banjozach

Thanks, Bruce and Nick.  Since the product is on hold for right now, I guess I will find another water filter for the time being.  I will gladly buy an Adam;s filter as soon as its available.  Thank you for your reply, and sorry for not getting back sooner!  
 
And just for good measure, here is my Mustang after I gave her a complete wash and detail with Adam's this weekend!

Thanks, Bruce and Nick.  Since the product is on hold for right now, I guess I will find another water filter for the time being.  I will gladly buy an Adam;s filter as soon as its available.  Thank you for your reply, and sorry for not getting back sooner!  
 
And just for good measure, here is my Mustang after I gave her a complete wash and detail with Adam's this weekend!

Hey Zach, you remembered correctly!
 
That project is currently on hold as we ran into some snags with the filter performance/design during testing. 

Guys, I can understand where some of you are coming from.  Since we area small company (<10 employees,) I think everyone feels as though they get to know us the more interaction we all have.  There are changes in any business, especially small ones, that may see to be HUGE..and after the dust settles, things continue on.
 
Obviously, Dylan departing is a major change as he was the face of the forum, no question about it.  All of the other changes everyone is referring to in this thread have happened over the course of many months.  To assume that we suddenly, all at once, "trimmed low hanging fruit" since the last full-time employee roster thread was discussed/requested (which was a very long time ago) seems a bit presumptuous to me. 
 
All of us wear many different hats, so please allow me some slack if a question isn't answered instantly on here.  After all, your best option for an immediate answer is to email or call us...even though I do my best to keep on top of every single thread and post here.  My knowledge is nowhere near what Dylan's was, but I do know a thing or two about detailing.  My first order with Adam's was back in 2008, after all.  My wife would murder me if she knew how much I spent before I became a part of this team. 
 
Also, to say that there are literally 0 brand ambassadors now is a huge kick in the plums.  My interaction here (and every other team members) have been minimal since this was Dylan's baby, but my 1831 posts didn't appear out of thin air.

All, I believe this thread has run its coarse and most got to speak their minds/beat a dead horse. ????. I think the Adams team have done a great job explaining the changes. I for one look forward to the additions and changes.
 
I am closing this to more posts.

I gotta say, I love the fact that Adam himself is chiming in more often here

Thanks for being loyal and caring enough to participate in this conversation, I'm grateful and very appreciative!
 
Friends, we are experiencing growing pains.  Plain and simple.  Our small business is growing, and it hurts a little, and sometimes it hurts a bunch!
 
The marketplace is changing, customer expectations are changing, and we are not able to ignore those changes.  We must also adapt to remain relevant, and as Tim said:  "People don't like change."
 
While we are improving our product line and dialing in our team, I promise we will always provide:
Excellent & friendly customer service. The best products in every category we compete. Talented, knowledgeable, and helpful team members. You have my word. 
 
Thanks again!
 
Adam

I agree people don't like change. I never met Dylan but read a lot of his post and trusted his advice completely. I had a chance to meet Nick at Muscle Car Nationals in Chicago and he was very knowledgeable about all aspects of detailing and the products. I could've spent days asking him advice and questions I have.
I must say while reading posts on this forum it is nice to see an @Adams member "like" or "+1" a post. If you've spent time on any other forum you know there are so many opinions on things and to me , having an @Adams member chime in helps take any doubt out of a question or to agree that the product was being used correctly or used as intended.

Here are the problems at present:
People don't like change. There are changes and we don't like it.
Dylan is a rock star. I only got to meet him once, but he is so dynamic you can't help but like him.
Mook, again, great guy that you can't help but like. Well that and an awesome nickname.
Lynn is another example, talk to her for a few minutes and you're hooked.
Did I mention that people don't like change?
 
We just need time to get to know the newer people. Everything will be fine.
 
 
Dan, it will be good to see less of you at Grabiak.

I will have to admit......the fact that Adam gets on here and gives the low down to the public of the latest on his company is awesome! Thank you for filling us in. Everything Adam said that he and his company is working on is exactley what I put down on my survey that was taken a few weeks back. A more simple line of products, less backorder and less expensive shipping. Means he cares about his customers and for that, he'll always have my buisness.

yet, on the topic of forum presence,
 
 
Anyway, we have plenty of capable people who are stepping up. I have nothing but confidence that this team can maintain the same level of quality going forward. Adam's has been consistent throughout the years despite numerous staff changes, something many other companies can't boast. It has only been a couple of weeks since Dylan left, so why don't we give this transition a chance to work before dramatizing the situation.

Let's just make sure this discussion doesn't become personal. Sharing views and opinions is fine and welcomed, but keep it above-board.

Guys, I was here when Dylan was new. He GREW into his role. We definitely need more one off videos, and "hey look what Adams can do" videos. It IS winter though.

I have also worked hands-on with many of the staff members at shows and can confirm that they are, without a doubt, some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated people you can find. They may not be on the forum as much due to their other roles in the company, but these are the people who help everything run behind the scenes and also at public events. To the staff I have not met, I am 100% sure they are cut from the same stock; Adam is a professional, and he didn't grow his business by hiring a bunch of clowns. Losing faith just because a key employee decided to pursue other avenues is losing faith in Adam, and I can tell you there is NO reason to do that.
 
