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Well I went ahead and did it

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  #1  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:15 PM
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Default Well I went ahead and did it

Even though the poll was like 12 to 0...rofl

A couple of weeks ago I got my county/city licenses and registered my business name. Setup a business checking account, ordered 2500 business cards and got 2 window banners.

Total startup cost: $210

Last week I had a job that was $250, paid in cash...so....I never actually had a job.

Posted a craigslist ad, have business cards at autozone, and gave some to the guy who set up my checking account as he used to have a detailing business, said he'd give them out to his good customers.

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Have 2 jobs pending right now. Looking forward to getting more business at it nears summer.. and remember, other than my 12 semester hours at school, I do nothing productive with my time..so this gives me something to do + everything I make off of this is going straight towards a mach 1. Just gotta pay that 15.3% self-employment tax
 

Last edited by PColav6; 02-25-2009 at 07:17 PM.
  #2  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:21 PM
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dayum Pcola.....fukin noice!!! best of luck with it man!!
 
  #3  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:23 PM
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Yeah dude, auto repair business is booming because people aren't wanting/or able to trade in their cars. Hopefully this translates to some extra cash in the detailing business as well =)
 
  #4  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:23 PM
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good luck man!!! i know plenty of guys in nyc that have detailing businesses, mostly on the side, but some have had them grow. good luck!!!
 
  #5  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:25 PM
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I agree, very nice and best of luck. If you lived in Portland, Oregon I could get you hella jobs or whatever you call it. LoL

How much are you chargering and how old are you?
 
  #6  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:25 PM
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Livin tha dream -

Sick to have started your own buisness through cawledge.
 
  #7  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:26 PM
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Thanks guys!

I'm 19 years old, you can see all of the prices and what not on my site, services page www.gcautodetail.com

Florida sales tax is included in those.
 
  #8  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:29 PM
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Congrats! Thats awesome man!
 
  #9  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:30 PM
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You do some damn good work!
 
  #10  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:33 PM
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Thanks man..I have to put up a lot of newer photos of more recent jobs, some much nicer cars (almost all BMWs. lol)
Here's the craigslist ad I posted

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/aos/1050793574.html
 
  #11  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by PColav6
Thanks guys!

I'm 19 years old, you can see all of the prices and what not on my site, services page www.gcautodetail.com

Florida sales tax is included in those.
You're so young and very lucky. You do this out of your own place huh?

Why was your car door open in one of the pictures? HAHA
 
  #12  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:47 PM
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I take everything to the customer's house, I only do jobs for neighbor's and friends in my own driveway.

Why is my door open? Idk, probably have to get something out of the car (like the camera)
 
  #13  
Old 02-25-2009 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by PColav6
I take everything to the customer's house, I only do jobs for neighbor's and friends in my own driveway.

Why is my door open? Idk, probably have to get something out of the car (like the camera)
How much does it cost for all the product you have?
 
  #14  
Old 02-25-2009 | 08:00 PM
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I'll put a banner on my car if you come and detail my car every 3 months.. deal?
 
  #15  
Old 02-25-2009 | 08:00 PM
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Sweet! Like the cards!
 
  #16  
Old 02-25-2009 | 08:07 PM
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congrats man, but do you have any insurance of any kind?
 
  #17  
Old 02-25-2009 | 08:08 PM
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Awesome job Kevin! Good luck, and good job on your website!
 
  #18  
Old 02-25-2009 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by SeanStang
I'll put a banner on my car if you come and detail my car every 3 months.. deal?
I was thinking something along those lines, only if I lived close and not on the West Coast, haha. My car came with "Proimage" banner. hahaha
 
  #19  
Old 02-25-2009 | 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by BikerSk8rKid
I was thinking something along those lines, only if I lived close and not on the West Coast, haha. My car came with "Proimage" banner. hahaha
Lol yeah. Having the banner on my car wouldn't do him jack **** because im in Tampa haha. Good luck Kevin Gotta feel good to be only 19 and have a legit business.
 
  #20  
Old 02-25-2009 | 08:23 PM
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Yeah, Kevin it looks good. Congrats on the business! I hope it all goes well for you. You do a kick-butt job on detailing...I'll have to get some tips from you sometime to help me make my own car look more pretty.
 
  #21  
Old 02-25-2009 | 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by BikerSk8rKid
How much does it cost for all the product you have?
Haha..**** dude. I don't know...I've bought so much stuff over the past couple of years. Here's how it looked in september. Got a bit more stuff now.
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All I really need is a hot water extractor. Hoping to add one of those within the next couple of months so I can do some more impressive interior detailing.

And thanks, I do feel kind of proud of myself.

And no I don't have insurance right now..but if I get to the point where I'm making $600/mo and significantly increasing the chance that there may be a screwup, I'll get liability insurance.
 

Last edited by PColav6; 02-25-2009 at 08:39 PM.
  #22  
Old 02-25-2009 | 08:49 PM
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I'm really happy for you kevin. This could be the start of a life long career if you wanted to take it that far and be self employed, perfect.

( first post from an iPod touch btw, this thing kicks ***)

Congrats dude I hope everything works out for you and start rolling in it and have to hire emploees you get so much bussiness
 
  #23  
Old 02-25-2009 | 10:30 PM
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Congratz my man. Good luck with everything. I hope it all works out for you.
 
  #24  
Old 02-25-2009 | 11:49 PM
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You'll be rollin the dough! I'd pay you to clean my ****!
 
  #25  
Old 02-25-2009 | 11:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Zip
You'll be rollin the dough! I'd pay you to clean my ****!
I don't believe that's listed in his job description
 
  #26  
Old 02-26-2009 | 12:19 AM
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Very nice PCola, you have a very nice start up business going. hats off to you young man. You should push that engine bay cleaning too. Most people who don't do their own cars don't even think about that. Tell them how important it is to get the whole package, and stress the importance of total car cleaning to maintain longevity for their vehicles. They will be sold.. great job man..
 
  #27  
Old 02-26-2009 | 05:58 AM
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autozone must love you. ha.
 
  #28  
Old 02-26-2009 | 06:57 AM
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Congrats, Kevin! You do some great work.

Just wanted to let you know that a few of the links to the pictures on your site are messed up. When you click on a few of the pictures of the Porsche, it takes you to other pictures. Also, one of the BMW pictures shows up as a red X.
 
  #29  
Old 02-26-2009 | 08:55 AM
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nice job, congrats. I was one of the people that said no when you first brought it up but that was so you didn't rush into it. Seems like you took time to think about it
 
  #30  
Old 02-26-2009 | 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by PColav6
Haha..**** dude. I don't know...I've bought so much stuff over the past couple of years. Here's how it looked in september. Got a bit more stuff now.




All I really need is a hot water extractor. Hoping to add one of those within the next couple of months so I can do some more impressive interior detailing.

And thanks, I do feel kind of proud of myself.

And no I don't have insurance right now..but if I get to the point where I'm making $600/mo and significantly increasing the chance that there may be a screwup, I'll get liability insurance.
I think you might need more product..hahah

Congrats though man.
 



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