From a summer job to a thriving business, four West Essex High School seniors have taken their car detailing business to the next level in just a few months. Luca Tartara, Sean Lehr, Gary Buccino and Colagio Fiore are the four founders of Essex Mobile Detailing, a business that provides premium car detailing services directly at customers’ homes.
With little knowledge and no expectations of where the job would take them, the group launched their business in June.
“I don’t think anything specifically inspired us,” Tartara said. “We were just trying to make a little extra money over the summer, but we didn’t realize how big the business would grow.”
With car detailing requiring precision and practice, Essex Mobile Detailing turned to social media to learn the necessary skills required to detail a car, as well as what supplies to buy. Being self-taught has provided the four seniors with valuable, real-world experience and first-hand proficiency.
“We gained most of our knowledge through TikToks and YouTube videos,” Buccino said. “A lot of trial and error with different products helped us find the ones that were the best for the job.”
When getting supplies, the group purchases most items in bulk to ensure they will last for extended periods of time. For example, they can get a large tank of soap for just $40, allowing the crew to obtain a substantial quantity of supplies at a reasonable price.
Gaining customers began simply through word of mouth and knocking on people’s doors in town. However, recently, Essex Mobile Detailing has developed new marketing strategies, including the use of social media and business cards to attract more clients.
“We started with people referring others to us, but now we have business cards that we give out to people or place on cars,” Lehr said.
The company’s services include complete interior and exterior detailing and cleaning, vacuuming of seats and mats and full exterior car washes. They also offer waxing services, paint corrections and scratch buffing.
“For a regular detail, we charge $150, and we add our wax onto that, which is another $30,” Tartara said. “Usually, for scratches, it depends on how big they are and how many there are.”
Essex Mobile Detailing say they take their customers into consideration, offering more affordable prices for high-quality cleanings compared to other detailing companies.
The group has now gained experience with various car brands, and their detailings apply to almost any type of automobile. The four have even ventured out into cleaning luxurious, high-end cars, as well as larger vehicles.
“We’ve worked with cars like Ferraris, Mercedes, Porsches and BMWs. We have also detailed boats and motorcycles,” Fiore said.
Tartara, Lehr, Fiore and Buccino say that starting and running a business has taught them valuable life lessons, such as how to interact with others and maintain a company while still balancing the responsibility of being high school students. Starting a company requires dedication, drive and most importantly, good marketing.
“You can’t just stop when you don’t get enough clients,” Lehr said. “You gotta keep knocking on doors and keep promoting your business, or else you’re never gonna get anyone to want your services.”
While all four members plan to attend college next fall, they are still looking to keep the business growing by passing it down to students in the grades below.
“It’s going to be tough, but we’re starting to find people to work for us so that we can still get some of the profit, like having employees,” Tartara said.
Services can be booked at any time through the company’s social media account, @essexmobiledetailing on Instagram, or by phone at 973-369-8464.
