Detailing as a Career
- Thread starter lp2137
- Start date
imported_Picus
New member
Definitely go to school. I took two years off between my 2nd and 3rd year of school; detailed full time. I made good money but the thing is you can only pack so many details in a day, and eventually as mentioned you *do* get tired, no matter how much you love it. I went back to school and got my degree and worked in that field for 5 years, then came back to detailing - now I juggle both and it's great. I like that I am not *forced* to plow through details since it isn't paying for groceries. The general idea here is that it is nice to have something to fall back on. If detailing truly is your passion, as it is for many of us, you will eventually find yourself doing it, maybe even as a career - it just one of those thing that can be very hit or miss, so don't screw yourself early on.
Cheers.
Cheers.
imported_truzoom
New member
lp2137 said:
Try a local vocational school or community college. Most offer classes in accounting and business startup and you don't need to meet any requirements. Just pay around $50-$150 per class and show up a few times.
Odd Jobs (including detailing) paid for my College Education. You can bash it all you want, but in my opinion, it's more than just a piece of paper or door opener. At the very least it proves that I set a long term goal and finished it.
I had an internship my last semester and walked into a great job. Now, almost 10 years later, I still like what I do, and have plenty of extra time to do the things that I love (i.e. detailing) without being a slave to them.
My advice is to do college now. I'm certainly not going to attempt to tell you what to do, and don't mean to "talk down" or "belittle" at all... but at 17, there are so many thing you're not going to be absoloutely prepared for if you just jump into owning business. You have taxes, all forms of insurance (life, health, car, business, liability), overhead, time management, advirtising, savings, etc. Then there's general life expenses: car payments, rent/mortgage, repair, utilities, fuel, clothing, food, etc.. It's not as simple as buying your products, and turning out cars as they come in.
..again, don't take any of that the wrong way. I'm just saying life at 33 is tougher than life at 17. Believe me (an old fogey), life's tough. Research, plan, plan, research, plan and plan some more before you dismiss college/trade school.
BTW. After the comany I interned with and eventually worked full time with got bought out and we all got laid off, I started my on consulting practice (with a partner). We put $30k of our own personal savings into the business. If failed within 6 months. My point is that life teaches some hard lessons. My partner and I both have 4 year business degrees. We were smug and "determined". Even with the education, and knowledge to do the job, we weren't salesmen or marketers. Learned a hard lesson, but because of that degree were able to become employed with a great company in no time flat...
I had an internship my last semester and walked into a great job. Now, almost 10 years later, I still like what I do, and have plenty of extra time to do the things that I love (i.e. detailing) without being a slave to them.
My advice is to do college now. I'm certainly not going to attempt to tell you what to do, and don't mean to "talk down" or "belittle" at all... but at 17, there are so many thing you're not going to be absoloutely prepared for if you just jump into owning business. You have taxes, all forms of insurance (life, health, car, business, liability), overhead, time management, advirtising, savings, etc. Then there's general life expenses: car payments, rent/mortgage, repair, utilities, fuel, clothing, food, etc.. It's not as simple as buying your products, and turning out cars as they come in.
..again, don't take any of that the wrong way. I'm just saying life at 33 is tougher than life at 17. Believe me (an old fogey), life's tough. Research, plan, plan, research, plan and plan some more before you dismiss college/trade school.
BTW. After the comany I interned with and eventually worked full time with got bought out and we all got laid off, I started my on consulting practice (with a partner). We put $30k of our own personal savings into the business. If failed within 6 months. My point is that life teaches some hard lessons. My partner and I both have 4 year business degrees. We were smug and "determined". Even with the education, and knowledge to do the job, we weren't salesmen or marketers. Learned a hard lesson, but because of that degree were able to become employed with a great company in no time flat...
Hey, Im almost in the same boat as you. I didnt know what I wanted to do for a career but was interested in owning my own business and detailing professionaly. I have been detailing for customers for almost a year now, have had about 5-6 details a month (Note this isnt my source of income, I work 35 hours/week) Anyways....It is a lot of work!
I would go to college, it isnt a bunch of lecturing...just sit there, ask questions and try to relate as to why the information your learning is important and how you can use it in your future. I would research careers and see what interests you. I have researched a bunch and once you know what you want to do in life, you wont want school to stop because you just want to keep learning.
