My new detail van and startup business

Last summer i learned to Detail and polish because my boss was tired of doing it himself to his 1999 Porsche 911 C4. After i got the hang of it i was hired by friends and family and friends of friends to the point where i was doing 3-4 a week. Then winter rolled around and i stopped for the year because i wasn't that serious about it.

This year i am starting my own full time mobile detail business, there are only about 2-3 shops in my city of about 250,000 people. No one does great polishing and swirl removal or a mobile service. That will be my competitive advantage. Mobile detailing specializing in swirl removal.

I had quite a bit of product and have a porter cable Rotary and DA polishers from last year. As well as brushes and a ton of towels.

I just purchased this van for a good price: 1999 GMC Safari cargo van. Also this pressure washer today (powermate-Honda 3000psi). Considering there is still snow on the ground here i have a good month at the very least to get set up.

I'll keep you guys updated with everything i learn so you other start-ups can learn from my successes and failures.














Next pics of the van will be when it is full and logo-ed up eace:

 

Looking good

 

Really considering doing the same but probably not for at least another year. good luck!

 

Thanks! Im an Entrepreneur at heart and have a Business Administration Certificate. Detailing is something i enjoy and there is a great market for a good mobile operation here.

 

The only issue I see you may have is you said you still have snow...so apparently you are up north....seems to me you will have short periods to work...by this I mean not a lot of months...I am a mobile detail biz as well (9yrs & counting) ..this has been my toughest winter yet...I'm used to not working much in Jan/Feb months but this year didn't get to do much in Dec/Jan/Feb...anyway, as you probably know just work, work, work long hours (like landscape guys etc) through your good months & build your nest egg for the winter months .....Good Luck!! nice to be the only Mobile guy there too..that should help you...I'm competing against about 4 others but I've watched quite a few come & go ;:thumb

 

where ya located?
but yeah good luck on your business!

 

Thanks, we get about equal 6 months snow, 6 months summer/fall here (Saskatoon, SK, Canada). I will do as much as i can during summer and fall and build my reputation, then hopefully negotiate for some cheap shop space during winter. Luckily i have another small part time business with a friend that will keep me afloat during winter months if i cant find any spare wash bays to rent.

 

Congratulations and best of luck on your new business

 

ohh fellow canadian!

 

Congrats on the van fellow canadian! Did you register yourself as a numbered company or a company name?

 

Congratulations on the start-up .... Now that you have the van i would do some really good lettering / graphics on the sides of the van to advertise...

 

Im considering Choice Mobile Detailing for the name. Haven't decided yet. Anyways, what logo do you guys like better? Don't mind the name for now.

 

I like the top one, looks much better!

 

top one too!

 

ya i was leaning towards the top one too. just looks more classy.

 

Would you guys recommend putting other text on the van (besides phone number and website, which i will do) such as services offered? or keep it simple?

 

another vote for the top, I like the simple approach, and they can check out website or call for more detailed info

 

Definitely keep it simple dude. I wouldn't list services on your van.

 

This is going to be a great thread to keep a eye on. Congrats on the new business venture. Vans are great! I found one that is identical to that one but it's a 2002 i believe. I am just having trouble pulling the trigger to purchase it. As far as advertising goes keep it simple but be repetitive when comes to the important things:

Business Name
Number
Website

stress mobile service! We get calls all the time from people who got our business card and ask where are shop is and it states in bold that we are a mobile service. Those vans are driving billboards so if you can afford to . . . . use as much of the space as you can. One of my good clients owns a sign business who does everything from vinyl graphics to full blown signs and i learned a lot from him. I see to many companies here that have cargo vans with these small magnetic signs on the doors.

Your logo looks good . . . . . i would use the top one. Play with the colors and maybe add a little to it. Throw your website address and a number all over that van and you will be good. At least it will get people to call and inquire and from there you can explain to them what you offer. That van is the best investment you will make.

 

Thanks vtec92civic thats some good advice. Ill be sure to keep you guys updated with the progress. Ya your totally right about people not utilizing the space on their work vans, i see some logos and text on vans that are so small i cant even read it as they drive by. I wont make that mistake. logo and text will be as big as possible while keeping it visually pleasing.