a dream come true.... new business in the auto sector!!
Discussion
Guys im so so so excited and scared!! lol!!
After over a decade in the health care sector i decided id had enough of being under funded and dealing with constant crap from having over 700 staff, the business was massive, we literally work day and night. I will always be grateful for the last half of my life which has been very fortunate and thank god and my family for the chances i have received especially where i grew up the future seemed bleak.... Now 32 and a lone parent to a 6 year old with ADHD, i need flexibility so will always have to work for myself my likely and i hope my new venture will allow me and my son to spend abit more time together eventually....
Anyway my dad was a tech at dennis welch racing , then later became a master tech at ford, he taught me everything he knew, from a young boy ive loved all things motor car, and towards the last part of my life have been able to own some truely drool worthy machinery.
Behind the scenes ive been training with the very best to install vinyl wraps , PPF and gaining an actual qualification in detailing, im still learning every day, working hard to literally perfect the craft, but my eye for perfection and OCD attention to detail seems to really suit vinyl wrapping / PPF / Detailing.....
After a conversation with a local ford and audi dealer ive already managed to secure a deal where ill be roof wrapping the cars that are sticking around to help them be more attractive to customers.
So i THINK ive secured a unit where ill be working on a day to day basis near star city in birmingham literally 5 mins from the m6 , and im super excited to be able to run little cars and coffee events from the shop ,maybe, ill have a ramp so will let people use the ramp on those events, im just excited to be heading into the sector, im pretty certain ill never be rich, but if i can make a decent living , and do something where im working with a true passion of mine, thats OK for me!! i use the absolute best tools and best materials and i wont be knocking these out ten to the dozen but taking my time, offering the best i can do, of course as time goes on i will get better and quicker, and i will always be trying to perfect this craft i know i have a LONG way to go, i guess i will always learn.
The social media side is now up and running, not much going on at the moment but ive put some basic posts up im totally new to social media bar insta so im slow but getting much better , the unit has been a nightmare to sort, nothing short of a nightmare to signed up on and literally the costs for them is massive, i then came across a council unit and we agreed a price then at the last minute they said they dont want any car maintenance being done from the unit , we then had weeks of back and forth as to what is car repairs Vs what im doing.... bloody PAINFUL. Finally managed to secure the unit after they changed their mind, i SHOULD have the keys within a few weeks, once the unit is renovated ill be getting out to the dealers to offer wrapping, PPF, detailing work , ford/audi first cars should be hitting July/august time!!! Ive now passed my wrap and PPF certification and really am able to offer some quality work now, if alittle slow, im sure ill get faster as time goes on!! The detailing qual is next and whatever needs to be done for me to pass and gain A********* lol ill be doing it, once again im going for actual qualifications as i feel this offers credibility. im also going to book into KDS and do their wet sanding course, my back room in the house is FULL of equipment, wifey getting annoyed now, hahahaha i love getting all the deliveries and playing with the new stuff( The car dryer blower was particularly fun to mess around with ) ! Im now waiting for some work uniforms to arrive as im going for full professionalism from the off, not me in my tracksuit, that image and professionalism is very important to me, its going to take me time to build the rep i want. Would LOVE to see some of you guys pop in for a cuppa in the future, you are always welcome!!
im currently attending the free google business drive to get abit better with the social media side and building my own website which is looking really good actually, so once that completed ill release the beta and get you guys to run through some ideas with me if anyone can spare the time, the Website landing page is
EDIT ; i will also be offering some graphic work for commercial and full print wraps e.g think british gas, DPD for ideas on what these look like, im in discussion with a designer in Germany who makes some of the most incredible livery and designs and does all the weathered looking porsche and vw wrap designs they look insane.
PPF will also be offered for bike and byclcyes and their will be a dedicated section on the website to this, this stuff has literally kept my stump jumper looking brand new despite living a very hard life on the trails.
If ANYONE has advice for moving forward into the automotive sector, please feel free to give it, but politely, no negativity , if possible lets keep it positive.
