Profit, People & Customers: A Smarter Approach to Car Wash Success

CAR WASH Podcasts

Today’s guest is someone who knows a thing or two about business growth and profitability—Mike Michalowicz the entrepreneur behind three multimillion-dollar companies and the bestselling author of Profit First, Clockwork, The Pumpkin Plan, and his latest book, All In. He’s also been a small business columnist for The Wall Street Journal and a business makeover expert on MSNBC. These days, he travels the world helping entrepreneurs simplify their businesses, grow sustainably, and—most importantly—avoid burnout.

His mission? To lift the weight off the entrepreneurial spirit.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Kendra Johnson, International Car Wash Association Senior VP of Growth, to talk about practical, no-nonsense ways car wash owners can streamline their business and set themselves up for long-term success. You’ll learn:

Simplifying Business Finances – Car wash owners often feel overwhelmed by the numbers, but Mike’s NFN (Now, Future, Next) model cuts through the noise and makes managing finances easier.

Smart Hiring & Employee Retention – Finding and keeping great employees is critical. Mike shares why hiring for the right reasons is key and how business owners can:

• Give employees authority and control so they take ownership.
• Personalize the experience (like putting their names on a company truck) to boost engagement.
• Initiate knowledge—the more employees know, the more invested they become.
• Provide psychological equity, which makes employees feel valued beyond just a paycheck.

The Power of Recognition – Not all employees want recognition the same way—Mike explains how to tailor it, so it actually means something to your team.

Training & Growth – Striking the right balance between employee contribution and personal growth leads to a stronger, more committed team.

Identifying Your Best Customer – Here’s a surprising truth: your best customer might not be who you think! Mike breaks down:

• Why you shouldn’t just trust what customers say—trust their wallets instead.
• How to evaluate if a customer is truly valuable to your business.
• The intersection of customer value and your excitement—the sweet spot for business success.

Customer Retention Strategies That Work – Want to keep customers coming back? Mike shares why subscriptions are a game-changer.