Professional Carwash & Detailing

PREP WORK

Company’s coming!

®

My husband and I recently purchased our first home. Thrilling, I know. Only we made the mistake of timing our life-changing purchase right around the holidays. And then we added a puppy to the mix.

I am a textbook “Type A” multi-tasker, which was why I wasn’t worried about all of these events colliding into one another. I figured I would get out my datebook, carefully budget our expenses and continue to roll with the punches, as per usual. But then we had our first unexpected visitor.

When we were looking at homes, one of the scenes I pic-
tured most often was that of us playing the happy hosts. We
would be gently laughing, holding our wine glasses “just so” as the light from the fire-
place warmly touched upon our faces. Our home would be immaculately decorated, but
not unwelcoming. We would pass along plates of hors d’oeuvres as our guests mingled
and nibbled and remarked on our uncanny knack for hospitality.

Then reality hit. Our friends and new neighbors came knocking in the midst of moving day and holiday chaos. There was no warm light from the fireplace, no wine glasses to be passed around and held “just so.” Instead there was a puppy happily destroying pillows and a carpet that desperately needed to be vacuumed. The only manner of hors d’oeuvres I had to serve were microwavable Bagel Bites and a warm can of Coors Light. Offering a seat meant finding an unpacked box or knocking over stacks of papers and housewarming cards that piled up on our couch. In short, there were no remarks on my uncanny knack for hospitality.

It was in the midst of one of these visits (which always managed to be happy despite the circumstances) that I realized carwashers are not afforded the luxury of being caught unprepared by a guest. Your wash must always look its best, no matter your operating hours. Even when doing maintenance at midnight on a Sunday, your employees, your property and even you must still be tidy and presentable. When out and about running errands in town, you must always carry yourself with the utmost of professionalism. You must be ready at any moment to make a first impression, or to continue to live up to the standards your customers have come to expect.

Living in the public eye can be frustrating, of that there is no doubt. Often, we find ourselves serving up a tray of Bagel Bites when nothing else may do. That’s why Professional Carwashing & Detailing has put together this special issue around the concept of modernizing, updating and refreshing the look of your carwash.

I know sometimes events collide and we get bogged down by just the day-to-day operations. Trust me, I’m the one chasing after a puppy and hanging shelves while my husband is away for training. But there is always one moment in the day where we can put together a small tray of hors d’oeuvres and invite the neighbors over. Take advantage of the quiet moments and constantly assure yourself of the vision you have for your carwash. After all, your “neighbors” are actually paying you for the visit!

Tracy Aston-Martin tracy@grandviewmedia.com (205) 789-0968 Associate Publisher

Sandy Murphy smurphy@carwash.com (518) 640-9169 Editor in Chief

Kate Carr kcarr@carwash.com (518) 779-1667 Managing Editor

Debra Gorgos dgorgos@carwash.com (518) 640-9166 Classified/Special Sections

Pat Harrington pharrington@carwash.com (518) 640-9173 Art Director

Mary Margaret Thiel marya@grandviewmedia.com Director of Business Operations

Michael Perkins mperkins@ntpmedia.com (518) 640-9156 Materials Manager

Rebecca Wilson rwilson@ntpmedia.com (518) 640-9164

Editorial, Advertising & Publishing Offices
NTP Media
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12110-2197

(518) 783-1281 FAX: (518) 783-1386
NTP is a division of
Grand View Media Group, Inc., Birmingham, AL.

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local calls (847) 763-1867 or Toll Free (866) 721-4807
or email professionalcarwashing@halldata.com
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® ®

Corporate General Manager Barry Lovette barry@grandviewmedia.com Vice President of Operations Brent Kizzire brent@grandviewmedia.com Chief Marketing Officer, Publishing Services Group Hank Brown hank@grandviewmedia.com Vice President of Business Publishing Tracy Aston-Martin tracy@grandviewmedia.com Vice President of Finance Brad Youngblood brad@grandviewmedia.com Director of Circulation & Fulfillment Delicia Poole delicia@grandviewmedia.com Circulation Manager Stacie Murphree smurphree@grandviewmedia.com

The publisher reserves the right to reject any and all materials not in keeping with the publication’s standards, whether such standards are written or not. The publisher makes no judgements as to claims of products or services advertised.