Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joy Harvey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

This idea was born out of grief. I had just lost my job, and not long after, my grandmother, the rock of our family, passed away. It was the first time I had experienced grief that close, and I didn’t know how to handle it. At the time, I was living in Oklahoma City with my wife and our foster kids, trying to build a life that felt steady. But after my grandmother’s death, everything seemed to unravel.

I ended up moving back to Tulsa to stay with family, and it felt like starting over completely. I went from a 2,400-square-foot home to one small room in my mom’s 600-square-foot house. It felt like life had stripped me down to nothing: no job, no marriage, no sense of direction. Just when I thought I was finding my footing again, COVID hit. I had just started a new job at T-Mobile, but between the unsafe environment and the pressure of the pandemic, I walked away.

One day, out of boredom and a need to clear my head, I started cleaning my car in my mom’s driveway. That moment turned out to be the spark. I took my last check from T-Mobile, bought a bucket, a water hose, and a few cleaning products, and started cleaning cars. At first it was just something to do, but then I put it on social media and people started booking me. That’s when I realized this wasn’t just a hustle, it was a way forward.

The turning point came when my sister introduced me to Build in Tulsa. They were launching their WE Build program, and I applied without even knowing what to expect. That opportunity changed everything. They invested $25,000 into my business idea, and from there, Harvey’s Detail Connection took off.

Looking back, the logic was simple even if the journey was messy. I knew people would always need their cars clean, but what made my approach unique was the heart behind it. This wasn’t just about detailing cars, it was about rebuilding lives, starting with my own. I believed if I could turn my pain into purpose, I could create a business that not only supported me but also gave second chances and opportunities to others who needed them.
What got me most excited wasn’t just making cars shine, it was realizing I could take something born out of grief and build it into something that inspires hope.

Joy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Joy Harvey, and I am the Founder and CEO of Harvey’s Detail Connection, a mobile detailing company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My journey into this industry wasn’t traditional. It was birthed out of grief, struggle, and a deep need to rebuild my life from the ground up. After losing my grandmother, my job, and eventually my marriage, I found myself back in Tulsa with nothing but a small room in my mother’s house. Out of boredom and the desire to clear my head, I started cleaning my car in her driveway. What began as a moment of therapy soon became my calling.

I took my last paycheck, bought a bucket, a hose, and some cleaning supplies, and started cleaning cars. I shared my work on social media, and people began booking me. That was the beginning of Harvey’s Detail Connection. From there, I joined Build in Tulsa’s WE Build program, where I was given a $25,000 grant to scale my business, and everything started to shift. What was once survival turned into vision.

At Harvey’s Detail Connection, we provide premium mobile detailing services for both individuals and corporate fleets. Our offerings range from maintenance details to full interior and exterior restorations, with customizable packages that meet the unique needs of our clients. We solve the everyday problem of convenience and trust. People don’t always have the time to get their vehicles cleaned, and they want it done by someone they can count on to deliver excellence every single time. That is where we come in. We bring the service directly to them, on their schedule, and treat their vehicles as if they were our own.

What sets us apart is not just the shine we put on cars. It is the purpose behind our work. Harvey’s Detail Connection is more than a detailing company. It is a community-based business built to create opportunities. We hire locally, train young adults, and provide second chances to those who might otherwise be overlooked. We are showing people that excellence and compassion can exist in the same space.

I am most proud of the fact that what started in my mother’s driveway has grown into a company that services major clients like the Hyatt Regency Hotel and is positioned to expand even further. But more than the contracts and the cars, I am proud of the lives we have touched along the way.

What I want people to know about me and Harvey’s Detail Connection is this: we are not just here to detail cars. We are here to redefine what it means to build a business with heart. Every service we provide is a reflection of resilience, faith, and a belief that no matter how broken your story may feel, you can rebuild it into something beautiful.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

This past winter tested me in ways I did not expect. In the detailing industry, when the temperatures drop, so do the bookings. People simply do not wash their vehicles as much in the cold, and I quickly felt the impact. The few details I did have, I was beyond grateful for, but the reality was that this is my only job, my full-time source of income. The money in my accounts started to dwindle until I barely had enough to cover my bills.

To make matters worse, the pump in my van broke not once, not twice, but three separate times. Each repair pulled more money out of the business during a season when there was very little coming back in. I remember sitting in my van one day, completely stressed, wondering how I was going to make it through. At that point, all I could do was pray.

That winter taught me that resilience is not about pretending things are easy. It is about standing firm when everything in you wants to give up. Even in the slow season, even when equipment kept breaking, even when my bank account was almost empty, I kept believing that if I held on a little longer, the season would turn. And it did. That experience gave me the confidence that no matter how tough things get, I can weather the storm and come out stronger on the other side.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

Right now, Harvey’s Detail Connection is primarily service-based, but I have been intentional about creating additional streams of revenue. For example, we’ve launched branded products such as our 3-in-1 solution that cleans, conditions, and leaves a fresh scent. These products give our clients something they can use at home while still experiencing the quality of our brand.

I am also developing subscription and loyalty programs so customers can commit to regular maintenance packages throughout the year. This helps smooth out the slow seasons, like winter, when detailing naturally slows down. On top of that, I am positioning the business to handle more corporate fleet accounts, which provide recurring revenue and long-term partnerships rather than one-off details.

For me, it is about building not just a detailing business but a brand that can thrive in multiple ways. Services may be the foundation, but products, subscriptions, and fleet contracts are the pillars that will help Harvey’s Detail Connection grow and remain sustainable for the long term.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.harveysdetail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveysdetailconnection
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harveysdetailconnection
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyharvey2

Image Credits

Broderick Knox | BK Photography | www.bkphotography.com