Exclusive Paint Protection<\/a> in Charlotte, NC, who happened to be one of the speakers at the event.<\/p>\nI was honored to meet and reunite with several great people in the detailing industry.\u00a0 Mike Phillips, Jeff McEachran, and Renny Doyle all brought great value to the conference and trade show.\u00a0 I believe everyone in the industry should experience this event at least once.<\/p>\n
I was intrigued to listen to Brian Brown’s presentation.\u00a0 Coincidentally, learning about the backstories of the keynote speakers, I stumbled across a YouTube video (their story) describing the experience of receiving a ceramic coating and or paint protection film service at Exclusive Paint Protection.\u00a0 I was incredibly impressed with eloquently in a couple minutes it told the viewer who was and wasn’t an ideal fit for their services.\u00a0 This was at a time I was struggling to communicate my business identity.\u00a0 Of all the speakers, Brian Brown’s was by far the most impressive.\u00a0 Two parts of his speech really stood out.\u00a0 He spoke about the first time he received a long detailed 1 Star review from someone, who just was not going to be happy no matter what.\u00a0 He said the next person he booked with mentioned that the 1 negative review made his business more trustworthy because it humanized him.\u00a0 Indirectly this encouraged me to be more open with my clients in ways that I present myself as a ordinary person.\u00a0 The other story he told I will probably never forget.\u00a0 He spoke about a client who was initially hesitant about the service and guarded about the price.\u00a0 He brought up something that would (unselfishly) benefit the client. The client let his guard down, insisting on adding on more services.\u00a0 The lesson being, once the person realizes you really care about him or her you will have a great client.\u00a0 You have to mean it though.<\/p>\n
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Me:<\/strong> Looking back in time what is\/are the decision(s) you would have made sooner, with respect to your business operations?<\/p>\nBrian:<\/strong> I wish I had made the decision to move away from being a solopreneur earlier.\u00a0 I got stuck in wanting to be an acclaimed detailer for too long.\u00a0 I also wish I had invested more in documenting processes and building systems.<\/p>\nMe:<\/strong> What are some great experiences with clients that reaffirmed what you do in terms of the value you provide?<\/p>\nBrian:<\/strong> We are currently working on a Tesla Model S.\u00a0 Applying a satin paint protection film, transforming the finish from gloss wheels to provide a contrasted accent.\u00a0 I was encouraged and humbled when during that conversation, he stated, “You are an expert in these things, and I value your opinion.”\u00a0 That is particularly encouraging when I recall the history we have with this client and all the cars we have done for him, multiple M series BMWs’s Teslas Model 3, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, and this his second Model S Plaid that we are working on at the moment.\u00a0 We are at the same time working on a Porsche GT3 Touring for another great client who knows each of our team members by name and discusses with each the particular task he needs to have completed each time he comes in.\u00a0 It’s kinda fun sometimes to observe him almost leave me out of the picture as he engages with our team.\u00a0 This affirms the value of having the right people doing the right things.<\/p>\nMe:<\/strong> If there was one piece of advice you could give to someone starting out, what would it be?<\/p>\nBrian:<\/strong> Understanding how business works is crucial if you want to build a business around detailing.\u00a0 What kind of business structure do you want it to be?\u00a0 Who will fill the various roles of accounting, legal, management, Hr, and marketing?\u00a0 Initially you may find yourself years down the road with not much more than a bucket and a bottle of soap.\u00a0 Often we hear of a small business owner wearing many hats.\u00a0 Could you create a model that identifies the various roles a business requires, and train yourself to fulfill these roles as needed prior to being able to pay someone?\u00a0 For example, if you are considering incorporating your business into an LLC, that would be a legal role, as would be reading over and signing any business document that requires your signature, accounting, and taxation.\u00a0 Well, there is your accounting role; you get the point.\u00a0 Getting this structure in place before you have accounting and taxation challenges is key.<\/p>\nVideo of the project involving the Ford GTLM from the first picture shown below.<\/p>\n
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