Start-up cost: $500–$1,000
Potential earnings: $15,000–$25,000
Typical fees: $30–$50 per job
Advertising: Memberships to and active participation in car enthusiast
events, direct mail, flyers, networking with dealers and auto
repair shops, radio spots, classified ads in auto sales section
of newspaper
Qualifications: Some experience with auto paint work, sales skills,
knowledge of environmental regulations
Equipment needed: Inventory of popular paint colors, sander, brush
Staff required: No
Hidden costs: Inventory and disposal of used chemicals
It’s not the big things that drive us crazy; sometimes, it’s the dings in our car doors
and the chips off the hood. For an entirely new paint job or the replacement of
a crumpled fender, plenty of sources are available in most communities. But how
can people keep those little scratches and chips from slowly ruining the appearance
and resale value of their cars?
That’s where your service comes in. You can fix the
small stuff, which is important nowadays just to keep a car’s body warranty in
effect. Your business meets the need for a hassle-free, inexpensive way to maintain
the smooth surface that your customers’ vehicles had when new.
What You Need
Costs are low (about $500 for materials). Your skill in doing neat-looking paint
touch-ups is your main product. On a part-time basis alone you could earn in
excess of $15,000.
Keys to Success
Can you find a way to market to and serve a number of people in one place, per-
haps even offering group discounts? Would it work to fix the scratches in every car
in the parking lot of a huge company? Can you be an add-in to the work of a local
detailer, car wash, or used car lot? You decide and market yourself accordingly.
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