If you want to try out detailing on the side while still in school I would definately consider it because it can make you some nice money if your willing to work. I had 2,000 business cards made up and I just had a detail today back at a business where I previously did a detail at. Well this time I had 6 guys come up and talk to me while I was working, I handed out my cards. And I booked a detail for a 95 GMC pickup tomorrow as well as a 06 Saleen Mustang sometime this week. If you can get your name out there, have people see your work..it will do wonders for you.
Good luck with whatever choice you make!
I would go to college, it isnt a bunch of lecturing...just sit there, ask questions and try to relate as to why the information your learning is important and how you can use it in your future. I would research careers and see what interests you. I have researched a bunch and once you know what you want to do in life, you wont want school to stop because you just want to keep learning.
If you want to try out detailing on the side while still in school I would definately consider it because it can make you some nice money if your willing to work. I had 2,000 business cards made up and I just had a detail today back at a business where I previously did a detail at. Well this time I had 6 guys come up and talk to me while I was working, I handed out my cards. And I booked a detail for a 95 GMC pickup tomorrow as well as a 06 Saleen Mustang sometime this week. If you can get your name out there, have people see your work..it will do wonders for you.
Good luck with whatever choice you make!
deadlock32
New member
LOL I completely for got to mention that College is 100 times better than Highschool. Its all about the freedom you have in College that sucks in highschool. Example... no stupid rules that end up with detention, like if you are 5 minutes late for a class.
deadlock32 said:
:werd: It is much better than highschool, you arent treated like a kid, you have responsibility...And if you use it wisely, you'll love college. I go to a local university and on our downtime in class I often go on autopia
and the teachers dont mind if you sit there and drink a pop or eat lunch as long as it isnt distracting...alls they ask is to take your cell phone calls outside the room, other than that...it's all up to you to make the decisions.And yes...college is a lot of money - Try and get some scholarships, grants, etc...I have recieved over $1,500 in scholarships just for filling out two forms and writings two pages for my "paper' for them. All good things come with a price, it is worth it in the long run trust me! However it does suck to get those bills in the mail for finalization and books :chuckle: :chuckle: This month I had a $1,500 bill come in the mail
Thanks again for all the comments guys. I'm thinking about taking a few business classes at the local community college, I'm still undecided about going to school for another 4-6 years though.
Joshua312: Most of grants, scholarships around here are for kids with really good grades and my grades are just average. I figure if I go to a community college I'll save alot of money.
Andyman: I don't mean to bash your diploma or anything, I just have a difference in opinion. I personally know of people who have not gone to college and have done well for themselves and have learned more than they would in college. I do understand that these kind of people are few and far between but they had the similar view of college as I do.
Joshua312: Most of grants, scholarships around here are for kids with really good grades and my grades are just average. I figure if I go to a community college I'll save alot of money.
Andyman: I don't mean to bash your diploma or anything, I just have a difference in opinion. I personally know of people who have not gone to college and have done well for themselves and have learned more than they would in college. I do understand that these kind of people are few and far between but they had the similar view of college as I do.
If you look for scholarships you will find some that fit you...not all are just for the kids who have A's and 4.0 gpa's. They are made to help people who need it, not just for the "smart" kids Some scholarships dont have anything to do with your grades, more of your beliefs, culture, or opinion on a matter. I am an "average" student as well, had about a 3.0 in high school, now I have a 3.8 in college and Im on the Deans list. I think you will be suprised as to how different college is, especially the courses and what you learn. If you decide to go to a community college, make sure you take a course or two which interests you, dont just take all of the pre-req classes like college math/english...then you will be bored and hate it. Take something that interests you and I think you'll see it's worth your time.
I would again, research a job you want in the future...and find out what the requirements are. I visit alot of those job sites and just look at what they are requiring. At the least most of those jobs require an associates or bachelors. If you dont want to go to college for 4 years, I would suggest you find a trade you are interested in. My brother didnt go to college because of personal/family issues and he became an electrician, makes around $35,000 a year right out of high school, his company paid for him to become certified and all his schooling. Just suggestions of course...in the end it is your decision!
