In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Ruben, someone I had the privilege of working alongside early in my career. Our story goes back to the days when we were grinding it out in the shop together, learning the ins and outs of detailing and supporting each other as we built our skills. Eventually, I was able to connect Ruben with an opportunity at a friend’s dealership, and it has been incredible to watch him thrive in that environment.
Ruben has a real gift for interior detailing and carpet care—a side of the industry that often doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves. In our conversation, we dive into what makes interior work so uniquely challenging, from dealing with stubborn stains to balancing speed and quality in high-volume environments. Ruben shares some of the tricks of the trade, but also opens up about the physical and mental demands that come with trying to make a vehicle look brand new from the inside out.
We also talk about what it’s like working at a dealership, where the pace is relentless and expectations are high. Ruben’s perspective gives real insight into the day-to-day grind, but also the pride that comes with transforming a vehicle for the next customer.
Whether you’re a detailer looking for tips, someone curious about the behind-the-scenes of dealership life, or just interested in hearing the story of two friends reconnecting through their craft, this episode has something for you.
“Welcome back to the Driven By Details Podcast.
Today’s episode is a special one — and our longest yet.
Almost two hours of unfiltered conversation packed with insights, stories, and lessons you won’t want to miss.
We dive deep into Gabe Madina background in detailing! Covering everything from how he got into the industry to events that led him down the road to Entrepreneurship , and even some behind-the-scenes experiences that most people never get to hear about.
If you’re passionate about detailing, business, or just love hearing real conversations from people in the industry, this episode is worth every minute. Buckle up — this one goes the distance.”
🎙 New Episode of Driven By Details
In this episode, I sit down with David from Oberk Car Care to recap the recent Gloss University Grand Opening. We had a fantastic turnout, and if you couldn’t make it, this episode gives you an inside look at what went down!
We also dive into car culture from a detailing enthusiast’s perspective — sharing our passion for the craft and community.
Later in the show, David gives us a sneak peek at some exciting new products Oberk has been developing behind the scenes.
👉 Tune in, enjoy the conversation, and thanks for listening!
🎙 New Episode of Driven By Details In this latest episode, I stepped outside the usual format and just spoke directly to the camera—no script, no filter.
I opened up about a recent personal experience: dealing with a frustrating and drawn-out roofing project. This situation pushed me to the edge and made me question the values of some people in the trades—specifically, the difference between pride in your craft and chasing a quick buck.
Through all the setbacks, I found a new level of appreciation for what real craftsmanship looks like—and how much I value integrity in the work I do every day.
This episode is honest, unfiltered, and a bit personal. Give it a listen, and let me know what you think. Your feedback means more than ever.
In this episode of Driven By Details, I sit down with Steve, the owner of Suppressed Details, based in Santa Rosa, CA.
Steve isn’t new to the detailing industry, but he recently made the big jump to full-time professional detailing. He’s transformed his home garage into a high-level detailing studio, specializing in paint corrections, ceramic coatings, and top-tier detailing work.
In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Steve’s journey before going full-time in detailing ✅ The highs and lows of running a small business ✅ Industry trends & challenges every detailer faces
This one is packed with valuable insights—don’t miss it! 🎧
📅 Drops Thursday 3-20-25
🔥 Tune in & let us know what you think!
#DrivenByDetails #DetailingPodcast #GlossUniversity #AutoDetailing #SmallBusiness #PaintCorrection #CeramicCoating #DetailingCommunity
In this episode of the Driven By Details podcast, host Driven By Details welcomes Beau Mulher, a passionate detailer who shares his journey into the detailing industry.
From learning the basics of car care from his father to transitioning into a professional detailer, Beau discusses the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. The conversation delves into the importance of mentorship, the learning curve associated with mastering detailing techniques, and the significance of finding opportunities in the automotive field.
Beau emphasizes the value of continuous learning and setting standards for personal growth, making this episode a must-listen for aspiring detailers and automotive enthusiasts alike.
Takeaways
Beau's journey into detailing began with his father's teachings.