After over a decade in the health care sector i decided id had enough of being under funded and dealing with constant crap from having over 700 staff, the business was massive, we literally work day and night. I will always be grateful for the last half of my life which has been very fortunate and thank god and my family for the chances i have received especially where i grew up the future seemed bleak.... Now 32 and a lone parent to a 6 year old with ADHD, i need flexibility so will always have to work for myself my likely and i hope my new venture will allow me and my son to spend abit more time together eventually....
Anyway my dad was a tech at dennis welch racing , then later became a master tech at ford, he taught me everything he knew, from a young boy ive loved all things motor car, and towards the last part of my life have been able to own some truely drool worthy machinery.
Behind the scenes ive been training with the very best to install vinyl wraps , PPF and gaining an actual qualification in detailing, im still learning every day, working hard to literally perfect the craft, but my eye for perfection and OCD attention to detail seems to really suit vinyl wrapping / PPF / Detailing.....
After a conversation with a local ford and audi dealer ive already managed to secure a deal where ill be roof wrapping the cars that are sticking around to help them be more attractive to customers.
So i THINK ive secured a unit where ill be working on a day to day basis near star city in birmingham literally 5 mins from the m6 , and im super excited to be able to run little cars and coffee events from the shop ,maybe, ill have a ramp so will let people use the ramp on those events, im just excited to be heading into the sector, im pretty certain ill never be rich, but if i can make a decent living , and do something where im working with a true passion of mine, thats OK for me!! i use the absolute best tools and best materials and i wont be knocking these out ten to the dozen but taking my time, offering the best i can do, of course as time goes on i will get better and quicker, and i will always be trying to perfect this craft i know i have a LONG way to go, i guess i will always learn.
The social media side is now up and running, not much going on at the moment but ive put some basic posts up im totally new to social media bar insta so im slow but getting much better , the unit has been a nightmare to sort, nothing short of a nightmare to signed up on and literally the costs for them is massive, i then came across a council unit and we agreed a price then at the last minute they said they dont want any car maintenance being done from the unit , we then had weeks of back and forth as to what is car repairs Vs what im doing.... bloody PAINFUL. Finally managed to secure the unit after they changed their mind, i SHOULD have the keys within a few weeks, once the unit is renovated ill be getting out to the dealers to offer wrapping, PPF, detailing work , ford/audi first cars should be hitting July/august time!!! Ive now passed my wrap and PPF certification and really am able to offer some quality work now, if alittle slow, im sure ill get faster as time goes on!! The detailing qual is next and whatever needs to be done for me to pass and gain A********* lol ill be doing it, once again im going for actual qualifications as i feel this offers credibility. im also going to book into KDS and do their wet sanding course, my back room in the house is FULL of equipment, wifey getting annoyed now, hahahaha i love getting all the deliveries and playing with the new stuff( The car dryer blower was particularly fun to mess around with ) ! Im now waiting for some work uniforms to arrive as im going for full professionalism from the off, not me in my tracksuit, that image and professionalism is very important to me, its going to take me time to build the rep i want. Would LOVE to see some of you guys pop in for a cuppa in the future, you are always welcome!!
im currently attending the free google business drive to get abit better with the social media side and building my own website which is looking really good actually, so once that completed ill release the beta and get you guys to run through some ideas with me if anyone can spare the time, the Website landing page is
- ****** my facebook is ********** ltd all the social media links are on my landing site so please be sure to add me and keep an eye on developments share my links and help me grow my network that would be an awesome start, cant say when official launch will be but im hoping the shop will be fully up and running by june, mid june, but every single deadline i set seems to move by 2-3 weeks easily.... so ive stopped making promises.
EDIT ; i will also be offering some graphic work for commercial and full print wraps e.g think british gas, DPD for ideas on what these look like, im in discussion with a designer in Germany who makes some of the most incredible livery and designs and does all the weathered looking porsche and vw wrap designs they look insane.
PPF will also be offered for bike and byclcyes and their will be a dedicated section on the website to this, this stuff has literally kept my stump jumper looking brand new despite living a very hard life on the trails.
