Doubting My Idea

[Kevin90]

I've been thinking about starting an auto detailing service on the side for some extra monthly income. I will be providing customers with full exterior and full interior cleaning to make their vehicle look the best it can. I know the demand is there in my area.

I understand that this is not a fast lane model. I'm okay with that and it's something I enjoy doing. If I have the ability to make a few bucks with it, then I see it as a bonus to the enjoyment I already receive.

However, I am having self doubts about the idea. I keep doubting that my work will not be good enough to truly make the customer happy. I feel they will find flaws in my work and not pay for my services. Perhaps it will be a paint scratch I couldn't get out or a stain on the seat I couldn't remove...whatever it may be I keep freaking myself out that they will demand money back and bad mouth my business.

I belong to several auto detailing forums and have posted pictures of my work. All feedback is positive and fellow retailers say I do great work. So, the issue truly is internal.

Do you have any suggestions as to how I go about putting my limiting beliefs aside and have to courage to put this idea into practice?

I would appreciate any advice you have.

 

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[amk]

Sounds like the worst that could happen is it "doesn't work" and you're at the same place as if you didn't try at all. Trust me, that's a much better place to be than not trying at all and carrying around the anxiety of "will this work? won't it? what if..."

Just do it.

If you're happy with your results, there's no reason someone else wouldn't be. If they're not, oh well, move on with life.

 

[throttleforward]

quote="Kevin90, post: 398167, member: 22060"]Do you have any suggestions as to how I go about putting my limiting beliefs aside and have to courage to put this idea into practice?[/quote]

I'm guessing you are hesitating to put yourself out there because you're afraid of rejection. You don't want to get this going because right now, it requires getting in front of people who are going to tell you "no, I don't want what you are selling."

I hear you. I always hesitate before running ads, cold calling, etc. I hate it. I think I'll always hate it, no matter how successful I've been in the past. I have to do it today, and I'm doing everything I can to avoid it. (In fact, I have to call someone who already said they would promote my product and let them know I'm ready to go, and I've been hesitating to do that. Makes no sense, right!?)

But I've learned that the only thing that separates daydreamers in cubes from people who are living the life they want is that they are willing to really put themselves out there, adjust based on the feedback they get, and then keep putting themselves out there. It sucks, but you have to do it. You have to call people. You have to run ads. You just have to. And if you get negative feedback, or you don't get the response you are looking for, you just have to adjust and try again.

What's the alternative? A life of "what-if's" and regret. No one wants that.

One more thing - instead of thinking "what if they don't like me" think "what if I'm perfect for them...what if they love my work?" What then?

 

[rocksolid]

Go do a few cars for free and then when they are happy you can ask them for referrals. Remember to take before and after photo's

 

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[Unknown]

https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/co...chance-take-a-risk-its-really-worth-it.54555/

 

[Phantom309]

What's the worst that could happen? It fails, move on to something else and take the lessons learned with you. If it's something you truly like to do then give it a shot and see what it turns into, better to try it than looking back 10 years from now kicking yourself because you didn't try it and always wondering what would've happened with the business.

We a detailing company here in my little town that actually come to your home/business/where ever your car is and detail it for you. From what I heard they were killing it. I hope they still are too.

Good luck!

 

[joocenasty]

Talk to your market

 

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[LuckyPup]

I've been thinking about starting an auto detailing service on the side for some extra monthly income. I will be providing customers with full exterior and full interior cleaning to make their vehicle look the best it can. I know the demand is there in my area.

I understand that this is not a fast lane model. I'm okay with that and it's something I enjoy doing. If I have the ability to make a few bucks with it, then I see it as a bonus to the enjoyment I already receive.

However, I am having self doubts about the idea. I keep doubting that my work will not be good enough to truly make the customer happy. I feel they will find flaws in my work and not pay for my services. Perhaps it will be a paint scratch I couldn't get out or a stain on the seat I couldn't remove...whatever it may be I keep freaking myself out that they will demand money back and bad mouth my business.

I belong to several auto detailing forums and have posted pictures of my work. All feedback is positive and fellow retailers say I do great work. So, the issue truly is internal.

Do you have any suggestions as to how I go about putting my limiting beliefs aside and have to courage to put this idea into practice?

I would appreciate any advice you have.

If you're hesitant because you doubt the quality of your work (or think your customers will doubt it), then I recommend the following:

1) Create a detailing job checklist and review it with the customer before you do the job. This will manage each customer's expectations and decrease the chance that they will be dissatisfied.
2) Offer a guarantee.

If you're still hesitant, then you need to dig deeper to uncover why you're dragging your feet.

 

[KarlR]

Hi Kevin.

Just go for it man.like the others said,you have nothing to lose.


I currently work as a detailer for a camper/car rental company.
I will tell you the truth.....Some customers WILL complain.no matter how good your work is.thres just people like that out there and nine times out of ten there is nothing wrong,they are just fishing for free stuff/money off.
These people are out there,the heard the statement "the customer is always right" too many times and expect if they complain they get everything for free.

It's up to you not to take it to heart and do what you can just to make them piss off.its up to you weither or not you want to give them a discount/not charge them or whatver it takes to make them "happy"',but from my experience,these types of people are never happy.


You know you are doing a good job and you can only do your best.if people want to make a big deal over little stuff,I wouldn't bother worryng about them too much,just try get rid of them.your not going to want them as customers anyway,as they won't be worth the effort.


That's my work rant over no wonder I wanna get out of the slowlane!

Goodluck Kevin!

 

[tafy]

Try running a hotel, guests feel the need to complain about stupid little things.

 

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[AlterJoule]

The time to start doubting Is when you've tried everything humanly possible to make your idea succeed. Go for it. You'll regret not trying more than failing. When you fail you learn.

 

[Bowden]

This is something you could literally start today. Buy some detailing supplies, post some flyers around town, put an ad on craigslist, etc. You could have your first customer within 24 hours. DO IT! The absolute worst thing that could happen is you would be stuck with detailing supplies, which lucky for you means a nice clean car!

 

[contract]

Do what you love.

If you don't believe in it, or trust yourself completely to commit to it; then don't do it.

Remember to ask yourself: Why do you get out of bed in the morning.

Is this business a good reason to do so?

 

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