Future of the detailing industry??

I

imported_Jon P. Nusbaum

New member
What do you pros see in the future for the detailing industry?



Please consider aspects that are outside the detailing world, such as the economy, politics, rising gas prices, etc.



Basically what it boils down to, if you were a young entrepreneur deciding whether or not to start and operate a detailing shop (mobile or standing, doesn't matter)-- Would you do it today and expect to prosper for the next 15-30 yrs? (or even longer)



Now, premature business failure could also occur because of poor management, planning, marketing, demographics, etc., but I am just asking about the industry as a whole.



I have had some questions going through my head for a while and would like the insight of experienced, successful professionals. (Or anyone else with interesting thoughts)



Thanks guys!!

:bow
 
well there is always going to be cars, and there will always be people who want the car clean.



I do know that in the future, they will be coming out with paints that are scratch resistant. They will be coming out with stain proof carpeting (may be out already).



As for there being a need to a detailer. Sure!

If they make something new, then someone else will make something to make it better.



One of the biggest downfalls is when people do not change with the industry. If the industry starts to make new products, you need to learn about them and how you can service your customers that have these products.

NYD
 
Hey Bob Let me put it this way to you. I have been in this business for over 30 years. During that time period we have endured through a good economy a bad economy, energy crisis, 911, 1 mile long gas lines, you name it we have seen it all. I also run my business in in the Northeast where winters are long and the season is short. We can find so many reasons why there is no business, I always told myself if I am not busy it's no one's fault but my own. I have walked door to door handing out flyiers, I have worked Saturdays, Sundays I have always done what ever it took. I have gone from business to business I have never let one obstacle get in the way. Believe in yourself and then work as though you could never fail. I work by this belief everyday of my life. As we get ready for another season I just plan on giving my customers so much more than everyone else does. I seperate myself from the competition. It makes no difference in life what they do, the only thing that matters is what I do. Alll the blame and I mean all the blame can only be placed with you the owner of the business.
 
Auto Care USA said:
Hey Bob Let me put it this way to you. I have been in this business for over 30 years. During that time period we have endured through a good economy a bad economy, energy crisis, 911, 1 mile long gas lines, you name it we have seen it all. I also run my business in in the Northeast where winters are long and the season is short. We can find so many reasons why there is no business, I always told myself if I am not busy it's no one's fault but my own. I have walked door to door handing out flyiers, I have worked Saturdays, Sundays I have always done what ever it took. I have gone from business to business I have never let one obstacle get in the way. Believe in yourself and then work as though you could never fail. I work by this belief everyday of my life. As we get ready for another season I just plan on giving my customers so much more than everyone else does. I seperate myself from the competition. It makes no difference in life what they do, the only thing that matters is what I do. Alll the blame and I mean all the blame can only be placed with you the owner of the business.
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Absolutely 100% perfectly stated!!!:bow
 
Auto Care USA said:
Hey Bob Let me put it this way to you. I have been in this business for over 30 years.
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Auto care has been in the business for so long, he used to polish the horse & buggy car... :D



just kidding joe
 
Thanks guys for the reponses so far. Auto Care USA, I have always admired your posts, especially the ones concerning running a successful detailing business and customer care.
 
Auto Care USA said:
Hey Bob Let me put it this way to you. I have been in this business for over 30 years. During that time period we have endured through a good economy a bad economy, energy crisis, 911, 1 mile long gas lines, you name it we have seen it all. I also run my business in in the Northeast where winters are long and the season is short. We can find so many reasons why there is no business, I always told myself if I am not busy it's no one's fault but my own. I have walked door to door handing out flyiers, I have worked Saturdays, Sundays I have always done what ever it took. I have gone from business to business I have never let one obstacle get in the way. Believe in yourself and then work as though you could never fail. I work by this belief everyday of my life. As we get ready for another season I just plan on giving my customers so much more than everyone else does. I seperate myself from the competition. It makes no difference in life what they do, the only thing that matters is what I do. Alll the blame and I mean all the blame can only be placed with you the owner of the business.
Click to expand...





:bow
 
The economy makes very little difference in the detailing business. People buy a new car, they want it detailed, they keep their old car, they want it detailed. The average person just does not have time to clean their own car or they don't enjoy it. I can always use that to my advantage.