Please dont take this or anyone elses comments as pushing you to go to college and telling you it'd be stupid not too go, Im sure we are all just replying so strongly because of our personal expierences and being in your shoes at some point. Yes, it is 4 years out of "real world work" but I go to college and still work 35+ hours a week with plenty of time to myself. Online classes are a big help for saving time. Those 4 years away from the "real" jobs will ensure you have a career for life! :2thumbs:
I would again, research a job you want in the future...and find out what the requirements are. I visit alot of those job sites and just look at what they are requiring. At the least most of those jobs require an associates or bachelors. If you dont want to go to college for 4 years, I would suggest you find a trade you are interested in. My brother didnt go to college because of personal/family issues and he became an electrician, makes around $35,000 a year right out of high school, his company paid for him to become certified and all his schooling. Just suggestions of course...in the end it is your decision!
Please dont take this or anyone elses comments as pushing you to go to college and telling you it'd be stupid not too go, Im sure we are all just replying so strongly because of our personal expierences and being in your shoes at some point. Yes, it is 4 years out of "real world work" but I go to college and still work 35+ hours a week with plenty of time to myself. Online classes are a big help for saving time. Those 4 years away from the "real" jobs will ensure you have a career for life! :2thumbs:
Trust me im 18 and just graduated high school. I just got out of military school and i hated it for the most part. More school was the last thing i wanted to do. I didnt want to go to college and planned on taking over my dads construction company but then really thought about it and relized without college i had no clue where to start. Even a local school where you only go to classes 3 times a week wouldnt be a bad idea, it could only help, you would be surprised. I myself am going to linclon tech for to be a mechanic for 2 years and then am getting a 2yr degree at a local college to fall back on. Not sure if this helped at all but i figure it would be nice to have a view from someone your age.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
I'm going to agree with a couple random opinions here. I agree that if you're going to go to college it's best to go now...I also agree that it's hard to really know what you are going to want down the road at your age, so, as Picus said, sometimes it's good to spend a little time off before going back, it can give you the perspective to know what you want.
I'll also echo TruZoom, that you want to do something that your heart is in. Don't discount trade schools, etc. I don't know how in this country having a skill/trade became a negative, but even if we don't make anything here anymore, there is still plenty of stuff that needs to be fixed (cars, appliances, HVAC, etc.). And, as others have said, save your money!
I'll also echo TruZoom, that you want to do something that your heart is in. Don't discount trade schools, etc. I don't know how in this country having a skill/trade became a negative, but even if we don't make anything here anymore, there is still plenty of stuff that needs to be fixed (cars, appliances, HVAC, etc.). And, as others have said, save your money!
If you have DRIVE, PERSEVERANCE, INITIATIVE and TALENT!! then be prepared to be self-employed and F*** school....... I have all of the above, I dropped out of college after six months to start working for myself and its the best thing I have ever done!....
NONE...and I repeat... NONE of my friends (schooled or not) make more money then me. I have watched my father and a few uncles become very successful because they educated themselves with what they needed.... they didn't go waste their time taking Quantum Physics when they obviously didn't need it.....
SCHOOL is not for everyone... .if you know you're gonna go there just to Warm up the chair... DONT-GO!.... And let your drive fuel you....
NONE...and I repeat... NONE of my friends (schooled or not) make more money then me. I have watched my father and a few uncles become very successful because they educated themselves with what they needed.... they didn't go waste their time taking Quantum Physics when they obviously didn't need it.....
SCHOOL is not for everyone... .if you know you're gonna go there just to Warm up the chair... DONT-GO!.... And let your drive fuel you....
FidoAUTO said:
1. Your friends may not be making as much money as you *now* but that could very well change when they graduate and get a career
2. What happens if your business fails and you have no education to fall back on? You'll be going to college at 40 to earn a degree, put into an entry level position to start out...
IMO it's just wiser to get at least a business degree to have something to fall back on
I have a very successful uncle who did not go to college, however back then he told me it was really not needed in the work field. It's not as easy now days...he pushed his kids to go to college because he knew it was needed for them to do well. Sure enough, they weren't the best students during highschool but worked hard during college towards what they wanted to do and now both have well over $200,000 anual salary.
And Im sorry but I just find this funny since you're telling him to **** school...Is schooled a word? lol and it's "than me" not then me - Just curious, what is it that you're going into?
