Member Spotlight: Nikolai Reetz, CD

Each month we feature a Member Spotlight. This month we spoke with Nikolai Reetz, CD President of the IDA Germany Chapter CEO of AUTOLACKAFFEN GmbH.

    

International Detailing Association (IDA): How did you get into the detailing industry?
Nikolai Reetz (NR): I think my start was very typical. When I was a child, I helped my dad with washing his cars. This activity marked the beginning of my lifelong passion.

IDA: Tell us more about your business. 
NR: While cleaning my first car, I wondered why nobody in Germany does car care and detailing tutorials. So, I decided to do them myself. I did some research and read a lot of online boards and watched English detailing videos from Lary (ammo nyc). I started our YouTube channel, AUTOLACKAFFEN, in 2014. Today, we still run our YouTube channel, do detailing jobs with five full-time employees, and provide training to people all around Germany.

IDA: In what products or services does your company specialize? 
NR: We specialize in ceramic paint coating and automotive leather repair services. We also provide training and education.

IDA: What do you think is the most important factor to being successful in the detailing industry? 
NR: You need to have a penchant for perfection and a love of detailing. On the other hand, you need to have or develop commercial knowledge and want to become a little bit better than yesterday. Continuous improvement is important for maintaining a successful presence in the detailing industry. 

IDA: Are there any awards/certifications/accomplishments that you or your business has earned and would like to share with us? 
NR: We are proud to be the largest professional detailing YouTube channel in Germany and the single Colourlock training center in Germany. We are a SONAX authorized detailer. I am also very happy to be one of the founders and the President of the IDA Germany Chapter.

IDA: What is the best advice you ever received? 
NR: Kill your ego or it will kill your business. 

IDA: What tips do you have for the new detailer? For the experienced detailer? 
NR: Don’t stop learning. Continue learning in every part, especially in business development, personal development, sales, marketing, detailing, and similar areas. When you think you can't improve you start to get worse.

IDA: Why did you decide to get involved with the IDA? 
NR: My mission is to establish an official state-approved apprenticeship in Germany. I think the vision and mission of the IDA are supporting this goal.

IDA: How has your involvement with the IDA affected your business and your career?
NR: I have only been a member for a short time, so nothing really has happened yet. I am looking forward to continuing to grow along with the IDA and all of its members.