From Sushi Chef to Suds King: My Wild Ride
Being a startup founder is tough. You're juggling everything with barely any money. But honestly? I love it. It's super fulfilling. Let me give you some backstory.
At 16, I scored a great job as a sushi chef in Salt Lake City. School wasn't my strong suit, mainly due to ADHD, but the fast-paced kitchen environment was perfect for me. With some guidance from doctors and therapists, I learned to adapt and succeed, eventually becoming the executive chef at a high-end restaurant in Park City. However, I aspired for something greater. I met a fantastic friend and mentor, and we immediately connected. Both eager to achieve more, we decided to start our own business after finding an innovative concept online.
We jumped into our first business, Woodrow, with absolutely no experience. Luckily, having a partner meant we could split the work and still keep our day jobs, pouring all our free time into the business. We were seriously dedicated, probably putting in 80+ hours a week each, lots of late nights and tons of brainstorming to figure things out.
Our first business unfortunately failed, but I'm grateful for my exceptional business partner and the entire experience. This setback motivated us to pursue new ventures individually. My partner successfully entered real estate, while I launched a Turo car rental business, similar to Airbnb. Applying the lessons learned from my previous mistakes, my Turo business began to flourish. Entrepreneurship is challenging, and failures are inevitable. However, these hardships and errors provide invaluable learning experiences.
Driven by a long-term goal of self-employment and escaping the limitations of a W-2 job, I, despite being a six-figure executive chef at a fine dining restaurant, sought more than just financial security. My role, while lucrative, lacked the intellectual stimulation and skill development I desired. Leveraging my salary, I strategically invested in my Turo business, rapidly expanding my fleet to three vehicles. Recognizing the significant potential of this venture, I made the decision to leave my established culinary career and fully commit to entrepreneurship.
Having gained experience in all aspects of business except car cleaning, I decided to learn the process firsthand to ensure efficiency before hiring someone. Recognizing another business opportunity, I launched CMS Auto Detailing.
The detailing business, though labor-intensive and highly competitive, is something I'm passionate about. However, I'm realizing that exceptional detailing work alone doesn't guarantee success. My past experiences taught me the necessity of leads and sales techniques in any service-based business. The challenge lies in implementing these strategies while being physically occupied with the work itself, such as extensive car vacuuming.
Beyond detailing skills, success in this business requires expertise in lead generation, SEO, marketing, budgeting, and time management. As the business grows, management and hiring skills become essential, which is a particularly exciting aspect. While hands-on cleaning and my passion for cars (stemming from a childhood around my dad's classics) are enjoyable and suit my ADHD, the flexibility to manage leads, handle customer service and finances, and also interact with customers to build trust and a loyal base is key. This holistic approach to the business is what drives me.
While detailing requires skill, success also hinges on marketing and customer relationships. Without these, even the most talented detailers will struggle to attract high-paying clients and sustain their business. For solo operators, balancing fieldwork with marketing and branding is crucial for growth. The ability to shift between hands-on work and business development is a significant motivator. Supporting aspiring detailers is important, as the industry offers valuable entrepreneurial lessons. Challenges are inevitable, but adaptation and learning from mistakes are key to long-term success. Viewing other detailers not as competition but as contributors to the economy is a positive perspective.