11 Nov From Car Wash Employee to Business Owner: Kari’s 37-Year Career in Mobile Auto Detailing
What can you build with $1,500, a good mentor, and a willingness to work hard?
For Kari, the answer is a successful mobile auto detailing business that has lasted 37 years.
At 62, Kari owns KS Auto Detailing in the San Diego area, where she travels to customers’ homes to clean and detail their vehicles.
Her story began with a chance encounter. While walking down the street to meet someone, a Trade Works USA representative noticed a woman washing a car in a driveway. Parked nearby was a truck with the words KS Auto Detailing.
Curious about her work, she stopped to ask a few questions.
What followed was the story of a woman who turned an entry level job into a business she still loves nearly four decades later.
From College Classes to a Business Idea
Kari was attending college and taking general education classes when her parents decided to move to the San Diego area.
She decided to move with them.
After relocating, Kari found a job at a car wash, where she began helping the employees who detailed vehicles.
As she learned more about the work, she became interested in the possibility of starting her own business.
One day, she asked an experienced detailer why he didn’t go into business for himself.
His answer was simple: competition.
But Kari saw an opportunity.
She began thinking about becoming a sole proprietor and offering mobile auto detailing services directly to customers.
When she shared the idea with her father, he had one request.
“Put together a business plan.”
So she did.
After reviewing her plan, her father loaned her $1,500 to help launch the business.
Starting Small and Finding the Right Mentor
With her business plan and startup funds in place, Kari needed to figure out which equipment and supplies to purchase.
She turned to someone who already understood the industry.
A supplier who worked with the car wash where she was employed helped her identify the equipment and products she would need to get started.
He became her mentor, sharing knowledge that helped her make informed decisions as a new business owner.
Kari used that guidance to launch KS Auto Detailing.
According to Kari, she became the first woman to own a mobile auto detailing business in the San Diego area.
At a time when the industry was largely dominated by men, she discovered that being a woman business owner could also help her stand out.
When she began including “Woman Owned” in her advertising, her business grew.
One customer even told her that he felt more comfortable having a woman come to his family home to detail vehicles while his wife and children were there.
That customer relationship has continued for years.
Today, Kari details not only the family’s vehicles but also the cars belonging to their now grown children.
Building a Business Through Trust and Referrals
After 37 years in business, Kari no longer needs to advertise.
Her customers come through referrals.
That kind of loyalty reflects the relationships she has developed and the quality of work she provides.
Mobile auto detailing requires more than knowing how to wash a car. Detailers must understand cleaning products, vehicle surfaces, equipment, and the techniques needed to protect and restore a vehicle’s appearance.
They also need to manage appointments, communicate with customers, and consistently deliver quality results.
For Kari, reliability is one of the most important parts of running a successful business.
Her advice is straightforward.
If you commit to an appointment, show up.
Customers need to know they can depend on you.
“Don’t Try to Be Too Big”
Kari has practical advice for anyone considering a career in mobile auto detailing.
“Don’t try to be too big.”
She believes there is value in starting small, learning the basics, and building a business you can manage well.
She also encourages aspiring detailers to ask questions and seek advice from experienced professionals.
Understanding which products and equipment to use can make a difference in both the quality of the work and the cost of running the business.
Her own experience demonstrates the importance of finding a knowledgeable mentor.
With a modest investment and a willingness to learn, Kari built a business that has supported her for nearly four decades.
Finding Pride in Making Cars Shine
After 37 years, Kari still loves what she does.
Her sister once asked whether she ever gets bored detailing cars.
Kari’s answer was no.
She enjoys the satisfaction of taking a dirty vehicle and transforming it into something that looks showroom worthy.
There is pride in seeing the finished product and knowing that her hard work made the difference.
Mobile auto detailing is physically demanding. It requires energy, attention to detail, and a willingness to work outdoors in different conditions.
But Kari enjoys staying active and seeing the results of her efforts.
At 62, she continues to run her business and serve customers who have trusted her for years.
Her story shows that building a successful career doesn’t always require a large investment or a traditional college degree.
Sometimes it begins with learning a skill, finding a mentor, creating a business plan, and doing excellent work for one customer at a time.
For Kari, the reward is simple: taking a dirty car and making it shine.
And after 37 years, she still loves doing it.
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