Today we’d like to introduce you to Dennis Donchev
Hi Dennis, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Dennis and I am the owner of La Jolla Mobile Car Detail. I grew up in the La Jolla/UTC area and went to school in San Diego from preschool through college. Growing up my family did not have much as my parents immigrated from Europe completely alone. The years growing up definitely put a chip on my shoulder so I see that as a very big positive having to earn everything in life. After five years working for a local startup I decided to pursue my dream of growing a business that can make positive change to everyone around me.
Ironically I’m not a huge car guy. If you saw my car you’d say “wow, what a normal, forgettable looking car…”
But that’s ok! Because I am very big on processes and systems. At the root of everything, every business needs to have a big “why?” to keep the wheels rolling when things get tough.
I have two and I’d like to share them with you.
Why #1: I love my mom so much and want to help her get a place in town before she retires. I have chosen to do this by serving the same hard working moms and dads who are always hustling, but also know how important a family’s time together is.
I’m a firm believer that going from a dirty smelly car to a newly detailed car will positively change your mood for weeks and help you accomplish more in this life. I arrived at this from all the stories you (the clients) have shared with me after your details.
Why #2: In my final semester at San Diego State, I took a course on social entrepreneurship which became my long term passion. I want to be able to create a business that supports underprivileged areas of society that do not have the same fortune as we do as people in San Diego.
You don’t have to wait to start chiseling away at your dreams which is why I made the commitment to and have been donating a portion of every detail towards a local animal rescue called Frosted Faces.
Dogs and cats are completely at our mercy and oftentimes we let them down. Together you and I are already making a difference and helping an elderly pooch or kitty get a second chance at life and love.
My hope is that we can give you back your time and inject some confidence into your week so that you can serve your people, whether those people are in your business or the ones you love at home. Let’s get you in the right mindset and help some pets along the way!
If you’ve gotten this far, thank you so much for your time and for considering us. And if you’re a client, we appreciate you so much.
I wear this business on my sleeve right next to my heart.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am very fortunate to have found mentors during my journey who have been able to offer advice and perspective from their own paths. Having said that, this is my first business and I have gone the way as the sole owner and founder. I think that movies and media do a great job at highlighting the fun and exciting side of entrepreneurship. But not too many people talk about how lonely the road can be, and how especially at the beginning how the struggle to learn how to advertise and waste money along the way with nothing seeming to work for long stretches of time can impact you mentally and emotionally. For that I am especially thankful for my family and friends for being there for me. And as long as I reframe the hardest times as a learning opportunity then even the hardest days are just that much better.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a mobile car and fleet detailing company that services all of La Jolla and San Diego. We do this by pairing clients with top notch detailers that are vetted, insured, and have deep pride in their work that is backed by process-driven customer service.
Busy entrepreneurs who need the extra time as they work on their hussle or growing their personal brands have benefited a lot from our mobile service since the detailers come to client’s driveways with power and water at the ready.
And retirement centers have seen huge value in getting their shuttles maintained since aside from keeping the outside looking spotless as a representation of their brands, the insides get disinfected to give the older members a better chance at staying healthy especially during flu season. This impact alone is something I am very passionate about because the service can positively impact health.
We have different packages for different needs, whether it is a one time full detail – or if the clients want to join Club Clean on a monthly, biweekly, or weekly basis. Choosing can sometimes be hard for first timers, which is why I’m so proud of our customer service team who has consistently delivered a 5-star support experience throughout the years guiding clients to book exactly what they want.
And like I mentioned before, we donate a portion of every detail to Frosted Faces local animal rescue in Ramona that gives senior dogs & cats a second chance at love and life. Seriously, visit them. They are world class and centers all over the world can learn from their operations.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m always reading (technically listening to) business books. Every book humbles me in showing me that I know less than I thought. Business podcasts are great because they package a business leader’s thoughts into bite-sized consumables that you can take with you on the road. Some of my favorite are NPR’s “How I Built This” and “The Game” with Alex Hormozi. I am also in a business network full of entrepreneurs who are years ahead of me and can sometimes help me avoid the mistakes they made.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lajolladetail.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ljmobiledetail/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lajolladetail/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisdonchev/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ljmobiledetail
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-jolla-mobile-car-detail-la-jolla-2
- Other: Google Local Business Listing: https://g.co/kgs/tBdFknP
Image Credits
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