Table of Contents
Foreword 13
Introduction 15
Chapter 1 Finding First Gear 17
Making the Scene 18
Learn From a Pro 19
Let's Hit The Road 22
Checking Out The Competition 24
Show Me The Money 26
Chapter 2 Gentlemen (Ahem, and Ladies), Start Your Engines! 29
What's Your Angle? 29
The full service me 29
The express me 31
The mobile me 32
The creative me 33
The specialized me 33
Fair Pay 35
Who's Answering the Phone? 36
Chapter 3 Creating a "Front-View Mirror" 39
Use Market Research 39
See The People 41
Study Others 42
Create a Marketing Plan 43
Envision Your Future 43
Define Your Intent 44
Chapter 4 When the Rubber Meets The Road 47
Sole Proprietorship 47
Partnership 48
Corporation 49
Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) 51
Claim Your Name 51
Loose Ends 53
Hiring Business Advisers 54
Insurance 56
Chapter 5 Finding Your Own Road Map 59
Tackling The Business Plan 60
Cover sheet 60
Executive summary 60
Business description 61
Market strategies 61
Analyze the competition 61
Operational and management plan 62
Financial data 62
Additional info 62
Call For Help 63
Chapter 6 Make Sure Your Lights Are On 65
Exterior 66
Interior 66
Other Basic Tools and Supplies 67
Detailing Products 68
Downsizing Your Detail 70
Suiting Up 72
Feeling The Part 73
Processing Payments 74
Chapter 7 A Successful Road Trip 75
The Meet & Greet 76
The Nitty Gritty 77
Interior detail: the procedure 77
Exterior detail: the procedure 80
Trunk detail: the procedure 81
The paint detail: the procedure 82
Finishing touches: the-procedure 82
Chapter 8 Knowing When to Put Up the Top 85
Finding The Right Space 86
Everything You Need to Know About 88
The lease 88
The location 89
The Facility 90
The public area 91
The retail space 91
The signage 92
Finding a mentor 92
Chapter 9 Choosing Your Pit Crew 95
Find qualified people 96
Map out your employee search 97
Be choosy 98
Interview people 98
Cover your bases 100
Consider independence 100
Understanding Uncle Sam 101
Benefits to Benefits? 102
Safety First 103
Chapter 10 Getting a Noticeable Paint Job 105
Buying Visibility 106
Brochures 106
Postcards 109
Fliers 110
Discount coupons 110
Door tags 111
Online 111
Website 112
Sponsorship 114
Trinkets and trash 115
Business cards 115
Chapter 11 Getting People to Notice Your Sweet Ride 117
Newsletters 117
Email Communication 119
News Releases 120
Networking 121
Public Speaking 122
Fundraisers 123
Viral Promotion 123
Facebook 124
Twitter 124
Instagram 125
Blogs 125
Grand Opening Celebration 126
Chapter 12 Paying Your Gas Bill 129
Mortgage & Rent 130
Utilities 130
Employees 131
Taxes 132
Owner Salary 132
Benefits 133
Monthly Service Charges 133
Transportation 135
Supplies 135
Financing the Dream 136
Friends & Family 136
Investors 137
Financial institutions 138
Home equity loans & lines of credit 138
Small Business Administration (SBA) 138
Other options 139
Chapter 13 Don't Run Over the Flowers 141
Protecting Mother Nature 142
Green products 142
Eco-friendly equipment 143
Waste reclamation and disposal equipment 143
Self-empowerment leads to success 145
Conclusion 147
Afterword 149
Appendix: The Sample Business Plan 151
Back Cover 151
Executive Summary 152
Objectives 154
Mission 155
Keys to Success 156
Statement of Purpose 156
Company Summary 156
Company Ownership 157
Company Location and Facility 158
Legal Form of Business 158
Services 158
Market Analysis Summary 161
Market Segmentation 162
Market Analysis 163
Target Market Segment Strategy 164
Service Business Analysis 165
Competition and Buying Patterns 166
Strategy and Implementation Summary 167
Competitive Edge 167
Back Cover 168
Bibliography 169
Glossary 171
Index 177
About the Author 181
