Starting,Running, and Owning a Business What Does It Take? Episode #958
About this episode
Starting, running, and owning a detailing business gets broken down into practical steps and real-world lessons. The hosts warn that modern interiors include expensive electronics and that mistakes can turn into serious damage—like a CarPlay install leaving a “giant gap” or an interior getting “torched.” They then map a path from home-based, mobile work to paperwork, taxes, and reliability. Along the way: dilution ratios, vendor relationships, online “near me” visibility, and why long-term thinking beats short-term hype.
In this episode, Marshall and Nick dive into the world of car detailing, business challenges, and the importance of relationships.
They share personal anecdotes, industry insights, and discuss the role of AI in modern business practices.
Chapters:
- Introduction to Summer and Car Upgrades
0:00 - 1:00
Marshall and Nick discuss the joys of summer and Marshall's recent car upgrades, including a humorous mishap with a car installation. - Detailing Disasters and Customer Reactions
1:00 - 3:48
The hosts share stories of detailing gone wrong, highlighting the importance of quality work and customer satisfaction. - Starting a Home-Based Detailing Business
3:48 - 9:06
Tips and advice for those looking to start a detailing business from home, including essential tools and business setup. - The Reality of Running a Business
9:06 - 18:42
A candid discussion on the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of perseverance, and the role of relationships in business success. - Lessons from the UFC and Business Parallels
18:42 - 22:48
Drawing parallels between the UFC and business, the hosts explore the themes of resilience and strategic planning. - The Role of Relationships in Business
22:48 - 25:27
Marshall and Nick emphasize the significance of maintaining strong relationships with vendors and customers. - Sustainability and Passion in Business
25:27 - 34:58
The hosts discuss what it takes to sustain a business long-term and the importance of passion and strategic thinking. - Performance and Customer Perception
34:58 - 55:40
Exploring the concept of performance in business, from marketing to customer interactions, and how it impacts success. - AI in Business and Marketing
55:40 - 63:17
A look at how AI is transforming business practices and the importance of understanding its role in marketing. - Final Thoughts and Encouragement
63:17 - 71:48
Closing thoughts on the importance of performance and encouragement for listeners to pursue their dreams.
Apple CarPlay
"...I've got a 2011 Jeep. And I finally am now getting air carplay in the phone. But what I didn't expect was this giant gap in between where they do install it..."
Apple CarPlay lets you connect your iPhone to your car so you can use maps, music, and calls through the car’s screen. They’re saying the install left a big opening/gap around the screen.
Apple CarPlay is a smartphone-to-car infotainment system that mirrors compatible iPhone apps onto the vehicle’s screen. The hosts are describing an aftermarket/professional installation for a 2011 Jeep and focusing on the physical fitment gap around the screen.
gap
"...But what I didn't expect was this giant gap in between where they do install it... What about this big gap?... How do you give this back to a customer? There's a huge giant gap where water's going to come in..."
They’re talking about a big opening/gap around the screen after installation. That gap can let water get in and can lead to problems with the electronics.
In this context, the “gap” refers to poor fitment between the installed infotainment screen/head unit and the surrounding trim. The hosts connect that gap to water intrusion risk (“water’s going to come in”) and electrical damage concerns.
electrical is definitely going to get fried
"...Hopefully you used a deck that could go with a Jeep. They said, Well, yeah, I mean, we searched. I hope right, but it didn't fit. You go, How? Well, the electrical is definitely going to get fried."
They’re warning that if water gets into the electronics area, it can damage the car’s electrical parts. In other words, the system could stop working or be ruined.
“Fried” is slang for electrical components being damaged or destroyed by overheating or short-circuit conditions. The hosts are warning that water intrusion from a poorly sealed installation area can create conditions that harm electronics.
interior got torched
"...the detailer is not making the video the customer is and basically like going through that whole interior got torched. And when I say torched, I mean, torched..."
They mean the interior was overheated and effectively burned. It’s not like normal wear or a stain—once it happens, the materials react right away.
“Torched” here is detailing slang for catastrophic heat damage—when interior materials (especially plastics and trim) are overheated and deform, discolor, or melt. The hosts emphasize that it happens immediately, which is why they argue the damage couldn’t have been accidental “slow” cleaning.
totaled
"It's probably got a resale value of 25 to 30. And if she calls her insurance, this thing could be totaled."
“Totaled” means the insurer decides the car is too expensive to repair. They may pay you a payout instead of fixing it.
