Starting the business soon...advice?

T

TDIGuy04

Diesel Sniffer
Background:

Well my GF and I have decided to move from NJ to FL,and I've decided to make the decision to start my detailing business full-time. I've been working as a salesman for Snapple for the past 4 years, been with the company for 6 years, and I've about had it with corporate America. I detail on the side every now and then but was afraid to take it to the next level because of the short season,and because I have it pretty easy with my current job, PT hours FT pay, but the amount of mental stress I take from people for things that aren't my responsibility or fault make's me feel like I'm working 70+ hours a week, not to mention the incompetence of fellow employees and the companies failure to do anything about it. I'm going to cash out some of my 401k savings to start my business and help fund the move.



I have a couple of questions that I didn't satisfy searching thru the threads in the forum.



Obviously starting a business is a nerve racking experience. I'm afraid of failure, making a mistake, and not being able to make ends meet. I enjoy detailing, I love being able to transform a vehicle from "it's just a car" to "wow it looks new again!" and I'd love to be able to make a living, be my own boss, and have satisfaction in what I do.



I know everyone preaches know the business end, so did you take a business course at a local college? What would you recommend to look into for starters? I'm going to get a nextel for my business phone to cut down phone costs...free incoming :) I don't want to half-@ss this so I'm asking you pro's what your experience has been and what you would do differently if you could start knowing what you know now?



Here's what I've come up with to start:



1: Register my business name with the local chamber of commerce/municipality

2: Get insurance...but what kind should I be looking for?

3: Advertise...what's a good start to getting the word out, go to businesses and hand out flyers, ask place's to place flyers, Local grocery bulletin boards, mailing companies?

4: Get software to produce invoice's, make up some liability sheets, previous auto damage sheet to go over damge on vehicle before you start work, accounting software...etc...

5: Stock normal use products,machinery,pads...etc.

6: learn local laws pertaining to business



Some questions I have?



1. How long did it take to build up a regular customer base, frequent amount of business/bookings to support you comfortably? This is what scare's me the most since I don't know how long it will take to bring in enough business to pay the bills.

2. Do you accept Credit cards? How do you set this up? What do the CC's charge to use their service?

3. Would you recommend working for hire to dealers, I hear they don't pay well?

4. Do you offer multiple job discounts to people with say 3 cars plus in 1 day? Maybe office's with co-workers getting their cars done the same day?

5. Is $50k/yr an average pull for a proffesional detailer, is that a low expectation or high?



If there is anything else you think I might need to do or look into please reply.



I appreciate the time you take to answer these questions as I know you have businesses to run.



Thanks,

August
 
Background:

Well my GF and I have decided to move from NJ to FL,and I've decided to make the decision to start my detailing business full-time. I've been working as a salesman for Snapple for the past 4 years, been with the company for 6 years, and I've about had it with corporate America. I detail on the side every now and then but was afraid to take it to the next level because of the short season,and because I have it pretty easy with my current job, PT hours FT pay, but the amount of mental stress I take from people for things that aren't my responsibility or fault make's me feel like I'm working 70+ hours a week, not to mention the incompetence of fellow employees and the companies failure to do anything about it. I'm going to cash out some of my 401k savings to start my business and help fund the move.



I have a couple of questions that I didn't satisfy searching thru the threads in the forum.



Obviously starting a business is a nerve racking experience. I'm afraid of failure, making a mistake, and not being able to make ends meet. I enjoy detailing, I love being able to transform a vehicle from "it's just a car" to "wow it looks new again!" and I'd love to be able to make a living, be my own boss, and have satisfaction in what I do.



I know everyone preaches know the business end, so did you take a business course at a local college? What would you recommend to look into for starters? I'm going to get a nextel for my business phone to cut down phone costs...free incoming :) I don't want to half-@ss this so I'm asking you pro's what your experience has been and what you would do differently if you could start knowing what you know now?



Here's what I've come up with to start:



1: Register my business name with the local chamber of commerce/municipality

2: Get insurance...but what kind should I be looking for?

3: Advertise...what's a good start to getting the word out, go to businesses and hand out flyers, ask place's to place flyers, Local grocery bulletin boards, mailing companies?

4: Get software to produce invoice's, make up some liability sheets, previous auto damage sheet to go over damge on vehicle before you start work, accounting software...etc...

5: Stock normal use products,machinery,pads...etc.

6: learn local laws pertaining to business



Some questions I have?



1. How long did it take to build up a regular customer base, frequent amount of business/bookings to support you comfortably? This is what scare's me the most since I don't know how long it will take to bring in enough business to pay the bills.

2. Do you accept Credit cards? How do you set this up? What do the CC's charge to use their service?

3. Would you recommend working for hire to dealers, I hear they don't pay well?

4. Do you offer multiple job discounts to people with say 3 cars plus in 1 day? Maybe office's with co-workers getting their cars done the same day?

5. Is $50k/yr an average pull for a proffesional detailer, is that a low expectation or high?



If there is anything else you think I might need to do or look into please reply.



