Getting Started in the Auto Detailing Business

Mel Craig

Mel Craig

New member
If there is anyone looking to get started in the Auto Detailing Business stay tuned to this thread.. Next week Im going to do several new post on how to get started in the auto detailing business. How to make real money in the business and how to run a professional auto detailing business. I've been here in Florida for the past three weeks and very excited to start sharing some great info.

I will be using Autopia Car Care as the main supplier of all the supplies, chemicals and equipment in all my future training programs. The Autopia Car Care site has everything we need and is going to continue to get better.

Looking forward to seeing a lot of you join in over the next few weeks with this great new thread.

MEL
 
Mel,

Can you include your personal history / background / experience in the detailing in the material your going to post?

Thanks:D
 
I did listen to the show about detailing rigs. It is was a fast paced chat.

The initial discussion was setup with the need for large vehicles carrying large loads then went to issues with noise, fuel expenses related to gas devices, and water reclamation, and then finally a pitch for "low pressure" (rinseless or waterless) washing.
 
Yes, all the shows are very much just about being real... We are not trying to sell anything on the show but just take some time to give everyone our best when it comes to what ever topic we decide to chat about. I think the main point we were trying to make is that its no longer the normal to have huge rigs, vans, giant pickup trucks and trailers. The manufactures have done a great job in designing a lot of very functional equipment that is smaller and easier to store. Thanks for listening and we have another great show next week with Jason Rose from Meguiars that should be great.
 
Mel Craig said:
Yes, all the shows are very much just about being real... We are not trying to sell anything on the show but just take some time to give everyone our best when it comes to what ever topic we decide to chat about. I think the main point we were trying to make is that its no longer the normal to have huge rigs, vans, giant pickup trucks and trailers. The manufactures have done a great job in designing a lot of very functional equipment that is smaller and easier to store. Thanks for listening and we have another great show next week with Jason Rose from Meguiars that should be great.
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Well, I ended up listening to over half the shows over the last few days because I was curious about the business.

It is not a techie type show at all. If anyone has listened to "inspirational" people discussing something then this is how I would describe the show. Inspirational meaning very enthusiastic, very self-confident, go out and get them types, with a very outgoing personality.

Here are some highlights I got (neither good nor bad) that seems different than I call the "forum" norm or just interesting.

1. Focus on using one brand line (when this mentioned CG/Smartwax was the sponsor)

2. Discussion on how do determine how much insurance you need.

3. Can you really be stopped by the environmental people and be forced to show MSDS sheets for all products in your possession (California thing?)

4. Buffing means rotary polishing

5. Waterless washing is in. Save the environment.

6. Must haves: business cards and a brochure (give them out as often as you can)

7. Get over the fear of cold selling or worry about hitting up people for their phone number. Complement their car and then tell them how you can maintain it. Do not wait for them to come to you.

8. Get out and approach your customers everywhere and anywhere

9. Go to a class to understand the business (mentioned many times).

10. Try to set up the next appt when you finish the current one

The most important I get is that many aspects could be applied to any service business where you sell your service to consumers.

I think many detailers who are "stuck" with the typical more cost conscious types will have a much harder sell and will struggle.
 
I have all my own equipment at home and also keep my own supply of chemicals. I actually have way more and better stuff than the dealership I work for. My problem is I work out of a 1 car garage and have to do most of my work outside, plus I can't detail at home in cold weather which is half of the year up here!! I don't advertise as I do this for a living at a dealership and have so many word of mouth customers that I would have no free time at all. I am on the border line of going into my own buisness but need to know some suggestions on what to do about a full time shop to work out of?? Build, lease, rent?? I don't want everything I make now to go for a place to work out of and still have to meet the bills?? Any suggestions or advice on a building plan would be great. Do you have your own shop and what are the cost's??
 
Bunky said:
7. Get over the fear of cold selling or worry about hitting up people for their phone number. Complement their car and then tell them how you can maintain it. Do not wait for them to come to you.

8. Get out and approach your customers everywhere and anywhere
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I have not been a full time detailer for years so when I detail these days it's mostly for my own car or cars that belong to a family member, yet I still get to do paint corrections just from talking to people that have nice cars. A few months back I was at a gas station filling up at night and a man in a new black BMW 5 series pulled up with plenty of dealer installed swirls and car wash marring showing up under the lights. I struck up a conversation, complimenting his car and I let him know that I'd love to detail it and reveal a clear, glossy shine.

He was fully aware of the swirls that he had and was frustrated because the dealership detailer couldn't get them out and actually put more in. I had the job on the spot because of my confidence, enthusiasm and ability to communicate what I could do for him. He didn't ask how much but I wrote the price on the back of my business card and we agreed to have him bring me his car the following Sunday.

The odds of getting that yes are greatly increased when you actually ask for the business. If you don't ask, the answer is always no.
 
Well, sounds like your moving forward in what you are trying to do. I guess there is always a fear of being in business and how your going to make a go at it. There are detailers all over the world that I have helped and visited that have similar stories as yours. I have always said the most important thing you can do is to get educated as to how this business really works. Why do some people make it great in this business and others don't. Be sure to check out the website at: Auto Detailing | Car Detailing Business | Auto Detail Training and read more about the training programs and how they can help you get started and grow a very profitable business no matter where you are located.

I will be talking about a few of these things in my "How To Get Started" auto detailing series coming up this week!

You can personally e-mail me if you like at: mel@thedetailingpros.com and I will work with you the best I can.
 
mhurley1 said:
I have all my own equipment at home and also keep my own supply of chemicals. I actually have way more and better stuff than the dealership I work for. My problem is I work out of a 1 car garage and have to do most of my work outside, plus I can't detail at home in cold weather which is half of the year up here!! I don't advertise as I do this for a living at a dealership and have so many word of mouth customers that I would have no free time at all. I am on the border line of going into my own buisness but need to know some suggestions on what to do about a full time shop to work out of?? Build, lease, rent?? I don't want everything I make now to go for a place to work out of and still have to meet the bills?? Any suggestions or advice on a building plan would be great. Do you have your own shop and what are the cost's??
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You can do this and I can help you if you like!
 
Hey everyone, I had put up my new "Smart Start Guide to Detailing but for some reason when I copy and past from word it messed up the formatting badly. I took it down and Im going to see what I can do to fix the issue and then put it back up asap! Sorry about that... I will have it back up shortly.

MEL
 
Mel Craig said:
Ok friends of Autopia Car Care! Here it is... Instead of writing a series of articles I have had several of you calling me and asking what it really takes to get a detailing business started? And that you don't want to wait for several weeks for all the info. So, here it is in full...


All rights reserved Copyright 2011 The Detailing Pros Smart Start Guide to Detailing.
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There is sure a lot of information here. I would suggest getting someone to format it better for easier reading and making it a sticky.
 
I for some reason cannot get the new Smart Start Guide to Detailing uploaded without messing up the darn layout. If anyone would like a copy sent to them please send my an e-mail and I will be sure to drop one to you. It is an amazing guide to how to get started and get started the right way.
 
Mel Craig said:
I for some reason cannot get the new Smart Start Guide to Detailing uploaded without messing up the darn layout. If anyone would like a copy sent to them please send my an e-mail and I will be sure to drop one to you. It is an amazing guide to how to get started and get started the right way.
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Do you want a PM or an email?
 
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