Inspiring Conversations with Harrison Smith of Sunset Mobile Detail

Today we’d like to introduce you to Harrison Smith.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I graduated from the University of Nebraska in 2022 with a degree in advertising and public relations and a minor in music technology. My goal from the beginning was to start a business, I just didn’t know what business I wanted to be in and where I wanted to start it.

I chose auto detailing because I’ve always had a passion for cars. My computer always had some sort of exotic car in the background and my study periods were always spent watching 1320 video or top gear. I worked at a couple of car washes in high school and it was one of the few service jobs I actually enjoyed. It wasn’t until a family member suggested detailing that I really thought about what I could do within that industry.

Before I moved to Nashville, I quickly began doing market research in the area. I found there were quite a few mobile detailers but still room for a new business owner like myself. My next step was investing in a cheap starter van off of Facebook marketplace and building it into a detailing powerhouse. Once I built out the van and purchased all of my equipment it was a race to build my clientele and establish a name for myself in Nashville.

Our first few months were rocky, but once word of mouth started to spread and the ads were dialed in, there wasn’t much I could do to stop the inflow of new clients. Our emphasis on the customer experience and exceptional work has taken us further in a year than I ever thought possible.

We have been in business for a little over a year now and have serviced over 400 clients in the Nashville area. I plan to purchase another van and start expanding our range of services. One of my long-term goals is to own a full-service shop with detailing, tint, ppf, vinyl, paint correction, and tuning.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It wasn’t easy at the start. I moved to a brand-new city, didn’t know a single person here, and started a business. Not exactly the best conditions for success.

Before I got SEO and Advertisements dialed in it was a lot of luck. I set up outside my apartment complex and detailed my car. In those few hours, I met around a dozen new neighbors and many of them ended up booking with me. This gave me a lot of hope and confidence that things would work out.

With those jobs, I took some social media content and uploaded it to my Instagram. Over the course of a few months, I gained new followers and a lot of curiosity from folks in the Nashville area.

Nashville is very supportive of small businesses and people appreciate quality work here. Most of my business now comes from repeat clientele and referrals. However, I do see new faces on a weekly basis and more often than not they’re back again for more!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a luxury auto detailing service in Nashville, TN providing full details, paint correction, & ceramic coatings. We are fully mobile, traveling to the location of your choice at a time that’s most convenient for you. What sets us apart from other businesses is our exceptional customer experience and the quality of work we provide.

We’ve invested in the best equipment, chemicals, and training to ensure our clients receive the best results possible. I’m most proud of the small following I’ve built on Instagram over the year. I don’t run any ads on there but so many clients watch my stories and like my posts…It’s very encouraging!

I got very lucky with influencers in the area who shared my work on their stories. Those story posts actually changed my life and the clientele I’ve had the privilege of working with is mind blowing to me. The power of social media and word of mouth cannot be underestimated.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
You have to believe in yourself before anyone else does.

Pricing:

• $220 Deluxe Detail (our starter package)
• $250 Premium Detail (our premium package)
• $1500 Ceramic Coating & paint correction

Contact Info:

• Website: Sunsetmobiledetail.com
• Instagram: @sunsetmobiledetail

Image Credits
Connor Strauss Media https://instagram.com/_connorstrauss_?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==