I appreciate the time you take to answer these questions as I know you have businesses to run.



Thanks,

August
 
I can say a business course gets you in the know on the basics of capitalism(took a couple myself) but experience is the best teacher.



On insurance I know you should get Liability insurance specific to your kind of work. So automotive paint repair & restoration, and just about any liability insurance company could accomodate you. I know in my brief stint as a general contrator we had coverage for up $250k in the case of damage caused by us, whether intentional or unintentional. Best thing is too, visit many insurance agencys and inform them of what you want to do and what your price can be for insurance.
 
I can say a business course gets you in the know on the basics of capitalism(took a couple myself) but experience is the best teacher.



On insurance I know you should get Liability insurance specific to your kind of work. So automotive paint repair & restoration, and just about any liability insurance company could accomodate you. I know in my brief stint as a general contrator we had coverage for up $250k in the case of damage caused by us, whether intentional or unintentional. Best thing is too, visit many insurance agencys and inform them of what you want to do and what your price can be for insurance.
 
Fixed or mobile? Barriers to entry are quite low for mobile operations. but I firmly believe that a fixed location (flame suit on) 'can' do a much more thorough job. But he startup costs are greater.



I believe a professional image/location brings credibility. I can't imagine earning (gross) $200k as a mobile operation...



We do not accept plastic; and we have never had an issue with a "bad check".

Shop independant insurance agents for a "Garagekeepers Policy".

Have six months of living/operations capital/cash available. This key in removing the stress of a startup.



Now that we are established, dealers, body shops, ins companies *may* get 20% discounts, but if they want our services, they expect to pay... and they do. In the overall scheme of what they do, our prices (to solve a problem their shop can't handle) are quite resonable. EX: Today we disinfected a 'biohazard" - foreign object thru the windshield-blood everywhere... We made it OR sterile for $325. And they can count on that. That's what makes them willing to pay for good work.



Intern with an established pro for a week or two...



Good Luck!



Jim
 
Fixed or mobile? Barriers to entry are quite low for mobile operations. but I firmly believe that a fixed location (flame suit on) 'can' do a much more thorough job. But he startup costs are greater.



I believe a professional image/location brings credibility. I can't imagine earning (gross) $200k as a mobile operation...



We do not accept plastic; and we have never had an issue with a "bad check".

Shop independant insurance agents for a "Garagekeepers Policy".

Have six months of living/operations capital/cash available. This key in removing the stress of a startup.



Now that we are established, dealers, body shops, ins companies *may* get 20% discounts, but if they want our services, they expect to pay... and they do. In the overall scheme of what they do, our prices (to solve a problem their shop can't handle) are quite resonable. EX: Today we disinfected a 'biohazard" - foreign object thru the windshield-blood everywhere... We made it OR sterile for $325. And they can count on that. That's what makes them willing to pay for good work.



Intern with an established pro for a week or two...



Good Luck!



Jim
 
If you are serious about starting a detailing business check out this book, I contributed to some of the information in it and it is well worth reading. "Start you own Auto Detailing Business; a step by step guide to success" Entreprenur Press 2005. Gary
 
If you are serious about starting a detailing business check out this book, I contributed to some of the information in it and it is well worth reading. "Start you own Auto Detailing Business; a step by step guide to success" Entreprenur Press 2005. Gary
 
Go to any book store or Library, it is in full circulation now. I saw it in a local Library over the weekend. I own a GT Turbo Cruiser with Stage 1 kit (new chip and larger fuel injectors) other modifications pushing over 260 hp . GARY
 
Go to any book store or Library, it is in full circulation now. I saw it in a local Library over the weekend. I own a GT Turbo Cruiser with Stage 1 kit (new chip and larger fuel injectors) other modifications pushing over 260 hp . GARY
 
I show the car more than push it. it has been in several magazines and what I have most pleasure doing is going to car shows, setting up my car. Then walking around and talk to people and see what detailing supplies they are using. (then sell them mine) plus I put fliers in cars about my business and detailing clinics. if you want to see my car send me your e mail and I will forward you some. gary
 
I show the car more than push it. it has been in several magazines and what I have most pleasure doing is going to car shows, setting up my car. Then walking around and talk to people and see what detailing supplies they are using. (then sell them mine) plus I put fliers in cars about my business and detailing clinics. if you want to see my car send me your e mail and I will forward you some. gary
 
It will be a mobile detailing business at first until I get a regular client base, then I will look into setting up shop somewhere.



My low number for income would be around 40-50k hoping for more but can live on that.



I will look into that book, hopefully Barnes & noble carries it...hate ordering stuff like that online when I wanna read it now.



thanks for the replies
 
It will be a mobile detailing business at first until I get a regular client base, then I will look into setting up shop somewhere.



My low number for income would be around 40-50k hoping for more but can live on that.



I will look into that book, hopefully Barnes & noble carries it...hate ordering stuff like that online when I wanna read it now.



thanks for the replies
 
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