If ANYONE has advice for moving forward into the automotive sector, please feel free to give it, but politely, no negativity , if possible lets keep it positive.
Edited by Beedub on Thursday 3rd May 22:25
Edited by Beedub on Thursday 3rd May 22:27
Edited by Beedub on Thursday 3rd May 22:32
While it's becoming almost a meme in the Youtubers thread, people getting their cars wrapped does seem to be very much A Thing in the arena of car-vlogging, so maybe working with people doing that could be productive for you in terms of getting exposure.
But don't fall into the trap of "if you do my car for free, I have a squillion viewers who will all want to buy your services" unless that matches your own assessment of the situation.
But don't fall into the trap of "if you do my car for free, I have a squillion viewers who will all want to buy your services" unless that matches your own assessment of the situation.
Good luck with this, you sound really passionate about it.
An observation, if I may. If you're going for the quality and class market, then the business name ending in Z is, IMO, in conflict with that. The use of the Z is a bit too "dahn on the street, bruv" for me. It'd put me off. The website looks quite nice, change the Z to an S and go high-end. If it's not too late that is!
Meant as constructive feedback, not criticism.
An observation, if I may. If you're going for the quality and class market, then the business name ending in Z is, IMO, in conflict with that. The use of the Z is a bit too "dahn on the street, bruv" for me. It'd put me off. The website looks quite nice, change the Z to an S and go high-end. If it's not too late that is!
Meant as constructive feedback, not criticism.
CAPP0 said:
Good luck with this, you sound really passionate about it.
An observation, if I may. If you're going for the quality and class market, then the business name ending in Z is, IMO, in conflict with that. The use of the Z is a bit too "dahn on the street, bruv" for me. It'd put me off. The website looks quite nice, change the Z to an S and go high-end. If it's not too late that is!
Meant as constructive feedback, not criticism.
Yeah I agree, it should be something "Automotive" along those linesAn observation, if I may. If you're going for the quality and class market, then the business name ending in Z is, IMO, in conflict with that. The use of the Z is a bit too "dahn on the street, bruv" for me. It'd put me off. The website looks quite nice, change the Z to an S and go high-end. If it's not too late that is!
Meant as constructive feedback, not criticism.
Exciting times ahead OP and it will be a real buzz for you everyday you wake up.
It’s a tadge late for a business plan since you have already started to set it up but can I ask if you have a cash flow forecast? There are others more qualified than me in here who could explain its importance in a better way than I could. It really is an important part of your business as many small companies used to go under by not having one. Apologies if it’s all in place.
It’s a tadge late for a business plan since you have already started to set it up but can I ask if you have a cash flow forecast? There are others more qualified than me in here who could explain its importance in a better way than I could. It really is an important part of your business as many small companies used to go under by not having one. Apologies if it’s all in place.
What about vinyl wrapping some obscure object, or perhaps a scuzzy alloy, making it look fresh again so you end up with something unusual in your social media feed?
As in, 'if we can make this look good, imagine what we can do to your car/roof/splitter' etc etc.
Maybe you could engage with followers by getting them to ask you to suggest an object to wrap as a challenge.
And further, it wouldn't be difficult for your designer guy to grab every automotive erformance-upgrade parts logos he can (if that makes sense), make a layout with them, print onto the vinyl and then you could wrap items for people as gifts/souvenirs or something.
Tablet/phone cases etc, laptop covers etc, maybe even garage toolcases/cabinets etc. Perhaps offer display panels for sale that people could hang up in their garages etc.
Sounds like there could be other revenue coming from these sidelines - people love to have something original.
Incidentally, have you ever experimented with printing different colours/shades on metallic vinyl wrap?
As in, 'if we can make this look good, imagine what we can do to your car/roof/splitter' etc etc.
Maybe you could engage with followers by getting them to ask you to suggest an object to wrap as a challenge.
And further, it wouldn't be difficult for your designer guy to grab every automotive erformance-upgrade parts logos he can (if that makes sense), make a layout with them, print onto the vinyl and then you could wrap items for people as gifts/souvenirs or something.
