Any of you detail cause of great money, and have other plans,but an easy start?

[quamen]

Well, I was wondering if some of you detailers were attracted to the money aspect,not the work aspect of detailing?



Im attracted to both areas, but most say i should just love to do it. Yeah if I was detailing BMWs, Benz everyday who the hell wouldnt be. But,sometimes you get those nasty cars you dont want to touch.



Anyways, any of you have other goals that you want to create by making good money detailing? This maybe a odd post,but hey sometimes im odd and wanted to ask it.



I ask because this is my story. Im 22, have a degree 2 year,and getting a BA degree.. My first and number on passion is BMX flatland. I have been riding for about 8 years and enter many contests,and go to the x games etc. It is just not another little bike, but actually not to brag im excellent and it is a 1600 dollar custom made frame from california with parts. MY dream is to make enough money during the summer, and go to california to ride during the winter. I really hate the north, and winter gets me really really depressed. Some people think im weird or whatever, but i enjoy cleaning my car and riding my bike all day,that is about it. I dont have a million hobbies or friends, but this makes me happy. When I ride, i feel like all my worries go away, and im in a different world. just there with my MD player, a flat parking lot and my bike.



So, right now i guess im thinking of spring to much and want it to come. I havent been able to ride since like october,and im dying to. But, i can only ride in the warm, i hate the cold. So my plan is to actually, make enough money to go go to cali next winter, and then return and head back to school in January. Even though it is still winter, ill miss some of the cold and only be a couple months from spring.



Even though im getting my degree, I have always been attracted to making and owning business. i believe detailing is a great, low risk investment business to start. I am also hoping, ill take on day at a time,but if all went well, I would set up another truck for New Jersey,but that is a whole different story



Any of you got something to share? Okay, I maybe a complete weirdo,but im bored and it is cold out, and im depressed. Hmm, let me stop writing now before i annoy you guys to much!!

Rich

 

[imported_mirrorfinishman]

Well, I was wondering if some of you detailers were attracted to the money aspect, not the work aspect of detailing?

Rich

Rich,



I think you will find that most successful people who are into detailing are basically attracted to the work aspect of detailing. That I think is the first attraction. In the beginning, the money is secondary.



Just my thoughts...

 

[imported_elortt]

To do anything well, you have to enjoy doing it. To make good money doing it you have to do it well. I think if you dont enjoy it your customers can tell. I really do not think that there are many detailers that are making alot of money that do not love what they do. I detail PT because of the benfits from my FT job. I really love detailing even those nasty ones cause that is a true test of my abilities. I dont really enjoy my FT job even though i make 22+ / hr even though i really do not do anything, right now i am working, lol. If I could go a couple months without benefits i would definetly go full time, but with 3 kids and a wife who still doesnt understand what a credit limit is, i will have to wait.



Eric

 

[imported_BretFraz]

Why not detail enough to save some $$ then move to Cali where you can do both activities you love? There are a zillion detail shops in So Cal where you could pick up a job. Or you could have your own biz there. You could ride whenever you had the time from detailing. Unlike PA the weather in Cali means riding and detailing 24/7/365.



When I lived in Orange Co. I worked with a guy who loved beach volleyball. We both sold electronics. I did it because I liked the technology. He did it because it allowed him to live near the beach and gave him a flexible schedule so he could play all the time. You could do the same thing.

 

[stilez]

Rich,



What is your major? I think you should at least have a minor in Small Business/Entrepreneurship if you are this interested in running a business. bretfraz made a good point that you could move to Cali and set up a detailing shop with the skills from detailing and the knowledge from your schooling.



I am now a Sophomore Business Management Major at Quinnipiac University. I know my business is going to do much better than last year due to the skills and knowledge I am obtaining about running a small business. I will use different marketing techniques to inform my target market. Also, use accounting skills to start keeping track of the incoming profits as well as expenses incurred from products, labor, gas, etc. Not to mention, different managing techniques. These skills from schooling help a lot and I think if you at least minor in a business area, you will be set.



Personally, I detail because I love it. Even those nasty job, like Eric said, yeah they may suck to do but the before and after results are on so much of a wider scale than doing a garage queen where you really have to work at getting the finish that much better. Yeah the money is good, and only working during the week last summer, not even every day, I made more than any other summer of working.



