As I sit here ready to publish part 3 of interview series with small businesses, I feel gutted. The recent cold blooded murder of George Floyd by a police officer has rightfully taken national and global attention and COVID-19 seems trivial in the wake of yet another African American life taken at the hands of those sworn to "serve and protect". While I'll save my thoughts about the murder for another post, I believe one of the ways we can begin to change the system is to support black owned businesses. Owning a business gives you a voice in a community. It affords you an opportunity to build strong relationships with clients in the community as well as other business owners, servicemen, politicians and the like. I felt it was of paramount importance to get this interview out, especially in the current climate and hope that it encourages you to support local businesses - and especially black owned businesses. It will be instrumental in helping our African American brothers and sisters level the playing field.
Interview with Craig Mohammed from Good Service Detailing
A mobile car detailing service serving the Bergen and Pasaaic county areas.
IG: @goodservicedetailing1
Facebook: craig.mohammed.946
Q1: What is your business and When did you open?
My name is Craig Mohammed. I love cars and started my Detailing Business in June 2019. I am the owner of a Mobile Detailing Car service. I am currently servicing customers in the Bergen County and Passaic County Area. My “why” is because: (1) I feel a sense of pride in my work. (2) I am following my passion. (3) I absolutely love what I do. I always loved detailing cars, most people think that there are no skills required but, passion, love, sense of pride, excellent communications skills, and commitment to do things better than others.
Q2: How has Covid-19 effected your business?
This pandemic has affected my business tremendously. It’s an uncertain time with lots of unknown. Cash flow, even in a good economy is often a struggle for small businesses. But, now it has turned into one of the most, if not the most, important obstacle that we face. With unemployment on the rise and quarantine bans implemented around the world, my business has suffered. My business is to have face to face interaction with customers or go to car dealers’ locations and provide quality service to them.
Prior to Covid-19, I was working for 3 Car Dealerships in the Hackensack area, servicing about 30 cars per week. Presently, I am on call and haven’t received much offers with any dealership. Once in a while, I may have a client or two that requires detailing service and I do go to my customers home, however, there is minimal face to face interactions.
Q3: Have you applied for/received any help from SBA grants or loans?
No. I have not applied for or received any help from SBA grants or loans. I am currently paying for all overhead (mobile insurance, equipment and payments) on my own.
Q4: What are you doing to adapt your business in order to survive and grow beyond 2020?
Presently, there is nothing that I can do. I truly want to be out and about interacting and providing my clients with the best service ever. The few clients that do reach out to me for services, I have lowered my service prices. I have been branching out of the Bergen County and Passaic area and taking clients in other counties. Additionally, I have been providing other services that I usually don’t do just to make ends meet. However, I am still using social media platforms to advertise my services and brand my company.
I hope you found the interview enlightening and inspirational. Please go out and #supportsmallbusinesses #supportblackbusiness
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