I am often asked what got you into the detailing business. So here is the answer in a soliloquy.
I was 18 year old when I spotted a 1968 Pontiac Catalina owned by Bill and Charlotte Griffin. This car was for sale. Well, I wanted it. It was a mint condition show car. 400 cu. in. everything original. As you can imagine these dear elderly people did not like the idea of this car falling into the hands of a kid. I loved the car. So I would visit them often quickly becoming friends with them. We became close. One day I spoke to them again about selling me the car. We struck a deal with much debate. I would pay weekly on the car, the car would remain in their care, and when it was paid off, I would take possession of the car. I could not wait to pay it off. Saving every penny I had to go toward this car. The asking price: $2700 for a car that was worth 4 times that amount.
I got up to $1100 when Ms. Griffin died of cancer and was laid to rest. At that time I became close with Mr. Griffin. Helping him do odd jobs around the house. One of which was detailing his other car. Well that is where it all began. Their Neighbor Virginia Taylor wanted hers done. She told Elanore Finney. She wanted hers done. It started to spark with me. This could be a lucrative business. Thus Finishing Touches Auto Detailing was born in the driveway of my apartment.
A few years passed when a dear friend of mine Bill Cernetic opened an auto repair shop in an old 1930s car dealership that had sat dormant for decades. Bill came to me with an offer. And at that point Finishing Touches had a real shop at 29 W. Xenia Ave. in Cedarville Ohio. 2 year later in 2001 I met Beverly and we were married. Giving up my dream and my shop, I moved to Texas to spend my life with her. I have had no regrets.
I spent 5 years at pepsi and became burnt out. And then I saw it again. My dream. Finishing Touches Auto Detailing was resurrected in the driveway of our new home at 825 Cherry Rd in Vidor. The rest of evolution of the business has been seen by all. That evolution can be found on the About Us tab on this website.
I am very blessed to have such a great and supportive wife, great friends, a beautiful home and a prosperous business. I am a lucky man.
Now at this point all of you are probably wondering, what about the Pontiac.......I made payments up to $1100 when Mr. Griffin died 3 months after his beloved wife. Prior to him passing he titled the car in my name. It was mine, but I had lost 2 dear people. It was bitter sweet. After several years I sold the car when I moved to Texas.
That is the story. It is amazing how things can spark out of the most obscure places and circumstances. Hope y'all have enjoyed
I was 18 year old when I spotted a 1968 Pontiac Catalina owned by Bill and Charlotte Griffin. This car was for sale. Well, I wanted it. It was a mint condition show car. 400 cu. in. everything original. As you can imagine these dear elderly people did not like the idea of this car falling into the hands of a kid. I loved the car. So I would visit them often quickly becoming friends with them. We became close. One day I spoke to them again about selling me the car. We struck a deal with much debate. I would pay weekly on the car, the car would remain in their care, and when it was paid off, I would take possession of the car. I could not wait to pay it off. Saving every penny I had to go toward this car. The asking price: $2700 for a car that was worth 4 times that amount.
I got up to $1100 when Ms. Griffin died of cancer and was laid to rest. At that time I became close with Mr. Griffin. Helping him do odd jobs around the house. One of which was detailing his other car. Well that is where it all began. Their Neighbor Virginia Taylor wanted hers done. She told Elanore Finney. She wanted hers done. It started to spark with me. This could be a lucrative business. Thus Finishing Touches Auto Detailing was born in the driveway of my apartment.
A few years passed when a dear friend of mine Bill Cernetic opened an auto repair shop in an old 1930s car dealership that had sat dormant for decades. Bill came to me with an offer. And at that point Finishing Touches had a real shop at 29 W. Xenia Ave. in Cedarville Ohio. 2 year later in 2001 I met Beverly and we were married. Giving up my dream and my shop, I moved to Texas to spend my life with her. I have had no regrets.
I spent 5 years at pepsi and became burnt out. And then I saw it again. My dream. Finishing Touches Auto Detailing was resurrected in the driveway of our new home at 825 Cherry Rd in Vidor. The rest of evolution of the business has been seen by all. That evolution can be found on the About Us tab on this website.
I am very blessed to have such a great and supportive wife, great friends, a beautiful home and a prosperous business. I am a lucky man.
Now at this point all of you are probably wondering, what about the Pontiac.......I made payments up to $1100 when Mr. Griffin died 3 months after his beloved wife. Prior to him passing he titled the car in my name. It was mine, but I had lost 2 dear people. It was bitter sweet. After several years I sold the car when I moved to Texas.
That is the story. It is amazing how things can spark out of the most obscure places and circumstances. Hope y'all have enjoyed
