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December 2020
Dear Valued Client, It’s going to take a lot to not give context as to why I’m restructuring my business. To be honest, I’m not sure why that is, knowing how I am in person – short/direct/to the point. Maybe it’s because I like to understand why, therefore, I tend to want someone to understand why I’m doing something. Enough over-explaining and rambling – let’s get down to business. As some of you know, detailing wasn’t supposed to be my main source of income. Detailing was the get started with what you know business and then transition into what you really want to do. Well, after a few years I did that – somewhat. I sold some used vehicles and realized I HATE inventory and needed to figure out how to “broker” vehicles SOLELY. Selling affordable vehicles, brokering (personal car shopping), and detailing couldn’t all be done by me. Next logical step – hire, hire, hire – numerous detailers and one mechanic later. Hiring and training is freaking exhausting, disappointing and frustrating. There were two-three really good employees but they had to do what was best for them. Fast forward to the last employee, after three-months pouring into him-he quits. That was my last straw – I was ticked off and severely burnt out. Fast forward once again to 2020, after working completely solo for about three years. We all know what happens in March. Abby wraps up 8th grade and I take some “time off” to think – a lot. Restructuring at Allied is overdue, but change is hard for me and taking care of my clients that have supported my business all these years means so much. I don’t take loyalty and kindness lightly. But, it was time for some overdue adjustments. Over these next 3 ½ years I will build a more “sustainable” and flexible business. What does that mean – I will start offering “higher-end” and “long-term” services and less standard services. It’s time to put my newly acquired skills learned training for a week in Big Bear, California and another week in New Albany, Ohio to use. With the introduction of these new services, my availability will decrease to ensure I spend as much quality time with Abby & Lilly while preparing Abby for college in 2024. Without further ado here are some of the changes for 2021:
As a test run ONLY 50 memberships will be available during 2021, if you are interested please contact me ASAP to discuss if this would be a good fit for you (10-12 of these “memberships” are accounted for).
With gratitude, David Cook PS – If you believe you would be a good fit as an Allied Loyalty Member please call me as soon as possible to discuss. I only have enough time for 50 members. PPS – If you believe semi-annual or annual detailing better fits your needs (April & October) call me as soon as possible to reserve your spot(s). These standard Wash & Wax Details will fill fast and WON’T be available outside of these two months unless you become an Allied Loyalty Member. PPPS - Detailing has been therapeutic for so many years, get to the shop and zone-out on the vehicle and just hone my craft. These past few years, it’s been draining and rushed AND I hate that feeling. This 2021 restructure will hopefully re-establish the joy of detailing. “Quality Over Quantity” has to really be what I represent and not just a cute slogan on my t-shirt. PPPPS – This is the final physical – mail delivered letter I send, from now on I will send 1-2 postcards per year and will post yearly updates on this website: www.alliedautomotive.net PPPPPS – Can you help me by leaving a short sentence or two review on Google about your experience at Allied? I would be greatly appreciative of you for doing so. Go here: https://g.page/alliedautobd/review?rc “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great” John D. Rockefeller
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Dear Valued Client,
Nearly 12-years ago (May 15, 2020), I set out on this journey of starting a business doing something I was really good at, some would say the best. In the beginning, I had huge aspirations for detailing, however, time, detailing, margins and employees made me question those desires. The 25-year old that opened shop May 15, 2008 aged and burnt out and those aspirations changed significantly. The past 12+ months made me do some soul searching with the passing of three family members, my uncle, my mother-in-law and my cousin ALL too young, especially my cousin at only 25-years old. As I read: “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying” by Bronnie Ware one of the regrets that made me ponder the most, “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard'.' That regret didn’t resonate with me 100%, but struck a chord, mine would be, “I wish I had worked smarter” because working hard isn’t my gripe, it’s doing work that produces minimal rewards. Now, that I know the importance of working smarter, to ensure Allied reaches another 12-years and to make certain I cherish every moment I can with Abby before she graduates in 2024 (oh my goodness that’s around the corner). Here are some of the things that will change effective January 1, 2020: New Hours - Monday thru Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm. Closed all major holidays and for as many of Abbys’ events/games/meets as possible. I will be closed the last week of each month for other creative endeavors. Discontinued - “Ultimate Wash Detail”, due to unsustainability I will no longer offer a ‘Wash Only Detail’, our most basic service will become the “Wash & Wax Detail”. Discontinued - Pick-Up and Delivery will no longer be available - I want to give your vehicle the quality time it deserves. Coming Soon - I am working on releasing my very own product that you and many of my clients may have benefited from called “Blunder Repair”. Give the page a thumbs up or like or whatever the kids are calling it: www.facebook.com/blunderrepair Coming Soon...Maybe - I have an idea for a book, that MAY get written to coincide with the launch of my personal car shopping service in 2021 titled “Clean Cars & Cold Cash”. Outshine Hunger - After, volunteering at the Murphysboro Food Pantry as a pick-up person this past season, I want to do more for this organization that helps so many throughout Jackson County. More details coming Spring 2020. Paint Correction & Coatings - As an alternative to my most popular service since 2008 “Wash & Wax Detail + Interior Clean & Protect”, I will introduce Paint Correction & Coatings this coming Spring/Summer. These two services have gained a lot of popularity over the years, as longer lasting paint protection options. Why now? Because, I wanted to make sure these weren’t over hyped products like the “stuff” car dealers upsell car buyers and the very “stuff” I use to apply at the two-local dealerships I began my detailing career. Adding paint correction & coatings will also ensure Allied becomes a sustainable business for many years to come and the soon to be $15 per hour minimum wage doesn’t put me out of business. Warning - As I begin to offer more time consuming details, my popular Wash & Wax + Interior Clean & Protect Detail will become limited, therefore, I ask you to schedule your details in advance. Go ahead and schedule a years worth of detailing - 3-4 times per year (every 3-4 months) like a dozen plus of my other clients. That way you stay clean and protected and don’t have to wait several weeks because of one-off-scheduling. There-you-have-it. As this year/decade comes to an end, this is the start of a new journey for me and Allied. I could not be more grateful to have you as a client, because of you we will turn 12-years old May 15, 2020. This coming year, I will work smarter not harder because life can be too short to work it away. Keep your eyes open for Abby’s next business venture “The Gratitude Girl” (www.thegratitudegirl.net) (the lemonade stand was officially sold this past Summer), Outshine Hunger, Blunder Repair and “Clean Cars & Cold Cash” (maybe) this coming year. For some of you this will be the end because of not wanting to schedule in advance, wanting basic washing details, not wanting to wait or “can’t wait”, needing pick-up & delivery or have already found another detailer. Whatever your reason, thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my local small business. You work hard for your money seek the quality you deserve. With gratitude, David Cook PS: I am having an end of the decade gift card sale, not really, it’s what I usually do once a year to show you how thankful I am to my loyal clients. Save $75-$120 on your Spring detailing with this offer. Expires: 12/31/2019 (Due to the holidays and time off for our 15-Year marriage anniversary I will be closed several days between December 16th and 31st). Call in advance to reserve gift card(s) or email me at: david.cook@alliedautomotive.net. I would be forever grateful if you left me/us/Allied a Google review at: https://g.page/alliedautobd 2019 GIFT CARD SALE |
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January 2021
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