CriticalKPI
Sunshine Polishing · The early days

Before the dashboards,
there was detailing.

One of the best work experiences I ever had was running a mobile detailing business while I was in school.

I loved cars, I enjoyed the work, and it paid well. But the part that has stayed with me most is what it taught me about people.

Kevin polishing a brown sedan for Sunshine Polishing
Sunshine Polishing / Polishing a brown sedan
Original black portfolio page with two car photographs and customer business cards
My sales presentation: a printed portfolio, carried door to door.
A portfolio. A knock. A conversation.

Business started
at the front door.

This was before the internet, social media, and cell phones became everyday business tools. I went door to door with a printed portfolio of cars I’d detailed. I introduced myself, showed people my work, and booked appointments to come to their location.

Every conversation was a chance to learn: how to introduce myself, listen, explain what I could do, and ask for someone’s business.

Then I had to show up and deliver on what I’d promised.
What stayed with me

A love of cars.
A lesson in people.

It was great fun. Learning to sell and communicate with people became one of the most valuable things I took away from the experience.

These are the photos and portfolio pages I used back then.

Original Sunshine Polishing brochure featuring a red sports car and detailing photographs
The original Sunshine Polishing brochure.