Conversations with Christopher Corl

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Corl.

Christopher, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Detail Garage started with me buying some products from my favorite detailing supplies company. I was browsing around on the website and saw they were franchising. I had been in the car industry for about 11 years at that point and I wanted to do something different and follow my passion. I finally decided I was going to go ahead and pull the trigger. I sent an email to corporate and started the process. After getting all my ducks in a row financially I went to Cali for training and get the final details ironed out. When I was in Cali there was doubt if I would be able to open in time as there was only a month left until the grand opening. But sure enough with the help of family and friends the doors opened October 12th and we never looked back. If it weren’t for the strong team I have, I wouldn’t be where I am today. We hosted multiple cars meets, classes to teach how to use the products we sell, and went to every local car show and event that we could. Constantly pushing to get out name out there and bring people into the store. Right now as I fill all this out, I’m working on opening store two on the north side of Houston to bring the passion for shine to as many people as we can.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When IF started this venture I had an 18 month old, was going through a divorce, and had no idea about running a business. All I knew was that I wanted to do this and I would figure it out. At training my aunt passed away and it took everything out of me. Once the store opened learning about the clientele was a struggle. What products they wanted, what events they wanted, and how to bring more people into a store that most haven’t even heard about. Balancing the store, the social media for the store, but more importantly being a dad was just a lot. Again, I have to thank my family and friends for being there to push me to be successful and reassuring me that I could do it.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The short of it is, the store sells detailing and car wash supplies. The long? We geek out over cars and detailing cars. I love talking to people, my dad and mom always told me I could talk to a wall, and they weren’t wrong. At the store we make sure we listen to the customers wants and needs to make sure we get the right products for them. I could bore you with everything there is to know about just the soaps we sell for washing cars. I think I specialize in connecting with people and building relationships more than anything. It’s the most important part of life, in my opinion. Connecting with people is important in business because you build trust. Once someone trusts you, everything is easy. I’d say being energetic and funny. I just like to have a good time. All of the videos we do on social media is my favorite part about the store. Just being myself and doing dumb stuff while still educating people on our products. I’m 1000% most proud of being a dad. Above everything else, that’s my greatest accomplishment. It may sound corny, but that’s number one. Other than that, I’m proud of just working to where I am now. I never took school seriously and didn’t go to college. So, statistically, nobody thought I was going to do much. I got into the car industry and worked my way up and then started a now successful business. What sets me apart from others? I think it’s the constant mindset to be better. Wake up every day and just work, work on be better, work on growing, work work work!

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My personality, that’s according to most of my family and friends at least lol. I feel like I’m easy to talk to and again love to build relationships with anyone and every. I can’t tell you how much I love listening to others talk about their hobbies, interests, etc. Also, I’m not really shy. There was a call out amongst other detail garages to twerk and me being me, took it to a new level with a wild outfit and being foamed down.

Pricing:

• Soaps $6.99-$16.99
• Dressings $6.99-$16.99
• Ceramic coatings $39.99-$129.99
• Towels $6.49-$24.99
• Quick detail sprays $9.99-$24.99

Contact Info:

• Email: shouston@detailgarage.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detailgaragesouthhouston/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DetailGarageSouthHouston

Image Credits
Shelby Worrel