Learning to care for a vehicle can spark a passion for detailing.
YouTube and online resources are valuable for learning new skills.
Hands-on experience in a body shop accelerates skill development.
The detailing industry requires both technical knowledge and practical skills.
Finding a mentor can significantly enhance learning and growth.
Continuous practice is essential for mastering detailing techniques.
Setting personal standards can guide professional development.
Opportunities can arise from unexpected situations, like the pandemic.
Investing in training can provide reassurance and accelerate skill acquisition.
🎙️ Episode 2 of Season 3 brings you an inspiring conversation with Thad Sullivan from Endurance Auto Detailing!
Thad’s passion for the detailing industry is exceptional, and he’s constantly pushing himself to learn more and take on challenging projects. From standard interior and exterior services to advanced techniques like wet sanding and show car detailing, Thad’s dedication to his craft truly sets him apart.
In this episode, we dive into Thad’s journey—how he got started in the world of auto detailing, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what drives his passion for creating stunning results. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, you won’t want to miss Thad’s insights and inspiring story.
🎧 Tune in now and thanks for listening!
Season 3 of Driven By Details is Here!
I’m thrilled to kick off Season 3 of the Driven By Details Podcast! 🎙️ This season is loaded with new guests, live streams, and even more insights to keep you ahead in the detailing industry.
New episodes drop every Thursday—mark your calendars!
To start the season, I’m joined by fellow podcaster Alex Russell from The Detail Solutions Podcast. In this episode, we dive into what the detailing industry might look like in 2025—covering everything from pricing and sales to service trends and how big corporate money is reshaping the landscape.
Whether you're a detailer, shop owner, or industry enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights to help you stay ahead of the curve. 🌟 We break down the challenges and opportunities coming in 2025 and share strategies to help you adapt and thrive.
We’re excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to share this journey with you. Tune in now and let’s kick off Season 3! 🎧
Matt and David from Gloss University highlight the exciting training events planned 2025! With lots of planning and preparation, we’ve curated a wide range of classes designed to give our students the opportunity to choose the training that best fits their interests and goals. This year, we’re taking our hands-on learning experience to the next level. A few classes will hit the road at special locations across the country, while others will be hosted at the state-of-the-art Gloss University facility—which will soon be celebrating its one-year anniversary this March.
From immersive 4-day boot camps and focused detailing classes to a flagship anniversary event and a free open house, 2025 offers something for every technician and enthusiast, no matter your skill level. In this video, we’ll break down all nine events, sharing the dates, details, and locations so you can plan ahead and join us for a year of professional growth, learning, and community.
check out all the events at
www.glossuniversity.com
In this deeply personal and insightful episode, my wife and I sit down to discuss the importance of mental health and how it intersects with both personal and professional growth. Through an honest and open conversation, we explore the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, relationships, and the journey toward self-discovery.
Join us as we dive into these impactful topics, offering actionable insights, heartfelt reflections, and a celebration of growth through the challenges of life. Whether you're navigating entrepreneurship, prioritizing mental health, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with value and connection.
Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and share your thoughts with us—we'd love to hear your journey too!
In this episode, I talk about training, Gloss University and showcase some highlights form our recent training at the new Gloss U Headquarters
Hard to believe that its September of 2024. Its also hard to believe that we are coming up on two years since the first episode of DBD back in November of 2022.
Some changes coming for the next season of the podcast. We are expanding the Gloss University Trainings for 2025 and have some exciting announcements coming soon.
If you have not yet had a chance to see the Documentary video recapping this summers advanced training you can find it in the link below.
We are just about one week away from our first advanced wet sanding and paint correction class a the new Gloss University Headquarters. We have been working on the new facility since March and we are finally set up to hold our first of many trainings.
This one is special because it is our first event at the new building. We have been looking for a building just about as long as we have been talking about it. Now that Gloss University has a headquarters, it will allow us to hold more frequent trainings.
In this episode, David and I discuss how he built his relationship with the RingBrothers and the first Gloss University Class.
