How to Start Your Own Auto Detailing Business

Are you passionate about cars? Do you enjoy working with your hands? Then Auto Detailing may be the business for you. There are over 200 million cars on the roads today. And most people spend long hours at work and have no time to clean their vehicles. This translates into a big opportunity for you. Not sure how to get started? This article will show you how.

What You Need to Get Started

Start your business as a “mobile” detailing service. This way, all you need is a few supplies and your vehicle. Be sure to buy good quality supplies—the high volume you will (hopefully) be working on will use up your rags, brushes, and cleaners much faster than you are used to. And make sure you detail your own truck or car first. You won’t convince anyone that you can do a good job if your truck looks like trash. Consider your truck a moving billboard for what you can do.

Market Your Business

If you want to sell your services, people need to know that you are in business. Print up some business cards at a website like Vistaprint.com. You can get 250 for the cost of shipping (about $10). Make up some fliers and post them everywhere where your customers will see them. Get a professional to make up your flyers—if you want to be paid professional prices, you better look worth the money.

Look through your telephone directory and online for car clubs in your area. Set up a free seminar where you show the members how to do a “professional” detailing. Serve snacks and drinks to encourage people to stick around. Most will see that doing a good job is a lot of work and hire you to do it instead.

Make sure you have a stack of pricing charts and flyers available for your group to take home with them. Make sure to get everyone’s name and address so you can follow up with t hem later. A great way to do this is to have a raffle. Tell the members to put their names and addresses in a hat. The winner will receive a free detailing. You now have your first client list.

Get a Business License

If you start making money, Uncle Sam is going to want his share. Go to your local bookstore or make an appointment with your local Small Business Association and get more information on what types of business organizations are available to you. Once you figure out which set up to use, go online or to a legal stationary store and buy the paperwork for a business license. Note: A legal stationary store is not the same as a regular stationary store. Look for the location nearest you in your telephone directory. Fill out the paperwork and take it with your fee to city hall. You are now in business.

Starting a successful Auto Detailing business is not hard to do. With a little research and elbow grease you will soon be the proud owner of a successful business.