Have you ever heard of analysis paralysis?

That is what so many do when they are looking to start of expand a business...they over study the business, industry and facts. Now I am not saying that doing your homework is bad...I am just say that doing so much that you become addicted to find every fact and detail will most likely lead you to failure before you even start!

Maybe your not even new to detailing and simply looking to add on a service to your business yet you keep looking and looking and looking...ask yourself...can I sell these services? Am I getting request now....will buying the needed equipment pay for itself and make me profit and do I have the talents or can I get the talents to do the job well...when you answer the above questions...make the jump and do something!!

Are you looking to launch a business yet your freaked out about "what if I fail? What if you don't? Business is for risk takers or at least those that desire to move away from their normal everyday shelters and take life, your future and your time into your own hands...it can be liberating but it can also be painful.

Since I was a young teenager, I have no issue at all with taking some sanding paper and dry or wet sanding a car...its art in progress for me...it's taking something troubled and making it right yet for some...just thinking about doing that common task on a car is stressful.Why?

For others, the instant gratification of seeing paint "pop" is a natural high that can not be explained but is better to experience first hand!

Detailing (at least detailing done right) is far more involved then most think, understand or give credit to...running a successful detailing business is even harder yet when detailing professionals follow key strategies...the success can we very, very rewarding.

• For me...detailing is more about lifestyle then money...
• For me...detailing is more about doing what I enjoy around cars, planes and boats...
• For me...detailing is about people...
• For me...detailing is a business on my terms...
• For me...detailing is art and a talent and gift

What Is Detailing To You?

Happy detailing,

Renny

Looking to cut your cost at this years detailing continued education training in Vegas? Make a post and leave your contact information or contact others that leave post! Make sure to leave your email and the days you will be at the event so you can try and find a good roommate and cut the cost associated with heading to SEMA!

Simply click on "Post A Comment" below!

Happy detailing all,

Renny

It's Almost SEMA Time and that means its back to school time for detailers...

Detailing School That Is!

I have had a ton of questions asked about the upcoming SEMA event and our auto detailing continued education event and I hope that this post will bring some clarity to the upcoming events!

Dates of SEMA Show: Tuesday Nov 2 - Friday Nov 5th, 2010 in Las Vegas!

Dates of The Detailing Continued Education Event: Sat Nov 6 & Sun Nov 7th, 2010 We will be posting event location details Oct. 1, 2010.

How Many Days Should I Attend The SEMA Show?: The SEMA event offers a tremendous value when it come s to educational classes so a couple of us attend the entire event. If you can make it happen, attending the entire event offers an amazing educational opportunity. For those who want a mix of SEMA and our event...come in Wed or Thursday and leave Sunday afternoon/night or Monday morning. If you are on a budget, come in Thursday night or get in as early as possible Friday so you can witness SEMA first hand and then attend the continued education event Saturday and Sunday. We will be wrapping up the Sunday event at 2pm so people can catch flights out Sunday if needed but many of us will be hanging out until early evening Sunday so stay if you can and network!

How Do I Sign Up For SEMA?: First...act now! Follow this Link and get signed up!

What Hotel Is The Group Staying at: Our group or most of the group is staying at Harrah's...Follow this link for the SEMA Hotel Special Rates

"The rates range from $80 a night to $135.00 a night with Friday and Saturday night being the most expensive nights. "

Some people are looking to roommate with others...look below to a post called SEMA Roommates and make a post and connect with others looking to save money by sharing a room at SEMA!

What Will Be Covered Within The Continued Education Two Day Event?:

Saturday:

• New Paint Compounding Systems
• New Paint Polishing Systems
• New Paint Protection products and developments
• Mastering Dry Sanding
• Introducing A New Equipment System For Advanced Paint Correction and Perfection
• Using New Technology Products Within Your Detailing
• Convertible Top Stain Removal, Cleaning & Protection
• Making Profits From Add On Services
• Stand by for more details and more information!

Sunday:

• Working Your Detailing Marketing Plan and What That Plan Needs To Include!
• Building A Mailing List That Works
• Online Marketing That Is Cheap, Fast and Super Effective When You Work It Right!
  
• Where Video can take you within your business: Why you are a fool not to use video and how easy it is to use video within your detailing business.
  
• The Dollars and Cents of Detailing From A Financial Experts Opinion.
  
• More topics to follow with a list of guest speakers! 

Who Can Attend Our Event?:

This event is reserved for our past and current students ONLY! If You Are Not Part of Our Group...We Are Sorry But This Is A Private Event For Our Team Only!

Sign Up For This Event:

We make every effort to keep te cost for attend this event low...that is why we have this event during SEMA so that we can all attend two great events but only travel once! The investment for this detailing educational event is just $80.00 per person for both days and that includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday!

Note: After Septemeber 1, 2010 the price will go to $125.00 so reserve your spot today and save!

Not that I am a fan...but a decade of production latter and the PT Cruiser is doen...I have only detailed a few over the years but the PT did give way to a new way of retro thinking for US auto builders:

A decade ago, the PT Cruiser roared onto the road with trendsetting looks and Al Capone swagger. In a sea of bland Honda Civics and Toyota Camrys, it was a retro hit. Chrysler could barely keep up with demand. 

