Hello all, I'm looking to start my own mobile detailing business and need some info. First a little background (if you're uninterested, just skip to the second paragraph)... I've always wanted to start a business of my own, but I was always scared of taking the risk. What if I don't get customers? What if I'm not good enough? That sort of thing. Anyways, I had basically decided that I wasn't going to get into my own business and was able to score a job with a local mobile detailer through the owner of my local detail supply shop. He was able to get me in touch with a guy that needed help. I started working for the guy and it wasn't long before I realized this guy had absolutely no idea what he's doing. He has very little knowledge (I know much, MUCH more), doesn't care about professionalism, and he's all around just really cheap and likes to cut corners. I've been working for the guy for about two months now. The only reason I've stuck with him for this long is he is supposed to buy a second truck which I will run and we worked out extremely fair pay splits. Anyways, I'm now tired of waiting for him to buy a second truck. I have a lot of people (mostly friends and friends of friends) that want my services, but I'm unable to help them out because I'm still working for this guy as his "assitant" doing work that I could be doing on my own for slave wages. Other complaints about him: he refuses to buy water retainment systems, he shows up to jobs unprepared (i've had to go to AutoZone many times to pick up basic things like wax applicators, etc), he's unlicensed and uninsured. I can go on and on with whats wrong with this guy, but I think you get the point. The thing that blows my mind is he has a pretty good customer base. He has regular customers in high end neighborhoods with BMWs, Mercedes', classics, and even a Lamborghini. I've now realized that if this idiot can do it, then I certainly can do it.
So now I'm looking to go mobile. I have the knowledge, skill, the desire to get keep learning in this trade, most of the chemicals and equipment I would need, and I guess, more importantly, the money to start up. I refuse to do something like this half-@ssed and I want to be completely legit. What sort of licenses do I need (I'm in Southern California, btw)? Is there a general "business license" that I get through my city, or does mobile detailing fall under some sort of specific area that needs a special license? What sort of insurance do I need? I think I've read before about something like car handler's insurance, is this correct? What are some of you guys paying and what companies are you using? Also, anything else I need to know about that deal with the legal and liability side of things?
I thank everyone in advance for their help.
So now I'm looking to go mobile. I have the knowledge, skill, the desire to get keep learning in this trade, most of the chemicals and equipment I would need, and I guess, more importantly, the money to start up. I refuse to do something like this half-@ssed and I want to be completely legit. What sort of licenses do I need (I'm in Southern California, btw)? Is there a general "business license" that I get through my city, or does mobile detailing fall under some sort of specific area that needs a special license? What sort of insurance do I need? I think I've read before about something like car handler's insurance, is this correct? What are some of you guys paying and what companies are you using? Also, anything else I need to know about that deal with the legal and liability side of things?
I thank everyone in advance for their help.
