June 18, 2024

101: How To Start A Car Detailing Business, At Age 16

Just under a year ago at age 16, Leo launched his side hustle car detailing business to make a lot of money and fund his interests. Here's how he did it.

We’re kicking off year three featuring our youngest guest to date, 17-year-old Leo Azizi talking about how to start a car detailing business.

Just under a year ago, Leo launched his side hustle to make a lot of money and fund his interests.

Leo talks about,

  • how he got started,
  • initial costs involved,
  • where he found his first customers,
  • how he’s now drumming up business, and
  • how he set his pricing.

He’s a prime example of how you don’t need to know everything to get started - you just need to know enough to begin.

Be sure to stick around to catch the end of episode Wrap Up, where you’ll hear about another teenager, who against all odds has built a successful, global company with a raving fan base, in the jam industry!

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

 

What You’ll Hear:

 

03:37 first side hustle was offering to work in the neighbourhood for $20 per hour

04:27 a trip to Seattle (and Ferraris) inspired Leo to the car detailing business

05:39 how he learned what he needed to start and grow Van Car Detailing

06:15 start up costs $250, then reinvesting profits needed to get better materials

07:48 determining what to charge

08:39 a common strategy is to come in with lower prices until reviews and business grows

09:14 currently earning about $35 - $40 per hour

11:22 the thrill of detailing a Porsche GT3   

13:30 pays brother sometimes to help

13:57 Leo started using Nextdoor app but initial clients have been friends and family

14:15 now puts business cards on windshields of cars that need cleaning

15:22  will start running paid ads to boost sales over the summer

15:44 juggling school and business

17:41 future plans for Van Car Detailing

18:18 Leo’s best tip for side hustle success 

18:47 car detailing isn’t as easy as it looks on TikTok

Wrap Up   

19:41 advice from episode 98: Hard Won Lessons Learned: Starting and Growing GreenPal, view trying something new as “experimenting”

20:40 The Way Success Works: How To Decide, Believe, and Begin to Live Your Best Life

21:10 the story of Fraser Doherty, founder of SuperJam which he started as a side hustle at age 13

 

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