Member Spotlight: Jason Fung, CD-SV, MC, RIT

Jason Fung, CD-SV, MC, RIT, is Co-Chair of the Certification Committee and President of Detail King. We recently had a chance to speak to him and find out how he got started in detailing.

IDA: How did you get into the detailing industry?
JF: I’ve always been fascinated by cars, especially keeping them spotless. From the moment I could drive, I’ve had a passion for cars and for making them look their best. While working as a valet in college, I met the owner of a company called Detail King. He told me that his company sold auto detailing supplies and held training seminars where people would come from all over the world to learn how to start, operate, and grow an auto detailing business. Intrigued, I visited the business to inquire about job opportunities and was hired on the spot. That is how I got into this industry, and I’ve been here ever since. After 15 years of working at Detail King, I had the opportunity to purchase the company with two business partners in 2020.

IDA: Please tell us your business's story.
JF: Detail King is a leading provider of professional-grade chemicals, supplies, and equipment. Our extensive product range includes cleaners, dressings, polishes, compounds, waxes, ceramics, brushes, towels, pads, polishers, pressure washers, carpet extractors, and more. Additionally, Detail King offers various training programs, from business opportunity classes that cover the essentials of starting and running a detailing business to specialized courses such as ceramic coating certification and advanced paint correction training.

IDA: In what products or services does your company specialize?
JF: We specialize in being a one-stop shop for both current and aspiring auto detailers. In addition to offering a comprehensive range of products essential for detailing, we provide exceptional customer support to guide detailers and car enthusiasts through any challenges they encounter in the detailing process. Most sales and support team members are also trainers at our training institute, allowing them to offer firsthand advice on virtually any situation a detailer may face in the field.

IDA: What do you think is the most important factor to being successful in the detailing industry?
JF: I believe delivering high-quality work and standing behind it is crucial for success in this industry. By consistently providing excellent service and ensuring customer satisfaction, you will create happy customers who will share their positive experiences with others. Word-of-mouth advertising is cost-effective and highly efficient because people tend to trust information from those they know. Repeating this process will allow you to grow your business organically, reducing the need for an expensive marketing budget.

IDA: Are there any awards/certifications/accomplishments that you or your business has earned and would like to share with us?
JF: One unique aspect of Detail King is that we are a private-licensed technical school with a curriculum approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Education. This accreditation enables us to award diplomas to students who complete our courses and accept VA funding for tuition. Achieving this status was a lengthy process that took several years and required compliance with many regulations typically only applicable to larger schools and universities. However, this effort has proven highly beneficial for our business and customers.

IDA: What is the best advice you ever received?
JF: The best advice I’ve ever received was from my grandfather who told me that no matter what I do, if I’m going to do something, do it right and do it to the best of my ability. I still remember him telling me that to this day and I try to instill the same beliefs in my children now. Doing a job or performing a task shouldn’t be looked at with just the mindset of getting it done and moving on, it should also include making sure it is done right and as good as it can be. I apply that to almost everything I do in life and although some tasks take longer than they could, they turn out as good as possible. I didn’t know it at the time, but this type of thinking applies to the detailing industry — a meticulous person who always strives for perfection makes a perfect detailer!

IDA: What tips do you have for the new detailer? For the experienced detailer?
JF: For new detailers starting, I recommend not overthinking things and not getting too caught up in the multitude of recommendations found on social media and the internet. There are various methods to clean a vehicle, numerous products, and countless opinions on what is best. While it's important to consider good advice, remember that every vehicle, market, and climate is different, and there are many variables in detailing. Find a process that works for you, experiment with different products and machines, and see what makes you most efficient and delivers the best results. Products, processes, and equipment can always be adjusted, so start somewhere and build from there.

For experienced detailers, it's important to ensure you're being compensated fairly for your work. If you're booked several months in advance, it's time to raise your prices. Don't worry too much if someone undercuts your prices; they will either have to cut corners and deliver poor results, or go out of business trying to maintain the high quality you offer. This industry has a low barrier to entry, so there will always be someone willing to work for very little money. Customers who seek the cheapest service are often the most difficult, bringing in the most challenging vehicles and always looking for the lowest price. Let the competition handle these clients while you focus on attracting quality customers willing to pay for your superior service.

IDA: Funniest business moment?
JF: There aren't many hilarious business moments that come to mind, but a recent event is worth a laugh. A customer contacted us to return a Rupes polisher they had purchased from us. However, when we received the package, it contained a Rupes Polisher box filled with nine bottles of Great Value water. We're not sure if the customer actually sent the water or if someone at the shipping company swapped out the brand-new polisher for bottles of water, but it was definitely amusing to open that box!

IDA: Why did you decide to get involved with the IDA?
JF: I chose to get involved with the IDA because I want to help elevate the detailing profession and bring more professionalism to the detailing community. As I mentioned earlier, this industry is easy to enter and requires minimal startup capital, and many individuals don’t fully understand what a professional detail involves. Many detailers operate with just a basic bucket, a sponge, a few brushes, and some chemicals, performing thorough car washes and calling them full details. I want to be part of an organization that raises industry standards and helps individuals like these acquire the proper tools, products, and knowledge to truly perform professional detailing work.

*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.