Mose Auto Detailing going legit!

M

mose

New member
I have been doing this now for over six years on the weekends. I have held an 8-5 job during the whole time but have now decided to try the detailing full-time. Living in Sacramento, CA. means that you need a permit just to go down and get a permit. California makes it SO difficult on a small business owner.



I have a customer base that I have built. I have a lot of repeat business so that parts done. Now I am wanting to go out and get more business. I have had some calls from dealerships and am thinking about adding that to my business.



I have insurance and have opened a separate bank account for the business and am keeping track of income for the IRS. So I am looking for some tips and tricks on things I need to either know or worry about concerning going legit.



Thanks guys!
 
Congrats on your new venture!! I've heard that Cali sure can be on a different level in regards to regulations and such. Are you doing things mobile or fixed? Detailing, full service washes??? What are you doing to market yourself? Feel free to update your profile here and add a link to your site in your signature line. I wish you luck.
 
David:



I am working out of my garage and not doing any mobile stuff. Mostly full details. I do offer a maintenance wash plan for existing customers. I am very excited about doing this full time and will look at my profile and update if needed. Thanks!!
 
best move you can make is to become your own boss!!! Congrats!



When I quit my restaurant job at night (hard to leave the 150-200 per weekend night, but i was over it), it was the best and worst feeling I had at the same time...best because I will never have anyone telling me where to work or what to do again, and worst because "what if the phone stops ringing?" Truth be told, I havent stopped working consistently since I quit in MAY!!!!
 
mose said:
I have been doing this now for over six years on the weekends. I have held an 8-5 job during the whole time but have now decided to try the detailing full-time. Living in Sacramento, CA. means that you need a permit just to go down and get a permit. California makes it SO difficult on a small business owner.



I have a customer base that I have built. I have a lot of repeat business so that parts done. Now I am wanting to go out and get more business. I have had some calls from dealerships and am thinking about adding that to my business.



I have insurance and have opened a separate bank account for the business and am keeping track of income for the IRS. So I am looking for some tips and tricks on things I need to either know or worry about concerning going legit.



Thanks guys!
Click to expand...



Take a look at these articles in the Autopia Detailing Wiki section -



http://www.autopia.org/forum/detailing-business-management-marketing/136437-business-marketing.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/detail...ng/136474-marketing-internet.html#post1447579



http://www.autopia.org/forum/detail.../136439-essentials-starting-new-business.html



http://www.autopia.org/forum/detail...ng/136438-becoming-professional-detailer.html
 
It's funny how the word "legit" and the IRS seem to be the norm when talking about your business.

There's a lot more to it in my opinion.
 
 
toyotaguy said:
and worst because "what if the phone stops ringing?"
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Very true, and something everyone needs to consider if they're going to take a stab at business ownership. This can, and in most cases, will happen at some point (not that it will stay that way forever, but you WILL run into speedbumps eventually).



Anyways, for suggestions. Firstly, what type of business model are you going to be ? Are you just a sole prop, or are you going to incorporate ? Your choice of business model is the foundation of your business, and can and will change how you operate it.
 
mose said:
David:



I am working out of my garage and not doing any mobile stuff. Mostly full details. I do offer a maintenance wash plan for existing customers. I am very excited about doing this full time and will look at my profile and update if needed. Thanks!!
Click to expand...



how can you do maintenance washes for customers if you're not going to be mobile? That's a huge part of my company. You might want to consider at least doing that service on location.



And WIW, yes increase your prices b/c the business fees, insurance, bills etc will add up and soon you'll start to feel like you're working too hard for what you're making.
 
Congrats on going full-time with the detailing. If you're in California, you might need to look into a water containment system, since you're going to be mobile.



-Kody-
 
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