Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Cortez and James Carter.
Jamie and James, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Jamie: James Carter and I met over 12 years ago while he was working for his friend’s car wash company. From the day that I met James, he told me that he wanted to open up his own detail business. He was always passionate about it and I knew someday that it could be a possibility.
James: In those 12 years, I’ve had the honor of working for some great companies like Dodge, Tesla, and I’ve even worked detailing aircraft carriers downtown. I gained so much knowledge, tips, and tricks along the way that it helps me implement them within my own company.
Jamie: Throughout the years, we’ve had three beautiful kids. In between those 12 years, we struggled with the idea of opening up our business, struggled with parenting and we struggled with our relationship. After having our third child, I took a year off of work. I ended up developing postpartum anxiety. I was anxious about going back to work (I was in the dental field for about seven years). I knew going back to work in dental, I wouldn’t be fulfilled nor would I be happy. I knew it wouldn’t help with my anxiety. I wanted to be at home with my kids and still have a way to earn income at the same time. James ended up quitting his job for the aircraft company. I ended up going back to work the beginning of this year. Once the pandemic hit us, I was out of my job again and back at home. It was stressful for the both of us, but we had all that time to brainstorm and finally put a plan together to build something better for our future.
James: After quitting my job for the aircraft company, I would detail family and friend’s cars, they would post on social media and we began to get so many inquiries that Jamie would have to plan out my days for me. Days turned into being booked out for a whole week.
Jamie: So here we are – The Carters Auto Detail company was born. We finally did it, we opened up our own auto detail business and we’re working hard and trying to give our kids the best life possible.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
James: Not at all. It still isn’t easy, we’re still grinding and working hard every single day. But let me tell you, it feels so good to finally be doing something that we love.
Jamie: This was just a thought or a dream 12+ years ago. It hasn’t happened yet, why would it happen now? We had so many bumps in the road and we thought that it would never happen. How could we open up a business during a pandemic and with everything else we were dealing with. We constantly doubted ourselves and how hard it would be to do this with three kids and quitting our normal 9-5, it was a challenge.
Please tell us about The Carters Auto Detail.
Jamie: We’re not your regular detail service who cleans cars and as soon as we’re done with the job, we go home. We are a multicultural family-owned auto detail business and we created this company to help our community during this pandemic. The Carters Auto Detail is a mobile detail service, where we come to you to service your vehicle so you don’t have to leave the comfort of wherever you are. We do complete interior and exterior detailing, pet and stain removal, completely disinfecting your vehicle, tire and rim dressing, ceramic coating and much more.
James: I have this thing about me where I will not leave your vehicle until it is perfect. We choose quality over quantity and that’s what sets us apart. We treat each of our clients as if they were part of our own family. My mission is to make you fall in love with your car all over again by using the best products, the attention to detail, and the time spent.
Jamie: We also try to give back to our city as much as we can. We’ve offered a discount to all healthcare workers and first responders, we’ve also donated 15% of our proceeds towards an organization where they help repair small business who were affected by looting and damages during the protests. We find joy in giving back and we will continue to donate and help as much as we can.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
James: The only thing that I would have done differently is to start this company sooner.
Jamie: It’s never too late to open up your own company and be your own boss, but yes I agree 100%, we should’ve opened up The Carters Auto Detail years ago!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cartersautodetail.com
- Phone: 619-947-8498
- Email: thecartersauto@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecartersautodetail?igshid=1xtqlp513coqx
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/The-Carters-Auto-Detail-100143098449618/?ref=m_notif¬if_t=page_post_reaction
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/qTKq/9gbbRRQjy8
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