When an insurance company says a car is “totaled,” it means the cost to repair it is high enough that it’s considered not worth fixing. That threshold is often tied to the vehicle’s resale value and the estimated repair cost.
resale value
"It's probably got a resale value of 25 to 30. And if she calls her insurance, this thing could be totaled."
Resale value is what your car is worth if you sell it used. If it’s not worth much, insurance may decide it’s not worth repairing after damage.
Resale value is what a vehicle is expected to sell for in the used market. It matters in insurance decisions because a lower resale value makes it easier for repairs to exceed the car’s worth, increasing the chance of a “totaled” outcome.
degreaser
"You know, who knows what every PC he used across or degree, I mean, could have been a degreaser, I guess."
A degreaser is a strong cleaner meant to break up grease. If it’s used on the wrong interior surfaces or in the wrong way, it can cause damage or leave residue.
A degreaser is a cleaning chemical designed to dissolve and remove oily grime. In detailing, using the wrong degreaser (or applying it incorrectly) can damage interior materials, lift dyes, or leave residues that affect electronics and trim.
infotainment
"Interiors are not what they once were the plastics, the piano trim, the nav, the infotainment. This is a different world and see a net woman's video."
Infotainment is the car’s screen and electronics for things like music and navigation. If it gets damaged, repairs can get costly.
Infotainment is the vehicle’s in-car entertainment and information system—typically the touchscreen, radio/media controls, navigation, and related software. It can be expensive to repair or replace if interior chemicals or aggressive cleaning damages components or wiring.
nav
"Interiors are not what they once were the plastics, the piano trim, the nav, the infotainment. This is a different world and see a net woman's video."
Nav means the car’s built-in GPS directions. It’s usually part of the same screen/electronics as the rest of the infotainment system.
“Nav” is short for navigation, the built-in GPS-based system that provides directions. In modern cars, navigation is integrated into the infotainment system, so interior damage can affect it indirectly.
PPF
"I think we're a little bit loose with the word luxury because of services like PPF because of services like coatings."
PPF is a clear protective film that you put on your car’s paint. It helps stop small scratches and rock chips from damaging the paint.
PPF (paint protection film) is a clear protective layer applied to a car’s painted surfaces to help prevent chips, scratches, and minor abrasions. It’s often discussed alongside coatings because both are meant to preserve the exterior finish, but they work differently.
coatings
"I think we're a little bit loose with the word luxury because of services like PPF because of services like coatings."
Coatings are protective products you apply to the car’s surfaces. They help the car stay cleaner longer and can make washing easier.
In detailing, “coatings” usually refers to protective chemical layers (commonly ceramic or polymer-based) applied to paint, glass, or trim to improve gloss and make dirt easier to remove. They’re marketed as longer-lasting protection compared with basic waxes.
ceramic coating
"I've seen guys that are on their 10th ceramic coating that they put on people's cars in their five years and that person's not really all that serious."
Ceramic coating is a protective layer you apply to a car’s paint. It’s meant to help the paint resist dirt and make washing easier, but the results depend heavily on how carefully it’s applied.
A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer/silica-based protective layer that bonds to a car’s paint to add chemical resistance and make the surface easier to clean. In detailing, “installation” quality matters a lot because prep steps and application technique affect how well it bonds and how long it lasts.
Dodge Ram
"...of us, right? Like he, there was a commercial for Ram and it was, you know, the red coats are coming. T..."
A Dodge Ram is a large pickup truck made for carrying things and towing trailers. People talk about it a lot because it’s a very common truck on the road. If you’re detailing one, you usually focus on cleaning up dirt and protecting the paint from everyday use.
The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck line known for hauling and towing, and it’s often discussed in the context of mainstream truck culture and advertising. In a podcast, it may come up because it’s a common vehicle owners detail and maintain, especially around work-use wear like wheels, paint, and interior surfaces. The “Ram” commercial reference suggests the episode is touching on how recognizable and widely marketed the truck is.
AMC Matador
"...amps, what do you think of that last fight the El Matadors camp closing it off? Well, actually, I actually t..."
The AMC Matador is an older car made by AMC, mostly known from the 1970s. It’s a classic model, so people may mention it when talking about older cars and how to care for them. Detailing a car like this often means paying attention to older paint, trim, and interior materials.
The AMC Matador is a mid-to-full-size car from American Motors (AMC) that’s remembered for its role in 1970s-era styling and performance options. It may be mentioned in the podcast because it’s a recognizable classic, and classic cars often come up when discussing cleaning, preservation, and detailing challenges. The “El Matadors” wordplay in the context suggests the host is using the Matador name as a playful reference.
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