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
It's certainly true that "blue collar" work may initially pay better (when you are at college age) but you pretty quickly hit a ceiling, where as with "white collar" work there may be no ceiling at all. However, there certainly are routes from blue collar to white collar, and of course entrepreneurial routes as well.
I think it's going to be pretty much a human nature split here--the people that went/are in college will tell you to go, the people who didn't take that route will tell you not to. The people who did one or the other and hate their life/jobs will tell you to do it the other way from what they did.
I think it's going to be pretty much a human nature split here--the people that went/are in college will tell you to go, the people who didn't take that route will tell you not to. The people who did one or the other and hate their life/jobs will tell you to do it the other way from what they did.
deadlock32
New member
[quote name='lp2137']Thanks again for all the comments guys. I'm thinking about taking a few business classes at the local community college, I'm still undecided about going to school for another 4-6 years though.
QUOTE]
Dude get the montra of 4-6 years outta your mind. 4-6 years would be bachlors in some kinda engineering degree which is fine but it doesn't sound like what you want to do.
you can get some kind of business associates degree in 2 years and if you want to go the extra step, a business bachs in 4 years
so think about 2-4 years not 4-6
QUOTE]
Dude get the montra of 4-6 years outta your mind. 4-6 years would be bachlors in some kinda engineering degree which is fine but it doesn't sound like what you want to do.
you can get some kind of business associates degree in 2 years and if you want to go the extra step, a business bachs in 4 years
so think about 2-4 years not 4-6
Driven Auto Detail
New member
Here's my $.02...
Up until my senior year of high school, I had no desire to go spend another 4 years in school (college). My senior year I had to have two back surgeries after football season so I missed a lot of school. Since I was going to be spending a lot of time at home, my parents got a computer (this was '97-'98). I spent many hours on it just learning and everything else. Finally, one day when I was back in school my senior year, a local business college was there talking about what they had to offer. To my surprise, they offered a computer tech major. This changed my mind about going to college. The college offered a 16-month program where you'd receive an associates degree upon completion. They also offered a 10-month program where you'd just earn a computer specialist diploma. I decided to go for the associates degree since it was only 6 extra months. Fortunately, my parents were paying for all of it so money really wasn't a concern for me. While I was in college there, I realized that I didn't feel like I was learning as much as I thought I would. Finally, after convincing my parents, I decided to drop down to the 10-month program because I just wanted to start working & making money. At first my parents were reluctant, but I finally talked them into it. Plus, I didn't want them to have to pay for schooling if I didn't have my head & heart in it. Two weeks before I was supposed to be done with school, I found a job. It has been over 7 years since that time and I'm still at the same job and I like the place a lot. However, I figured out that I don't have a passion for IT. I just don't get all geeked up about a computer like others in IT do. I am now wanting to start my own detailing business on the side. If it works out, I'd love to do it full-time and eventually have my own detailing shop with a couple employee's, etc. But, had I not gone to just that small business college and worked a steady job for the past 7 years, I would financially not feel comfortable doing something like this.
For me personally, going to a 4-year college wasn't what I wanted to do. Hell, even 16 months was too much for me. While I think it's unfortunate that companies rely on that college degree to even hire a person, I would suggest at least going to a business college. Places like mine don't make you take all the extra elective classes that you don't want/need to take. I took exactly what classes I needed to take and that was that. This is why it was such a quick time-frame.
With that said, I somewhat disagree with this statement. I personally feel that nobody can teach as much as what you would learn working in the real world. Compared to my job, I feel like college didn't really teach me much of anything. Granite, it wasn't a 4-year college. However, I just don't see going through 4 years of schooling when there are business colleges where you can do it much faster and not have to take the BS classes. I have learned TONS more working than I did in school so I'm happy with what I decided to do.
I guess my advice to you would to do the business college route or something similiar to that. If you don't want to be in school for 4+ years, it's a great alternative. You still can obtain a degree but you don't have to spend all that time & money in school. After you get out, keep up your detailing while you find/work a steady job. Once you have a solid financial foundation, if you still want to detail full-time, you can do that. It will be so much easier to attempt to run a detailing business having gone through the other stuff. Plus, like others have said you then have something to fall back on if it doesn't work out.
