The reading level for this article is Novice
JasonBoarde
Detailpros.com | jason@detailpros.com | President / CEO | 10/21/2002 | Small Business Owner
Jason Boarde is co-founder and president of Detailpros.com##comma## a unique and comprehensive Online consumer resource and business referral marketing program that deals within the vehicle care & appearance Industries (detailing##comma## window tinting##comma## paintless dent & windshield repair) based in Los Angeles##comma## CA.
What kind of training or education did you acquire before your venture?
Jason Boardé was born and raised outside of Cleveland##comma## Ohio and is the co-founder and president of DetailPros.com. Mr. Boardé has an education in fine arts and a history of dealing with creative projects. Before founding DetailPros.com##comma## Mr. Boardé was involved with several non-profit charity organizations and educational institutions in the capacity of business development and public relations. He has gained comprehensive experience by working with a collective group of companies##comma## ranging from start-ups to professional artistic companies to asset management for a major financial institution. Most recently##comma## Mr. Boardé has served as an advisor and teacher for a Los Angeles based Not-For-Profit children##aps##s educational institution.
What services or products does your organization offer?
Detailpros.com is a resource & service Website that facilitates the connection between the customer and the vehicle care specialist in a specific geographic area##comma## and covering topics from four major areas of the vehicle care & appearance industries. With forums##comma## chat rooms##comma## links to publications other media and both private and public resources##comma## it is also conducive to creating an online community for both enthusiast and industry professionals. The company is based in Los Angeles##comma## California and is a year old##comma## but the Website has only been live for four months.
What type of business or organization do you operate?
The legal structure of our company is a partnership. The business model was a concept of mine##comma## one that I have had for some time. My business partner thought of applying it to the vehicle care & appearane industry. We decided to go at it together because two head are better than one. Also##comma## we compliment each other in that he handles the finances and I handle business and development.
How many employees do you currently have?
4
How did you originally discover the idea for your organization?
I thought of owning a site a long time ago. What the site would do I had no idea. I just knew I had to do something for myself because I couldn##aps##t keep working for someone else. My first try at the Web or Internet was a talent portfolio and management company that never got off the ground. Have some experience in the modeling industry I want to start a online portfolio service and a talent and model management company. I soon leran that A) I would need a lot of money and B) I would need even more money##comma## plus many other companies similar to this idea started popping up everywhere. So I started fresh again##comma## I saw a 1-800 DENTIST commercial and the word ##quote##prescreen##quote## popped into my head. ##quote##Prescreen##quote## what##comma## I don##aps##t know but I knew that after seeing that commercial that there was a trend in the service industry and I had to jump on the wave now at the beginning if I wanted to succeed.
How did you originally fund your organization?
All the financing for this venture is from my partner and myself. Credit cards##comma## bartering##comma## and hard work paid the way.
Are you the founder of your organization?
Yes
Do you believe there is any distinct culture within your organization? If so, please describe it.
NO##comma## and it never will! Coporate culture is a thing of the past. It##aps##s simply makes no sence to me. Why put on a suite and tie every day if there is no customer to meet? I##aps##m a 110% more proficient without all the coporate red tape and micro management.
What obstacles or challenges have you faced in your organization?
he biggest obstacle has been dealing with our rapid growth. With growth comes more expenses##comma## which we have to find funds to manage.
Did you accept any advice along the way? Do you believe new organizations should be open to such advice?
Advisors are extremely important to a young entrepreneuer. I have been very lucky to be taken under a wing of one of my dear new friends and a member of my advisory panel. He has shown me the ropes and introduced me to new ways of thinking as a business owner.
Did you receive any help along the way from other businesses or organizations? If so, how and from whom?
None yet.
What have been the keys to success in your business? What do you believe are the keys to success?
Organition##comma## hard work##comma## fast thinking##comma## and a team who will get the job done no matter what. Can do attitude is everything in business. We are a very young company##comma## just about a year old so we still have a lot ahead of us.
What kind of relationship do you establish with your customers or clients?
We really don##aps##t have any competitors. There are similar type companies in our industry but none quite like us. We out service##comma## out perform##comma## and out do those who do offer any type of service we offer. We are the first company in our indsutry of our kind. The competition didn##aps##t have a chance. However##comma## we have also adopted a psuedo Not-for-profit approach that has truely aided in our small success.
What types of marketing do you employ?
Advertising in publications is very expensive and did not work to my liking. I would have to say online advertising as been the best avenue for us.
Do you employ any web or online marketing?
I don##aps##t think I need to answer this question. 🙂
What role does trust play in business or in your organization?
Yes##comma## keep track of what you are doing and make sure you have an agenda. There is so much work to be done and so little time. With so much going on it can be hard to keep up. So every now and then walk away and take breaks. Treat yourself to a few days or a weekend off to relax and recharge your battery.
Did you struggle with starting your own organization or venture? Why did you decide to begin on your own?
I have always sort of know my future. I think everyone does to a point##comma## call me strange if you wish. I love business and I love freedom. The freedom to choose and make my own future is rewarding enough for me.
What books or resources would you recommend for individuals starting off now?
Gee? Don##aps##t know##comma## I have read so many books and articles I can##aps##t even tell you. Try it all and see what fits best.
Do you notice any trends in the marketplace? If so, what are they?
I think the Internet is shaping the our future more than we may think. People say the never read SPAM mail or junk mail##comma## but even I have read one or a few. The speed and the way you can present information is just majestic! We just don##aps##t know it because we are in the here and now##comma## but as wee look back in history we will learn that the past century has been simply incredible.
Do you believe networking and contacts are important? If so, how?
Vital to the life and future of your business. Networking is free advertising.
What do you think about contracts and other legal obligations? Are they important in your business?
Always be honest##comma## fare##comma## and make sure everyone is a winner.
If there is one thing that would sum up your advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?
I think education is very important. However##comma## I also think being individuals we learn at our own rate and speed##comma## therefore it is a personal choice. College##comma## I have never attended##comma## can be great for those who need structured learning. Other are more hands on and pick-up things faster that way. I had a professional career at the age of 15 in several areas of the fine arts and never attended college. I managed all my affairs and still could chat philosophy##comma## politics##comma## and world views with the best of them. I have also been involved in something al my life so school was not such a big thing to me##comma## as I have always been learning##comma## seeking knowledge##comma## hungry to be a part of any venture. Currently I have a strong desire to attend school again only because I think I have tapped into all I can as far as real world experience.
What, if any, final advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?
I a young entrepreneur##comma## now it##aps##s my turn to pick your brain.
