Young detailer from Atlanta

A

AtlDetail

New member
Hey guys, i've been around here for a while and have been absorbing all of the knowledge that's around here in all of the threads. I have learned so much from this site and all the pros that have posted their work, so thanks a lot to yall.



So my name is Brian and I'm 17 years old and i started my detailing path back in October of last year. I started out not knowing much but i was so eager to learn. I apprenticed at the detail shop at United BMW of Roswell, which is actually a very impressive shop that does great work compared to all the other dealerships that I've heard/seen about on here. I worked there for 10 hours a day every Saturday and it was unbelievable how much i learned and how quick i learned it. I quickly knew that i had a passion for detailing. But one day my mentor informed me that i could not work back there anymore cause of liability (my age and what not), so that ended and i really didn't know what to do because i loved detailing but had no where to do it. So, i found myself starting my own mobile detailing business and i am loving every second of it. I don't mean to sound like I'm bragging, but i believe i produce quality work and can do it just as well as any pro. I can polish with the g110v2, wetsand, use a rotary, and burnish paint and can produce amazing results and have blown people away because they weren't expecting much because of my age. This is where the problem lies in my business now. People trusting a 17 year old with their car. The people that i have done are absolutely blown away by the results that I produce but getting new customers is very tough for me. I really need some advice on how to present myself professionally and convince people that I'm the real deal. I feel like i've had to overcome more obstacles because of my age, whether it be with pricing (I have to price myself a lot lower to even get people interested), or just getting people in general. I love detailing so much and i want to get my name out there but I just don't know how because of my age.



I am also looking for a consistent summer job, so if anyone knows any quality detail shops in the Atlanta area that might be looking for work please let me know. I would be more than happy to prove myself to a future employer if necessary.



Thank you to all of the professionals and amateurs on here that have inspired me to push my business further and continue to do what i love to do.



Btw, this line of work is really addictive and I love it!!!
 
Very cool, well if you ever need a hand on anything, let me know. Plus i could probably benefit from seeing how a real mobile detailer operates.
 
I live in the Alpharetta/Milton area.



And no on the license and insurance..



I know i really do need a license but idk if i can even get one since I'm under 18. The insurance is also kind of out of the question right now since I've really only been doing people I know and haven't really had people bustin' down my door asking to buff their car either. It's hard being 17 and trying to convince people that you can produce some awesome work and that you know what your doing.



I'm sure that it might help my cause if i can get certified somewhere around here but I've done research and can't seem to find any places.
 
yakky said:
An album of before and after pics should help you out.
Click to expand...



I have actually thought about that. Having one online and in person would really help to show the customer the level of my work. Thanks for the input BTW.
 
Ok I'm in the same boat as you. Young and can produce results. I really haven't had a problem getting trust though. My name is out in my area and I get new calls every week. 2 Years ago I was where you are, all you can do is just keep putting out quality work. It WILL get you customers, just takes a building year. If you have any detail supply companies in your area, see if they run a buffing class, they will usually give you a certificate, and while that means nothing to most, your customers will see it as some sort of reassurance that you know how to detail. Another way to gain trust is being able to convince your customers about your ability. Most of my first customers have told me that they knew right away I was a good worker because of the "Way I presented myself and my business" You need to be able to tell them about what makes you different. For me, I would say how I'm different from a high volume shop because I work on your car one on one. I know what is going on throughout the whole process, eliminating error. Just find a way to have a professional approach from the moment you meet them. Generally first it will be over the phone, so you need to be able to convince them that you are the detailer for them over the phone....If you have any more questions just PM me. I'm not on Autopia much, usually the other forums, but I'll get back to you
 
Hey man thats cool you have such a passion for the business, that will certainly take you far. i know everyone over there at united xept the detail guys oddly enough. i was thinking of pursuing there overflow work this summer if there is any to be had. i just started detailing professionally last fall its not be the easiest start but I've been very blessed, this site has been very helpful to me too. works out there somewhere. do you have your own supplies?
 
