Summary:

In this episode of Cruise Control, host Kevin Davis interviews Yvan Lacroix, a 45-year detailing veteran and industry educator, about the journey from being a detailer to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Yvan shares insights into the importance of developing a business mindset, establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs), and treating detailing as a sustainable, customer-focused business. He emphasizes the importance of scaling smartly, valuing your services correctly, and letting go of the “technician’s mindset” to unlock growth potential. Yvan also discusses his unique lifestyle of traveling in a tour bus with his wife, a choice that reflects his philosophy of living a life balanced between passion and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

1. Think Like an Entrepreneur: Approach detailing with a business mindset, not just as a technician; the goal is to run a business that can operate without you.
2. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Detailed SOPs make it easier for employees to uphold quality standards and make a business more scalable and sellable.
3. Value Your Services Appropriately: Charge based on the value you deliver, not your personal financial limitations; your pricing should reflect the expertise and results you provide.
4. Let Go of Perfectionism: Meet customers’ expectations without over-investing in unnecessary perfection; focus on satisfying the customer, not feeding the ego.
5. Plan for an Exit Strategy: Start your business with an end goal in mind—whether selling it or evolving it to support your lifestyle.

https://diydetail.com/

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Summary:

In this episode of Cruise Control, host Kevin Davis speaks with Shad Stoker, a leader in the detailing industry and president of the International Detailing Association (IDA). Shad shares his journey from humble beginnings in detailing to becoming a key distributor and community leader. His story emphasizes the importance of resilience, continuous personal growth, and the power of community over competition. Shad also discusses strategies for overcoming negative mindsets, the value of surrounding oneself with successful influences, and practical tips for building camaraderie within the detailing community. His passion for elevating the industry and inspiring others to pursue growth shines through as he encourages listeners to embrace both positive and challenging experiences.

Key Takeaways:

1. Build Community Over Competition: Shad stresses the importance of fostering camaraderie within the detailing industry, creating a collaborative environment where competitors can network and grow together.
2. Embrace Resilience and Self-Improvement: By continually working on self-awareness and emotional control, Shad shows that growth comes from both successes and struggles.
3. Choose Positive Influences: Surrounding yourself with people who inspire success and learning from their experiences can drive personal and professional growth.
4. Practice Integrity in All Areas: Being impeccable with your word and following through with commitments builds confidence and establishes trust with others.
5. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Shad encourages listeners to see challenges as opportunities for learning and to continually push themselves beyond their comfort zones for long-term success.

Shad Stoker’s business growth advice focuses on fostering a collaborative community, maintaining self-discipline, and cultivating a growth-oriented mindset:

1. Build a Collaborative Community: Shad believes in creating a network of like-minded businesses, even with competitors. By hosting events and encouraging camaraderie, he has helped establish a supportive culture in the detailing industry where businesses thrive together rather than undercut each other.
2. Lead by Example: For those looking to create community, Shad recommends being the example—demonstrate collaboration, transparency, and integrity to inspire others to follow suit, building a positive business environment.
3. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences: Surrounding yourself with successful and motivated individuals drives growth. Shad advocates for investing in mentors and networking with people who inspire you, as they provide valuable insights and help elevate your standards.
4. Practice Self-Discipline and Integrity: Consistency is key to building trust and a strong reputation. Shad emphasizes doing what you say you will and keeping commitments, both in business and with yourself, to build confidence and credibility.
5. Embrace Continuous Learning and Growth: Shad advises business owners to push beyond their comfort zones, seeking personal growth to improve professionally. He encourages learning from every experience and being adaptable to thrive in a competitive market.

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Summary:

In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis sits down with Amanda Lees, owner of Boat Ease Marine Detailing. Amanda shares her fascinating journey from working on luxury superyachts to running her own boat detailing business with her husband in Minnesota. She discusses the physical and technical challenges of marine detailing, the unique intricacies of working with gel coats and teak, and her experience as a woman in a male-dominated industry.

Amanda also talks about balancing work and life on the road, her aspirations to build a training program for marine detailers, and her passion for encouraging other women to join the industry. This episode provides a deep dive into the world of marine detailing, resilience, and the importance of adaptability and specialized skills in business.

