Starting a detail business is not for everybody. It takes a great deal of enthusiasm, dedication, vision and business smarts to get one off the ground. In addition to possessing these necessary qualities, there are several other ingredients you need in order to successfully launch and build a detail business. The list includes: enough money to cover start-up and operational costs; an aggressive approach to marketing the business; complete knowledge of market conditions and your competition; a general idea of what resources you will need to run your detail business efficiently with integrity and mental toughness.

So, is starting a detail business right for you? Ask yourself this question� can you or your new venture M.A.K.E. I.T.?

Money is the most important ingredient for starting your detail business. Money is needed to make your initial investment and pay rent or for a trailer (if mobile), salaries, advertising, and other associated start-up costs, such as licenses and permits. Some experts say you should have enough money on hand to cover three to six months of operating expenses. This means you should have enough money to pay yourself and expenses for six months after you launch your business, should business start out slow and they usually do. What do you do if after launching your business you have no customers? How will you weather the dry spells of the new launch? The answer is simple: MONEY. And do not forget about an advertising budget. What if the ads fall on deaf ears, or you've chosen the wrong type of or placement for advertising? You need enough money to see yourself through the first three to six months of operation. Not enough capital is the reason for almost all business failures.

Be aggressive in your approach to marketing your new detail business. You'll need to use guerrilla tactics in the first few months. Get the word out any way you can. But you need to know your best target market. Why they would use your service. Where they are. How to reach them and what to say. Never miss an opportunity to leave your business card anywhere. When dining out, leave one on your table at the restaurant, and leave a few more at the other tables. Send a press release to every newspaper and automotive specialty magazine covering your business area. Pass out cards at body shops; auto repair shops, especially those that cater to luxury cars like Mercedes Benz and BMW and Porsche. You need sufficient capital to cover three to six months of operating expenses, especially marketing and advertising. The aggressive approach should also extend to your employees. They must be as enthusiastic as you are. After all, they will benefit should your business be a success. When it comes to marketing your new business, there is almost no wrong way, to get the word out. Just be aggressive, but pointed at your target market. For example, detail service buyers are not coupon clippers so stay out of Value Packs.

It is important to know the detail business, inside and out, not just how to detail. For example, there are laws that can affect your business. EPA laws, OSHA, etc. What are the current market trends in the detail business? Are there any problems with supply or demand for the detail service in your area? If so, you need to consider this in your business plan. Basically, you need to know the detail business better than your competition. You'll also need to know your competition, and keep abreast of everything they do. Are they raising or lowering prices? Know your customers, what services do they buy (or just as important, what don't they buy), where they come from, and how they found out about you.

Before you start your business, do your homework. What supplies, equipment, chemicals and employees do you need to begin, or successfully operate your detail business? It's equally important to know what you don't need. Don't waste money on something that is unnecessary? Do you really need 2 extractors when one is sufficient? Are four employees necessary or will just three suffice? Are you better off buying small or buying in bulk? Here you may have to speak with other detailers, or seek out advice from an expert. In the short term and in the long run, educating yourself on the business you are starting will save you money and may mean the difference between success and failure. Work to know what you don't know.

You should constantly demonstrate integrity with your customers, suppliers and advertisers. Your customers should be able to count on you to always do the right thing and deal with them fairly. Honor your guarantees or your "return policy." It will pay off for you in the long run to have truly satisfied customers. This is also true for your suppliers also. Pay your bills on time and make a good name for yourself. Your suppliers will become valuable assets to your detail business. You may need them as a reference on a future loan or for dealing with another supplier. Your advertisers should be able to count on you to give them your ads on time, and with the correct payment. Again, you may need them someday to help announce a new product line or help in suggesting an ad campaign. Most importantly, never let yourself down. Follow the rules. Get the required permits or licenses you need. Don't think you're saving money by not having them; the penalties are always higher than the original fee. And, of course, never let the idea of earning a quick buck cloud your judgment. You'll know what is right and what is wrong because you'll feel it.

Be tough. Take the mental approach that you will succeed no matter what obstacle is blocking your path, and no matter how difficult it seems. You'll be spending long hard hours in your detail business {and if you aren't, something may be wrong). You need to stay tough and fight through the hard times. There will be hurdles to jump over and gaps to build bridges across. Only the tough survive. Sometimes you'll feel like taking the day off. Don't. There may be others who can't wait to see you fail. Don't give them the satisfaction. Hang in there. Others may also be ready to throw in the towel and you'll need to be tough for them. Starting a detail business is a huge task. There is so much to learn and so much to do, and much of what happens to you won't be known until it happens. But with careful preparation and the right mindset, you can increase your chances of succeeding in the long run.