Episode 13: Are You Actually Making Money in Detailing… or Just Staying Busy?

💰 Episode 13: Are You Actually Making Money in Detailing… or Just Staying Busy?

Welcome back to the Suds to Success podcast! In our latest episode, Andrew and Ercan (yes, Ercan—not Meron as the intro goofed!) dig deep into a tough but crucial topic for every detailer out there: profitability.

So often in this industry, we confuse “being booked solid” with “making bank.” But is all that busyness really leading to actual income—or are we just running in circles?

In Episode 13, we ask the hard question: Are you really making money, or are you just staying busy?

🧼 Highlights from the Episode:

1. Profit Can Hide in Slow Times—But It Shows When You’re Busy
Andrew shares how profit (or the lack of it) becomes painfully clear when your shop is booming. When money’s flying in and out, it’s easy to lose track—until you hit the end of the month and realize you’re still scraping by.

2. Deposits, Cancellations & Business Boundaries
Ercan gets candid about early 2025 cancellations and why he’s starting to charge deposits. It’s not just about the money—it’s about setting expectations with your clients.

3. Know Your Hourly Number
Do you know how much you need to charge per hour just to break even? Andrew walks through how to calculate it, why $120/hour is a solid baseline, and why spreadsheets are your new best friend.

4. Chasing Efficiency, Not Cheapness
They break down the difference between “cutting corners” and “cutting costs smartly”—from negotiating with vendors to evaluating your software subscriptions, and even refining how long it takes to clean a set of wheels.

5. Average Ticket Price = Your Secret Weapon
Ercan checks his numbers in real time and the guys talk about bumping average ticket prices through honest upsells—like glass coatings, cabin filters, and even tinting services coming soon 👀.

6. Employee Incentives That Make Sense
Andrew shares his game plan for paying employees well (really well), while also keeping them motivated and invested in the company’s growth. Hourly + commission = a killer combo for long-term success.

7. The Power of Repeat Clients
We all love a new customer, but the real magic? Building lifetime value from your existing client base. The episode dives into why follow-ups, gift cards, and remembering names go a long, long way.

🎯 The Takeaway?

Running a successful detailing business isn’t just about filling your calendar—it’s about knowing your numbers, streamlining your process, and providing enough value that clients return and refer others. Profit doesn’t have to be a mystery. It just takes some intentional planning and smart systems.

Whether you're new in the game or have been polishing paint for years, this episode will give you actionable tips to run a profitable business—not just a busy one.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or sudstosuccesspodcast.com
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