Edit: One very important thing I forgot to mention. The most important thing to do when you do start working is save as much money as possible. I feel fortunate that I was able to get a "real" job at the age of 19. This allowed me to start putting money in a 401K fund. Also, in today's world most people are in debt. Some are severly in debt. Don't get yourself in that situation. Make smart finacial decisions and make sure you keep your credit good. It makes things so much easier if you aren't living paycheck to paycheck. I can't imagine having the debt that some of the people I know have. My dad was a banker all his life and him and my mom were always very conservative when it came to money. While I'm not as concervative as them, they showed me how important it is to make good financial decisions and keep grasp of your money. I can't stress enough how important it is not to get yourself into debt. It makes life that much harder and that much more stressful. Plus, typically it just snowballs and then by the time you should be retiring, you have no money so you can't retire. I put as much money as I possibly can put into my 401K account so that I don't have to work a single day past when I can retire. Even if I start my own detailing business full-time, I'll continue to put money in a retirement account.
Your future is important so do what you can now to prepare for everything. As time goes on, it becomes more and more difficult to do what you should have/could have done when you were young. Follow your heart but always think about your future when making big decisions.
Up until my senior year of high school, I had no desire to go spend another 4 years in school (college). My senior year I had to have two back surgeries after football season so I missed a lot of school. Since I was going to be spending a lot of time at home, my parents got a computer (this was '97-'98). I spent many hours on it just learning and everything else. Finally, one day when I was back in school my senior year, a local business college was there talking about what they had to offer. To my surprise, they offered a computer tech major. This changed my mind about going to college. The college offered a 16-month program where you'd receive an associates degree upon completion. They also offered a 10-month program where you'd just earn a computer specialist diploma. I decided to go for the associates degree since it was only 6 extra months. Fortunately, my parents were paying for all of it so money really wasn't a concern for me. While I was in college there, I realized that I didn't feel like I was learning as much as I thought I would. Finally, after convincing my parents, I decided to drop down to the 10-month program because I just wanted to start working & making money. At first my parents were reluctant, but I finally talked them into it. Plus, I didn't want them to have to pay for schooling if I didn't have my head & heart in it. Two weeks before I was supposed to be done with school, I found a job. It has been over 7 years since that time and I'm still at the same job and I like the place a lot. However, I figured out that I don't have a passion for IT. I just don't get all geeked up about a computer like others in IT do. I am now wanting to start my own detailing business on the side. If it works out, I'd love to do it full-time and eventually have my own detailing shop with a couple employee's, etc. But, had I not gone to just that small business college and worked a steady job for the past 7 years, I would financially not feel comfortable doing something like this.
For me personally, going to a 4-year college wasn't what I wanted to do. Hell, even 16 months was too much for me. While I think it's unfortunate that companies rely on that college degree to even hire a person, I would suggest at least going to a business college. Places like mine don't make you take all the extra elective classes that you don't want/need to take. I took exactly what classes I needed to take and that was that. This is why it was such a quick time-frame.
StumpyDetailing said:
With that said, I somewhat disagree with this statement. I personally feel that nobody can teach as much as what you would learn working in the real world. Compared to my job, I feel like college didn't really teach me much of anything. Granite, it wasn't a 4-year college. However, I just don't see going through 4 years of schooling when there are business colleges where you can do it much faster and not have to take the BS classes. I have learned TONS more working than I did in school so I'm happy with what I decided to do.
I guess my advice to you would to do the business college route or something similiar to that. If you don't want to be in school for 4+ years, it's a great alternative. You still can obtain a degree but you don't have to spend all that time & money in school. After you get out, keep up your detailing while you find/work a steady job. Once you have a solid financial foundation, if you still want to detail full-time, you can do that. It will be so much easier to attempt to run a detailing business having gone through the other stuff. Plus, like others have said you then have something to fall back on if it doesn't work out.
