Another business besides the carwash?

[Greg_T]

At our particular location, a carwash won't provide enough revenue and net profit to generate a healthy income. So our carwash is a "side hustle", with our main source of income being an automotive workshop and tyre service.

I was wondering how many other self serve owners are in the same boat, with another primary business apart from the carwash?

 

[overlander_life]

I am mainly using the car wash income to fund my traveling. I operate a Gas station as a main source of income.

Ontario, Canada

 

[Wash4Life]

I am mainly using the car wash income to fund my traveling. I operate a Gas station as a main source of income.

Ontario, Canada

We used to have gas as well and at different points a convenience store and snack shop.

 

[Randy]

When I first got into the car wash business I was a Nuclear job skills instructor teaching reactor plant maintenance. After I retired from that job I started selling and servicing/repairing bill changers, bill validators to car washes, laundromats and arcades. Now I’m trying to cut back and not do as much as I did before.

 

[washnshine]

At our particular location, a carwash won't provide enough revenue and net profit to generate a healthy income. So our carwash is a "side hustle", with our main source of income being an automotive workshop and tyre service.

I was wondering how many other self serve owners are in the same boat, with another primary business apart from the carwash?

I have a tunnel wash that rounds out my car wash income. The self serve business alone in my area usually requires other sources of income. All the other self serve owners around me have several other ways of supplemental incomes - many that have been mentioned above. Laundromat, automobile repair, rental properties, construction businesses, restaurants etc. some people have other “day jobs” that are less related like architects, engineers that also latched on to a self serve for additional income.

 

[Rfreeman]

I run the family business, selling equipment in the oilseed processing industry around the world, which does require a lot of travel. Along with that have 9 duplexes 3 single family rentals and 3 washes.

My degree is in real estate and finance. I have always looked at real estate as a way to grow wealth. I stumbled into carwashing through my real estate deals and found the returns acceptable.

I think here in my market 1 wash isn't enough to make a living. You could make a go at with 2 after that your a full time car washer or like me have a team that supports and handles the day to day task.

The washes further fund my real estate and stock market investing toward my retirement

 

[Waxman]

In addition to my car wash, I operate at full service car detailing business, small used car lot, an eight Plex and a five Plex apartment building.

 

[MCM]

I operate a 50's drive-in restaurant, 8 months a year. This shares the property with my 3 bay SS. The car wash revenue is definitely "side-hustle" size.

 

[Greg_T]

Thanks for everyone's replies. It certainly makes me feel a little better to think that there are lots of us juggling multiple ventures at the same time!

 

[Greg_T]

I run the family business, selling equipment in the oilseed processing industry around the world, which does require a lot of travel.

My last project before I left my engineering / project management career was a canola processing plant here in Australia. I wonder if we purchased any of your equipment?

 

[Rfreeman]

My last project before I left my engineering / project management career was a canola processing plant here in Australia. I wonder if we purchased any of your equipment?

Was it a solvent extraction plant or mechanical extraction with screw presses? We are currently working on a project where we would be purchasing a solvent plant from Australia for a customer here in the U.S.

 

[Greg_T]

Was it a solvent extraction plant or mechanical extraction with screw presses? We are currently working on a project where we would be purchasing a solvent plant from Australia for a customer here in the U.S.

The part of the project that I looked after was the deodorising plant and oil blending facility. After I left the project, a colleague ran the project to install a new solvent extraction plant to replace an older, lower capacity plant. The project was for Graincorp at Numurkah, Victoria.

 

[Rfreeman]

Interesting and what a small world. Yes very familiar with RBD process and extraction both chemical and mechanical process.

 

[sparkey]

I have a couple self storage business locations on the side.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

I am mainly using the car wash income to fund my traveling.

Ontario, Canada

Similar

In addition to my washes I have various R/E ranging from commercial, office and SFH's.

 

[Mdbordelon318]

I have a oil field job. With a small storage unit business, just got my 6 SS 1 IBA about 3 months ago. Was in bad shape from previous owner but trying to build it up. But I couldn’t do it with just a wash. Atleast not yet. With a note on it. Thank God I’m pretty knowledgeable with pumps and carwash equipment.

 

[MEP001]

Does being a car wash service tech count as "another business besides the car wash?"

 

[washnshine]

Does being a car wash service tech count as "another business besides the car wash?"

I vote yes - close to as if you were a general plumber - it’s a maintenance/repair/diagnostic/technical job. Just happens to still be car washes.

 

[Andy Burn]

In addition to a 2 bay car wash, I operate a Shell branded gas station, large size C-store, Pizza Pizza and will be adding a breakfast restaurant.

 

[Bigmatthew86]

I’m a full-time fireman & own my own little lawn care business. My plan is work like hell now so I don’t have to later. If that doesn’t play out I’m doing way too much now.