A good detailer not only knows how to make a vehicle look its best, but also makes the customer believe he can't do without the detailer.
 
Hello Bob,



Here is what I see happening to the industry in the future. I see it gaining strength and being seen as a legitimate business. Certain individuals in the detailing industry will become very well known and this will cause the bar to be raised for all others to follow.



It is true that newer paints and materials have and will be coming out that claim to be scratch resistant, stain resistant and fade resistant and many may see this as the death of the detailer. I though would disagree with this line of thought because what I see happening in our "Hi-Tech Wiz-Bang" world is a return to the age of appreciation for the craftsman, for the person who instead of gidgets and gadgets to get the job done relies on his or her hands and brains to achieve results that are just amazing.



If one owned a nice sports car and they sought to have some pin stripping put on they may seek out a paint and body shop where they use laser guides to lay down a precise line of paint and think, "Now that's pretty cool!" Then they happen upon a guy in a small paint and body shop that does pin stripping as well but he does his old school. A jar of paint and a fine sable paint brush, he is an artisan and it may not be perfectly straight but he treats it as a work of art, it has personality and character.



A machine can blow out glass vases all day but it is something very rare to watch a person make that same vase by hand. Who wants a Navajo blanket made by a machine instead of a true Navajo Indian?



The more and more hi-tech and gadget relied the consumer gets I believe the more and more they will not only appreciate but also come to respect and hold in awe those who make art with thier hands. So I see detailing becoming more and more of a true and respected art form, more so than it already is. Detailing is one of a few businesses that is not held hostage by the economy or the stock market.



Interesting thread and that's my 2 sense

:D



Anthony
 
A fine thread, with some very fine responses. Heck, I agree with everybody!



The future, from where I stand is quite bright. Changes are coming, to be sure. We will be adaptive and responsive to client needs and industry advances. We will prosper.



Identify your market, realizing that not everyone gets their car detailed. Determine who does, and where they live and work. Be there. Be better than you have to.



In my (affluent) market, the fluctuations in the economy are minimal. Politics (and political issues) have little, if any, impact on the industry. Fuel prices really don't affect the affluent client.



Looking into the very long term is dificult and academic. Have a good five year plan and review and adapt it each year.



Become a craftsman.



Jim
 
There are two type people who seek detailers, those who really don't care for their vehicle and want to do a clean up once before they sell it and those who own expensive car and want to keep the value of their investment high, meaning money is no object.



But those in between are just as happy going thru car washes and looking at their car shine even if the shine just comes from the car being wet.



If you happen to live near one of these "rich" neighborhoods, and you happen to do good work, you will make it , other than that maybe a car a week.



I've had friends from school who attempted and failed and just do it like me, to people they know and is more like spending money, but then again I live in a state where the Winter is harsh.
 
Bob S. said:
What do you pros see in the future for the detailing industry?



Please consider aspects that are outside the detailing world, such as the economy, politics, rising gas prices, etc.



Basically what it boils down to, if you were a young entrepreneur deciding whether or not to start and operate a detailing shop (mobile or standing, doesn't matter)-- Would you do it today and expect to prosper for the next 15-30 yrs? (or even longer)



Now, premature business failure could also occur because of poor management, planning, marketing, demographics, etc., but I am just asking about the industry as a whole.



I have had some questions going through my head for a while and would like the insight of experienced, successful professionals. (Or anyone else with interesting thoughts)



Thanks guys!!

:bow
Click to expand...



There will ALWAYS be a place for the detailing of automobiles/boats/motorcycles/airplanes etc. etc.. As long as our society keeps getting busier then people will want to spend less and less time performing tasks like cleaning and detailing of their car and are willing to pay someone else to do it. No matter what the economy is like people will still seek out a quality detailer to make their used vehicle last longer or keep their new car looking new. I've been at this for 11 years and honestly feel I can do this as long as I want to or until I am no longer physically able.
 
