How to make money washing cars!
Start Your Own Car Cleaning Business!
Hey there, young entrepreneurs! 🚗💦 Imagine having a little extra cash by helping people keep their cars clean and shiny. Sounds awesome, right? Today, we're diving into how you can start a business that vacuums and wipes down the inside of cars and gives the outside a quick wash. It's not a full detailing service, but it's just enough to make cars look fresh. Let's roll!
Jobs to be Done
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let's talk about why people would need your service. The main job your service is doing is making cars look clean and tidy without the time and expense of a full detail. Car owners want a neat ride to impress friends, feel comfortable, and maintain their car's value. Busy schedules mean they might not have the time to do it themselves, and that's where you come in!
Customer Discovery
To make sure your business idea hits the mark, you need to understand what potential customers want. Here are 10 questions you can ask them:
How often do you clean the inside of your car?
What do you find most challenging about keeping your car clean?
Would you prefer a quick clean or a full detailing service? Why?
How much are you willing to pay for a quick car clean?
Where do you usually get your car cleaned?
What do you like or dislike about your current car cleaning service?
How long are you willing to wait for your car to be cleaned?
Would you prefer a mobile service that comes to you, or a fixed location?
Are you more concerned about the cleanliness of the interior or exterior of your car?
How did you choose your current car cleaning service?
Customer Discovery Tip: When talking to customers, avoid asking leading questions like "Wouldn't you love a quick car cleaning service?" Instead, ask open-ended questions that let them share their honest opinions.
Business Model
Let's break down your business using the Business Model Canvas:
Value Proposition: Quick, convenient, and affordable car cleaning service.
Customer Segments: Busy professionals, parents, students, and anyone who values a clean car but lacks time.
Channels: Promote through social media, local flyers, and word-of-mouth. Consider partnerships with local businesses.
Customer Relationships: Offer loyalty programs and referral discounts to keep customers coming back.
Revenue Streams: Charge per cleaning service. Offer packages for regular customers.
Key Resources: Cleaning supplies, a vacuum cleaner, water supply, microfiber cloths, and a vehicle for mobile services.
Key Activities: Marketing, customer service, cleaning cars, and managing appointments.
Key Partners: Suppliers for cleaning products, local businesses for promotions, and perhaps a mentor in the car cleaning industry.
Cost Structure: Cleaning supplies, transportation, marketing, and labor costs.
For a deeper dive, check out this YouTube video on the Business Model Canvas.
Operations
Lean operations are key. Follow the Toyota Way by:
Minimizing Waste: Buy only the supplies you need to avoid excess inventory.
Just-In-Time: Offer services on an appointment basis to manage time and resources efficiently.
MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
Your MVP could be a simple car cleaning service targeting friends, family, and neighbors. Start with the basics:
Interior vacuum and wipe-down
Exterior quick wash
Charge $10-$20 per car. With $40, buy cleaning supplies like soap, sponges, a bucket, a few microfiber cloths, and a small handheld vacuum.
Financials
Let's do some quick math to see how you can reach $1,000 in profit.
Service Price: $20 per car
Cost per Cleaning: $5 (supplies and minor expenses)
Profit per Cleaning: $15
To make $1,000 in profit, you need to clean about 67 cars ($1,000 ÷ $15).
First Three Actions
Conduct Customer Discovery: Use the questions above to talk to at least 10 potential customers.
Buy Initial Supplies: Use your $40 to get the necessary cleaning materials.
Start Cleaning: Offer your service to friends, family, and neighbors to get your first customers and testimonials.
And here's a visual of your Business Model Canvas to help keep things clear and structured:
Ready to start your car cleaning business? You got this! Keep it clean and keep hustling! 🚗✨
