When I started my car wash 30 years ago, I built my sales 25 cents at a time. And, I controlled my expenses that way also. Every single nickel I could save in power, water, chemicals and equipment meant more profit and success. Every expense pushed into self-service or out of the operation means more…

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) outlines lots of procedures for keeping people safe by slowing the spread of COVID. There are loads of examples and plenty of good direction on the CDC website; many specific to retail outlets. Obviously, the CDC offers guidance to retailers when exchanging paper and coin money like: do not touch your…

When your best customer is your least favorite customer. There are times in retailing when your very best customers become your least favorite customers. Like, when what you wanted to sell the most of becomes what you sell the most of: Unlimited. Don’t get me wrong. Unlimited car wash programs can be awesome; and they can work. They can create…

I’m not sure but they need to be paid for doing it. I was talking with my buddy who spent decades in the supermarket business about how new consumer payment technologies cost money and affect transaction costs and margins. I know several car wash owners who are hesitant to use an app to promote their…

When it comes to building your business, it’s important to note the difference between having a customer, and having a member. Your goal as a business owner should be to convert a standard “customer” over to a “member” as soon as you can. WHY? Because members become advocates of your business. They also help bring…