How have you handled hiring issues in the detailing industry?

Austin M detail

Austin M detail

New member
I've been mobile for 10 years now and in May of this year, I decided it was time to open a shop and the opportunity presented itself. I had 2 employees and 1 part time, so a total of 3 and myself.

I now have no employees..... One had family issues and couldn't work, other left his wife for a stripper and needless to say, way too much drama for me, and the other is in school and only works 2 days a week.

So now, I have mobile clients and a shop that has regular Biz hours and I'm mostly solo..... It's frustrating, that I cannot find people that actually want to work. This last week I talked to 10 people, most their schedules wouldn't work, or they no showed for work. I was able to reach out to a friend to help me for a day, but still didn't fix the problem at hand.

So, my question to everyone here that's operating a shop and mobile or either option, how do you handle this situation? I know there's no perfect, right answer, but surly I'll find someone. I've even thought about finding someone that has a passion for detailing and making them my partner or something like that.

Your feedback is appreciated!


Providing Professional Detailing Services in Austin Since 2005
 
This is the same problem people face in americas small businesses.

Best advice I can tell you is find a great person, over pay slightly for good work ethic, honesty, consistent predictable work output. Once he works out and he is happy ask him if he has any friends that might like to work here.

It's not a quick fix, but it's a way to build a solid foundation. Your first hire should be someone who can ultimately replace you in time. This way you will have time to run and grow the business. If you always behind the buffer you can't grow sales effectively.

If you have a labor ready temp labor location you can hire a body and its hit or miss. I've used them for project work or to unload trailers when we are busy. If you find a good one, you can hire them without penalty.

Your immediate need is to get a guy to cover mobile clients so you can run the shop and train. Perhaps schedule the shop m,w,f and mobile t, th. or visa versa depending on what the needs are. This way you can keep both mobile and shop customers happy. With google voice you can make it quite seamless.
 
JSFM35X said:
This is the same problem people face in americas small businesses.

Best advice I can tell you is find a great person, over pay slightly for good work ethic, honesty, consistent predictable work output. Once he works out and he is happy ask him if he has any friends that might like to work here.

It's not a quick fix, but it's a way to build a solid foundation. Your first hire should be someone who can ultimately replace you in time. This way you will have time to run and grow the business. If you always behind the buffer you can't grow sales effectively.

If you have a labor ready temp labor location you can hire a body and its hit or miss. I've used them for project work or to unload trailers when we are busy. If you find a good one, you can hire them without penalty.

Your immediate need is to get a guy to cover mobile clients so you can run the shop and train. Perhaps schedule the shop m,w,f and mobile t, th. or visa versa depending on what the needs are. This way you can keep both mobile and shop customers happy. With google voice you can make it quite seamless.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, yeah, one of the guys that was working I've known for 7 years and he's worked for me off and on. Good guy, just child care issues between him and his wife. I know I'll figure it out, just will take time and I'll have to explain to clients along the way....briefly that is


Providing Professional Detailing Services in Austin Since 2005
 
Ronkh said:
Check craiglist for a detailer, ck his references, then hire him?
Click to expand...

Yeah, most of the guys I've used over the years have been off of craigslist, some good and some very bad.... Hit or miss with that site. I'm actually working on a paid post now. Maybe that will weed out the bad ones. One of the difficulties has been finding folks that actually want to work. They post, then they don't want to work, and I know the pay is more than fair.


Providing Professional Detailing Services in Austin Since 2005
 
I'm not talking a help wanted ad....

I mean the guy that's got his own business. Some might like a regular pay check instead of waiting for the phone to ring.
 
I would weed out anyone that does not have verifiable References, if you are really serious about finding someone to work even close to as hard and Detailed as you work...

This may take longer but it will have to be worth the wait if you can hit upon a clone-in-progress-of-yourself.. :)

As you and the rest of us know, this craft easily separates the boys from the men and so much more...

I wish you much luck in your search...
Dan F
 
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