idea for a business name/slogan

D

DontGetBit

New member
I have been seriously thinking about detailing cars on the side. I work from 7pm to 3am monday through friday, which leaves me free time during the day and weekends. I could use the extra income to help save for a house. I know a lot of people/business owners in town and everyone knows that my car is very important to me. I recieve compliments and people ask for suggestions all of the time. The detailer in town sold his shop and equipment about a month ago. The new owner, although he has the client list, has been unable to keep the business successful. I have not seen any of his work other than a simple wash, so I can not comment on his ability. The previous owner, although he was successful in making money and keeping clients, did not use much more than wax on paint. I spent a good amount of money to have him buff and remove some scratches from my old truck and I was very dissapointed with his results.



My plan is to approach the local business owners that I know and get their feedback on my idea. If they would like to try my services I would give them a free full detail or wash/vac. If they are then impressed with my work I will begin to build my client list, get business cards, flyers, gift certificates, etc.



The amount of cars I could do a day would vary depending on what they need. Below is a list of what I expect to be able to complete.

During the week:

2-4 wash/vac/dress per day or

1 full detail vac/interior/wash/clay/wash/scratch and swirl remover/glaze or polish(or both)/wax/dress per day or

2-3 wash/vac/1 step lsp/dress per day or



Weekends (may just try Sat. to start out):

3-5 wash/vac/dress per day or

1 full detail

2-4 wash/vac/1 step lsp/dress per day



The name and slogan that I have come up with are:

Mr. T's Auto Spa

"I pity the fool that can outshine me"

It is simple and should be easy to remember. My first name is Thomas and everyone is always trying to shorten it to Tom or T. I am going to come up with a cool logo for a business card, letterhead, envelopes, etc.



The past few weeks of reading on this site has answered a lot of questions and given me some very helpful information. If I try this idea out and it does not work, oh well I will move on. On the other hand, if I try it and it is successful I may give some thought into opening a mobile detailing or shop business.
 
change it to "I pity the fool that try's to out shine me"



if you say "the fool that CAN outshine me" it makes it sound like there is someone that can... just a mental thing, but thats what makes the difference.



I would go with something a little more simple though



Tom's Detail Service



or Tom's Auto Spa... something along those lines...



Catch line could be "The automotive miracle worker"
 
I'm not sure how I feel about the free full detail idea. When I first started my own business, I didn't give anything away but I undercharged by a LOT - I was doing full details, for which I now charge between $120-$200, for $60. Even though I know those people were happy with my work, I never heard from them again and ended up wasting my time. The way I see it, if you charge what you know you're worth and stick firmly to your price, people will recognize that they're paying you what you are worth as long as your service is on par. If you're willing to give away too many full details, people might take advantage of you.



I'd try to think of another way to get them to try your services. Give them a discount, offer to do multiple cars, offer a sealant and wax instead of just wax, throw in a free engine bay or RainX treatment, etc. Little things speak volumes, too.
 
Thanks for the info and suggestions. The free detail was just an idea. That is why I posted this, to get some feedback from others who have tried similar ideas. I see what you are saying about undercharging for your service. I think that I will just go into this with the conifdence that my services are worth the price that I advertise, maybe even more. Once I do a few cars, the word should spread around town and I will begin to build a client list. I may go check out the newly owned detail shop in town and see what he offers. I am pretty sure that most, if not all of his cars get a simple wash/vac/dress trim and maybe the occasional hand wax.



How about this name and slogan.



A+ Auto Spa

When others just can't make the grade!
 
This might sound corny... but i was thinking of this while i was just going to the bathroom.



"We Buff"



and the logo is two huge guys with orbitals in there hand...
 
I had a great idea once for a detail name and slogan.



Me (Bryce) and my buddy (Jason) where joking about going in on a detail shop together (becuase he had money he wanted to invest).



So we came up with this...





B.J. Detailers



"Where you dont have to blow your load for a good wax job."







Needless to say the idea never left the napkin at the resteraunt. LOL!
 
If you ever plan to have an Ad in the yellow pages or other directory, a name sarting with "A" is nice to have. The suggestion for "A+" is a pretty good one, but you may think of something similar.
 
I think you'd run headfirst into a cease and desist order if you used "Mr. T" and "I pity the fool" - pretty sure that's trademarked, copyrighted, etc.



Coming from a marketing and design background (and still fulltime freelance) something short and memorable would be ideal. You need something to stick in people's minds (without being too vulgar, Buck-O ;) ).



If you come up with something and decide to get cards printed, I'd highly recommend one of the internet-based printers - you can get 1000 full-color, 2-sided cards printed for $60 and they'll look 100x better than Kinkos. So far, I've been trying to pick up a few sideline clients with the detailing and a card would be ideal to help spread the word - you may want to consider doing that first - it's a small investment to get you started and get your name out there. You could post 'em up, hand 'em out, litter the streets with 'em for as cheap a price as you'll get them printed (6 cents each!).



If you wanted to get fancy, you could even get double-height folded cards with pricing and information on the inside.



If you use a photo, make sure it's one you have permission to use, too - photographers and companies who own photos don't like people using their images without their permission :)



I'm in a similar position (being freelance, I make my own hours, mostly) and need to design some cards. Good luck with it.
 
I thought of one a while back, ended up dropping it cause its just slightly politically incorrect: "The Detail Nazi"





and the slogan was..........



"We've got the Final Solution to your detail problems"
 
I just read something in Harry Beckwith's book ' Selling the Invisible' (which is about marketing service businesses).



"If you're thinking about using a cute or funny name for your business, try this. Get the phone book, find a business with a funny name and go there. You'll find two things: (1) You've never been there before, and (2) Nobody else is there either."
 
thanks kompressor! I am in the planning phases of starting a part time detailing business and was trying to think of a funny name. Not anymore.



Thanks :up



Jim
 
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