I'm considering starting a detailing business, but want to get proper training from a respected person in the industry. I've been looking at AG's bootcamp, Meguiars NXT training, and Renny Doyle's Detailing Success. Does anybody have any experience with any of these options? I can't find much feedback about Renny's classes other than what he's put out there himself. All of them are big investments and I don't want to make the wrong choice. Any input is appreciated.
Training Courses
- Thread starter Fotomatt1
- Start date
RaskyR1
Rasky's Auto Detailing
I've taken both the Initial and Advanced NXTi classes with Kevin Brown and Meguiar's. If you want to excel in paint polishing, those are the classes you want to take. However, it sound like you're looking more for an "overall training" so classes by Renny or similar will offer more of the over all picture.
Thread I created after taking the Advanced class....it's all jacked up after the merger, sorry.
http://www.autopia.org/forums/machi...-2014-please-share-event-33-a.html?highlight=
Ronkh
Wax Waster
What Rasky ^ said, or maybe Mike Phillips at Auto Geek (parent co of this forum)
RaysWay
Autopia Specialist
I've helped Mike Phillips run a few of the Boot Camps (mostly with the pizza at lunch) and it covers everything detailing related.
From how you should greet potential clients over the phone, to tips and tricks on squeezing more efficiency out of your business. The camp is always full with people at different stages of car care. Everyone from detailing pros who have had a successful business for years looking for a fresh perspective, to someone who just purchased a new car and wants to learn the best way to take car of their new car; and everyone inbetween.
I think one of the biggest benefits with the AG Boot Camp is you have access to almost every tool and chemical. From polishers to carpet extractors to compounds. Want to try any RUPES polisher? Sure, they have it. Want to try if you can tell the difference between a Tornador Cleaning Gun and a Tornador Black Cleaning Gun? You can try them out side by side yourself. Want to compare the RUPES Swirl Finder Light with the FLEX Swirl Finder Light? Go for it. Nick@Autogeek usually helps Mike run the camp and if you ask him, he can usually let you try out any specific product per request.
And of course there's Mike Phillips. He's a great teacher and a real car guy who's been in this business longer than I've been alive. He loves what he does and it shows.
Also there's free Dunkin Donuts in the morning
From how you should greet potential clients over the phone, to tips and tricks on squeezing more efficiency out of your business. The camp is always full with people at different stages of car care. Everyone from detailing pros who have had a successful business for years looking for a fresh perspective, to someone who just purchased a new car and wants to learn the best way to take car of their new car; and everyone inbetween.
I think one of the biggest benefits with the AG Boot Camp is you have access to almost every tool and chemical. From polishers to carpet extractors to compounds. Want to try any RUPES polisher? Sure, they have it. Want to try if you can tell the difference between a Tornador Cleaning Gun and a Tornador Black Cleaning Gun? You can try them out side by side yourself. Want to compare the RUPES Swirl Finder Light with the FLEX Swirl Finder Light? Go for it. Nick@Autogeek usually helps Mike run the camp and if you ask him, he can usually let you try out any specific product per request.
And of course there's Mike Phillips. He's a great teacher and a real car guy who's been in this business longer than I've been alive. He loves what he does and it shows.
Also there's free Dunkin Donuts in the morning
Ronkh
Wax Waster
I've helped Mike Phillips run a few of the Boot Camps (mostly with the pizza at lunch) and it covers everything detailing related.
From how you should greet potential clients over the phone, to tips and tricks on squeezing more efficiency out of your business. The camp is always full with people at different stages of car care. Everyone from detailing pros who have had a successful business for years looking for a fresh perspective, to someone who just purchased a new car and wants to learn the best way to take car of their new car; and everyone inbetween.
I think one of the biggest benefits with the AG Boot Camp is you have access to almost every tool and chemical. From polishers to carpet extractors to compounds. Want to try any RUPES polisher? Sure, they have it. Want to try if you can tell the difference between a Tornador Cleaning Gun and a Tornador Black Cleaning Gun? You can try them out side by side yourself. Want to compare the RUPES Swirl Finder Light with the FLEX Swirl Finder Light? Go for it. Nick@Autogeek usually helps Mike run the camp and if you ask him, he can usually let you try out any specific product per request.
And of course there's Mike Phillips. He's a great teacher and a real car guy who's been in this business longer than I've been alive. He loves what he does and it shows.
Also there's free Dunkin Donuts in the morning
and then we get open box discounts...........
Mike lambert
New member
I do not know where you are,but dealer goodies in Carlisle pa. Gives classes from meguiars that are pretty much as close to the nxt class as you can get. Taught by both Rod Kraft,Meguiars national paint finishing consultant and Dan Yaworski,the area bussiness manager.
very affordable.
also check esoteric car care detailing academy.
good luck!
very affordable.
also check esoteric car care detailing academy.
good luck!
I'm considering the Mike Phillips school primarily due to location. But the Renny Doyle school would be my number one choice if I could afford it. I loved his book, and with his schooling he really seems to stress the business and marketing side of things in addition to the technical side.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
As soon as I saw you had posted to this thread I knew what your contribution would be!
RaysWay
Autopia Specialist
He touches base on marketing/advertising and the day to day business side of things, but I would say it's more of a hands-on class. There are other great sources of information specifically for marketing/advertising on the web, and any general business class would apply to a detailing business. You can learn a lot from forums like Autopia and AGO, just do some research for the day to day stuff.
Ronkh
Wax Waster
Business isn't really that hard to figure out. GIVE THE CUSTOMER WHAT HE/SHE WANTS (even more successful = more than they expect), remember you are not Renny Doyle or Mike Phillips. You have to figure out what works. But business model doesn't change that much. Make the customer happy and want to return. + A happy customer tells their friends, an unhappy customer tells everyone. (especially true in age of social media)
Woob
New member
Training is great, there are a ton of resources out there that makes the initial price seem not the highest initial investment for most individuals. IMO, you really need to know what market you want to target, what business services you want to do (and enjoy), and at the end of the day know what is profitable to stay alive. Much of having the skills of the business is great, but selling it while growing your customer base is a totally different aspect. Learn, experiment, and constantly read. The best guys are the most humble and help out anyone who ask. Try a larger reputable detailing operation and absorb as much as possible all while seeing a future business path.
Old Pirate
AMG Classic Car Detailing
A few years back I was trying to open a class at a Technical college so you can learn alot more then anywhere else. But financial backing wasn't there to start the class from scratch. It would have start in the paint and body shop which would have teach you everything from repairing leather seats, PDR, minor paint damaged and also detailing the right way.