Member Spotlight: Marvin Mieth, CD-SV, RIT

Marvin Mieth, CD-SV, RIT, is President of the IDA Germany Chapter and CEO of GLOSSBOSS. We recently had a chance to speak to him and find out how he got started in the detailing industry.

IDA: How did you get into the detailing industry?
MM: Shortly after I got my first car, I slightly drifted into a bush and had to polish the scratches out. There was a local store in my town that stocked Meguiar's. So, I bought some Meguiar's ScratchX and polished the scratches out. Of course, my family was also interested, so I tried different products on their cars and quickly got into detailing.

IDA: Please tell us your business's story.
MM: I was quite active in a German detailing forum/board, sharing how-tos and presenting my work on a car. That was back in 2008. In 2010, I registered a business and rented my first workshop. I started the blog Glossboss in June 2014, and we’ve continued to create tutorials, how-tos, and articles from the work on customer cars. Shortly after the blog's launch, I published YouTube videos showing the “behind the scenes” at a detailing job, which wasn’t a thing in Germany until then. In 2021, I decided to go from a side hustle to full-time with the detailing webshop.

IDA: In what products or services does your company specialize?
MM: We mainly use and sell products from Nanolex, Labocosmetica (for which I am the distributor in Germany), The Rag Company, Colourlock, Koch Chemie, 3D, Sonax, and some others. The main business is my webshop, and the side hustle is now car detailing, where I mainly polish and coat cars. A few months ago, I got into leather repair, which I’m still learning.

IDA: What do you think is the most important factor to being successful in the detailing industry?
MM: I think it’s extremely important to fulfill the customer’s needs instead of your own. Of course, we all want swirl-free paint, but when the customer’s budget is limited, we sometimes have to get along with just a minor paint correction and leave some swirls in the paint. That’s not always the thing we want, but it’s better to put your ego aside and put out the best work you can do for that customer’s budget.

IDA: Are there any awards/certifications/accomplishments that you or your business has earned and would like to share with us?
MM: I am doing the certification for Nanolex and Labocosmetica in Germany as the official trainer.

IDA: What is the best advice you ever received?
MM: The best advice I ever received was to never stop learning. The detailing industry is constantly evolving, with new products, techniques, and customer demands. Staying up to date and continually improving your skills is crucial to providing the best service possible and staying ahead of the competition.

IDA: What tips do you have for the new detailer? For the experienced detailer?
MM: My advice is valid for both new and experienced detailers: never chase money. Just put out good work and educate yourself. 

IDA: Funniest business moment?
MM: I’ve had plenty of funny moments during my time in the detailing industry, but most of them are the kind you had to be there for. Plus, being a bit protective of my customers' privacy, I prefer not to share specific stories. And, of course, we all know that Germans don’t have fun at work anyway – just kidding! 😄 I hope you understand!

IDA: Why did you decide to get involved with the IDA?
MM: I like the idea of creating a community for dedicated professionals, where everyone can benefit from one another.

IDA: How has your involvement with the IDA affected your business and your career?
MM: I think without the IDA, I would have missed some opportunities, like the trip to SEMA 2023. Or my recent trip to the US, where I met many IDA members at The Rag Company. Being a member of the IDA allows you to be connected to so many awesome people where you can get in touch and create new opportunities.

*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.