Oil Change Guys History; Part II

Franchise companies are not born they are made and when studying the history of franchise companies, it is amazing how similar they really are. To continue this story we are in the height of the Dot Com Bubble with money flowing in Silicon Valley and personal services and labor is at a premium indeed;

Before Oil Maxx's downfall, Oil Maxx with the foresight of Mr. Winslow and the help of Lou Gurnick was a registered California Franchise poised to dominate the industry as companies like New Jersey based Oil Butler were doing. Oil Butler had already sold some 50 franchises and were getting ready to go for an IPO. Lance and Dave decided they needed very much to kick butt on the West Coast so they could dominate the market before Oil Butler could. This similar strategy was used against FleetWash, also out of New Jersey as they marched westward to attack our strong hold position in the truck fleet washing business (Truck Wash Guys) www.truckwashguy.com . Meanwhile we were advancing our Detail Guys Brand in FL with plans to move into the South East market for a foothold in the personal and corporate employee oil change market by co-branding those two brands with Oil Maxx. Mr. Winslow had been promised up until then that Oil Maxx would make good on their word to launch a nationwide franchise campaign. A quote comes to mind from the Late Vince Lombardi, that there are few willing to go the distance in the pursuit of victory, only the strong survive, it is a matter of individual will. Not everyone has what it takes.

Oil Maxx Company had worked as a perfect synergy with our washing franchised system in Silicon Valley up until then. Since we were operating in Silicon Valley we worked on perfecting our WashGuy online ordering systems as well. We eventually added a system to order car washes via customer's PDA Wireless devices during the Ricochet Rage of Venture Capital Alley. We even set up Team Yellow Automotive Services and co-marketed with other mobile services. We had spent thousands of dollars getting ready for the nationwide co-branding efforts with the Oil Maxx Company. Unfortunately after two years Oil Maxx was unable to expand much out of the Bay Area with regards to franchising. Mr. Winslow put the Co-marketing project with the Oil Maxx company on hold and looked immediately to create synergies with any Independent Mobile Oil Change Business and look for a new Nationwide Partner. Oil Maxx finally went off the air in late 2001. In franchising the death rate of new franchisors is 5:1 in the first five years.

We could not understand how they went through all their original capital after we sent them business and our local franchisee's paid part of their shop space to park our wash trucks at night as a favor to help with their start-up and operational costs. But we know from our experiences in studying franchising that only one in five franchisors survive in America due to stringent regulations. In CA the failure rate is even higher since CA is just about the worst state due to onerous regulators. In 2002 California was rated in Wall Street Journal as the worst state to do business in, with the worst anti-business regulations.

As Car Wash Guys worked through it's own growing pains, we were able to take what we had learned and use that to help us co-market with other independent mobile oil change companies across the country. Even at times substituting on-site Preventative Fleet Maintenance, Mobile Tire Service Companies and even mobile fleet alignment companies even though Oil Maxx's failure to make good on the promise.

Mr. Winslow was looking for another franchise company that had nationwide ambitions. In mid 2001 he met with a Japanese Company who had a representative living in Malibu, CA who could provide patented Oil Additives for fleet vehicles, which could expand the life of the oil interval up to 100,000 miles or so it was claimed. The Japanese firm had been using the product for 10 years in Japan and it was proven with 1 million miles worth of tests on trucks from Yellow Freight, the largest LTL Trucking company in the nation and with Roadway, years later they were merged as one company. The product was great and the North American rights were available with their main contact who was a former board member of the American trucking Association.

Mr. Winslow also met with another Nationwide Oil Additive Company representative in Reno, NV, who had come to The Detail Guys www.detailguys.com original prototype 8-Bay Detail Shop to discuss another oil additive. Their product guaranteed the engine life of any car to 150,000 miles after a certified inspection almost too good to be true. All guaranteed through Lloyd's of London. Lance thought gee whiz, I now have a product for the car dealerships, trucking industry and mom and pop. Mr. Winslow then met with people from Lucas Oil Additives and Kendall Motor Oils after trying both for over 40,000 miles each in the Blitz Mobile Command Center and Corporate Office on wheels.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

---

The Reluctant Entrepreneur

It seems odd to think of a person opening a... Read More

Surviving the Three Pitfalls of Business Ownership

The morning sun sheds its brilliance and warmth... Read More

Executive Suites - A Way To Save Cash

Cash is one of the most important resources to a... Read More

An Entrepreneurs Biggest Cost

When launching a new product or company, an entrepreneur must... Read More

Starting a Company on a Shoe-String Budget

A lot of people never start businesses because they believe... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Increase Your Profitability

1) Go back to basics. Take a couple of steps... Read More

Two Types of Business Plan Executive Summaries

Companies seeking capital often ask how long the Executive Summary... Read More

Part-Time/In-Home Business - Low Expense and Low Risk

As a first time entrepreneur, there are a variety of... Read More

Before Getting A Franchise

Buying into a franchise is a great way to be... Read More

Are You an Entrepreneur That is Starved for Time?

Being an entrepreneur and running a successful home-based business is... Read More

5 Habits Of Successful Entrepreneurs

Habits get a bum rap. When you think about your... Read More

Questions For The Entrepreneur To Be

Entrepreneurial e-gnorancePart 1: Questions for the entrepreneur to beIf you... Read More

Could a Non-Profit Structure Be Right for Your Business?

If you have a business idea, or an idea for... Read More

Increase Profits with No Pain, No Change Approach

Implementing changes, even when they're good for your business, can... Read More

What Kind of Business Should I Start?

It's not uncommon to reach your 30s, 40s or even... Read More

Salon Marketing Using Wireless Broadband Internet Access

Our client in Chicago did, located right outside downtown too...a... Read More

If It Was Easy Everybody Would Do It

Q: I started my business about a year ago and... Read More

The Visionary Entrepreneur

Any success you have in life must begin with a... Read More

Cut to the Quick - What is an Entrepreneur? The Inside Story

Enjoying the title of entrepreneur is a hollow feeling.If you... Read More

Oil Change Guys History; Part IV

One trait of franchisors and something you will find in... Read More

Adding a Service After You Buy a Business

When you buy a business, you should have a plan.... Read More

How To Find Hot Online Business Ideas

Would you like to find the key that unlocks the... Read More

The Use of Common Stock in Venture Capital Transactions

When raising capital for a business venture, a company can... Read More

Franchises - Emotional Fulfillment - The Challenge

Does A Franchise Meet Your Needs?Do you look forward to... Read More

Self-Esteem and the Entrepreneur

Isn't it funny how people think that being self-employed is... Read More

Three Cs - What Startups Need to Get a Business Loan, Part 1

You want to get a good, solid overview of what... Read More

100% of Nothing

What would it be worth to you to receive a... Read More

Create Your Entrepreneur Dream Team

I hear it all the time. "What should I do... Read More

Walt Disneys Failures Could Inspire Entrepreneurs

You are a struggling entrepreneur and sometimes it feels like... Read More

Franchises - Success and You

Many people believe owning a franchise will make them rich,... Read More

5 TIPS for Home-Based Business Entrepreneurs

Have you ever heard that only a small part (5%)... Read More

Herb Filled Pillows Make Over a Million Dollars

Lauren Rosenstadt was a single mom working at a herbcompany... Read More

The Term Sheet?s Role in Raising Venture Capital

Entrepreneurs and companies who are seeking venture capital often negotiate... Read More