Tablet/phone cases etc, laptop covers etc, maybe even garage toolcases/cabinets etc. Perhaps offer display panels for sale that people could hang up in their garages etc.
Sounds like there could be other revenue coming from these sidelines - people love to have something original.
Incidentally, have you ever experimented with printing different colours/shades on metallic vinyl wrap?
Best of luck, can’t really comment on the business itself but totally respect the flexibility required to help care for a child with special needs.
My 7 year old is Autistic with lots of sensory issues, my wife and I run our own business and I finish at school time a few days a week to take her to therapy sessions and we have both just completed a 8 week parenting course. Both of these would’ve been very difficult in my old corporate job
My 7 year old is Autistic with lots of sensory issues, my wife and I run our own business and I finish at school time a few days a week to take her to therapy sessions and we have both just completed a 8 week parenting course. Both of these would’ve been very difficult in my old corporate job
Hi Beedub,
Congrats on your new venture, I've been in the industry for 15 years now so thought I'd drop a comment. Please only read any of what I write as friendly advice, after making more mistakes than you can imagine hopefully 1 or 2 can help you :-)
Firstly, it's not that common to start your own business in an area where you have zero experience, most people would master there profession, become respected for it and then set up with an already loyal following. I always find for things like this it's best to think if it were a friend of yours doing similar and what advice you would offer, often we're more honest with those we care about rather than ourselves.
If we take a hairdresser for example, surprisingly similar trade in a few ways, you wouldn't expect a hairdresser to set up a shop fresh from college so think about that and try make decisions baring that in mind. (also you probably wouldn't want to be a customer of said hairdresser for a good 12 - 24 months)
If there is anyway what so ever you can gain experience before you go alone then I would do this.
Experience is everything with the trades your going to offer. For example, one of my vehicle wrappers, did the Hexis wrap course around 2 years ago after fitting normal graphics for around 6 months so had a small amount of experience. He's now wrapped around 80 vehicles with me and other team members, and only now is he getting to the stage where he could do a wrap on his own and lead the project.
No matter how naturally talented you are at it and how good the tutor (James who teaches for Hexis is excellent along with the whole team there), you can't beat time and experience, it is going to take around 2 years to get good and there is no cheating this.
Next you are thinking of offering Detailing, wrapping and PPF, none of which are the same skill set, so not only are you going to have to deal with the stress of a new business (designing logos and buying new equipment is amazing, but in the next few months you are going to be under pressure and stress you can't imagine, but I'm not saying that as a negative, actually a huge positive as if you get through it you will become a much better person for it), to go back to my point though, learning 1 of these skills takes so long and is so hard, scrap all except the 1 your most passionate about, become amazing at it, be loved for it, and then naturally learn another skill when the time is right after analysing your customer demands. No one wants to be a Jack of all trades, master of none - this is one mistake I learnt the hard and expensive way.
Next, step well away from any car dealership, this will do more damage than good, I see this all the time. Dealer work needs to be pretty perfect, fairly cheap and there will be 10 companies trying to get work from the dealer, all 10 are going to have more experience than you and therefore do a better job.
Learn your art, then in about 2 years time, bombard your dealers with the amazing service you can offer. Most dealers are not the highlight you may think of, there fussy, want everything cheap and need it done yesterday, I cut 20 of them around 4 years ago and just kept my best ones who I have the best relationships with as they were doing more harm than good to my businesses and mental state. Lol.
Study your competitors closely, what can you improve on? Don't include offering a lower cost in this, to long to explain why but just don't, it won't be accurate. How much work do they all have?
You need people with problems (a service they require) and you need to solve that problem better than anyone else can. Then people will happily part with £ and your business will flourish. If you can't offer something better than they can get now, really consider why people will use you.
Be realistic on your talents and skills. You sound positive and enthusiastic which is why I've spent my time writing this as these attributes will give you a good shot at success, but your going to have to beg borrow and scavenge through 2 years until your as good as you need to be. If your a nice guy people will be patient with you but remember they will still love there cars more.
