detailing community that I have found online to date.

Thanks for reading, TD
 
:props: :applause:Good job to you for your helping others with their substance abuse issues. That takes a strong individual.

I hope that you will continue to frequent the boards here even though you're taking a break from the business. Good luck with your health and future endeavors!
 
Good on ya for knowing how to focus on what's important. That is one of the reasons detailing has taken a back seat in my life the last couple years as well. Side jobs are fine, but when you have a higher calling in life with a family or a cause then you really need to know how to prioritize. Good luck with everything! Don't hang up the apron entirely though. You never know how much good you can still do through detailing. It is a great way to get alone time with someone and get them to open up to you about their problems.
 
Hope only the best for you Dave in whichever way you decide to take you life. Proud to see what you are doing for others but understand that you have to also take care of yourself as well. Life is short my friend and it looks as you are making the best of it.Good luck and please keep in touch.
 
Dave, best of luck to you, as mentioned above, don't be a stranger here! The kind of work you do keeps my hope for humanity alive, it's to bad there aren't more people like you in the world.
 
You have to do what's right for you. Best wishes in all your endeavors.
 
As long as you feel good about those changes you will be successful Dave. You are correct in that helping people in the manner you speak of is very satisfying and is to be commended.

In that thread you just told me more about who you really are than all the other posts combined. You're a man of good character Dave and your priorities are right in line. Take care of yourself first, then those close to you and the rest will fall into place. You mentioned a key word that most simply do not understand. You don't have to look for it, it's always there. You just have to except it. Salvation...enough said.
 
It's very admirable to spend so much of your time helping and genuinely caring for others, I applaud you for that. While I'm sorry to hear that you are shutting down the business, I wish you all the best with your health and future endeavors Dave! I hope to still see you around!!!
 
Thanks for sharing this heartfelt story.

You, my friend, are one in a million....maybe one in a billion :dblthumb2:


Just as you have found room to dedicate your life towards helping your fellow man, I have a sister-in-law that has dedicated her life's work in helping special-needs adults. Don't know how you guys do it!!....Don't know if I could or not.

Looking back now...I spent the majority of my life working seven days a week, 12-16 hour shifts. During one 15 year stretch, I never even took a vacation; worked each and every holiday; and attended very few family functions.

Seems like I turned around and the kids were grown...and their Mother was gone.

What do I have to show for it? Some worldly, material goods; and a very wore out body and mind. Probably should include a wore out soul also.

I Should've Prioritized....Like you have done now.
2old2change said..."Life is short my friend...."

How true. How true.

Godspeed...and:
Please keep in touch with the members of this, and any other forums that you frequent. Your advice and experiences would surely be missed.

:)

Bob
 
When I was a younger man, I was incredibly ambitious, worked insane hours, owned a couple businesses, including a large dairy operation...and didn't have a minute to myself. I remember an 11 year span when I never took a single day off. Made some dollars along the way and luckily invested them wisely. Got out when the going was good. Having said that, I let myself go....was not in a healthy state and bordering on the edge of some major health issues.

I turned that all around, started to smell the roses, lived each day like it was the last, slimmed way down, and feel better now that I was in my 40s. You made the right move....without your health, all that working is for nothing. For me I was lucky enough to figure what life was REALLY about BEFORE it was too late. I would do a lot of things differently looking back...but we only get one shot. Even if you are doing something you love...you still have to step back and take care of yourself. All the money and success in the world means nothing without a healthy body and mind. You can't buy that. Lots of tried, just ask Steve Jobs.

There is one equalizer in this world...and that is being mortal. Its far better to stop and take care of yourself, realize whats most important, and THEN the good stuff will come to you. I love detailing cars...but I don't love it to the point where its taking over my spare time, nights, and weekends. Time means more to me than money at this point in my life because the clock is running. I don't want to check out of this world in a nice, neat bow...I want my body to be spent (totally exhausted from having as much fun as possible), and a martini in one hand.

I really understand your decision, and for what its worth...you will look back some day and realize you probably should have done it sooner.
 
Dave you Sir are truly a CLASS ACT!

It takes a strong person to do what you are doing and it takes even a stronger soul to say when enough is enough.

I will say that you have helped me more than you will ever know.You insight and knowledge and wisdom has been most admirable.

Good luck with whatever you do Dave.

I can only hope that you stay around here and if you need to reach out I'll be the first one to hold out my hand, my friend!
 
Dave, I wish you luck with your lifestyle change. And I just have to say that you have really helped out a lot of people here by posting this thread. I am a young guy, and see myself slowly falling into the work first mentality. You have given me, and I am sure others a fresh perspective on what is really important. So for that, I say thank you :applause:
 
Hats off to you sir. :applause: Enjoy your decision, it's an admirable one!
 
best wishes to you man, takes a class act to help people that are having a really low point in their life. i help a lot of people with stuff also and it does wear you down mentally more then physically. i hope your health stays good and i hope your future endeavors go as planned!. sorry to hear your closing down the business but you gotta organize your priorities. hope you do stay around the forums to offer your good advice and stay around just as one of the few good people in this world!...again good luck and hope it works out how you plan!.
 
Good job recognizing this but much more so doing something about it Dave. I can't say anything better than what Bob did so I won't try.

FUNX725 said:
Thanks for sharing this heartfelt story.

You, my friend, are one in a million....maybe one in a billion :dblthumb2:


Just as you have found room to dedicate your life towards helping your fellow man, I have a sister-in-law that has dedicated her life's work in helping special-needs adults. Don't know how you guys do it!!....Don't know if I could or not.

Looking back now...I spent the majority of my life working seven days a week, 12-16 hour shifts. During one 15 year stretch, I never even took a vacation; worked each and every holiday; and attended very few family functions.

Seems like I turned around and the kids were grown...and their Mother was gone.

What do I have to show for it? Some worldly, material goods; and a very wore out body and mind. Probably should include a wore out soul also.

I Should've Prioritized....Like you have done now.
2old2change said..."Life is short my friend...."

How true. How true.

Godspeed...and:
Please keep in touch with the members of this, and any other forums that you frequent. Your advice and experiences would surely be missed.

:)

Bob
Click to expand...

Extremely wise words and advice for others Bob. :props:
 
Don't know you well. I am a new kid (Old man) on the block. My hat's off to you for making all the right decisions in your life. I for one made mistakes early n my life by working second shift 7 days a wk for 13 yrs. before you know my older kids grew up and I din't even know them.
God Bless you for doing all that you do Bro! and if you need any Crockpot cooking tips just ask!,,LOL:props:
 
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