ADN SPRING 2023 web

Honoring his Legacy
The following is Q&A With Jacqueline
Hawkins, wife of Chris Evans, regarding
The Chris Evans Foundation.
How did the Chris Evans
Foundation come about?
Jacqueline Hawkins: Chris was referred
to me as a consulting client for a
business plan. Despite having 30 years’
of experience in the industry, writing two
books, and working with multiple successful
mobile operations, he faced huge challenges
getting a shop of his own.
What was Chris’s goal/mission?
JH: There was only one thing Chris loved
more than detailing, and while I would
love to say that ‘thing’ was me, I was a
relative newcomer in Chris’ life, being his
wife doesn’t necessarily make me the best
spokesperson for his dreams which is why
[friend and mentor] Robert “Bob” Wrasman
is a very intracule part of this organization.
Chris spent a great deal of his life
working, researching, reading, and discussing,
mostly with Bob, ways to improve this
industry. elevating it as a nationally recognizable
skilled profession that it is.
He wanted the world to know this is
more than just car washing, and there is a
science behind every aspect of detailing,
preservation & restoration of vehicles.
There were personal and organizational
safety concerns that were being overlooked.
Liabilities that customers faced
that could cost them a fortune and have
no recourse. There were gaps in the industry
that he found ways to fill.
How can Chris’s mission/goals
help the industry?
JH: He would talk about the many challenges
individuals would have with breaking
into the industry from his personal experience,
whether it was financing to start
a mobile operation/brick and mortar, he
wanted to stress the need to be properly
licensed and insured and what professionalism
looked like for both. He wanted to
educate people and change the perception
that detailing was just a glorified car wash.
The industry needed to be standardized,
best practices and safety standards highlighted
and promoted. Shops managed in
such a way as to promote efficiency, safety
for employees and customers alike.
Why should students come
to you and is there a bigger
picture?
JH: The background of most individuals
in the industry didn’t include business
school, accounting, chemistry and customer
service, all skill sets useful to the industry.
A 4-year college degree is not for everyone.
Most were troubled youth or justice
involved adults. So that became his focus.
Everything was very personal to him. He
wanted to give people options, people love
their cars and enjoy making them look
good, there is a decent amount of money
to be made. Just maybe while teaching
others about what he loved we would get
the attention of area youth, reduce some
of the negativity surrounding Chicago’s
youth and give real money-making options
to them and returning citizens.
What makes this class or the
foundation different from any
other class?
JH: What we are offering is not tied to a
specific product, rather it's what’s best for
the type of paint, climate, the frequency
of use, and/or the customers’ budget, and
what the car actually needs. Chris was
very intentional about maintaining his
autonomy had great integrity when dealing
with customers and wanted others to
do the same. Well, the classes will follow a
similar standard. What’s the best product,
tool, and application method for the specific
needs of this customer and vehicle.
Education is the key, and a wide variety
of products and tools will be utilized in
the training. There is also a holistic side to
what we offer that includes job readiness,
workforce development, SEL coaching,
entrepreneurship, financing, insurance,
licensing, customer service, essentially
everything you need to know to get the
job done effectively, efficiently, and safely,
whether as an employee or employer.
Where will the classes be taught?
JH: Chris always wanted to give back
firstly to Chicago, where it all started for
him and then other large Urban areas,
getting the attention of youth everywhere
reducing street crime and violence – City,
state and federal grant funds will be sought
out to support the work of the foundation,
along with corporate sponsorship and individual
donations. We are tax exempt so if
you need to reduce you tax base, then give
generously to the Chris Evans Foundation.
How will this benefit already
established detailers?
JH: Beyond the all-inclusive beginners’
class, we want to offer affordable a la cart
classes as one-day learning opportunities to
sharpen one’s skills or pick up new ones to
expand current services. This may include:
Tinting, PPF, fabric/leather repair, just to
name a few. These classes will take place all
across the county, we have wonderful sponsors
that are making space available to us
to teach and improve communities overall.
What Employment Opportunities
can students look forward to?
JH: When writing the business plan, I
learned so much about this industry. Detailing
is a $14 billion industry, which continued
to grow in spite of the pandemic.
This growth, left employment gaps in car
dealerships, auction houses, museums,
service repair centers and detail shops.
This class can prepare students for employment
or entrepreneurship and will
even help with marketing.
What industry support
will be offered?
JH: Chris worked in the industry, wrote
about it and taught it and he also was the
founder of National Detail Consultants
(NDC). Members of the Foundation are
committed to continuing that work also.
Whether business services, on site trainings,
safety evaluations, or continuing education
certifications, NDC is here to help.
What does Full
Programming include?
JH: For beginners, 3 days a week for 6
weeks of classroom and hands-on education,
with job readiness, workforce development,
detailing basics & best practices,
products, tools and equipment, quizzes/
tests, life skills training, SEL coaching and
job placement assistance and entrepreneurship
101.
Anything else you would
like to share?
JH: Since Chris passed away there has
been such an outpouring of love and support
that has been truly overwhelming.
I want to offer sincere thanks to all of
Chris’ colleagues, friends and supporters.
Chris was always thinking about the next
big industry-related idea, and he kept meticulous
notes. He’s not here in person,
but I do believe he is here in spirit, I hope
we’ve been able to make him proud, but
please know this is only the beginning.
16 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | VOL. 8, NO. 2 • SUMMER 2023