In this conversation, Kevin Davis interviews Steven Rusko, the owner of Northern Lights Home and Auto Coatings. They discuss various topics, including the weather in Montana, the difference between being a detailing business owner and a detailer, and Steven's journey from dropping out of high school to starting his own detailing business. Steven shares his experiences working in construction, car washes, and other industries before finding success in the detailing industry. The conversation provides insights into the challenges and rewards of being a business owner in the detailing industry.

This conversation covers the struggles and depression experienced by Northern Lights Auto, the decision to start a business, quitting and starting a movement, early success and growth, discovering Vexa and continued growth, current success and family involvement, the importance of learning and surrounding yourself with successful people, the mindset of learning and implementing, avoiding ego and surrounding yourself with smart people, learning from personal experiences and others, being a good leader and boss, breaking generational curses, and respecting and supporting employees.

Takeaways

• Being a detailing business owner is different from being a detailer, as it involves managing the business and focusing on growth.
• Steven Rusko's journey from dropping out of high school to starting his own detailing business showcases the possibilities for success in the industry.
• Working in various industries before finding success in detailing provided Steven with valuable business insights and experiences. Struggles and challenges can lead to personal growth and motivation to succeed.
• Surrounding yourself with successful people and learning from them can accelerate your own success.
• Being a good leader and boss involves treating employees with respect and supporting their personal growth.
• Breaking generational curses and creating a positive work environment can lead to happier and more successful employees. Calculate your profit margins and consider overhead costs when pricing your services.
• Strategic business growth involves expanding services and considering real estate investments.
• Separate your mobile and shop business to optimize efficiency and profitability.
• Invest in marketing strategies that generate qualified leads and focus on return on ad spend (ROAS).

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Small Talk
01:10 Background and Location
03:06 Preference for Warm Weather
04:11 Heating Costs in Winter
05:35 Difference Between Detailing Business Owner and Detailer
06:33 Introduction to Steven Rusko
08:27 Steven's Journey and Background
10:11 Meeting Brittany and Starting a Detailing Business
11:02 Dropping Out of High School and Moving to Georgia
13:34 Working in Construction and Car Wash
16:00 Working for a Detailing Company
20:57 Working in Logistics and Trucking
21:09 Struggles and Depression
22:12 Deciding to Start a Business
23:25 Quitting and Starting a Movement
24:57 Early Success and Growth
25:45 Discovering Vexa and Continued Growth
26:13 Current Success and Family Involvement
29:29 The Importance of Learning and Surrounding Yourself with Successful People
31:15 The Mindset of Learning and Implementing
34:08 Avoiding Ego and Surrounding Yourself with Smart People
36:07 Learning from Personal Experiences and Others
38:11 Being

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In this episode, Andrew Houston discusses the changes he has made in his detailing business based on the advice given in the previous episode. He has eliminated one position and is considering eliminating another to improve employee retention and cash flow. He has also focused on upselling existing customers and tracking inventory and product costs. Andrew has found success in buying from local distributors rather than relying on Amazon. The hosts discuss the challenges of letting employees go and the importance of building a solid foundation before scaling a business. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the topic of raising prices and the impact it can have on a business.

They emphasize the importance of eliminating weak links and increasing prices strategically. They also discuss the benefits of slow growth and the potential for future price increases. The hosts encourage the business owner to take pride in their progress and reward themselves along the way. They also provide advice on finding and hiring quality employees, emphasizing the importance of work ethic and cultural fit. The conversation concludes with a reminder to seek support and ask for help when needed.

Takeaways

• Eliminating positions and taking on more work in the shop can be a temporary solution to improve cash flow and employee retention.
• Upselling existing customers can lead to larger jobs and increased revenue.
• Tracking inventory and product costs can help reduce expenses and improve profitability.
• Buying from local distributors can provide better prices and support for professional-grade products.
• Letting employees go can be a difficult decision, but it may be necessary for the success of the business.
• Building a solid foundation before scaling a business is important for long-term success. Eliminating weak links and raising prices strategically can help a business reach its goals
• Slow growth can be beneficial and allow for future price increases
• Rewarding oneself along the way is important for motivation
• Finding quality employees involves looking for work ethic and cultural fit
• Seeking support and asking for help is essential for success

Chapters

00:00 Improving Cash Flow and Employee Retention
04:47 Upselling Existing Customers for Increased Revenue
06:13 Tracking Inventory and Reducing Product Costs
08:07 Benefits of Buying from Local Distributors
11:58 Challenges of Letting Employees Go
16:10 Building a Solid Foundation Before Scaling
25:23 The Impact of Price Increases
26:48 The Benefits of Eliminating Employees
28:14 Rewarding Progress and Taking Pride
35:24 Finding Quality Employees
38:39 The Importance of Seeking Support

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In this conversation, the hosts discuss the importance of getting away and connecting with nature. They share their experiences of solo travel and encounters with wildlife. They emphasize the need to be mindful of nature and animals and to take time to appreciate the journey and the experience. The hosts also discuss the importance of building relationships, supporting others, and avoiding drama. They encourage listeners to believe in their own success and to focus on personal growth. The conversation concludes with a discussion on fostering collaboration and supporting the industry. This conversation covers the importance of building relationships, the journey of entrepreneurship, the significance of authenticity and representation, finding balance and staying true to oneself, the power of friendships, the dynamics of relationships in the detailing industry, the long-term perspective of wealth building, risk management and mitigation, building relationships with industry icons, and the importance of enjoying life and embracing relationships.

Takeaways

Taking time to get away and connect with nature is important for personal well-being.
Solo travel allows for self-reflection and exploration.
Being mindful of nature and animals is crucial for their well-being and our own safety.
Building relationships, supporting others, and avoiding drama contribute to personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Friendly Banter
01:13 The Importance of Getting Away
04:26 The Experience of Solo Travel
05:27 Encounters with Wildlife
06:24 The Dangers of Wildlife Encounters
07:19 Being Mindful of Nature and Animals
08:17 Deliberate Thought Process for Getting Away
09:13 Planning and Local Recommendations
10:11 Connecting with Local People
11:10 Enjoying the Journey and the Experience
12:09 The Purpose-Built Overland Rig
13:08 Building Relationships and Supporting Others
14:21 Being Happy with Who You Are
15:17 Recognizing and Managing Negative Emotions
17:22 Building People Up and Avoiding Drama
18:15 Choosing What Needs to Be Said
19:42 Recognizing and Managing Fatigue and Stress
20:43 Believing in Your Own Success
22:34 Connecting with People of Different Backgrounds
23:19 Supporting and Mentoring Entrepreneurs
24:46 Avoiding Comparison and Focusing on Personal Growth
26:10 Respecting Others' Choices and Opinions
27:20 Enjoying the Journey and Building People Up
29:11 Fostering Collaboration and Supporting the Industry
31:46 Embracing Collaboration and Competition
32:16 Building Relationships
35:19 Empire Building and Entrepreneurship
38:08 Authenticity and Representation
41:09 Losing Yourself and Finding Balance
44:11 The Power of Friendships
46:40 Relationships in the Detailing Industry
48:05 Long-Term Perspective and Wealth Building
50:22 Risk Management and Mitigation
54:56 Building Relationships with Industry Icons
59:59 Enjoying Life and Embracing Relationships
01:03:46 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Get your one-stop success solution at www.detailersroadmap.com!

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