Transitioning from weekend warrior to full time

[Lustrous Detail]

Aloha,

So I started my business this past May and have been busy. Actually booked till November and I've been getting referrals and interests from other people that are not friends and family. I work a full time job so Saturdays, Sundays & holidays are my only days to detail. Saturdays, I've been steady with 2 cars of which are clay/seal type details. Sundays, steady with one detail, which is limited to exterior only details or interior only details because of time constraints (church and family).

My question is for those who switched from part to full time, when did you feel it was the right time? I'm worried that having my customers wait too long will have them searching for services elsewhere.

 

[Audios S6]

Aloha,

So I started my business this past May and have been busy. Actually booked till November and I've been getting referrals and interests from other people that are not friends and family. I work a full time job so Saturdays, Sundays & holidays are my only days to detail. Saturdays, I've been steady with 2 cars of which are clay/seal type details. Sundays, steady with one detail, which is limited to exterior only details or interior only details because of time constraints (church and family).

My question is for those who switched from part to full time, when did you feel it was the right time? I'm worried that having my customers wait too long will have them searching for services elsewhere.

Can you do weeknight work? I will do a couple nights during the week when necessary to keep my schedule from booking out too long. The week before a car show I work 7am-3pm at my day job then I may be busy everynight from 4pm-11pm, after a week of that I'm ready for a break and feel my quality starts to decline. That will double my income for the week, but it comes at a cost.

 

[Lustrous Detail]

Can you do weeknight work? I will do a couple nights during the week when necessary to keep my schedule from booking out too long. The week before a car show I work 7am-3pm at my day job then I may be busy everynight from 4pm-11pm, after a week of that I'm ready for a break and feel my quality starts to decline. That will double my income for the week, but it comes at a cost.

I was actually thinking of doing that but with my 7 month baby and chores to do around the house, I don't think it would be possible. Also, I don't like to rush.

 

[Kamakaz1961]

1st off that is SOOOOOOO COOOOOLLLLLL you are so busy!!! I think Audios S6 has a point. You might be able to do at least 1 car at night. I have set my garage up with plenty of light so I can detail. I have moved away from the Halogen lights as they sap a lot of power and they radiate very hot! I have been experimenting with LED work lights and even though most are not comparable to halogen lights...I have found a couple that come close and only use 35 watts of power as opposed to 500 watts. They are also cool to the touch and no heat!!

My point being I would set your garage or work area with plenty of light so that way you can detail at any time effectively and possibly longer hours (when baby is asleep).

But either way so cool to see you too busy!! I would rather have this problem than the other way around!!

 

[Lustrous Detail]

1st off that is SOOOOOOO COOOOOLLLLLL you are so busy!!! I think Audios S6 has a point. You might be able to do at least 1 car at night. I have set my garage up with plenty of light so I can detail. I have moved away from the Halogen lights as they sap a lot of power and they radiate very hot! I have been experimenting with LED work lights and even though most are not comparable to halogen lights...I have found a couple that come close and only use 35 watts of power as opposed to 500 watts. They are also cool to the touch and no heat!!

My point being I would set your garage or work area with plenty of light so that way you can detail at any time effectively and possibly longer hours (when baby is asleep).

But either way so cool to see you too busy!! I would rather have this problem than the other way around!!

Haha thanks man! Lol at (when the baby is asleep). Usually when baby is sleeping I'm sleeping. My only concern with detailing at night is the noise. Neighbors house is so close to ours.

I'll talk to my wife about the detailing at night and see what she says, maybe a 2-3 nights a week would be good. Maybe limit it to exterior only details. We'll see.

 

[RFrommann]

when you can make your regular job's salary in a week detailing, and you have the customers to be booked for an extended period of time (few weeks, making atleast your salary) then it's time to put your 2 weeks in, or go part time at your job, and detail full-time

 

[jarred767]

See if you can go down to part time at the job, that helps soften the blow so that you still have some income coming in from that, but have the ability to detail more, thus making more money. This is the route that I took 8 years ago and it worked very well for me.

Good luck with it, that's an awesome problem to have!

 

[Lustrous Detail]

See if you can go down to part time at the job, that helps soften the blow so that you still have some income coming in from that, but have the ability to detail more, thus making more money. This is the route that I took 8 years ago and it worked very well for me.

Good luck with it, that's an awesome problem to have!

Unfortunately my current job doesn't have part time for my position. I'm actually thinking of going back to construction. My uncle is the owner of the business and always ask me to come back. Maybe work W-F at construction, detail SAT-Tues.

Good work btw!

 

[duffthebluff]

Hey good job in getting yourself busy! I'm also a weekend warrior but I don't really get jobs that high of a number. I just started around 2 weeks ago and I tell you it's hard to get customers. Keep it up man, sorry I couldn't help you with your queries.

Ian Duff
Shineville Auto Detailing
Manila, Philippines
www.facebook.com/ShinevillePH

 

[jarred767]

Unfortunately my current job doesn't have part time for my position. I'm actually thinking of going back to construction. My uncle is the owner of the business and always ask me to come back. Maybe work W-F at construction, detail SAT-Tues.

Good work btw!

That sounds like a perfect option! If your able to work for someone you know, they might be able to work around your schedule better too. Just make sure that your up front with them on your intentions, and they if your business really takes off, that's your first priority. But for the meantime that sounds like a great way to bridge the gap as you hopefully make a transition into full-time detailing. Good luck with it and keep us posted on how it goes!!