That being said, some of the comments in here are disappointing and childish. The quality of the products and service is not going to change because Dylan left, and everyone's collective knowledge is not going to plummet. We have all learned at least one thing from Dylan's input over the past few years, so now we use that information to help the next wave of newcomers. "@Adams" in their name or not, if someone sees that the majority agree with a particular post, they will feel more confident with the advice. It's not rocket science.

Right on guys, and I like where you are going with this.  There are a ton of great solutions offered here daily that are NOT offered by an Adam's team member of moderator.  What if we gave a reward for 'thanks' achieved?  Detail Dollars?
 
Great input and thank you!

Friends, thanks for your loyalty.  Without it, you wouldn't be concerned about the changes to our team.   Thanks for taking notice, and sharing concern!
 
Please, give me a chance to expand....
 
First and foremost we have GREAT people, and I'm humbled to have such incredible team members.  We are a growing company, and as with most growing businesses, ours is evolving.  When I read the Wall St. Journal, and see how many top exec changes are made in these huge companies, it makes my head spin!  We make a few shifts, and our customers take notice!  That's cool, and shows loyalty.
 
We are not alone in experiencing a changing business.
 
As for key team members moving on, there are always several sides to a story.   Here's mine:  I like to see our team members doing exactly what they enjoy doing for us.  That means job descriptions and responsibilities  are fluid, ever evolving.  That lack of structure certainly resulted in us losing some people, and I take complete responsibility for it.  In the future, positions at Adam's will have more structure. 
 
Explaining Dylan is relevant, and current.  He did nearly everything for us, from forum moderation to website maintenance, product development, operations manager to social media, video editing to photography.   The guy literally wore every hat in our job roster, and is an excellent and qualified human.
 
He came to a point in his career where, 'what's next,' wasn't clear.  When he mentioned that he was unhappy several months ago, and that his resume was about to get some refreshing, I supported him.  We don't want unhappy people on our team!  Certainly, Dylan wasn't fired.  He wore every hat in our company but mine, and we parted ways on good terms.
 
In fact, I introduced him to several key players in our industry, and am excited to hear where he lands.   With such a vast experience throughout many of the segments of this industry, I wouldn't be surprised to see him become a consultant to the segment.  Whatever he does, I'm sure he will add value.  I support Dylan 100%, and hope his next position brings him satisfaction.
 
As for the other people, I'll run down the who went where:  After working as a shipper, then product demonstrator at events, Mook one day confessed that he just wanted to detail cars!  That was his passion. Traveling to shows was not good for his home-life, nor pets, and I understand that completely. 
We tried putting a detail shop in the Colorado warehouse. It was not a wildly successful side business, and we supported Mook moving into his own detailing business. We are simply not a service business!  We love and support Mook! 
 
Chase has his own detailing business, and God Bless Him, it's successful!  Spending time on our forum was not happening, and with additions to his family, he needed to focus on his core business.   Everyone loves Chase, what a great guy!  I have a very high respect for Chase, his people skills, product skills, etc. Chase, let's have a beer soon!
 
Lynn came to help us with a variety of things, and her job changed rapidly over the two years on our team.  We tried to find the right slot for her but eventually, we realized our events were killing us.   Wiping people out, not breaking even, and killing our already thin profit margins.  We cut our show expenditures to bring them into line with a company our size.  Lynn was our "show girl," and was released to explore new opportunities.  She was very organized, and left our small business better than she found it.  Thanks Lynn!
 
A few other additions, while we are updating: 
We added a star-spangled Customer Service/ Office Assistant, Bianca, last year.  We moved from a part-time Controller to a full-time CFO, Christian, a needed upgrade for a company our size.  We added a Supply Chain Manager, Scott, another standard move for an operation our size.  You will soon see a new Customer Service team member joining the team.  Look out for two new shipping locations, close to the coasts.  That will help get products into our customer's hands quicker, and with cheaper shipping. Those locations will come with new shipping team members as well. As for putting faces to the people, I'm going to do that next week.  Stay tuned for fresh photos...that's a great idea!
 
Our product line is getting better, more lean.  The Adam's Detailing System will be simpler and require fewer tools an chemicals.   Removing duplicate products will further reduce confusion, and create a more effective detailing process. Removing SKU's that are difficult to manufacture will mean less backorders....that's key!
 
As for our Forum needs, we have many, and need help!  How can we involve you, our friends and detailing experts, to spend more time here?  What's missing that you speak of, and can you help articulate what it might take to bring that back?
 
If you would rather contact me via email, than in this thread, please do.  Honest, hard feedback is welcome.  I can take it, trust me.
 
Thank You Friends.   I hope to continue to earn your business, friendship, and support.
 
Sincerely,
 
Adam Pitale
Chief Detailer, Adam's Polishes
Adam@AdamsPolishes.com
 
P.S:  Here is a recent photo of me with our three children....you asked!
 

Hello all.  My name is Zach, and I'm from a small town about 40 miles south of St Louis Missouri.  I am the proud owner of a 2014 Ford Mustang, purchased just over a month ago.  My Mustang is grey, with black vinyl stripes.  I did extensive research on washing my car, since I have to take special care of my stripes.  I found Adam's products highly recommended.  Currently, I use a 2 bucket wash method, using Adam's car shampoo and professional wash mitt.  After washing and rinsing, I finish off the car with Adam's detail spray and a good dry down with 2 Great Whites.  Even though I live out in the "country" where we have 'hard' well water, Adam's products provide an exceptional wash, water-spot free.