A week ago, the last Cruiser rolled off the assembly line in Mexico, finally killed off after years of declining popularity. Chrysler sold just 18,000 last year, compared with nearly 145,000 in 2001.

What happened in between is symbolic of the larger problems that helped drive Chrysler into bankruptcy -- and a cautionary tale for its new owners, who are planning to release a similarly stylish car later this year.

Love it or hate it, the Cruiser was a head-turner. With flared fenders, a sloping hood and tall doors, the Cruiser was a cross between an old-time milk truck and luxurious sedans of the 1930s. Its looks were different from anything on the road.

It spawned imitators like the retro Chevrolet HHR, and appreciation for the historical American design embodied by cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

"I remember the first time I saw one at an auto show. It was jaw-dropping," said John McEleney, an Iowa car dealer who sold Chryslers at the time.

The Cruiser was a demographic-buster: It appealed to everyone from retirees to customizers and young people looking for something spacious and inexpensive, said Aaron Bragman, an analyst with IHS Automotive who owned a turbocharged PT Cruiser GT.

Chrysler failed to invest in the car or think of ways to expand its appeal beyond new paint colors or a convertible top. Although fans clamored for two-door and panel van versions, Chrysler never made a significant update.

"If Chrysler had invested money in a major restyling, there could have been a positive payback on that," McEleney said.

While the Cruiser was waning, Chrysler was starved for resources. After a nine-year partnership with Daimler AG, the company was sold in 2007 to private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, which led it into bankruptcy last summer.

Chrysler has about 5,700 PT Cruisers left for sale and has been selling about 1,000 per month.

Read the story here at this link

Let's look at freedom...not like the freedom of a nation but the freedom you have within your life and business...the freedom Detailing Should Be Offering!

• The freedom of Time - Do you have the freedom to take control of your private time? I have a busy life style and like to play...as do my kids and as does my wife...our business works for us...not us for our business. Do you own your time or does your business or boss own it?Take ownership of your time as our time is all to valuable and a commodity we can never regain once spent!

• The freedom of passion - Are your enjoying your work? Do you have a passion for what you are doing...do you get satisfaction from your efforts. Life is short adn we are hear for a short time and I remember the days when I just was not happy doing what I was doing and that is a pure waste of our time. I love cars...I love aircraft and I love making people happy. When you are happy in what you do...most people have peace in life that is unbeatable.
  

•  The freedom of building your dream and  your future -If I could do anything in the world...would I still be doing the detail gig? That depends on the lottery amount I won...if it's a huge total...I have trained several fine detailers over the years and a couple would be busy with my fleet...but until that winning lotto number pop's up...I love what I do and my life is living proof of that fact...what does your life say to you? Are you living your dream? Are you building your detailing business with your dream in mind or is your business ruling your dream like a corrupt king overruling his empire?

• The freedom of restrictions - Are you in charge of your financial future? Do you have the power to increase your earnings? Do have a plan that will allow you to reach your financial goals while doing something you love? I could make more money in the private sector for sure but I would also be at the mercy of demanding CEO's or financial planners...I have taken on my own efforts and shoulder the failures and successes...I make my own decisions and live by those decisions. I control my today and my tomorrow...do you?

• The freedom of happiness - I like having freedom's and for me, detailing has not been the "perfect" business...nor has it made me a rich man...but it has given me the opportunity to build my life on my set of terms and enjoy my family with an asset that is worth more then gold to me...my time.

Happy detailing all,

Renny

Hi all, many of you may be using our DB Polishing Pads and I have been asked about color vs. cut...so here you go!

• Yellow- Heavy Cut and Correction
• Orange - Moderate Cut and Perfect For Rought Single Steps
• White - Heavy Polishing
• Green - Moderate Polishing
• Blue - Light Polishing
• Black - Finishing/Sealer Application

What Do All of The Companies Below Have In Common?

All of the above company's are in trouble, are being sold due to that trouble or right out failing to make it. Listen, the business world sucks for many people right now and while some are not growing....if you are paying the bills and making it on your own terms...be thankful! Detailing might be glorious but for many I know, detailing is paying the bills!

Happy Detailing All,

Renny

Read the entire story here

Royal Touch Auto Spa Is Building Their Website Here At This Link

So you go out, pay for good insurance and go to work thinking "I am covered when I detail" But are you?

Insurance agents or brokers are like us...they need to make a sale before the bucks can be taken home to pay for the house and food...so they work with you on getting what "they think" you need.

Then...you are performing headlight restoration on a car and something goes wrong. You turn to your agent and a couple days latter, your customer with the issue calls screaming...
"Your insurance agent is saying you are not covered because you were working outside of the scope of normal detailing". 

Now what do you do?

To keep your tail out of that situation (or at least keep the liability on your agent/broker) you should be providing your agent/broker with a "scope of work" document that openly discusses the services you provide.  See the sample below! This simply makes sure you and your agent are on the same page!

Here is a sample of a "Detailing business Insurance Scope of Work" document at this link

Happy detailing all,

Renny