~One man’s opinion / observations ~



As one of the old grey’s I’ve seen a lot of changes in car detailing technology, when things like clear coat or polymer resin sealants were introduced it made the people think that there would be at best only a very limited market place for detailers, and here we are xx years later, and I’m still detailing (although not my main source of income, but enough to buy / maintain ‘toys ‘with). Scottwax reasoning is spot on.



~Hope this is of some help~



Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/

justadumbarchitect * so i question everything*
 
Bob S. said:


Now, premature business failure could also occur because of poor management, planning, marketing, demographics, etc., but I am just asking about the industry as a whole.
Click to expand...



Of course, the detailing industry will continue to grow and many will prosper along with that growth. However, I just thought I'd pass along a few general statistics about starting a new business.



According to the US Small Business Association "starting a small business is always risky, and the chance of success is slim. Over 50% of small businesses fail in the first year and 95% fail within the first five years."



If you don't believe those numbers are true then just check your local phone book listing, from year-to-year, under the heading of 'Automobile Detailing' and you will quickly see how about half of all detailing businesses are no longer listed in the next years phone book. Believe me, I've been tracking this here in Southern New Jersey since I started my own mobile detailing business back in 1986.



In summary, it's all about constantly trying to improve yourself. Not only from the standpoint of your knowledge of detailing but also when it comes to improving your basic knowledge about how to start and operate your own successful detailing business. If you haven't done so already, I would highly recommend that you consider beginning to write a basic business plan. It would also be smart to start thinking about taking a few small business courses. That alone will greatly increase you chances for success.



Just my thoughts...



Source:

http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomf...&ampTest=1&remove_url=http://www.sba.gov/
 
If you haven't done so already, I would highly recommend that you consider beginning to write a basic business plan. It would also be smart to start thinking about taking a few small business courses. That alone will greatly increase you chances for success.
Click to expand...





Allow me to give a little more background on my situation and myself. I am an 18 year-old high school senior at Naples High School, in Naples, Florida. Most people say I am pretty smart, and I get above average grades, but nothing mind-blowing. I have been detailing for about 4 years, approximately 1-6 cars per month. Nothing big, friends of the family and coworkers of my dad, stuff like that. I started by working with a friend of my sister's who details professionally over a summer. I learned allot of the basics and soon found Autopia. I have been reading, learning, buying (of course), and gaining more experience ever since.



While I do enjoy detailing very much, I am not sure if it what I want to do for a living. Don't get me wrong... I would LOVE to be my own boss, open and operate a shop, detail cars everyday, learn inventory management, marketing, and everything else that comes with running a small business, but I have some concerns.



Here is a rough plan (or dream):



Graduate high school

Attend Florida State University (I have already been accepted)

Major in something in business (actually they have an Entrepreneurship major)

Graduate in 4 years or less (detail cars throughout)

Return to Naples

Plan and open a shop

(also sometime in there: attend the PrepExcellence 2 day school from Automotive International and visit other detailing/car care shops wherever I go)



This is a VERY rough plan and I am sure it will change. Suggestions are very welcome.



A little info about Naples and why I want to open a shop here:



Naples is located in the SW corner of Florida, directly west of Miami/Ft. Lauderdale. The weather is beautiful nearly year-round. In the summers there are afternoon thunderstorms like clockwork. The fall and spring are generally warm, and in the winter the temp. might hit a low of 45. Starting in December a rush of tourists and snowbirds fill up the area, until about Easter. The population out of tourist season is definitely enough to sustain and prosper, at least in my uneducated eyes. There are some very wealthy areas here, and many within 20 miles. Plus, this is where I was born and raised.



Well, now that I’ve gotten to the end I am not really sure what I am asking…

Criticism?

Suggestion?

Any sagely advice?



Thanks again for your time.:xyxthumbs
 
That's right, I sent you a few questions in an email around Christmas and you said you would get back to me on them, you mentioned that you've visited the area and that you may start something down here.



By the way, you never got back to me on those questions, I don't really remember what they were... I think something along the lines of your experience with starting a shop and more specifically with AutoInt and the infamous Ron K, the PrepExcellence school, etc.



That Naples Motorsports place is pretty sweet, I've almost gotten into some fender benders because I look over in their windows while I'm driving. I can't help it... Ferraris, Lambos, Vipers, etc. AWESOME
 
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