Thanksgiving is right around the corner from us, and I remember last year taking a few moments and writing a post about what I was thankful for! I figured I'd start it again where people can share what they're thankful for. Something positive!
The last year has brought about a ton of changes for us, both a business and me personally. On a personal level, it seems my family grew significantly and unexpectedly. We are now a foster home for my wife's cousin's four children. The challenges are endless, but I can say we are doing a good thing. Despite the battles we have with DCF and occasionally the children themselves, I know they're in a better place because we've opened our home to them. They are now safe, cared for, healthy and fed properly. We still haven't wrapped our heads around all that they've been through and know the road will be long and full of questions but it's a journey that will shape who we are as individuals and as a family. Thankfully my wife and I have a strong relationship and can weather the many storms this whole situation can and has brought about.
My daughter finished out her senior year of high school soccer and is going to be going to Elmira College in NY on a partial soccer scholarship to play goalkeeper for them. She's excited, and I'm glad we were able to end the college search when we did and before our family situation changed.
Business wise...man, we've grown so much. A little less than two years ago, I wouldn't have imagined us being where we are now. We were just a couple of guys in a garage trying to keep some cars clean and make a few dollars. This year we've added a new member to the team who's still learning, but killing it and putting in full effort when we give him the task. I made a comment in our "latest work thread" as I looked back through and can see how we've grown so much. We've been accredited by a leader in the detailing field, we've installed another bay and have it set up in a fashion that allows us to really expand our product. So far this year we've already grown more than four times in terms of sales numbers. The number still isn't a huge one by comparison, but I'm happy with the growth and that we've been able to keep up. We still haven't even put money into advertising. Everything we do is word of mouth and social media so to be able to keep work coming in is pretty awesome. Looking back at photos, the quality of our finished products is improving. We still have much growth to achieve and so much to learn still. But we are making it happen!
Oh yeah, and in the spring we had our first detailing clinic which was a lot of fun for us. It was even attended by some forum members. We already have the next one planned and it sounds like it's going to be bigger and better.
I'm thankful for online communities such as this one. We can learn from other members here, and have the opportunity to give back and help encourage people's enthusiasm for what they do. When people see what they can achieve, it pushes them to do more. We are happy to be a part of that growth and experience for members here. I plan to stick around and answer as many questions as we can on the forum or that are sent to us!
And most of all, I'm thankful that I actually get Thanksgiving off this year and get to spend it with my family. I can't say the same for Christmas, but it comes with the territory of my career. I'll take what I can get and be happy.
Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the time with your families and take a moment to take it all in. We are lucky to be here.
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shane@detailedreflections
Thanksgiving is right around the corner from us, and I remember last year taking a few moments and writing a post about what I was thankful for! I figured I'd start it again where people can share what they're thankful for. Something positive!
The last year has brought about a ton of changes for us, both a business and me personally. On a personal level, it seems my family grew significantly and unexpectedly. We are now a foster home for my wife's cousin's four children. The challenges are endless, but I can say we are doing a good thing. Despite the battles we have with DCF and occasionally the children themselves, I know they're in a better place because we've opened our home to them. They are now safe, cared for, healthy and fed properly. We still haven't wrapped our heads around all that they've been through and know the road will be long and full of questions but it's a journey that will shape who we are as individuals and as a family. Thankfully my wife and I have a strong relationship and can weather the many storms this whole situation can and has brought about.
My daughter finished out her senior year of high school soccer and is going to be going to Elmira College in NY on a partial soccer scholarship to play goalkeeper for them. She's excited, and I'm glad we were able to end the college search when we did and before our family situation changed.
Business wise...man, we've grown so much. A little less than two years ago, I wouldn't have imagined us being where we are now. We were just a couple of guys in a garage trying to keep some cars clean and make a few dollars. This year we've added a new member to the team who's still learning, but killing it and putting in full effort when we give him the task. I made a comment in our "latest work thread" as I looked back through and can see how we've grown so much. We've been accredited by a leader in the detailing field, we've installed another bay and have it set up in a fashion that allows us to really expand our product. So far this year we've already grown more than four times in terms of sales numbers. The number still isn't a huge one by comparison, but I'm happy with the growth and that we've been able to keep up. We still haven't even put money into advertising. Everything we do is word of mouth and social media so to be able to keep work coming in is pretty awesome. Looking back at photos, the quality of our finished products is improving. We still have much growth to achieve and so much to learn still. But we are making it happen!
Oh yeah, and in the spring we had our first detailing clinic which was a lot of fun for us. It was even attended by some forum members. We already have the next one planned and it sounds like it's going to be bigger and better.
I'm thankful for online communities such as this one. We can learn from other members here, and have the opportunity to give back and help encourage people's enthusiasm for what they do. When people see what they can achieve, it pushes them to do more. We are happy to be a part of that growth and experience for members here. I plan to stick around and answer as many questions as we can on the forum or that are sent to us!
And most of all, I'm thankful that I actually get Thanksgiving off this year and get to spend it with my family. I can't say the same for Christmas, but it comes with the territory of my career. I'll take what I can get and be happy.
Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the time with your families and take a moment to take it all in. We are lucky to be here.
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