2021_ADN_V6_No3_web

PIT FALLS
Advice from
Successful
Detailers
Provided by Nitty Gritty
interviews featured
in Auto Detailing News
“You can’t do it by yourself. Surround yourself with passionate, motivated and
hard-working people and invest in them. Give them the tools they need to
succeed and never stop learning. Allow your employees to find their strengths
and figure out what they truly enjoy. If they are doing what they love, the work
speaks for itself! As your business grows, the areas for opportunity increase and
you’ll be able to promote from within and build a team that treats the company
as if it were their own. So many have put their blood, sweat and tears into
LUXE Auto Spa to help boost it to where it is today, and I am forever grateful.”
Cougar Elfervig of LUXE Auto Spa in Murray, Utah
“One big secret to success is to make it all about your customer. Your
customer doesn’t care if you have a headache or if you had a fight with
your spouse. All he or she expects is whether or not you are professional
and are good at your trade. Remember: you are not doing your customer
a favor by cleaning his or her vehicle ... they are doing you a favor by
bringing it to you. The sooner you realize that the better off you will be.”
Joe Kennedy of Auto Beauty Center in Buffalo, New York
Culture is key to any healthy organization. It’s actually one of our
greatest passions. Our team consists of self-motivated individuals
that see themselves as much more than auto detailers. Although our
company is six years old, we are constantly innovating our methods,
systems, customer experiences and so much more. We encourage every
team member to use their strengths to help grow the company. Even
from the top we look to the least experienced team member to offer
their advice on a variety of things. We believe that each individual has a
unique strength that can contribute to the organization far beyond being
the best “paint polisher” or “ceramic coating installer”. Our team members
know that they are a part of something greater than just being the best
mobile detailing business in Tulsa. We have bigger goals than that.
DJ Patterson of EcoGreen Mobile Detailing, LLC in Tulsa, Oklahoma
“Success is built by CONSISTENT day to day action. Action doesn't
happen without a plan. So, develop a business plan, reduce your
overhead and expenses, and understand that it takes time. You are in a
marathon, not a sprint.”
Ian Porter of Red Beard's Detail Shop located in Tulsa, Oklahoma
“Learn all you can. Never stop improving and practicing. Go to the junkyard and
get some spare panels. Burn through the paint. Learn how far you can push
your products and equipment.
Share your knowledge. This should be obvious to someone looking to get
involved with an organization that is dedicated to helping people and the
industry. We were all beginners at some point and the opportunity to help each
other out now is greater than it has ever been.
Show up. There are events like Mobile Tech Expo, Autogeek's DetailFest,
SEMA, and countless other events and training sessions all the time. They are all
great opportunities to get involved, get better and help others. Even if you think
you can't learn anything from them, you may be able to help someone who is
there and ease the stress off the organization hosting the booth or event.”
Kevin Awalt of Arkham Shine Auto Detailing Studio in New Milford, Connecticut
Culture is key to any healthy organization. It’s actually one of our greatest
passions. Our team consists of self-motivated individuals that see themselves
as much more than auto detailers. Although our company is six years old, we
are constantly innovating our methods, systems, customer experiences and
so much more. We encourage every team member to use their strengths to
help grow the company. Even from the top we look to the least experienced
team member to offer their advice on a variety of things. We believe that each
individual has a unique strength that can contribute to the organization far
beyond being the best “paint polisher” or “ceramic coating installer”. Our team
members know that they are a part of something greater than just being the
best mobile detailing business in Tulsa. We have bigger goals than that.
DJ Patterson of EcoGreen Mobile Detailing, LLC in Tulsa, Oklahoma
“Learn to do the little things with excellence. Even the things you
hate doing. If you can't do the simple things well enough to impress
a customer, then you'll never stand a chance doing the more difficult
things. Stay humble, be patient and don't be afraid to ask for help or
find a mentor.
If you're a business owner, then put more time and energy
into learning how to run a business as opposed to focusing all
your energy on learning how to detail. Get comfortable being
uncomfortable. Business is no easy ride.”
Vincent Macri of Wrap N Shine Auto Spa in Shelton Connecticut
“I started detailing while I was unemployed, coming out of a bad divorce
and my father passed away within that same year. So, for those who
think they can't be successful due to some kind of personal issue, you are
wrong. It’s more a matter of how bad you want it or how you’re going
to make it happen, no matter what the obstacle is in life. Trust me, if you
want it bad enough you can make it happen, you just have to be ready
to accept it. It takes time and success doesn’t happen overnight. Stay
motivated, be realistic, be honest and you will be successful.”
Justin Labato of JL's Showroom Detailing Inc. in Melbourne, Florida
“Success is built by CONSISTENT day to day action. Action doesn't
happen without a plan. So, develop a business plan, reduce your
overhead and expenses, and understand that it takes time. You are in a
marathon, not a sprint.”
Ian Porter of Red Beard's Detail Shop located in Tulsa, Oklahoma
30 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | VOL. 6, NO. 3 • FALL 2021