Sponsor Spotlight: Car Candy

For this month's Sponsor Spotlight, we spoke with Meghan Poirier, IDA Treasurer, Co-Board Liaison of the IDA Scholarship Committee, and Chief Operations Officer at Car Candy Automotive Detail Products, an IDA Diamond Sponsor.

International Detailing Association (IDA): How long have you been with Car Candy? 
Meghan Poirier (MP): I joined Car Candy in January, 2023.

IDA: Were you a detailer prior to becoming a supplier?
MP: No, I have never detailed as an occupation. I might starve if I had to. My skills are probably that bad!

IDA: What type of training does your business offer?
MP: We just launched the Car Candy Detailing Academy. The training classes cover a variety of topic including interior, exterior, decon and wash, polishing, and more. 

IDA: What are some of your company’s attributes that make you stand out in the industry? 
MP: We are family-owned and female-owned and operated. We manufacture our chemicals in-house. We also manufacture chemicals for other brands. Our team is built with staff with tons of experience and years in this industry.

IDA: Is there any advice you would give to detailers that may be looking into transitioning to product sales, distribution, or manufacturing?
MP: I think having detailing knowledge can be extremely helpful for those getting into sales, distribution, and manufacturing. Whether you are a product sales agent, distributor, or manufacturer, you are always looking for what benefits the detailers, the ones using the product. So, if you have been in their shoes before it will be easier to service their product needs.

IDA: What are some of the struggles your company has overcome to get to where it is today?
MP: Keeping up with growth. We have been blessed with large growth over the last year. With that, we had to add a few extra blending machines, a new filling line, and a huge expansion of our staff. It's been fun to witness the growth but also very challenging to keep up with it, but we have been doing a great job as a team to make it happen. The best tool you have at your company is your staff, with a great staff you can make a lot happen and have a great time doing it.

IDA: Why does your company believe it is beneficial to support the IDA?
MP: As a company, we understand the importance of our industry and its growth. We believe that the IDA is very instrumental in helping the industry with all its growth and challenges that come with that. In our industry, training is a large part of what makes it grow and thrive, and the IDA is great at promoting that education and certification side.

IDA: As a supplier, what changes would you like to see made in the detailing industry?
MP: I would love to see more companies and individuals come together instead of treating others as competition. There is plenty of room for everyone in this industry, and when we all work together and help one another, we all grow stronger.

Disclaimer: Car Candy is a 2024 IDA Diamond Sponsor. The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the IDA. If you are interested in becoming an IDA Sponsor, please click here to learn more.