Starting a Auto Detailing Business
Welcome to starting a auto detailing business where this expert is going to lead you towards your own career in the exciting world of car detailing! Having been in the business now for over 25 years, things are vastly different today than when I first started.
Back then I didn't have the luxury of online training courses, or forums where people share ideas and information; most of my training was simply a matter of trial and error. Of course that option still exists, but is certainly an option I don't recommend.
But those days are gone and now anyone looking to start a auto detailing business has many options. The biggest problem today is not having a place to go, or information to buy, it is more about singling out a reliable and trusted source for direction.
Just because I had to learn things the hard way doesn't mean you have to go about this alone.
Starting a Auto Detailing Business:
Information Overload!
Today you will be faced with almost the exact opposite problem that I faced when trying to build my own auto detailing business. I was faced with a shortage of resources and information, while you on the other hand are faced with too many choices!
If you have spent any amount of time searching on the Internet for "starting a auto detailing business", you will have come to a conclusion that there are many directions you can go, ranging from free information, to very expensive training courses. I will be the first one to tell you that only you can decide which route makes sense in your world. What I offer is simply a starting point with helpful resources located at the link at the bottom of this page to my other website.
Detailing Business:
Are you even asking the Right questions
Weekly I receive many e-mails and phone calls from guys (and the occasional girl) from all over the world inquiring about training to start their own auto detailing business. (yes, world! Yesterday I just got a call from a guy in Kenya Africa wanting to start a car detailing business!)
Experience has shown me that most guys looking to start their own car detailing business don't even have enough information to ask the right questions! Having been there myself over 25 years ago I can empathize with this discouraging position. Most guys oversimplify it. They think that because they like working on cars and have been doing it for awhile on their own or even their neighbors cars, that simply printing up some business cards and getting the correct license will be all that is needed.
Auto Detailing Business:
Why you will fail!
Let me tell you why...
You see, I was starting out at ground zero and found myself chasing my tail just trying to figure out which products to use and how to use them; I literally spent hundreds of dollars on products alone the very first month out! Everyone was telling me to try this product or that product. At the end of the month I had a shelf full of products that had cost a small fortune!
And I still didn't know what I was doing!
Of course I knew the basic steps to detailing a car; or so I thought. I realized my biggest problem was I lacked specific steps and critical information. Information that would have gotten me through the learning curve in weeks, instead of years!
I literally had to learn everything on my own!
- Do I need a license?
- What kind of license do I need?
- How much can I expect to make?
- Is it possible to start part time?
- How do I know when to go full time?
- How much should I charge?
Go Big; Go Small
I actually started doing my very first detailing jobs working out of the back end of my 1972 Datsun 280Z. Most of you reading this not only don't know what kind of car that is, but don't even recognize what a Datsun is! (now it is called Nissan...see how old I am!)
I realize this is kind of funny, but it represents the point I am trying to make; that you can start out big or small. It all depends on what you want and the factors of your world.
Some of you are working on a shoe-string budget, and some of you have a little money saved up; either way, you have options. As time went on, I grew to having a detailing shop in which we did retail and wholesale detail work. I also had 4 mobile crews going out all over Orange County doing details on location, with 2 full time detailers simply trying to keep up with the work load at the shop.
The Many Specialties of a Auto Detailing Business
Starting a auto detailing business is appealing to many guys for many reasons. For me, it was things like this:
- Working on really cool cars!
- Becoming my own boss.
- Firing my current boss.
I think most of us can fantasize about becoming our own boss and calling the shots. I remember driving around town seeing all the other mobile car detailers working outdoors on all these really nice cars; I wanted desperately to be one of them some day!
While the obvious reasons exist as to why we would want to go into the car detailing business, most guys don't realize just how many areas of specialties you can specialize in based on your interest and needs, when it comes to a detailing business:
- New car maintenance programs.
- Paint correction.
- Over-spray removal.
- Motorhome and RV detailing.
- Motorcycle detailing.
- Boat detailing.
- Paint touch-up.
- Retail/wholesale.
- Headlight restoration.
Starting a Auto Detailing Business
If and when you are ready to make that leap of faith and begin to chart yourself a new course in life, head on over to my other website where I am some resources that will help you get started.
Starting an Auto Detailing Business Tips
Sincerely,
Darren Priest
|
|
Hi, Darren Priest here, founder of Auto Fetish Detail.