Good Luck.



-Sean

 

[imported_Intel486]

I started out detailing as an enthusiast and took that knowledge into detailing for money. It's great money but I still enjoy the work I do.



I started out as a business student because I thought, "I'm running a business so I should consider business as my major!" but once I started taking the classes I realized it wasn't for me at all. I learned a lot in the accounting classes (forgot a lot too) but I hate Econ and ISDS... So, I'm doing Chemical Engineering now. Plan to work through college detailing and then when I get my degree see where I'm at and what I want to do with my life.



I also Detail because I need the money to pay to race my truck... Costs a lot to fix engines, costs even more to go fast.

 

[imported_Terry]

Rich,



I think you will find that most successful people who are into detailing are basically attracted to the work aspect of detailing. That I think is the first attraction. In the beginning, the money is secondary.



Just my thoughts...

Very well put.:up

 

[nosed_b18b]

I think that you will make more money if you don't think about making money, if that makes any sense. I recommend just doing it on the weekends, when you have time, and see how it goes from there. That's what I'm doing. I am obviously infatuated w/ the idea of making a ton of money just detailing cars, but I also know that I won't strike it rich doing it overnight. Anyways, I guess what I'm trying to say is that it doesn't matter if you don't become rich doing it, as long as you learn a new skill. That's more important. Besides, if you waste all your money on supplies, then hopefully you can at least break even, detailing cars on the weekends.

I also Detail because I need the money to pay to race my truck... Costs a lot to fix engines, costs even more to go fast.

Whoa, aint that the truth. I'm on my 3rd and final motor.



It just doesn't interest me as much as it used to. My new hobby is making money.

 

[Scottwax]

Rich,



I think you will find that most successful people who are into detailing are basically attracted to the work aspect of detailing. That I think is the first attraction. In the beginning, the money is secondary.



Just my thoughts...

Agreed. If you focus solely on money, you are bound to be disappointed. If you focus on the craft, the money will follow.

 

[imported_ajbarnes]

Agreed. If you focus solely on money, you are bound to be disappointed. If you focus on the craft, the money will follow.

Absolutely! I'm living proof of the above statement. I love detailing - don't get me wrong, but I found myself concentrating more on the money aspect of it in the beginning.....disaster followed! When I changed it around and started to focus on the craft of detailing, exploring different techniques and products, and similar things, I found myself much more successful!:xyxthumbs

 

[quamen]

Great resonses guys!! Maybe, I have thew you guy a curve ball in my statement. I wouldnt do something I didnt like because of the money. I love detailing actually, even like those said the dirty cars. YOu can get them as close as new as possible and that is a great accomplishment. Ps. Also remember my post about the security. I denied it because cause i find it boring and not rewarding. It was 17 something a hour, 40 hours a week. Im going crazy as it is now doing a job locally for 9 bucks an hour. The company i work for is cheap, benefits are bad, and raises are never. Im awesome at it though and catch more people in my first 4 months of work then people who have been doing it for years. My store is the best store in the whole region. I have already caught 5 people in 2 weeks worked, 10 days. They give you no extra incentive other then good job. while I know other stores with cameras just sit there and watch people or relax. There is no way in hell that people are not strealing! It is a easy job and no one bothers you for a lazy person. That is not me im a hard worker and like working with my hands.



I go on this site and write down notes everyday actually. I have a notebook of all different products discuessed etc. I dedicate a coulple hours a day to reading articles and all. Yes GSRstilez I agree with you on the business knowledge. My major is Criminal Justice , I wanted to be a cop. I wanted to be one since I was younger,now it seems im floating away, but I shouldnt decide to fast. Business is alot more work then everyone thinks until you start doing it. Im always thinking I would love to own multiple business and run them, but that is a whole different topic.



I want to badly take a business class,but I dont have time. I work 40 hours a week and go to college for 2 classes. Im going to a detail business/work seminar in Pittsburgh next month. There is a local place around here that has business classes,which im going to take. Once college ends in may, and detailing begins Im going to take them. Hopefully, I can get out of my job. I feel weird cause they need me full time. Even though benefits suck, there still there. I woulndt mind doing it like a few hours a week, but i know that wont fly.