Key Takeaways:

1. Adapt and Learn: Amanda’s journey highlights the importance of adapting skills to new challenges and constantly learning to meet customer needs.
2. Build a Niche and Reputation: Specializing in marine-grade ceramic coatings and teak restoration helped Amanda’s business stand out in the industry.
3. Strength Through Community: Amanda advocates for a network of female marine detailers to share knowledge, support, and inspiration within a challenging field.
4. Invest in Professional Training: Attending specialized training sessions and learning from experienced mentors can be instrumental in mastering skills and growing a business.
5. Embrace Resilience and Collaboration: Working closely with her husband, Amanda showcases the importance of resilience, patience, and effective teamwork in a physically demanding field.

https://www.boat-ease.com

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In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis interviews Michael Honn from STEK USA, a paint protection film (PPF) company where Michael has grown from a startup employee to a key driver of sales and marketing. Michael discusses his unique journey, from working in detailing during college to becoming a full-time sales rep at STEK USA, eventually transitioning into a marketing leadership role. He explains the importance of building a scalable, customer-centered business model and the benefits of a consultative approach in sales.

Michael’s background in rally racing also weaves into the conversation, illustrating his high-energy approach to work and life. The discussion covers the power of personal relationships in business, the value of adapting strategies to fit market needs, and STEK USA’s commitment to quality products and sustainable growth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Empower Employees: Michael stresses the importance of enabling employees to take ownership in their roles, which fosters dedication and drives business success.
2. Customer Education First: Building trust through a consultative, educational approach helps STEK USA foster long-term relationships and maintain a strong market presence.
3. Value in Specialized Events: Rather than large trade shows, STEK focuses on local events and direct customer visits, which bring a higher return on investment and build stronger client relationships.
4. Adapt for Sustainable Growth: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and adaptability allow STEK to scale efficiently while keeping quality and customer satisfaction high.
5. Market Creatively: STEK’s marketing strategy prioritizes high-quality content and influencer partnerships, creating brand awareness and loyalty within niche automotive communities.

https://www.stek-usa.com/

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Summary:

In this insightful episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis speaks with Tony Kiger and David Kratz about the ins and outs of growing a successful detailing and tinting business. Tony and David, who both bring years of experience from the fields of paint protection, tint, and automotive film, discuss their journeys and share valuable advice for new and established business owners alike. They highlight the importance of staying adaptable in a rapidly evolving industry, having a resilient team, and fostering customer relationships. The conversation also explores the balance between working in the business and stepping back to manage and strategize at a higher level.

Key Takeaways:

1. Adaptability is Crucial: The detailing industry evolves quickly, and staying relevant requires continuous learning and adapting to new technologies.
2. Passion Drives Success: Customers notice the passion of the people they work with, which can set a business apart in a competitive market.
3. Building a Resilient Team: Tony and David emphasize the importance of hiring people who align with the company’s values and supporting them in their growth.
4. Balancing Customer Touchpoints: Investing in quality customer interactions, like maintaining updated websites and communication channels, is critical for long-term success.
5. Work on the Business, Not Just in It: For sustained growth, business owners must step back to make strategic decisions rather than only managing day-to-day tasks.

https://autobahnwindowfilms.com

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In this episode of the Cruise Control podcast, Kevin Davis interviews Matt Jones, owner of Harker Heights Detailing & Ceramic Coatings, who shares his journey from 22 years in the army to becoming a successful business owner and social media content creator. Matt discusses how he transitioned into the detailing industry, starting with a hobby that quickly became a passion. His unique approach to social media marketing, particularly his use of short, funny, and engaging videos, has garnered millions of views and significantly boosted his business.

Matt also dives into the challenges of balancing family life with entrepreneurship, the importance of finding the right team, and his strategy for cracking social media algorithms.

Key Takeaways:

1. From Military to Business: After serving 22 years in the army, Matt transitioned to detailing, leveraging his discipline and focus to build a successful business.
2. Power of Short-Form Content: Matt's viral success came from focusing on short, humorous, and engaging videos that connect with his audience, driving traffic to his business.
3. Cracking the Social Media Algorithm: Matt shares his journey to mastering social platforms by experimenting with different content types and learning from what worked, especially using short reels and TikToks.
4. Efficiency in Communication: To save time, Matt uses videos to answer frequently asked customer questions, streamlining his sales process and improving customer service.
5. Balance and Growth: Matt emphasizes the importance of finding time for family while running a business, and how hiring the right team has allowed him to scale without sacrificing personal life.

Get your one-stop success solution at www.detailersroadmap.com!

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Summary:

In this episode of Cruise Control, Kevin Davis interviews Kato and Eric, founders of Tintwiz, a CRM software designed for window tinters, detailers, and paint protection businesses. Launched in 2018, Tintwiz helps businesses streamline operations by managing leads, scheduling, invoicing, and customer communications. The software is priced at $100 per month, offering unlimited users and integrations with Google Maps and QuickBooks.

