Taking a hobby to new levels

[miata13B]

Ok, I was thinking about this for about 2 weeks now. . . One of my hobbies is detailing cars. I spent about 3 hours on last saturday and yesterday detailing Kristen's car. . . I was wondering now how many people have taken their "hobbies" and elevated them to the next evolution, be it a business, or a job, or some other evolution that brings a hobby to the next level???

The reason for me going into this is for the fact that I feel I could get enough clients in my local area that I could quit my day job and work for myself outside of the house. . . Does this sound like a ludicrious idea or is it possible? What types of advertising should I use? Those that have taken their hobbies to this level, any words of the wise about it would be appreciated : )

 

[Boost Lee]

A friend of mine started an automotive detail business a little over 2 years ago. He now has 8 employees, and works with some of the top dealerships in this city.

He reminds me of a ferret and is always looking to rip people off.

 

[miata13B]

is he jewish??? and how did he start off btw?

 

[Boost Lee]

Jewish? Possibly..

I'm not sure how he started in the detailing aspect of cars, he told me but I don't remember. He is a certified Honda mechanic and a diehard DSM nut, so I've always known him to be a mechanic and not a detailer type of person.

Anyway I didn't talk to him for a few months and I stopped by his work one day (Advanced Auto) to see what was up and he asked me if I wanted a job. Long story short, a month later things were up and running. He is a very versatile and sneaky person, the kind of person that could swindle money from potential investors.. *Hint - Hint

 

[miata13B]

Interesting. . . Not exactly the road map I was laying out for myself, but does bring a new aspect to my plan. . . I started off by talking to everyone in the neighborhood while I am washing and started to drop hints over detailing. . .

 

[Duke]

Originally posted by miata13B
is he jewish???

May I ask why this is relevant?

Anyway, detailing can be a good business if you are good at it. The thing to do is get hooked up with a few dealers - particularly ones with large used lots - who will feed you a steady stream of work. The margin may be smaller but the volume is there.

If you've ever done any body work, a great additional service is the ability to remove small dents and do spot panel painting.

One thing to remember is the weather - access to cheap or free garage space is important if you want to work year round.

 

[miata13B]

Originally posted by neon_duke
May I ask why this is relevant?

Because I am jewish and it is just a trait that I notice in people of my own religon. . . I am unsure if you hold that as relevant, but I was curious. . .

Anyway, detailing can be a good business if you are good at it. The thing to do is get hooked up with a few dealers - particularly ones with large used lots - who will feed you a steady stream of work. The margin may be smaller but the volume is there.

You nailed my aim right on the head there. . . Unfortunately I am going to be starting locally in my community and expanding that way. . .

If you've ever done any body work, a great additional service is the ability to remove small dents and do spot panel painting.

I do not have any dent removing exp. but I do have paint exp. I have Kristen's car right now needing the removal of two dents so a buddy of mine who owns a body shop is going to teach me how to remove the dents. This will be a longer process to learn fully and understand the removal of dents with no other damage so I am willing to learn. . .

One thing to remember is the weather - access to cheap or free garage space is important if you want to work year round.

So true. . . I don't know if you ever lived in Florida during the summer time which is about 10 months of the year, but you need the shade to detail a car properly down here. . . Like I said, I am starting out of the house on weekends and slowly building up clients and see where it goes from there. It is beautiful because it is stress free compared to my 9-5. Thanks for the tid bits Neon, More things I am going to look into now : )

 

[HIGH ON LIFE]

Well my sisters hobby is making purses and jewlry and she gets local stores to sell it for a certain percent and what not... she just started selling it so I dont know how good shes doing yet.

 

[LoudMusic]

I like to fix computers. Some how I got suckered into being a System Administrator for a large advertising firm. SUMINABETCH!

 

[miata13B]

Originally posted by LoudMusic
I like to fix computers. Some how I got suckered into being a System Administrator for a large advertising firm. SUMINABETCH!

hey you know anything on VB scripting and SQL server btw??? I need to learn that stuff ASAP. . . I got all the SQL resources I need, but needing to get VB stuff. . .

 

[s13drifting]

i soon will my hobbies are modifieing cars once i get my bisiness degree when im in collage i will be taking out a governmental loan and start a auto shop where i will specialize in jdm and show cars if requested by customer, dont get me wrong i dont like ricers but if someone is willing to pay me money so i can make there car ugly and slow , what ever ching ching just dont put my companies sticker on your car.