In brief- Detailing- easiest to learn and cheapest to set up, loads of competition due to this!
Wrapping - you can get ok fairly quick, think 75% there in 6 months, but the next 20 - 25% will take couple of years probably longer, you won't succeed being 75% good though. Low profits in wrapping, vinyl expensive and takes a long time to do, but everyone will think opposite due to yianamize success :-)
PPF - hard to learn, very hard! Every car you get from customer will need to be 99% great and you don't have a chance at that (Sorry but no point not being honest) Lots of people got into it lately. Good profits though but where you could do an ok roof Wrap and get a way with it, an 'ok' ppf install will get you slated on every forum going. People willing to part with £1200 to protect there car want and deserve the best job.
Sign writing - main skill involved in this is the computer and design side. Alot of people want wraps but you could just design for what your skills are capable of fitting. Lots of guys doing this with lots of experience so look at what you can offer different. Forget outsourcing to Germany, you will never make money, we're an hour away and could do anything you wanted outsourcing, why make it difficult for yourself. Lots of others could also do this so please don't read that as an advert. Also forget your fleets like dpd etc., that's a whole different industry, alot of that is done on relationships and they take a long time to form! Plus lots of vehicles need doing very quickly, not a job for 1 or even 2 guys.
My story in brief - tinted windows badly for 2 years :-( got ok.
After 5 years got great :-)
Now thought I could do everything, tried lots, including smart repair, detailing etc. Learnt I was a fool and to stick with what I know and makes me the money.
After 8 years did a wrap course so I could wrap my own car. (Wrapping easy if you can tint, although tinting still hard if you can wrap!?) Was ok for 2 years, but then became really good.
Got asked to do sign writing for years, always said no as was to busy tinting, but eventually gave in and started growing a team to work with me.
Learnt PPF, was hard but tinting and wrapping skills did help. Already had large customer base who know and trust me to do an amazing job, PPF wouldn't of worked from the start as I never had this.
Now my tinter's tint, my wrappers wrap etc. This is how they master there art!
So there is my 2p's worth, sorry for the book, but all meant with the greatest respect and good luck to you. I'm not a million miles away (Telford), Google Autoshine and Tinting as well as Fleet Design and all will become clear.
Feel free to get in touch and I will be happy to help you where I can, like I say I've made more mistakes than this thread could handle but that's why I'm where I am now so your welcome to come over for a coffee and hear about some of them.
Kindest regards,
Duncan
Congrats on your new venture, I've been in the industry for 15 years now so thought I'd drop a comment. Please only read any of what I write as friendly advice, after making more mistakes than you can imagine hopefully 1 or 2 can help you :-)
Firstly, it's not that common to start your own business in an area where you have zero experience, most people would master there profession, become respected for it and then set up with an already loyal following. I always find for things like this it's best to think if it were a friend of yours doing similar and what advice you would offer, often we're more honest with those we care about rather than ourselves.
If we take a hairdresser for example, surprisingly similar trade in a few ways, you wouldn't expect a hairdresser to set up a shop fresh from college so think about that and try make decisions baring that in mind. (also you probably wouldn't want to be a customer of said hairdresser for a good 12 - 24 months)
If there is anyway what so ever you can gain experience before you go alone then I would do this.
Experience is everything with the trades your going to offer. For example, one of my vehicle wrappers, did the Hexis wrap course around 2 years ago after fitting normal graphics for around 6 months so had a small amount of experience. He's now wrapped around 80 vehicles with me and other team members, and only now is he getting to the stage where he could do a wrap on his own and lead the project.
No matter how naturally talented you are at it and how good the tutor (James who teaches for Hexis is excellent along with the whole team there), you can't beat time and experience, it is going to take around 2 years to get good and there is no cheating this.
