EP 25: The Truth About Ad Agencies for Auto Detailers | Featuring Hunter Zarzycki of Admotive

Welcome back to the Suds to Success Podcast — hosted by Andrew and Ercan, two passionate detailers on a mission to help the auto detailing industry grow through honest conversations, hard-won lessons, and powerful insights.

In Episode 25, we welcomed a guest that many of you have probably seen recommended in Facebook groups or heard about through industry whispers: Hunter Zarzycki, Co-Founder of Admotive — a marketing agency that works exclusively with auto detailers.

Let’s be real. Most detailers have, at some point, tried to dabble in ads — Google, Facebook, maybe even Instagram — only to burn a few hundred (or thousand) dollars with little to show for it. Worse yet, some of us have hired ad agencies that promised the world, but delivered recycled, cookie-cutter campaigns that didn’t match our market, services, or customers.

Hunter gets it — because he lived it. Starting out in the detailing industry himself in 2015 as a mobile detailer, he built and sold a successful shop, then shifted full-time into marketing in 2021. Since then, Admotive has grown to a team of 18, managing campaigns for over 100 detailing shops across North America.

🎯 Why This Episode Matters

This episode is a must-listen for any detailer who’s ever asked:

• “When should I hire an ad agency?”

• “How do I know if it’s worth the money?”

• “Why are my Facebook or Google ads flopping?”

• “What does a real marketing plan look like in our industry?”

Hunter didn’t just scratch the surface — he shared real numbers, real strategies, and an unfiltered look at what goes into building high-performing ad campaigns for detailers of all sizes.

💡 What You’ll Learn from Hunter

Here are just a few of the big takeaways from this episode:

🔍 Ads Aren’t Magic — They’re Strategy + Execution

Hunter emphasizes that there’s no silver bullet in marketing. Whether it’s Google Ads, Facebook, retargeting, or newsletters, the key is building a full marketing funnel, not relying on a single source for leads.

📊 $33/Day Google Ads Formula

Want a quick win? Start with $33/day on Google Ads — it’s the sweet spot that lets the algorithm do its job without overspending. But be warned: if your ad copy, landing page, or audience targeting is off, that $33/day can be wasted. That’s why Admotive audits each business before recommending a campaign strategy.

👥 Marketing Isn’t Just for New Leads

One of the most eye-opening parts of the episode was the focus on retention. Most shops ignore their past customers — but those people already trust you and are far more likely to spend again. Hunter shared how Admotive builds retention systems with newsletters, text blasts, and follow-ups that bring customers back, increasing revenue without increasing ad spend.

🤝 Word-of-Mouth Is King — But You Can Influence It

Word-of-mouth remains the strongest source of high-trust leads. The trick? Engineer moments where customers are more likely to talk about you. This could be a simple follow-up call, a personalized thank-you, or a memorable customer experience. It’s free — and it works.

👀 Behind the Curtain: How Admotive Works

Unlike other agencies that churn out generic ads, Admotive builds customized campaigns for each detailing shop. They audit your business, look at your sales process, evaluate your current lead flow, and then build campaigns tailored to your market, your services, and your goals.

Here’s what stood out:

• No one-size-fits-all strategy — Every shop is unique.

• Transparent onboarding — You’ll know exactly what’s happening from day one.

• High communication — Their team follows up, checks in, and adapts constantly.

• No hard sells — If you’re not ready, they’ll tell you.

Their pricing typically starts around $2,000–$2,500/month, with some premium services going up to $5,000/month for larger operations or those needing extensive content and automation.

“We’ve never had a shop lose money in their first month,” Hunter said — not because of luck, but because of careful planning, accountability, and relentless testing.

🎥 Content That Connects

One of the most relatable parts of the episode was the discussion around video content. So many shop owners — Andrew included — feel like they need to be ultra-professional on camera. But Hunter explained why humor, authenticity, and personality can actually help attract higher-quality customers.

“At the end of the day, customers want to know you’re a real person. When you bring out your personality — the same one that makes people laugh in your shop — you become more memorable and more trustworthy.”

So yes, you can be professional and fun. The key is knowing your audience and being authentic.

🚀 Starting from Zero? Here's What to Do

For the detailer just starting out with no money and one job booked, Hunter offered this gold:

• Start with your phone contacts. Text everyone.

• Visit local businesses and network — shake hands and build referrals.

• Bring donuts and coffee (yes, really).

• Don’t overthink content — just start filming with your phone.

• Focus on relationships before algorithms.

Andrew shared how this exact grassroots method helped him launch Excelsior Auto Detailing years ago — and why it still works today.

🔗 Want to Learn More About Admotive?

If you want to connect with Hunter or learn more about Admotive’s services, check them out here:

🌐 Website: https://admotive.com
📸 Instagram: @admotivemarketing
📱 Facebook: Hunter Zarzycki

You can also DM Hunter directly — he welcomes questions and often shares free resources for detailers, including ad templates, follow-up scripts, and content ideas.

🎧 Listen to EP 25 Now!

📲 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
🎥 Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts: @SudstoSuccessPodcast
🌐 Grab exclusive resources at: sudstosuccesspodcast.com

If you’ve ever wanted to scale your detailing business through marketing, this is your episode.

Hit play. Take notes. Then take action!