Executive Detailing began as a necessity in the Spring of 2003. I had just graduated from Indiana University the previous summer, with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Telecommunications. I honestly had no clue what I was going to do with such an education. What was I qualified to do? Could I stay around my family to do said job?
These were all questions in which I did not have answers. I did, however have experience – if you want to call it that – in the auto business. I worked in various positions at a local Audi/Volkswagen/Subaru/Lincoln/Nissan dealership. Quite a variety of brands, I know. I started – as most young kids do – as a lot porter.
For my senior year, I moved into the offices as a cashier – which ultimately meant I could study and sit in the air conditioning. I graduated in August of 2002. Upon graduation, I accepted a job as a sales rep for a whole foods supplier. I remember being nervous at the interview, fumbling around – claiming I wasn’t nervous. I hated that job. I hated it more than I’ve ever hated anything. I don’t even like using the word hate. I essentially stocked groceries. My family loves to hear me tell of the time(s) I couldn’t find the location for certain products for which I was to stock; I’d get so discouraged. Here I was, in a huge grocery store – in all its 40,000 square feet of glory – and I couldn’t for the life of me find this 1″x3″ product label for which I’m to restock. Eventually I’d walk to the back room, check to make sure no one was around, and chuck the whole box in the trash! I did this on more than one occasion.
That chapter of my career was quite short, and I found myself without a job on the afternoon of March 7, 2003. My boss was actually a very nice guy; I admired his humility and work ethic. Luckily, I had already laid some groundwork beforehand and was about to find out I had some untapped potential as an entrepreneur. The dealership that kept me solvent in college was about to be my first big customer. Executive Detailing opened for business on March 11, 2003.
Now, here I am 22 years and thousands (and thousands) of customers later. The industry has changed so much. The products, tools, marketing, hiring, training, scheduling – it’s all different. There are certain things I’m not a fan of, and many things I’m grateful for.
I really enjoy writing. In fact, I’d do this for a living if I could. I’m looking forward to sharing what’s currently happening in the business and occasionally revisiting the past. Thank you for reading! Til next time…
Dave Chambers, Owner
August 2025