Schwag one

Wow things have changed in the last 8 months since I've been on here...i guess I've been busy too... Welcome back?! So much to say and so many questions to be asked, but that's nether here nor there. Anyway welcome back. Stick around awhile

When I bought this car...the paint was wrecked. I love black cars but this one looked like it had been through an automatic car wash every day of its life. After I would wash it, I could barely look at the car because of all of the swirl marks. I definitely wasn't going to take it in that condition so I bought a bunch of goodies from Adam's, pulled out the Porter Cable and went to work. 
 

 
The Adam's products are awesome. Easy on easy off. I started off with the clay, then the 2 step correction and then the wax to finish it off. Here is the before and after from just the first step of the paint correction. Unedited cell phone flash shots.
 

 

 
After it was all said and done...I am extremely happy with the result and now she is finally ready some legitimate pictures to be taken finally.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great work. I love the 4doors

Well, our customers are spread across this fantastic country exactly as the population of the country.   65% of our customers are east of the Mississippi.  30% are west of the Colorado River.   We are based in Louisville, Colorado, close to just over 5% of our customers. 
 
With the expansion and success of Amazon, and especially Amazon Prime, people's expectations from an e-commerce business has shifted.   Amazon, who ships nearly everything in our household to us, and much of America, will get basically anything you can think of, to your doorstep in 2 days, or less, for a $100/yr Prime Membership.
 
We need to get your order to you in TWO DAYS.  Period.  So.....
 
THE PLAN:
 
We opened a new distribution center early this month in Sparks, Nevada.  It's location is excellent to reach the Pacific Northwest, and the Southern tip of San Diego, both in 2 business days via inexpensive yet excellent FedEx Ground Shipping.  Our new center has an amazing team, and tonight, as I write this, literally half of our staff are there, working 14-16 hours per day getting us caught up on orders. 
 
See, during the switch over, we launched a new Tire Shine, a Father's Day Promo, and those hit well.  We were caught off-guard, and got buried, with over 1,500 orders in 4 days.  Wow, thank you!  Still, we were screwed, and now, half of our staff is sleeping at the Grand Sierra in Reno until Tuesday, when we hope to be caught up 100%.
 
Now, that's great news for those of you who live on the West Coast.  In 2 days, your goods will be on your doorstep......However, what about the rest of you, the majority who live on in the East?  By the end of July, we will have the East Coast Distribution center fully operational.  We are considering locations now, based on where our awesome team members want to relocate.   At this point, it's between PA and TN.  Either way, our East Coast Customers will be loving the 2-day turnaround time that it takes to receive an order.
 
We will certainly keep shipping from Colorado, but from OUR warehouse, in the meantime.  The great thing about having these three distribution centers:  The shipping costs, which we subsidize, or pay completely on orders over $95, will be cut by 35-40%.  That means we can offer better service, quicker turnaround times, and get you your goods by the weekend, when you plan to shine your rides!

Actually I was made in Taiwan but for most people it's the same difference  The ethnically loyal would lynch me for saying that.

Hmm deal with the stress of not having all my order or go to auto zone and buy junk?!?! Tough decision?!?! C'mon folks...I'm happy Adams has stayed true to their core values and will not settle for anything but the best. Most companies would fold and buy overseas allowing their product quality to dwindle. II'm more than happy to stay loyal and work with the setbacks given your team has worked through mine

We still support American manufacturing. Always will!

If you don't use our products, you need a head check, and you hate your car.  Period.
 

Interesting, especially Dylan's statement.  Thanks for posting, Ryan.
 
Folks in positions like the one he held at Adam's are USUALLY bound by Non-Disclosure Agreements to protect intellectual property, Chris.  I assume that's the case here.  Based on my (limited) dealings with Dylan, I also choose to believe he wouldn't stoop to dishonest practices.  I wish him well, but don't see myself shifting brand allegiance anytime soon.

As long as everyone keeps their cool it shouldn't be an issue.  A lot of people wanted to know where he would land, he was a pretty big part of Adam's company for quite a few years.. I, for one am happy he found a new home and wanted to share with the community... 

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.

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!
 

The first is our CHUNKY newborn Officer Harvey...watch out he's watching you.... The second I took in the CO springs...

The first is our CHUNKY newborn Officer Harvey...watch out he's watching you.... The second I took in the CO springs...

Yet another reason we all should be proud to purchase Adams products

Yet another reason we all should be proud to purchase Adams products

Wow things definitely change. Dylan, I wish you and your family the best. What's the next chapter look like?!

I sprayed mine with APC yesterday and finished them off with total interior. And they aren't slippery. I've used SVRT but they were slippery as all can be. Use TID!

Say what?!? Nice trade up. I wish we wouldn't have moved so I could see this beast running around....Hopefully we'll be out of this state sooner than later.

It's been a while since I've been on....Chewy your garage looks amazing; so fresh, so clean. Our 3 car can barley fit 2 cars.
 
Well today was my 5th day off since our move. Great day! I didn't touch my work phone or computer. Laid back hung out with the family and Our 3 month old. I've held him all of 12 times. Ha!

I'm not sure where my money is being spent, but my bootie will be at the house.  Unless my house is on fire, NOTHING is making me go out.  
 
We always TRY to buy American, but unfortunately, it's becoming increasingly harder to do so. Especially when you have young kids. We bought some cool trucks for Eli (oldest) that were made in Germany.  HECK of a LOT better than China. 

Woke up at 2 am and had to rush my wife to the hospital....baby Harvey was born at 6:46am. 7.9lbs and 20 inches long. Both the wife and baby are healthy. I'm picking up my daughter from daycare them off to meet her new baby brother..

Woke up at 2 am and had to rush my wife to the hospital....baby Harvey was born at 6:46am. 7.9lbs and 20 inches long. Both the wife and baby are healthy. I'm picking up my daughter from daycare them off to meet her new baby brother..

Woke up at 2 am and had to rush my wife to the hospital....baby Harvey was born at 6:46am. 7.9lbs and 20 inches long. Both the wife and baby are healthy. I'm picking up my daughter from daycare them off to meet her new baby brother..

Woke up at 2 am and had to rush my wife to the hospital....baby Harvey was born at 6:46am. 7.9lbs and 20 inches long. Both the wife and baby are healthy. I'm picking up my daughter from daycare them off to meet her new baby brother..