This episode I am joined by Alex Russell from The Detailing Solutions Podcast. I originally met Alex in the summer of 2022 at our advanced training that took place at the RingBrothers in Spring Green WI. We share a few stories from that training event and Alex shares a few stories from his recent training at Reds Detail with Jescar and Anglewax.
We move onto talking about ceramic coatings and before wrapping up the podcast Alex takes us back to 2020 and how he started his own podcast.
Thanks for listening!!
Enjoy
This year marks a year of growth and expansion. We have been working hard behind the scenes to build out the new Gloss University Headquarters. We are also very excited about our up coming classes kicking off this summer and into the fall.
In this episode of DBD I am joined by David Patterson from Oberk Car Care. We discuss some of the new additions to the Oberk line and upcoming training for the season. We have been busy doing some dealership classes this spring are excited to host more events in the future at the new Gloss U. Thank you all for listing and supporting the podcast. Hope you Enjoy!
Mattie
In this episode of Driven By Details, I sit down with Tony from Shine Effects Auto Spa.
Tony has deep passion for this industry and his story is really inspiring. Like many entrepreneurs trying to make their business thrive, often times we struggle to get the business running smoothly and consistently. Tony has experienced many ups and downs during his six years in business.
As the episode unfolds we talk about how he got stated detailing and how training really help give him the push needed to grow his small business. Tony has recently relocated his business moving from Kentucky to Arizona and I thought it would be great for him to tell his story.
The audio in the beginning is a bit muffled, but it improves quickly, please hang in there.
Thank for listening!
Spring is in the air and we are getting ready for a busy season ahead. This year will be a year of growth as we begin construction at the new Gloss University Headquarters. We have a ton of cool things planned for the future and are looking forward to the build out of the new space for Gloss University.
In this Episode I sit down with David to talk about our recent training at a local New Car Dealer Group. This week long training involved lots of learning for both the students and the instructors. We have also proven that APS can really make positive change in when properly used for interior and exterior detailing.
The year is off to a busy start. We are expanding into new things this year. Gloss University has found a place to call home and we are looking forward to this next chapter.
Training and education has been our focus and we have so much to work towards over this coming year. Thank you for everyones support!
In this episode of Driven By Details, I sit down with Jason and David to talk about pricing in 2024. I am still heavily involved in the car wash industry and recently read through the new Auto Laundry magazine. The January 2024 issue released a new "Detailing Survey" that highlights some of the average price points of detailing services across the country. It was shocking to me as I read how cheap some of these a la carte services are listed at freestanding shops across the county. It had me begin to think about my own pricing for service.
As prices for goods continue to climb, I am curious to see how prices for services may follow. There has always been this ongoing discussion about "how much do I charge" and it can be difficult to raise prices because of the added fear of losing business. So in this episode we talk about pricing and when might be the tipping point of turning away clients due to high priced services.
In this episode of Driven By Details, we are joined by Craig Stewert from Rossland British Columbia. Craig's backstory and his years driving a truck, really sets the tone for how he got into metal polishing and the passion he shares for a clean truck. Craig spends lots of his time on the road traveling to his clients to offer his services. Even thought his main focus is metal polishing, he is still offers detailing services for his clients.
As the episode progresses, we talk about the climate in Canada, and how Ceramic Coatings do not hold up to their durability claims in these areas. If you are into metal polishing or trucks, be sure to give Crater Service a follow on Instagram to see some of his amazing work. You hope you all enjoy this episode as we share the stories behind the shine.
** PART TWO **
On this episode of Driven By Details, Jason Killmer joins me while we sit down to talk with Gary Robinett form Motorsports Distributing. Gary shares stories from the past and present day with his more than 30 year in automotive and detailing. I was eager to have Gary on the podcast to discuss the detailing industry. Gary has a passion for his work along with his customers and is always eager to educate his clients. This industry has seen many advancements over the last 30 years. Its certainly cool to look back and see how far we have come, and also recognize how far we have yet to go!
Join us on Part Two as we talk past, present and future of this industry.
