How long to become established?

[HomicidalSloth]

Just wondering how long you guys figure it would take to establish yourself with a mobile detailing business. As in, how long it would take to get it running smoothly enough to live off of and be somewhat stable.



Thanks

 

[BobD]

That all depends on a ton of things. How good/bad the weather is in your area, the type of people and if they are willing to pay for details, how fast word of mouth about you will travel and so on. I have seen people go at it right off the bat and do great and I have seen people still not doing good after 5 years.

 

[MichaelM]

Nobody here can answer that question for you. It could happen overnight or may not happen at all.

 

[brwill2005]

Entrepreneurs usually have one distinct characteristic; they are willing to take a risk. Starting any type of business is a risk, because you can either succeed or you can fail. It is also a risk because when you first start your business, money can be very tight. I have talked with many small business owners, and they all say to not give up initially because things are not going well. They say, eventually, if you do good work, you will succeed.

 

[doged]

Entrepreneurs usually have one distinct characteristic; they are willing to take a risk. Starting any type of business is a risk, because you can either succeed or you can fail. It is also a risk because when you first start your business, money can be very tight. I have talked with many small business owners, and they all say to not give up initially because things are not going well. They say, eventually, if you do good work, you will succeed.

So very true!!!



Rule of thumb is 6 months if you bust your hump and have a good business / marketing plan. That’s at least what you tell your wife. LOL

 

[a.k.a. Patrick]

That also depends on how you define quality of life. The income needed to sustain a reasonable quality of life in Ca., is going to be substantialy more then most parts of the USA. Just a known fact you have to earn more, to live more out here. (Hence, my desire to leave) I could guarantee, my initiative in my daily tasks, and the benefit derived from it, would/could go a lot farther if I lived somewhere else.

Personal drive is key in your quest. Your going to receive, only what your putting into it.

Set your goals fairly low in the beginning, so there reasonably attainable. Then build off your successes, for establishing higher/new goals.

I cant stress enough, be r e a s o n a b l e......

 

[doged]

That also depends on how you define quality of life. The income needed to sustain a reasonable quality of life in Ca., is going to be substantialy more then most parts of the USA. Just a known fact you have to earn more, to live more out here. (Hence, my desire to leave) I could guarantee, my initiative in my daily tasks, and the benefit derived from it, would/could go a lot farther if I lived somewhere else.

Personal drive is key in your quest. Your going to receive, only what your putting into it.

Set your goals fairly low in the beginning, so there reasonably attainable. Then build off your successes, for establishing higher/new goals.

I cant stress enough, be r e a s o n a b l e......

That’s interesting because I hear that a lot from other business owners in California. It is a fact California is losing business to other states.

 

[imported_ajbarnes]

Sacrifice and determination are just a couple of things that will determine when you will become established. I've been in business for three years and I am just starting to become established. A business plan will also help (something I didn't do in the beginning). One secret I have for continuing growth is keeping my personal expenses down as much as possible and re-invest alot of my finances back into the business. An example; we currently live in a small apartment and my personal vehicle is a chevy tracker...for a family of four, but, my business just received this year a 2005 Dodge Dakota, a black enclosed trailer, generator, etc. With all of those additions, my business is already starting to get a ROI. Now, in a few months our quality of living will increase.



Sacrifice daniel san! :hifive:

 

[bermi23]

Sacrifice and determination are just a couple of things that will determine when you will become established. I've been in business for three years and I am just starting to become established. A business plan will also help (something I didn't do in the beginning). One secret I have for continuing growth is keeping my personal expenses down as much as possible and re-invest alot of my finances back into the business. An example; we currently live in a small apartment and my personal vehicle is a chevy tracker...for a family of four, but, my business just received this year a 2005 Dodge Dakota, a black enclosed trailer, generator, etc. With all of those additions, my business is already starting to get a ROI. Now, in a few months our quality of living will increase.



Sacrifice daniel san! :hifive:

I agree now after 3 years is when I am starting to see the grown. Several factors have help me. First and foremost my trust in God , my wife supporting us financially and emmotionally and then I have a customer that owns a Cigar shop. I've detailing his car since I open my company. He let me put flyers in the store , plus he refers a lot of customers to me.



What ever you do . Do not let the customer negotiate the price. When I firts open I had that problem and it cost me big. Almost had to close. When I stop that, I lost a few customer but I saw the change of customer. I stating to get the high end Details that I was looking for. Stick to your prices and do a great job , the rest will be history. I am at the point that I am book a week and half ahead.

 

[imported_Detailing Technology]

CA? How about NY? I think we are both in the same boat. I know people that are leaving here weekly.



I look at it this way:

The bad-

It does cost way too much money to live here in a decent area.

The taxes are ridiculous

Commuting to NYC is a nightmare



The good-

I dont have to worry about where my next meal is coming from, the opportunity to earn is everywhere.

If you are in the more desirable areas, you are meeting pretty successful people that can become good business contacts.

If I move anywhere else, Ill live like a king.



Getting extablished in the Northeast is a long, hard, and expensive road.

 

[doged]

CA? How about NY? I think we are both in the same boat. I know people that are leaving here weekly.



I look at it this way:

The bad-

It does cost way too much money to live here in a decent area.

The taxes are ridiculous

Commuting to NYC is a nightmare



The good-

I dont have to worry about where my next meal is coming from, the opportunity to earn is everywhere.

If you are in the more desirable areas, you are meeting pretty successful people that can become good business contacts.

If I move anywhere else, Ill live like a king.



Getting extablished in the Northeast is a long, hard, and expensive road.

We have the good weather over you LOL......... that’s what makes us soft.

Yes, NY is also a very competitive area.

 

[imported_Detailing Technology]

We have the good weather over you LOL......... that’s what makes us soft.

Yes, NY is also a very competitive area.

Yes - I'd love the weather, then I could try to justify the lifestyle and work ethic.

Its 8pm and I just ended my monday. I was just fighting with a retail vendor who is trying to steal a kitchen installation out from under me. Last week I had the same. There are very few people that "play by the rules" operating successful businesses here.

 

[Diesel1]

CA? How about NY? I think we are both in the same boat. I know people that are leaving here weekly.



I look at it this way:

The bad-

It does cost way too much money to live here in a decent area.

The taxes are ridiculous

Commuting to NYC is a nightmare



The good-

I dont have to worry about where my next meal is coming from, the opportunity to earn is everywhere.

If you are in the more desirable areas, you are meeting pretty successful people that can become good business contacts.

If I move anywhere else, Ill live like a king.



Getting extablished in the Northeast is a long, hard, and expensive road.

AMEN BROTHA!!!! I am 29 and still trying to save as much as possible to be able to afford a house here! I hate my commute on the LIRR to Manhattan, the hours are horrible, etc etc. Now factor in the taxes and that a "cheap" house that needs a ton of work ($50K plus to make it liveable) is going for 400K plus in addition to at least 7-10K yr in taxes! I am starting to lean towards the townhouse/condo idea......but I need a garage damn it! LOL



For people that already have equity into their homes, selling and moving down south is a no brainer. The only thing that keeps people here is family and like you said...opportunity to earn!