My essential goal:
“Exceptionalism in all that I do, in a manner that develops trust at every level.”
Let me personally thank you for visiting. I have built this site to help you figure out if I am the right fit for you and your world.
I hope that I am!
Sincerely,
"Master of Detail"
Just What Do People Say About Us
For additional testimonials you can go to our
Or stay here and review the one's directly below!
Darren took my 9 year old Acura MDX and made it spectacular! I believe his knowledge and attention to "detail" goes above and beyond!
Thank you!
Craig Leitch
Foothill Ranch, CA
I'm somewhat of a car nut. Always have been and I don't mind it a bit. I also thought I had the very best detailer out there but boy did I blow that one. My son insisted I try Darren at Auto Fetish and I succumbed to the pressure and did. I did not realize what perfection looked like until Darren announced my car was completed. The depth of the shine, the attention to detail and the thoroughness of the work were well beyond any past experience. No question Darren really takes his work seriously and the customer reaps an enormous benefit. If you take pride in your wheels, Darren's the man!!
Larry T.
Huntington Beach
Darren - Thank you for an honest quote over the phone, early arrival, and most importantly an outstanding detail job which restored my car back to excellent condition. The paint touch up looks great and my leather seats are super clean and sport a "new" conditioned look. Keep up the good work!
Bill C.
Fullerton, CA
Darren - I appreciate your work even more as I see it day after day! even though I live in Northern California, there was nobody I felt right about in my area so I knew I was in for a drive to come down to you. I am so glad I did. You were also so very accommodating!
Ray P.
Pleasanton, CA
Wow! Our RV looks amazing! That front end literally glows. Darren, I am more than happy; really! Our RV did not look that good the day we got it brand new. No seriously Darren, it really didn't look this good! Thank you!
Ed L.
Rancho Santa Margarita
Darren - I just got a call from my mom and she is really, really happy with her car! This is the reason I referred you as you are professional in all you do, so thank you. That car means more to her than her children; you have a customer for life!
Thank you again!
Andy
Placentia
Darren - the scratch you fixed on my Mustang Cobra looks really, really good! Unless you are a professional car buyer you would not even notice it. It looks so much better than before; thank you!
Dennis A.
Anaheim Hills
I spent considerable time looking for the right person to detail my 2007 Porsche Cayman-S (Black). I was impressed with the recommendations and accolades Darren received on his website including the samples of cars he had detailed. I was even more delighted after he finished detailing my car. It looked amazing; inside, outside, the wheels, everything. I will be using Darren for my detailing needs and will recommend him to the folks in my Porsche club.
J. Adorante
Irvine, CA
I have been using Darren’s professional detail services, Auto Fetish Detail, for close to 15 years now and continue to do so. Darren has taught me and my staff just what real detailing is. Darren is incredibly meticulous and attentive to details. Whenever I have a customer who demands the best, I tell them to call Darren at Auto Fetish. I can always tell when Darren has detailed a car because the level of quality is like no other! He is not the cheapest guy in town, but you can’t beat the quality!
Ron Erickson
President-Exclusive Motors
Placentia, CA
I have known and used Darren's services for 20+ years. I own Xlnt Tint of Anaheim inc. and see many cars every day. When we have a particular customer that needs top notch service, there is nobody else I would trust but Darren! He is very meticulous, and knowledgeable. If you are in need of someone who will take their time but most importantly bring over 20 years of hands on knowledge, this is the company for you.
Mike Schuch
President-Xlnt Tint
Anaheim, CA
"Wow! Now that is what my car paint is supposed to look like; I can't believe what a difference you made! This is exactly what needed to be done, thank you!"
Mike N.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
"I took a leap of faith by picking someone on the Internet to detail my bosses boat! I wasn't disappointed! Darren was professional, punctual, and very easy to deal with, and best of all, he did a FANTASTIC JOB! I couldn't have been happier. We will definitely be a repeat customer!!"
Samantha
Maxim Security Systems
Corona, CA
"We have seen the work of other detailers in removing various forms of vinyl car decals and vehicle wraps. Often we have to spend additional hours due to the incomplete removal of old graphics, before we can apply new graphics. Save yourself time and aggravation by calling Darren first and have it done right the first time around; this is the way it should be done!"
Tim Cecil
President-Sign Pros
Brea, CA