A New Endeavor: My Experience with a Small Town Car Wash

I recently embarked on an exciting business venture by purchasing a small three-bay car wash located in a quaint rural town in Missouri, home to about 1,000 residents. This establishment, accompanied by a single vending machine, caught my attention despite its modest size.

One of the unique challenges I encountered was the lack of financial records from the previous owner—beyond utility expenses, there were no clear numbers to guide my decision-making. The car wash primarily operated on a cash basis and, while it was equipped with credit card machines, the internet service was insufficient. Fortunately, I’ve just upgraded to a Starlink connection, which will allow me to leverage the credit card system more effectively. Additionally, I’ve installed cameras to enhance security and oversee operations.

After two weeks of ownership, I’m pleased to report that the car wash has generated approximately $600 in revenue, with a minimal cost of about $120 for soda sales from the vending machine. After accounting for expenses, I estimate that the business will yield around $600 in profit each month, which is encouraging, especially considering this figure includes the new internet bill.

Looking ahead, my goal is to expand operations further. I plan to transition entirely to credit card payments and introduce another vending machine to diversify revenue streams. With these improvements, I believe it’s achievable to boost monthly revenue to around $2,000.

I invested $60,000 in this venture and anticipate an additional $5,000 will be necessary to implement my desired changes. While I’m optimistic about the potential of this car wash, I can’t help but wonder—did I make a wise investment? What are your thoughts on managing small businesses in similar settings? I’d love to hear your insights!