Building a Mobile Car Detailing Business from Scratch

My name’s Marcus, and I run a mobile car detailing business in Jacksonville. I started this business about four years ago after leaving a 9-to-5 job in sales. I’ve always had a passion for cars—not just driving them, but taking care of them. I used to spend weekends detailing my own car and helping out friends, so when I saw how many people didn’t have the time or tools to properly maintain their vehicles, I realized there was a business opportunity just waiting to be tapped.

It’s a fully mobile car detailing service. That means we bring everything to the customer—water, power, and all our gear—so they don’t have to lift a finger. We work with everyday drivers, busy professionals, and even small fleet owners. Our services range from quick exterior washes to deep interior detailing, paint correction, and ceramic coatings. It's been a rewarding journey to build a client base that values convenience and quality.

It really came down to combining passion with practicality. I’ve always loved keeping cars looking brand new—there’s something deeply satisfying about transforming a dusty, neglected vehicle into something that shines like it just came off the lot. But the real “aha” moment came when I started helping friends and neighbors, and they insisted on paying me. That’s when I realized there was a real demand for convenient, high-quality detailing, especially in today’s fast-paced world.

Another big motivator was the flexibility. I wanted to build something of my own that allowed me to control my schedule and grow at my own pace. Mobile detailing ticked all the boxes—it has a relatively low startup cost, huge demand in urban areas, and a lot of potential for recurring revenue through memberships and repeat clients. It felt like a perfect fit, and I haven’t looked back since.

Financially, I set monthly revenue goals and track them closely, but beyond the numbers, it’s about how many repeat customers we get and the referrals that come in. If someone books us again without thinking twice, that’s the ultimate win.

Another big part of success is lifestyle. I wanted a business that gives me control over my time. Being able to schedule my day, work outdoors, and see tangible results from my effort — that’s incredibly fulfilling. Also, seeing my team grow and take pride in their work has been rewarding. I don’t need to build an empire, but building something sustainable and respected in my area is the real goal.

If I could rewind and start over, I’d invest earlier in marketing and branding. In the beginning, I underestimated how important an online presence was. I thought word-of-mouth would carry me, and while it helped, things really took off once I got a proper website, started posting on Instagram regularly, and ran local ads. I would also have narrowed down my services from the start instead of trying to offer every single package — focusing on a few high-quality options would’ve helped me streamline operations faster.

Another big lesson was pricing. At first, I was charging way too little just to attract customers. I learned quickly that people equate price with quality, especially in detailing. Once I raised my rates to match the level of service I was providing, I started attracting more serious clients who respected the work. So yeah, if I started over, I’d charge more, brand better, and specialize quicker.

My biggest advice? Don’t skip the fundamentals. Learn proper detailing techniques inside and out before you launch. Customers can tell the difference between a true detailer and someone just doing a fancy car wash. Invest in good tools, products, and training. You don’t need the most expensive gear right away, but quality matters, especially when you're dealing with people’s prized possessions.

Also, treat it like a real business from day one. Track your expenses, keep things professional, and build your reputation online. Reviews are gold in this business. Show up on time, communicate clearly, and always do your best work — even on the small jobs. Overdeliver, and people will come back. Lastly, be patient. It takes time to build a client base, but once word gets around that you're reliable and do solid work, things will grow fast.

Right now, the business brings in around $8,000 to $10,000 a month in revenue, depending on the season. Spring and summer are the busiest, especially with people getting their cars ready for road trips or events. After expenses — supplies, gas, insurance, and paying my two part-time employees — I take home about $4,000 to $5,000 monthly on average. Not millionaire money, but it’s consistent and growing.

Last year, I cleared just over $60,000 personally, and I’m aiming for $80K this year by expanding into higher-end services like ceramic coatings and building more fleet accounts. The beauty of this business is its scalability — as long as you deliver great results and manage your time well, you can keep leveling up.