Edit: One very important thing I forgot to mention. The most important thing to do when you do start working is save as much money as possible. I feel fortunate that I was able to get a "real" job at the age of 19. This allowed me to start putting money in a 401K fund. Also, in today's world most people are in debt. Some are severly in debt. Don't get yourself in that situation. Make smart finacial decisions and make sure you keep your credit good. It makes things so much easier if you aren't living paycheck to paycheck. I can't imagine having the debt that some of the people I know have. My dad was a banker all his life and him and my mom were always very conservative when it came to money. While I'm not as concervative as them, they showed me how important it is to make good financial decisions and keep grasp of your money. I can't stress enough how important it is not to get yourself into debt. It makes life that much harder and that much more stressful. Plus, typically it just snowballs and then by the time you should be retiring, you have no money so you can't retire. I put as much money as I possibly can put into my 401K account so that I don't have to work a single day past when I can retire. Even if I start my own detailing business full-time, I'll continue to put money in a retirement account.
Your future is important so do what you can now to prepare for everything. As time goes on, it becomes more and more difficult to do what you should have/could have done when you were young. Follow your heart but always think about your future when making big decisions.
Wow! This a lot to respond to, particulary late at night. But, I will throw my two cents in, since I have done so before, and my perspective has been viewed as favorable.
I have been a high school teacher for 31 years. Yeah, I know what you are thinking. But, I am the high school teacher you might have wanted to have.
I pride myself in knowing what today's teenagers are up to. If you want to be a teacher today, that's Job#1. I make mistakes, but the fact that I have to turn away excess students from my classes may mean something.
So, what do I think?
I am a fan of college, but not for everyone, or immediately. However, in my experience, if you don't try college by the time that you would have been a college sophomore, I doubt that you will. I have seen it happen, and my "respected" colleagues agree with me on this point.
Detailing is a hard, hard thing to do for a living. It can be profitable, if you are good, and live in a area where there is a market.
I adore the work of the career detailers I see on this site (thanks all of you--you rock!), but it is surely hard, hard work. I often marvel at Scottwax's work, done in the Texas heat. I am a reasonably fit person, but I don't think I could go there.
In other words, it is not easy to do later in life. I can take care of my own vehicle, and the kids, and the girlfriend's, but at 53 YO, I wouldn't want to go further.
In other words, ir isn't fun hauling a PC/Cyclo/Rotary around a minivan or SUV for a handful of hours.
And, do consider an issue not mentioned before. It's called "healthcare."
You will need it. I am happy to have it as a benefit of my job. Many others do not.
If you choose to detail for a living, you will have to find a way to take care of that. You can't go without it. That's walking a tightrope that you don't want to be on.
Nontheless, I understand your feelings. I love cars (I wish I had my '83-first-year VW GTI back), but I tend to side on the side of sensibility.
So, I will not tell you what to do, just like I can't to tell my own son what to do.
Just look at the whole sprectrum of what is out there before you decide.
Thanks for reading! Hey, Moe! needs to get his old-guy rest!
I have been a high school teacher for 31 years. Yeah, I know what you are thinking. But, I am the high school teacher you might have wanted to have.
I pride myself in knowing what today's teenagers are up to. If you want to be a teacher today, that's Job#1. I make mistakes, but the fact that I have to turn away excess students from my classes may mean something.
So, what do I think?
I am a fan of college, but not for everyone, or immediately. However, in my experience, if you don't try college by the time that you would have been a college sophomore, I doubt that you will. I have seen it happen, and my "respected" colleagues agree with me on this point.
Detailing is a hard, hard thing to do for a living. It can be profitable, if you are good, and live in a area where there is a market.
I adore the work of the career detailers I see on this site (thanks all of you--you rock!), but it is surely hard, hard work. I often marvel at Scottwax's work, done in the Texas heat. I am a reasonably fit person, but I don't think I could go there.
In other words, it is not easy to do later in life. I can take care of my own vehicle, and the kids, and the girlfriend's, but at 53 YO, I wouldn't want to go further.
In other words, ir isn't fun hauling a PC/Cyclo/Rotary around a minivan or SUV for a handful of hours.
And, do consider an issue not mentioned before. It's called "healthcare."
You will need it. I am happy to have it as a benefit of my job. Many others do not.
If you choose to detail for a living, you will have to find a way to take care of that. You can't go without it. That's walking a tightrope that you don't want to be on.
Nontheless, I understand your feelings. I love cars (I wish I had my '83-first-year VW GTI back), but I tend to side on the side of sensibility.
So, I will not tell you what to do, just like I can't to tell my own son what to do.
Just look at the whole sprectrum of what is out there before you decide.
Thanks for reading! Hey, Moe! needs to get his old-guy rest!