We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cody Trueman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Cody thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Giving 110% and believing in yourself. I’ve successfully been in business for over 4 years now, it’s a great feeling, but it didn’t start out that way. In 2016 I attempted to start a detailing business and failed. I moved on, took other jobs and tried out corporate America. It wasn’t for me. My New Year’s resolution for 2019 was to start up the detailing business again and give it all of my time, energy and resources. I worked a full time job while building my business and as I’m writing this I have left my old full time position to pursue detailing full time. I never gave up, as a result, I succeeded.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Cody Trueman, I’m 32 years old and I started Trueman Auto Detailing in 2019. It all started as a New Year’s resolution and I promised myself that I would make it the most important thing in my life. I had started a detailing business 3 years prior but failed to get it off the ground. The number one thing I have followed to this day is to never give up and always be disciplined. One of my biggest struggles was being more open and learning to talk to people as I am very introverted. Through running my business I have broken out of my shell and become very extroverted. I think that I am quite obsessed with cars and I love talking about them and I think that’s what people can sense. I think it’s why they choose me to detail their cars over others. I’ve loved cars since I was a year old and detailing them has been a love and hobby of mine. I get the most satisfaction from seeing the before and after stages of the cars I detail, as well as the clients reaction to their vehicle. A clients vehicle is treated as if it were my own. I take a lot of pride in what I do and how well I deliver my product, so I am excited to continue to grow and reach as many people as I can.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Starting my business was a challenge. I had just returned to Charlotte in September of 2018 and I didn’t have a lot of work lined up. I had just quit a corporate job in Dallas and decided to come back to Charlotte. My car broke down a week before I left and I was without it for a few weeks after I returned. My younger brother have me a place to stay for a few months but I knew that time was running out and that I needed to figure my life out. Things continued to go downhill and my car broke down a second time, I couldn’t fix it, I walked a few miles to work everyday and didn’t know what the next step was. I eventually got sick and tired of being sick and tired and by the end of December I had decided to give detailing another shot. This time I would make it my obsession. I took on as many hours as I could working at my other job to help fund it. I started slow, I enlisted the help of my older sister who I owe a lot of credit to helping me lift Trueman Auto Detailing off the ground. She’s an expert marketer and had lots of connections. The rest was up to me. My parents sent me some money to help pay for food and gas so I could put as much time and effort into my business. I never gave up, I took every call, I made any connection I could and I told everyone about my business. It paid off. 4 years later and I am taking it all full time. No more side gigs or odds jobs, I can now fulfill my dream and do what I love.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

We all hear the saying “it’s not what you know but who you know” and in my case I’ve witnessed it first hand. I have made so many friends and connections along my business journey and everyone has had a part in building my business. My strongest tool for business growth is word of mouth. I’ve never purchased any type of ad or promotion. I solely rely on my personality, the product I deliver and let my work speak for itself. It brings me joy and makes me feel proud when I have people share my story, promote my business and tell their friends!

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.truemanautodetail.com
• Instagram: @truemanautodetailing
• Facebook: @Truemanautodetailing

Image Credits
@marcvisuals @kingconor