Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Norris.
Hi Alex, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My entrepreneurship journey began with a series of bad bosses, dead-end positions, and a need to break free from monotonous jobs. This, paired with the catalyst of a pandemic, led to the beginning of Norris Pro Detailing. Most positions I have held over the years followed the formula of clocking in and out at the same time every day while doing the same tedious tasks over and over again. This schedule works great for some people, but I would quickly lose interest in these repetitive roles.
At the beginning of the pandemic, the company I was with started multiple rounds of layoffs. I knew my department would soon follow suit, so I began tightening up my resume and preparing myself to enter the job market. After sending out a few dozen applications, a familiar feeling of dread started to wash over me. Did I really want another job that I was not truly excited about and that I loathed going to every day? I’ve always dreamed of doing something for myself, and when my entire department was laid off, there was no better time to attempt a fresh start.
At the time, I had a small list of people whose vehicles I detailed on a semi-regular basis. These people were not “clients” but friends and neighbors who appreciated the time and effort I put into their vehicles. I absolutely love detailing and consider it a big passion of mine. It has never felt like “work” to me, and when I found myself without a full-time job, I daydreamed about what it would be like to detail on a full-time basis. I decided to take a leap of faith and formed an L.L.C. less than a week later.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a business has absolutely not been a smooth road. I quickly learned that the beginning stages of forming a business are a complete roller coaster. Transitioning from being an employee to a small business owner is quite the whirlwind. It is a 24/7 position that requires some thick skin and a lot of patience. Success and pitfalls come one after another, and I had to learn to adapt with the uncertainty. One month will be slammed, and the next might be completely dead for no apparent reason. Unlike an employed position, a steady paycheck is not guaranteed. If your business is slow, it is up to you to figure out why and how to fix it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Norris Pro Detailing & Ceramic Coatings?
Norris Pro Detailing specializes in professional detailing, paint correction, and ceramic coatings. I aim to transform your vehicle into a condition beyond belief. I do not provide your average detail. My details take full days, or multiple days, to complete. My business is mobile, serving all of Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs. Detailing is not just cleaning; it’s about restoring and protecting your investment.
Paint correction is my specialty. Paint correction (a.k.a. polishing/buffing) is the laborious art of removing imperfections from a vehicle’s paint. Scratches, swirls, and more are erased from the vehicle’s surface, leaving behind a mirror-like finish. To protect the corrected paint, I use industry-leading ceramic coatings. Ceramic coatings are the next generation of wax and provide years of durable protection to a vehicle. I offer one-year, three-year, and five-year coating packages, and my coatings protect all painted surfaces, wheels, and glass.
Vehicles are typically one of the most expensive purchases in an individual’s life, yet most cars are not properly cared for. A vehicle that has been professionally detailed over its lifespan will hold up for decades. I have trained extensively on vehicle preservation and take pride in my ability to keep my client’s cherished vehicles in the best condition possible.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
A characteristic that is essential to my success is having strong interpersonal skills. Most of my clients are word-of-mouth referrals, and having the gift of gab is important to establish these relationships. Being a mobile service, I am usually at people’s homes for extended periods of time. Nobody likes a stranger at their house, so I do my best to be friendly and make people comfortable while I’m working on their vehicles. I typically get to know most of my clients fairly well. I love hearing their stories, chatting about cars, and learning about the people that make up my community.
Pricing:
- Exterior – Starting at $149
- Interior – Starting at $175
- Full Detail – Starting at $299
- Paint Correction – Starting at $349
- Ceramic Coatings – Starting at $799
Contact Info:
- Website: NorrisProDetailing.com
