A Young Detailer's Journey

Steven Thompson III, CD-SV, is an 11-year-old from Boise, Idaho. Like many in the industry, he grew up detailing cars. What sets him apart from others his age? At the 2023 Mobile Tech Expo, he became the youngest detailer to earn his Certified Detailer (CD) certification from the International Detailing Association (IDA). Several weeks later, he also became the youngest to earn his Skills Validated (SV) certification from the IDA.

How did he get started on this journey? Why did he choose to pursue his certification? Where does he hope to take his detailing? We had the chance to speak with him and find out.

Steven:

“As far back as I can remember, I always worked with my dad in some way, whether that was on a mobile job, at his shop, or at home.

My dad said if I was serious about being a detailer, I should take the test and get certified. I was excited that I could actually take the test and that I didn’t have to be an adult! When I became a Certified Detailer with the IDA, it felt as if I had won the Super Bowl! It is one step closer to my dream of acquiring my Skills-Validated certification. Who knows, one day maybe I'll even be an RIT.

The detailing industry is like a whole other family! My plans going forward? Well, I want to keep learning and training. I feel like there is a lot more to learn from everyone. I'm so excited and humbled by the amount of support I have received after passing my test. I now have more friends in the detailing industry from all over the world on Facebook and Instagram than my dad does. lol.

After I got back from Mobile Tech, my dad got a call from Rigo Santana, CD-SV, RIT, with Sonax. Rigo invited me to go to California for a weeklong training to become an official certified member of the SONAX detailing team. He is also going to give me my Skills Validated test since he is an RIT. Rigo had to do a lot to make this happen for me. He talked to SONAX, FLEX, the Peterson, and he even talked to Jodi and Rod at Zenware, who is going to also come to LA for this. At the Peterson Automotive Museum, we will detail 8 cars. One of them is a Ferrari that Enzo Ferrari made for Henry Ford. I’m still in shock. I’m so excited and I feel so blessed that Rigo is willing to take his time to help me and my dreams.

At Mobile Tech I went to many of the education classes. Some I attended with my dad, but sometimes we wanted to go to different ones, so we did. I loved how everyone was kind and welcomed me even though I’m still a kid. I never could have dreamed of how nice everyone was. Mike Phillips, CD-SV, WC, RIT, class was my favorite. I really like the way he explains how to do things and why.”

Steven Thompson III, CD-SV, represents the next generation in the detailing industry. Like many in the industry, he was introduced via his family. It is exciting to see him embrace this industry at such a young age. Education and training are important in any industry. Steven has shown his awareness of this fact by achieving his certification. We are excited to see where he goes.

*The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the IDA.