How to Start a Car Detailing Business (and Make $29K/Month) Pt. 1

Do you love cars and have a good eye for detail? Starting a car detailing business could be your perfect match—and it’s an industry with huge revenue potential.

Notto Jensen founded Attention 2 Detail in 1993 out of a desire to become his own boss after leaving his previous career in corporate America. He started as a mobile car detailing business to cut down on opening expenses, and this ended up being a draw for busy customers looking for no-fuss auto detailing businesses. Today, the business has been going strong for nearly 30 years, a solid base that allowed the company to continue growing even through the disruptions of 2020.

In this interview, we’ll hear Notto’s advice for how to start a car detailing business from home. He’ll tell us how much it cost to get started (and what kind of budget you’d need to start a mobile detailing business today), what goes into writing a carwash business plan, and what tools, supplies, and experience are required to be successful.

Mobile car wash businesses have a lot of advantages over a physical location for both owners and customers. We’ll learn the best way to build a client base as a mobile auto detailing business and how Notto built a brand for Attention 2 Detail.

The advertising landscape has shifted dramatically since the early ‘90s, and we’ll find out how Notto’s strategy has shifted with it, including the role social media plays in a modern mobile car detailing business.

Resources:

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:21 Meeting Notto Jensen
1:43 Car Detailing Equipment Overview
4:28 Initial and Current Budget
6:16 Marketing and Advertising
7:12 Car Detailing Supplies, Tools, and Tips
8:13 Monthly and Annual Revenue
9:04 Car Detailing Hacks and Tricks
10:09 Training and Experience
13:57 Funding
17:07 Outro

[UpFlip]

What was your main takeaway from Notto’s advice? Are you ready to start your own car detailing business? Let us know in the comments!

[Matrixautoaesthetics]

Been running my business on the side for a year and a half and averaging 2-4K per week! This is so inspirational and I’m really just getting started!

[projectreels]

The new host is a natural! What a great addition to the team

[EurocarDetail]

I’ve been in the detailing business for 16 years. And let me tell you, this gentleman really answer some serious questions with all honesty and knowledge. It’s not an easy business, lots of rat race out there with prices. But put your heart in the right place and you’ll do good.

[jus]

We had a GREAT time! I'm glad to be apart of the UpFlip team! - Justus Rogers

[salvadorbahenajr.]

Started my detailing business with a 2001 Toyota Sienna with 140k for $2000, supper reliable and comfortable. I see so many guys think they need those transport vans and fancy equipment. Start within your means and grow 👌 great video.

[steve]

I've been thoroughly detailing my own cars for a couple of decades now. It blows my mind how much people are willing to pay for unskilled labor. I should start offering my services! :)

[ItsMercerBaby]

I hope this channel gets more exposure. It’s underrated as hell!

[justicegraves]

Love that the new host doesn’t interrupt as much. It’s almost like he’s actually listening to the guy, and feeding off his answers for followup questions.

[seifathecla]

Nice content! The best way to find that balance between saving and living is by investing, this way you get to have your savings intact and then live comfortably of the revenue coming in from your investments.

[wissamosseyli]

This channel is so underrated, amazing job and great content!

[GQ_gent]

"Back up tools can stop you dead in your tracks" As a mobile barber I can relate to this.

[godwarrior]

Thank you. today is the day that i had it with my boss. And today I made the decision to quit working for him. Thank you for the advice. I dont like how he conduct's busyness and pays real low Now im going to build my own.

[IrishDragon_AoF]

I'm looking into starting up this type of business when I move to northern Europe. We get long days of sun in the summer, and long dark and extremely cold winters. I've got no experience, but I've got a great work ethic, and I've been watching videos about detailing for quite some time. I do some basic interior cleanings now for my truck and my wife's car (nothing that requires more than a car powered vacuum due to where our cars are located in comparison to our townhouse). Vacuum, floormat cleaning, cleaning and protecting the dash, cleaning the seats and seatbacks, cleaning the windows (streaking is a problem I am working on correcting). We did even go out one night in the rain and wash the exterior windows with soap in the rain. I've purchased pressure washing wand, underbody rolling pressure washer attachment, a bunch of microfiber cloths, wash mitts, etc...
I can't wait to get over there and pull the truck into our garage and give it a wash, clay bar, ceramic coating and shine her up.

[exs]

Most important part of this video is the fact that you have to prepare. I have a small business and it was a shock but completely normal to go without a paycheck for 2 plus years. Stay true and you will succeed and most importantly gain knowledge. Good luck.

[rootbear]

Rich you did an amazing job. Asking some fundamental questions that the majority may be looking for answers to or info but isn't really available

[paul.bulanov]

The new host parter is amazing! Cool dude:)

[nieczerwony]

There is a really good thing he said :"services won't be replaced by internet".

[vlad]

Love this host, very professional and is really good with words!

[tylercrowley]

I'm also into car detailing, I started last year and I'm averaging £12-15, 000 every month 💪