Throughout the discussion, the guests emphasize the importance of educating the industry and building a strong community. They share success stories of businesses that have significantly increased their revenue through Tintwiz. The episode also touches on branding, marketing strategies, and the value of investing in the industry through memorable experiences.

Key Takeaways:

1. Introduction to Tintwiz:
   • Tintwiz is a CRM software tailored to the needs of window tinters, detailers, and paint protection professionals. It simplifies business operations by integrating lead management, scheduling, invoicing, and communication features.
   • Priced at $100 per month, it offers unlimited users, Google Maps integration for scheduling, and QuickBooks sync for invoicing, making it a cost-effective solution for small businesses.
2. Education & Community Engagement:
   • The founders stress the importance of educating users about the benefits of Tintwiz, ensuring that businesses understand how the software can help them grow.
   • The company’s strategy includes participating in industry events, offering hands-on support, and using real-life users at their event booths to answer questions.
   • They focus on contributing to the community, offering resources for education and hospitality rather than hard selling.
3. Challenges in the Industry:
   • Many window tinters and detailers still rely on outdated methods like paper and whiteboards, which creates inefficiencies.
   • Tintwiz addresses these challenges by offering digital solutions that improve business operations, reduce manual errors, and enhance workflow.
4. Success Stories:
   • Users of Tintwiz have reported doubling or even quadrupling their business revenue after adopting the software.
   • The software’s benefits go beyond financial success, improving job satisfaction, employee morale, and offering business owners more freedom.
5. Marketing & Branding Strategies:
   • The team shares their experience of sponsoring Gary Vee’s event, which significantly boosted their brand exposure.
   • Tintwiz focuses on creating memorable and useful marketing experiences, such as branded gifts and community-driven events.
   • They emphasize the importance of investing in marketing through channels like Google ads, Yelp, and SEO, understanding the fundamentals of cost per consultation and return on investment.
6. Features of Tintwiz:
   • Core features include lead management, scheduling, invoicing, automatic review requests, and saving before-and-after pictures, all in one platform.
   • The software's simplicity and integration with popular tools make it user-friendly for both new and experienced business owners.
   • With the ability to handle multiple users, Tintwiz fosters collaboration and efficiency in businesses.

Get your one-stop success solution at www.detailersroadmap.com!

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Summary:

In this episode of the Cruise Control podcast, host Kevin Davis is joined by Jason Otterness and Eric Joseph at WCFT Window Auto Glass Week. They dive into their journey within the detailing industry, discussing entrepreneurship, their companies (Car Supplies Warehouse, Optical Films, Detailwise), and their growth strategies. The conversation covers the challenges and rewards of starting product companies, running detailing businesses, and the importance of building a community around their ventures. They also touch on the value of constant learning, the necessity of strategic problem-solving, and balancing creativity with practicality in business.

Key Takeaways:

1. Entrepreneurship in Detailing:
   • Both Jason and Eric transitioned from detailing services to creating product companies like Car Supplies Warehouse and Optical Films. They emphasize the passion-driven nature of detailing, with Jason noting how lucky he feels to have found something fulfilling early in life.
   • Kevin highlights that the entrepreneurial journey often involves trying multiple ventures, learning from mistakes, and continuously evolving.
2. Scaling Challenges:
   • The detailing business, being labor-intensive, is challenging to scale. The team explored e-commerce and product development as solutions to these limitations.
   • Optical Films emerged from the need to support shops with quality products, and they developed the brand through partnerships with manufacturers to create innovative film solutions.
3. Value of Community & Training:
   • Both guests stressed the importance of building a community around their products, offering free training to customers to ensure success in using the products. Training is seen as essential, not just in technical aspects but also in running the business itself.
   • They also discussed creating educational content through YouTube and providing mentorship to other business owners.
4. Problem Solving & Strategic Thinking:
   • Jason considers himself a "strategic problem solver," who enjoys working behind the scenes to ensure things run smoothly in the face of new challenges. His role in balancing creativity with practicality is vital to their ventures’ success.
5. Product Development & Innovation:
   • The team emphasizes the hard work behind developing new products like Optical Films, where they focus on constant research and innovation. They believe that their experience as installers helps them develop products that meet industry needs.
   • They stress that the best product companies come from real-world experience, addressing problems they faced themselves.
6. Business Advice:
   • Jason advises that if you can't fit a business plan or process on a single page, it’s too complex and likely not executable. Simplicity is key to operational success.
   • Eric advises continuous learning and resilience, explaining that business failures are inevitable, but each challenge provides an opportunity for growth.

This episode provides practical insights into scaling a detailing business, fostering community, and the importance of adaptability and constant learning in entrepreneurship.

Find out more: www.carsupplieswarehouse.com.

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