🚀 EP 59: HE QUIT HIS JOB FOR DETAILING… 30 DAYS LATER THIS HAPPENED

🎧 On the Mic: Andrew St-Pierre & Ercan Hurmuzlu

🚘 Special Guest: Josh Eldemire – Founder of Auto Aesthetic

Starting a business is never easy—especially when you’re leaving the safety of a steady paycheck behind. In Episode 59 of the SudsToSuccess Podcast, hosts Andrew St-Pierre and Ercan Hurmuzlu sit down with Josh Eldemire of Auto Aesthetic to talk about the bold decision to quit his full-time job and pursue detailing full-time.

What happened in the first 30 days after he made that leap might surprise you.This episode dives into Josh’s journey—from detailing as a teenager, to stepping away from the industry, and eventually returning to it in a way that completely changed his life and business.

🚗 FROM A TEENAGE HOBBY TO A PROFESSIONAL SKILL

Like many detailers, Josh’s story started with a simple passion: keeping his car spotless.

When he got his driver’s license at 16, he became obsessed with cleaning and maintaining his vehicle. That passion quickly turned into a small side hustle where he advertised detailing services online and worked with customers in his area.

Josh also spent time working at a dealership where he gained valuable hands-on experience in the detailing department. This environment exposed him to professional techniques like paint correction and machine polishing—skills that would later play a major role in his business.But life eventually took him in a different direction..

💔 STEPPING AWAY FROM DETAILING

After college, Josh focused on building a traditional career. Detailing faded into the background and became more of a personal hobby.

However, life threw him a devastating challenge.In 2015, Josh lost his sister. The loss sent him into a very difficult period mentally and emotionally. During that time, work became one of the few distractions he had.Eventually, his wife encouraged him to return to detailing as a way to stay busy and reconnect with something he loved.

That decision changed everything.Detailing gave him a creative outlet, something physical to focus on, and a sense of purpose again.

🧼 TURNING A SIDE HUSTLE INTO A BUSINESS

Josh started detailing on the side while working his full-time job. What began as a hobby slowly grew into a real business.

Over time he:

Formed an LLC and Built a strong customer base

Continued improving his detailing skills

Focused on high-end services like paint correction and ceramic coatings

For years, Josh operated the business out of his home garage while maintaining a full-time career.

Eventually, the demand became too strong to ignore.

He opened his own shop and partnered with a trusted teammate who worked with him during the day while Josh handled marketing and operations in the evenings.

After years of balancing both worlds, Josh finally made the decision many entrepreneurs dream about.

He quit his job.

📈 THE FIRST 30 DAYS AFTER QUITTING

Leaving a steady paycheck can be terrifying.

Josh expected the first few months to be slow—especially because winter typically means fewer detailing jobs.

He planned to spend that time rebuilding his website, improving his branding, and creating more marketing content.

Instead, the exact opposite happened.

His business exploded.

Within the first month of going full-time:

He experienced one of the biggest sales months his business had ever had

The following month was on track to be the biggest month ever

What changed? Simple: Focus.

Once Josh was able to dedicate 100% of his time and energy to the business, growth accelerated rapidly.

🧠 THE MINDSET SHIFT OF BUSINESS OWNERSHIP

One of the biggest challenges Josh faced wasn’t technical, it was mental. For most of our lives, we’re conditioned to work for a paycheck. When you show up, you get paid. Running your own business flips that concept completely.

Now you have to go out and find the money.

That shift can create anxiety and uncertainty, especially in the early stages.

But it also creates opportunity.

Instead of being limited by hourly pay, entrepreneurs can think in terms of:

Weekly revenue

Business growth

Scaling services

Marketing strategies

That mindset opens the door to much bigger possibilities.

🤝 THE POWER OF NETWORKING IN THE DETAILING INDUSTRY

Josh recently attended the MTE, one of the largest gatherings for professionals in the detailing industry. Events like this provide an incredible opportunity to:

Meet other detailers

Learn from experienced professionals

Build long-term business relationships

But one of the biggest takeaways wasn’t just the presentations—it was the connections made with other professionals in the room.

In an industry that can sometimes feel competitive online, in-person events reveal something different: a community of people who genuinely want to help each other succeed.

💻 HOW TECHNOLOGY IS HELPING DETAILERS GROW

Another major topic in this episode is technology.These tools help him:

Track leads

Manage customers

Schedule appointments

Collect payments

Automate communication

Automation and customer management software can save countless hours while improving the overall client experience.

In today’s detailing industry, technology isn’t optional—it’s a competitive advantage.

🔧 EXPANDING INTO TINT AND PPF

For years, Josh focused mainly on:

Detailing

Paint correction

Ceramic coatings

But he noticed something important. He was losing jobs because customers also wanted:

Window tint

Paint protection film (PPF)

After reviewing the number of lost opportunities, the decision became obvious.

Josh is now expanding his services to include both tint and PPF, with professional training and experienced installers helping him learn the process.

It’s a reminder that sometimes the biggest growth opportunities are hiding in the services we avoid.

🌍 COLLABORATION OVER COMPETITION

One of the strongest themes in this episode is the idea that detailers should collaborate rather than compete.

When businesses support each other, everyone benefits.Examples include:

Referring jobs to trusted detailers

Sharing knowledge and techniques

Networking within the industry

Helping solve customer problems

This mindset strengthens the detailing community and helps businesses grow faster.

🎧 FINAL THOUGHTS

Josh’s story is a powerful reminder that success often comes from taking risks.

He went from detailing in his garage while working a full-time job… to running a growing shop and building momentum faster than he expected.

The biggest lesson?

Sometimes the moment you fully commit is the moment everything starts moving forward.

🔗 CHECK OUT JOSH ELDEMIRE / AUTO AESTHETIC

🌐 Website: https://www.auto-aesthetic.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autoaesthetic_

📱 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeldemire

🎙️ HERE ‘S THE SUDS TO SUCCESS PODCAST LINKS

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📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sudstosuccesspodcast/

📱 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sudstosuccesspodcast

If you're a detailer thinking about going full-time, expanding your services, or simply growing your business, this episode is packed with real-world insights and motivation.

🎧 More knowledge. More motivation. More success

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