nyyankees22 said:
Ok I'm in the same boat as you. Young and can produce results. I really haven't had a problem getting trust though. My name is out in my area and I get new calls every week. 2 Years ago I was where you are, all you can do is just keep putting out quality work. It WILL get you customers, just takes a building year. If you have any detail supply companies in your area, see if they run a buffing class, they will usually give you a certificate, and while that means nothing to most, your customers will see it as some sort of reassurance that you know how to detail. Another way to gain trust is being able to convince your customers about your ability. Most of my first customers have told me that they knew right away I was a good worker because of the "Way I presented myself and my business" You need to be able to tell them about what makes you different. For me, I would say how I'm different from a high volume shop because I work on your car one on one. I know what is going on throughout the whole process, eliminating error. Just find a way to have a professional approach from the moment you meet them. Generally first it will be over the phone, so you need to be able to convince them that you are the detailer for them over the phone....If you have any more questions just PM me. I'm not on Autopia much, usually the other forums, but I'll get back to you
Click to expand...



I love the way you look at the business approach. Very creative for a young detailer. The thing is, I have done a lot of what you said but I just don't seem to be getting calls from random people, only people that I really know. Another thing that kind of gets my morale down is how much I'm getting paid for the amount of work that I put in. For example, I did a 2004 BMW 745 Li for a neighbor and put 5.5 hours in to the interior and washed it, which took another 1.5 hours. So 7 hours total and I only get paid 60 bucks. The car is beyond trashed and I got that thing to near perfection (on the inside at least cause the owner didn't want more done to outside). But yeah, The biggest thing I've been hearing from everyone is that it just takes time. So I'll keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully I can get to where I want to be. Thanks a lot for your input man, it means a lot to me.
 
Buff Guys Auto said:
Hey man thats cool you have such a passion for the business, that will certainly take you far. i know everyone over there at united xept the detail guys oddly enough. i was thinking of pursuing there overflow work this summer if there is any to be had. i just started detailing professionally last fall its not be the easiest start but I've been very blessed, this site has been very helpful to me too. works out there somewhere. do you have your own supplies?
Click to expand...



Yeah man, you gotta love what you're doin for sure. I'll PM you about the United stuff BTW cause I'm pretty much in there and know the guys back there really well. Sounds like they will have a lot of overflow work there this summer from what the manager has been saying so that's always good. Yes, I do have my own supplies, everything I need pretty much, almost too much stuff says my dad haha
 
AtlDetail said:
I love the way you look at the business approach. Very creative for a young detailer. The thing is, I have done a lot of what you said but I just don't seem to be getting calls from random people, only people that I really know. Another thing that kind of gets my morale down is how much I'm getting paid for the amount of work that I put in. For example, I did a 2004 BMW 745 Li for a neighbor and put 5.5 hours in to the interior and washed it, which took another 1.5 hours. So 7 hours total and I only get paid 60 bucks.
Click to expand...



If you are up for building your customer base, try craigslist. 7 out of 10 will be in pretty rough shape. Also these are the type of people that aren't looking for perfection, BUT its money, and its more customers. Eventually you will be able to weed those people out, trust me. 1 or 2 years dealing with the crappy cars and you will eventually move up to nice vehicles, and people who care about them. As far as your problem with what you are making. If you are upset about what you made, the way you can look at it is "Well, that $60 basically paid for my last supply order" or something along the lines of that. You can put that money towards something to make your job easier. There is going to be a point where you have enough customers to not have to work 7 hours for $60. You will be able to tell them "No, I'm sorry I can't do it for that price" I've gotten to the point where I tell them, Ok if you can find somebody cheaper go to them, go bring it to someone else. And they wont. People who want their cars detailed the right way will pay the extra money to have it in the hands of a skilled detailer. They will know your work is worth it and not feel ripped off in any way. Every car you do, just think you are one car closer to being at the point I am talking about. Stay positive, it doesn't take all that long when you put out good work.
 
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