East Meadow Long Island and its surrounding area is affluent, with 40% of residents earning over $70,000 a year. This area has a high concentration of car owners, including car dealership fleets and local businesses with company cars. These potential customers are in need of a car wash service that meets their needs and budget, and we aim to fulfill that need.
Solution:
Soapy Rides will offer three services: exterior car washing, interior cleaning, and detailing. We have no direct competitors that provide high-quality service at a reasonable rate.
Market:
The immediate neighborhood has over 40% of households earning over $70,000 annually, and there is a strong emphasis on car ownership and appearance. Additionally, there are five car dealerships within a three-mile radius of our proposed location.
Competition:
There is one other hand car wash shop in East Meadow, but it focuses on low prices rather than quality cleaning.
Why Us?
Soapy Rides stands out by offering three services: exterior car washing, interior cleaning, and detailing. We have no direct competitors in providing a high-quality service at a reasonable rate.
Expectations:
Forecast:
The business will be initially financed by a personal investment of $40,000 by Mark Deshpande. We plan to grow the business organically through cash flow. In year three, we aim to open a second location and seek outside funding at that time.
Financial Highlights by Year:
Financing Needed:
Mark Deshpande will invest $40,000 to convert the location into a car wash.
Opportunity:
Problem & Solution:
We are addressing the need for a car wash in East Meadow, where there is a high demand due to the affluent neighborhood and the presence of car dealerships. Soapy Rides will provide three services: exterior car washing, interior cleaning, and detailing. Our ability to offer high-quality service and customer satisfaction relies on hiring the best employees, which reduces turnover and ensures excellent customer service.
Soapy Rides segments its customers based on their car ownership. We believe that the type of car a person owns reflects their driving style and car washing needs.
New car owners: These owners value their cars and want to maintain their pristine condition. They will bring their cars regularly to the wash and detail service.
Older luxury car owners: These owners either have high-end luxury cars for several years or want the feel of relaxed driving without the cost of a new luxury car. They bring their cars for regular washes and occasional details.
Sports car owners: Younger or middle-aged men who prioritize the appearance of their cars. They frequent hand car washes weekly and rarely require detailing.
Lifetime owners: People who have owned their cars for more than five or six years, especially women. They bring their cars for a wash when they are dirty and do not focus on the appearance as much. They rarely require detailing.
Dealerships: There are five new and used car dealerships within three miles of Soapy Rides, and fifteen others within a seven-mile radius. These dealerships often use external car wash services to detail their vehicles before selling them.
Local businesses: Businesses with fleets of cars and small vans that need to maintain a clean image. They require cost-effective and efficient car washing services and prefer weekdays availability.
Competition:
Current Alternatives:
Hand car washing businesses in East Meadow vary in size, ranging from children raising money for their youth group to automatic car wash machines. However, these alternatives primarily cater to price-conscious individuals who want to avoid cleaning their cars themselves.
Our Advantages:
Soapy Rides’ competitive edge lies in Mark Deshpande’s reputation and the quality associated with the family name in East Meadow. With over 30 years of experience in the car business, we have developed a system that is fast and efficient, reducing time spent per car and minimizing costs.
Keys to Success:
To be viewed as a premium car wash and detail service in East Meadow
Maintain a high gross profit margin
Maintain a modest and steadily growing net profit margin
Expand to a second location after the third year of operation
Execution:
Marketing & Sales:
Our strategy is to attract repeat customers during typically quiet times. While it’s easy to attract customers during the summer and on weekends, we will target people who can visit us during weekdays and the winter months.
Specifically, we will target:
Business owners with flexible schedules, connecting with them through paper promotions and brochures at their workplaces and via social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. They will receive a discount for their first visit.
Retired individuals through promotions sent by mail or delivered to their homes in the area. We will honor any online promotions they find.
Dealerships, as they require cars to be detailed and washed throughout the day and week. We will establish strong relationships with these dealerships.
Businesses with fleet cars that need washing during regular business hours. Strong connections with these businesses will ensure a constant flow of customers.
Our sales strategy emphasizes personalized service, making each customer feel valued and cared for. We understand the low switching costs in the car washing industry and are committed to developing and retaining repeat customers.
Operations:
Locations & Facilities:
The proposed location was previously a quick stop automobile service shop. It is set up for efficient vehicle movement but requires modifications to function as a car wash and detail facility. We will hire a contracting company to convert the facility and improve the customer waiting room.
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