lessons from Car Boss Car Wash

Over the weekend, I visited my colleague’s new car wash in Bindura—a venture that had just passed its first month of operation. What surprised me most were the fascinating business dynamics at play, along with these key lessons:

Lesson 1: Don’t Fear Competition

As I walked 400–500m from the bus stop to her car wash, I noticed two busy car washes along the way. Hers was the third. Later, when l boarded the bus back home, I spotted another one directly opposite the stop—one I’d missed earlier. All were actively serving customers. The lesson? Competition shouldn’t deter you. If a business makes sense, pursue it—even if others are already doing it. Proximity can validate demand rather than threaten it.

Lesson 2: Speed Is Critical

While there, I watched my colleague jump in to help her team wash cars. Inspired, I joined in and took on vacuuming—and quickly realized how slow I was! With 7 cars lined up and owners returning sooner than expected (often to leave, not check progress), efficiency is non-negotiable. Speed isn’t just convenient; it’s the difference between customer satisfaction and lost revenue. This applies far beyond car washes: in any service business, speed can separate high profits from low ones.

Lesson 3: Prioritize the Best Solution (Regardless of Origin)

One worker showed me a bottle of homemade cleaning fluid—a "secret formula" of inexpensive ingredients, including floating seeds. To prove its effectiveness, they pointed to a car cleaned with it over a week prior. Though cheaper than store-bought tire cleaner, it worked just as well (if not better). The takeaway? True ingenuity means finding or creating the best solution, even if it’s unconventional or budget friendly. Business rewards those who solve problems resourcefully.