Next you are thinking of offering Detailing, wrapping and PPF, none of which are the same skill set, so not only are you going to have to deal with the stress of a new business (designing logos and buying new equipment is amazing, but in the next few months you are going to be under pressure and stress you can't imagine, but I'm not saying that as a negative, actually a huge positive as if you get through it you will become a much better person for it), to go back to my point though, learning 1 of these skills takes so long and is so hard, scrap all except the 1 your most passionate about, become amazing at it, be loved for it, and then naturally learn another skill when the time is right after analysing your customer demands. No one wants to be a Jack of all trades, master of none - this is one mistake I learnt the hard and expensive way.
Next, step well away from any car dealership, this will do more damage than good, I see this all the time. Dealer work needs to be pretty perfect, fairly cheap and there will be 10 companies trying to get work from the dealer, all 10 are going to have more experience than you and therefore do a better job.
Learn your art, then in about 2 years time, bombard your dealers with the amazing service you can offer. Most dealers are not the highlight you may think of, there fussy, want everything cheap and need it done yesterday, I cut 20 of them around 4 years ago and just kept my best ones who I have the best relationships with as they were doing more harm than good to my businesses and mental state. Lol.
Study your competitors closely, what can you improve on? Don't include offering a lower cost in this, to long to explain why but just don't, it won't be accurate. How much work do they all have?
You need people with problems (a service they require) and you need to solve that problem better than anyone else can. Then people will happily part with £ and your business will flourish. If you can't offer something better than they can get now, really consider why people will use you.
Be realistic on your talents and skills. You sound positive and enthusiastic which is why I've spent my time writing this as these attributes will give you a good shot at success, but your going to have to beg borrow and scavenge through 2 years until your as good as you need to be. If your a nice guy people will be patient with you but remember they will still love there cars more.
In brief- Detailing- easiest to learn and cheapest to set up, loads of competition due to this!
Wrapping - you can get ok fairly quick, think 75% there in 6 months, but the next 20 - 25% will take couple of years probably longer, you won't succeed being 75% good though. Low profits in wrapping, vinyl expensive and takes a long time to do, but everyone will think opposite due to yianamize success :-)
PPF - hard to learn, very hard! Every car you get from customer will need to be 99% great and you don't have a chance at that (Sorry but no point not being honest) Lots of people got into it lately. Good profits though but where you could do an ok roof Wrap and get a way with it, an 'ok' ppf install will get you slated on every forum going. People willing to part with £1200 to protect there car want and deserve the best job.
Sign writing - main skill involved in this is the computer and design side. Alot of people want wraps but you could just design for what your skills are capable of fitting. Lots of guys doing this with lots of experience so look at what you can offer different. Forget outsourcing to Germany, you will never make money, we're an hour away and could do anything you wanted outsourcing, why make it difficult for yourself. Lots of others could also do this so please don't read that as an advert. Also forget your fleets like dpd etc., that's a whole different industry, alot of that is done on relationships and they take a long time to form! Plus lots of vehicles need doing very quickly, not a job for 1 or even 2 guys.
My story in brief - tinted windows badly for 2 years :-( got ok.
After 5 years got great :-)
Now thought I could do everything, tried lots, including smart repair, detailing etc. Learnt I was a fool and to stick with what I know and makes me the money.
After 8 years did a wrap course so I could wrap my own car. (Wrapping easy if you can tint, although tinting still hard if you can wrap!?) Was ok for 2 years, but then became really good.
Got asked to do sign writing for years, always said no as was to busy tinting, but eventually gave in and started growing a team to work with me.
Learnt PPF, was hard but tinting and wrapping skills did help. Already had large customer base who know and trust me to do an amazing job, PPF wouldn't of worked from the start as I never had this.
Now my tinter's tint, my wrappers wrap etc. This is how they master there art!
So there is my 2p's worth, sorry for the book, but all meant with the greatest respect and good luck to you. I'm not a million miles away (Telford), Google Autoshine and Tinting as well as Fleet Design and all will become clear.
Feel free to get in touch and I will be happy to help you where I can, like I say I've made more mistakes than this thread could handle but that's why I'm where I am now so your welcome to come over for a coffee and hear about some of them.
Kindest regards,
Duncan
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