A Detailer's Journey to Educating a Community

By: Rigo Santana, CD-SV, RIT

As I reminisce and see how time has gone by, I never would have imagined that an idea and vision that came to my mind would become reality. My vision to educate the Latino community became a reality throughout Latin America with the International Detailing Association.

Through my journey to become a professional detailer, I met a variety of missing links that were the connection to completing the bridge. These links were to somehow make the educational tools available to the Latin community.

In 2016, the IDA did not have any sort of foundation built yet for the Latino community to have access. I took it upon myself to take the initiative and take full responsibility and commitment to translate the IDA Certified Detailer exams from English to Spanish. This way, the Latino community would have access and the opportunity to expand their knowledge as hard-working professional detailers. Their language would not bar their continuous education and knowledge within their detailing profession. Providing the Latin Community with these tools helps make it less complicated for them to take the Certified Detailer or Skills Validated exams. This is when I decided to reach out to one of the founding members of the IDA, Mr. Prentice St. Clair, CD-SV, RIT.

I asked Mr. St. Clair if it would be possible for me to translate the exams from English to Spanish. Mr. St. Clair replied, “If you’re up to it, and will arrange and organize for educating everyone committed to learning.” I at once contacted the detailing distributor from Orange County, Rene, and John from Detailing.com to ask if they would be willing to host the event and without any hesitation, they asked when I would like to schedule the event. I was not surprised by their response, because of their commitment to always help. We soon had our first IDA course in Spanish with a Recognized Independent Trainer in attendance.

Word spread within the Latino community and started a wave that rippled throughout our community, Latin America, and the world. This allowed me to travel to Puerto Rico and Colombia and help support and build the IDA Caribbean Chapter. I have also supported other IDA members with my vision that became “Our Vision” as a community in El Salvador, Latin America, and Mexico.  

I’ve learned a lot from this journey. It has taught me that when the purpose is not about you but about everybody else, your drive is even bigger. When you are hit with adversity, which will happen, your drive to stay motivated is easier to maintain. Because what you are doing is bigger than just you, and there’s no vision too small or too big.

*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.